PSA: To Future SMs

To the future SMs at Familia Feliz:

Up until now I’ve lived in the context of my experience and here and now. But as people are starting to reach out and ask about the Familia Feliz SM experience, I want to give a very targeted, however disorganized, public service announcement.

Why SM?

The Bible is cram-jammed full of a call to get uncomfortable, to represent Jesus, to go to the whole wide world. That may look like being a dean in the States or a nurse in Africa or a teacher in the islands or a mom in South America. To SM is to respond to God in a big, obvious way. It comes with more personal growth than you can ever imagine, more lives touched than you could hope for, and the best experience with Jesus you could pray for. It will open your eyes, melt your heart, culture your mind, and challenge your soul.

To you new SMs going out, you’re not bringing Jesus to your locations; He’s already here. Instead, you’re finding Him for yourself and demonstrating that picture of Him to the people you serve. In Familia Feliz, you’ll be just another facet of His character to love on the kids; all of us combined over time will show a fuller and fuller picture of Who He is.

Why Bolivia?

This is the $64 question. Personally, it was an easy decision: I wanted a location that speaks Spanish and has a lot of kids. I hit the jackpot.

And I wanted a “real” mission experience; you know, the “roughing it and toughing it,” the getting physically uncomfortable, culturally challenged, and spiritually grown: what Americans think of as a mission field. Reality is, all that’s not necessary to be a missionary; however, it’s a really good way to launch you out there. (It’s also a good way to trauma bond and enjoy making fun of *ahem* Hawaii SMs during the times you don’t have the pumpkin spice lattes and boba.)

Familia Feliz provides you with purpose. Here you see a need. Over ninety kids are here with backgrounds of abandonment, bereavement, and abuse. You can be a nurse, parent, teacher, manual laborer, fundraiser, and a mix of all of the above by the time you’re done. You’ll plan graduations, quinceañeras, birthday parties, execute random national holidays, make food last-minute into the wee hours of the morning, preach, write newsletters, run social media pages, give special musics, and maybe even pull off a wedding or funeral.

You’re needed here. And you’re stretched. You’re invaluable.

Do you want to really do life with kids? Do you want to collapse into bed every night and be grateful and full and also entirely emptied of everything you can give? Do you want to be love to kids who have grown up searching for that? Do you want to have every single interaction, even the smallest, hold the weight of potentially changing lives?

Yes? Then Bolivia is your place.

What I Wish I Knew

I, too, did a lot of research and stalking of the lives of last year’s SMs. For this reason, I decided to make life easier for you. *salutes, however skeptical that you’ll be reading this*

Here’s some random things I wish I knew coming in:

Nine (or ten) SMs here is not too many! I was afraid of being too comfortable and too American and not able to learn Spanish or not find enough work to do. Not to worry. However, if you, too, hold this concern, seek out projects intentionally, take initiative, go to Melissa and ask her for more. That’s how I moved straight in as a house parent.

Ask Melissa for a group orientation meeting to set goals and expectations first thing. And sit down with the house parents you’re coming in to help. Establish communication, however difficult, from the start. Then keep pestering to be given directions, as sometimes it’s assumed your work is implied. You’ll be expected and needed to lead in all communication.

Don’t lice comb your hair everyday. Please. You’ll literally go bald.

You can (and should) say no to food. Overcooked pasta or meals consisting of a plate of rice can be skipped without offending the cook. Also, it’s ok to ask for smaller portion sizes! Not necessarily the complete truth, but we were warned girls come and gain weight and guys come and lose weight (also, yes, gender roles alert).

The propane ovens are self-lighting once you light one section; don’t put your face close or you’ll lose hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Trust us. Start them super low or they’ll blow flame in your face.

I was afraid of being too hard on my clothes, be it in activities or in washing. Don’t be; get dirty then wash them aggressively (yes, by hand, though a couple houses have a machine, if you dare risk using it). You can buy more in town. Use a little bleach in your laundry; it’ll help with the musty smells. And, you can buy liquid detergent in town if you want to smell good. Also, Patito is a powerful stain-remover when combined with a scrub brush.

AIDS isn’t a real threat, especially from dishes. LOL. Sanitation is a concern for sure, but you’re tougher than you think. In other words, nobody panic.

Learn to like peanuts. They even eat peanut soup (that’s quite yummy).

A laptop isn’t super necessary unless you’re planning on actually using it. But definitely don’t bring DVDs; invest in downloading movies instead.

Thinking about laptops and devices, the humidity here may just ruin them (at least one laptop and one phone and one set of AirPods have undergone this between the ten of us). Invest in insurance or Apple Care or maybe opt to reevaluate what’s worth bringing.

YOU CAN TELL THE KIDS NO. In fact, you should. First semester I didn’t realize how I can set boundaries on my time, my space, my resources. BUT you can also say no too many times and too quickly; watch out to stay in the middle.

If you bring a Polaroid (please do), bring a LOT of film and REFRIGERATE said film immediately or you’ll have very pale, overheated pictures. Big sad.

Thinking about water filtration: DO IT. Always. Here’s how we’ve ranked all that we collectively brought:

Grayl water bottles > LifeStraws bottles > LifeStraw filter bags > SteriPens.

This is how cell service works: you buy cell phone service by first buying a chip and registering your new number at any Entel store (the mall in Santa Cruz if you go via there). Then you buy service by paying cash to an Entel dealer in town who will load that credit onto your account. You dial *105# to see how much credit you have and when your “Megas” will expire, and dial *10# to reload data (then choose “promociones” then “ilimitado” and choose how long, up to a month). NOTE: bring an unlocked phone; if it’s not, call your service provider before you leave!

DO NOT BRING MCAT STUDY BOOKS RIGHT AFTER FRESHMAN YEAR. Oddly specific, but I did, in absolute naive stupidity. The principle stands: don’t waste space or luggage weight on what you won’t use or what you can buy here. Do use that extra two pounds to bring a can of veggie meat.

DO TAKE THE KIDS TO TOWN MORE THAN ONCE A SEMESTER! It can be completely free but so fun.

Ditch mango season is only for the lucky. (We were so ready for the heaven last year’s SMs experienced, but this year mangos simply didn’t grow well.) Proof our experiences will differ.

Rainy season may or may not have passed by now (we never recognized it), but supposedly it’s in December to now. What you can know is that it rains after every super hot day. You’ll learn how to differentiate hot and super hot.

Prepare to spend your own money for the kids and for days off. Stipends don’t cut it. Also, you’re gonna have to nag to get your stipends. It’s ok.

Use the Banco Union ATMs because they don’t charge an exchange rate withdrawal fee. It accepts Visa debit cards.

Recommendation: go above and beyond your call of duty and take fundraising personally! Send a video tour of campus to your home church and academy, start a GoFundMe for specific emergency projects, connect with personal donors! This is how stuff gets done!

Other recommendation: TRAVEL TOGETHER OVER VACACIONES! You will have the best memories of your life and can backpack South America cheaper than any other time since you’re already down here. Talk to each other beforehand about it and pack accordingly.

A quick PSA from the rest of us:

“Read all our blogs, especially Sierra’s.” -Treson (my blog most definitely not offended)

“Embrace single-ply toilet paper as an all encompassing, all-purpose tool.” -Elizabeth

“Mentally prepare to preach.” -probably not Elizabeth

“Things get difficult and plans change so much from day to day, so being flexible and positive will be your biggest tools for making the most of your time here.” -Maddy

“The abuse doesn’t stop when they get here :(((” -Treson [the kids can indeed collect trauma from other kids whilst here, as well as continue to encounter family during visits or vacation]

“If your serving here is not a great fit, speak up or forever hold your peace.” -Elizabeth

DON’T SM ALONE!!! -All of us

A Day in the Life

Who can say?

I’m currently shivering. Wearing pants and a raincoat. And it’s 75 degrees. You’re gonna be shocked at how you adjust to heat or at least just learn how to ignore it. You’ll sweat buckets (hydrate or diedrate), but remember you can always shower again. And you’ll live for those cold showers!

The school year is from February through November (the months between are summer break, vacaciones), and during this time the day has to start early enough to usher kids to class in the school in front of campus at 8:00. House parents will get kids ready, give worship, make breakfast, and facilitate chores and room cleanup before that time.

Thinking of breakfast, pancakes, while very much a staple, are not eaten with syrup (or any sauce usually) unless it’s a special occasion. Just add enough sugar to sweeten them and serve with a hot drink to dip them in.

Grab a banana off a bunch you cut earlier in the week and experience a flavorful fruit, not just a mere texture. Other than this, there is no such thing as fast food. On your day off, expect to wait hours at a restaurant. On your days on, you are your own chef (and probably for seventeen to forty other people, too).

School goes till noon every day, and afternoons are for chores, homework, and playing. Making crafts, walks down the road, going to the store across the road, and swimming in el arroyo are very typical time-fillers.

Some of you will be in charge of social media, others of the newsletter writing, others on updating the website. One of you should have a good camera or good phone camera, as pictures are so important. We went to town maybe once a month for awhile to work but then realized the service is just as good (bad) at FF; they’re actively installing Wi-Fi, so maybe you’ll be lucky!

Supper is eaten very late. Like 8:00 or 8:30 or 9:00 or 9:30 kinda late. I successfully pushed Las Lilas’ supper time to 7:00 or 7:30, but that’s still late, I guess.

Friday night vespers are held in la cancha outside the Harding House. Sabbath school (taught by us) starts at 9:30 on Sabbath, and church goes till noon. Saturday evening is J.A. (some sort of game or Bible activity) and is in the church or cancha.

Sundays are when permanent house parents and teachers get their day off, so SMs take over the houses (if you aren’t already living there). Sunday is also visitation day: from 2:00 to 6:00 the kids who have family nearby will get visitors and food and treats out by the gate. Melissa wanted juegos sociales for the other kids during that time, but that idea backfired for us; maybe you’ll have more luck. Sundays are also the sole time kids are allowed on volunteers’ phones to call home. (A note about that: vet who calls who with Melissa because some family isn’t allowed to be contacted. Also, they aren’t allowed to erase WhatsApp messages and need to be reminded.)

Life seems so normal now I can’t even think of how to describe it to you. It’s probably better to come in without it all planned out anyway.

Expectations we held that humor us now:

“Bolivian cuisine would be flavorful and good” -Treson

“I pictured huts encircling a main cafeteria, us sitting on our porch watching kids happily go to breakfast before a day of gardening on the side of the mountain.” -Sierra

“I kind of thought that I wouldn’t need a day off? Or that I wouldn’t take my day off? But that is so not true LOL”-Maddy

“I was going to use a lot of fungal cream.” -Elizabeth (who casually brought about 60 tubes)

“I thought no clothes dry, I’d be in rain boots everyday, and saw myself with a machete in my garden jungle.”-Emilianne

“Did not expect to be preaching” -Josy

“I was going to get a goiter from non-iodized salt.” -Elizabeth

“I should bring all quick-dry clothes.” -Elizabeth

“I’ll wear my wet clothes till they dry then wear them dry since it would rain so much.” -Treson’s plan early-on

“I thought we’d have to hike through the jungle to get to FF.” -Maddy

“We wouldn’t have service ever, and only Wi-Fi once a week in town.” (I told my parents, “Don’t be surprised if I don’t contact you for days at a time.”) -me and a lot of us

“We’ll be doing laundry in the river.” -me (who saw it once on someone’s Instagram)

“We’ll be gardening daily.” -me, greatly delusioned

“Everyone gets boro eggs laid in them all the time.” -me (who has seen three extracted in total)

So You’re Bilingual Now

One of my biggest concerns coming here was that I did not know Spanish. My two years in high school helped me pronounce a lot, recognize a bit in writing, and know how to conjugate verbs. I was so not prepared for moving straight into a house with kids and a Bolivian house mom and being thrown into a classroom to teach with a room full of people who didn’t know anything en Inglés. But there’s the beauty of it: you’re thrown in.

So throw yourself in. Throw away embarrassment. Embrace the fact that you will be an absolute fool (and the kids will love it).

I wish I would have come knowing a few more rules about conjugating in past tense and that I would have known some more household items/kitchen ingredient vocabulary. I wish I could have had a few more canned conversation questions ready for when I first arrived. But the biggest thing I regretted was not knowing enough to understand when a kid did something to someone else and needed to be punished. I couldn’t ask what happened, why it was wrong, or reason through anything.

But this is the cool part: I can communicate now! I am comfortable talking to just about anyone! If I don’t know a word, I’ll explain around it! I’ve preached in Spanish! A couple weeks ago I dreamed in Spanish! Never fear, it’ll come!!

What the ten of us came knowing:

Zoro: grew up speaking as a first language (translated all our sermons for the first few months)

Josy: 10 on a scale of 1-10 (first language and has taken classes for grammar)

Lisiane: spent a year abroad in Argentina and pretty darn fluent

Carlo: lived in the DR for a year as a kid (amazed us all by translating when our group split up the first week for visa processing; lol but when we arrived here, Melissa immediately roasted him for being a gringo)

Emilianne: “Ranking: 3 or 4? I was blessed with an amazing Spanish teaching in high school and have always loved the language.”

Sierra: 3 years of online Spanish in middle school, 3 years high school classes that gave a good noun vocab; understood a lot but couldn’t formulate responses; struggled in past tense

Katie-Jane: knew basic stuff in present tense; terrified to mess up in front of the other SMs but didn’t care in front of the kids

Maddy: “understood enough to get by, and I could speak a bit, but my confidence with speaking was super low”

Elizabeth: casually refused to speak Spanish in front of any SM for like six months while secretly knowing all the random vocab words

Treson: 0 on a scale of 1-10

What the rest of us are saying:

“As easily and quickly as we learned, it would have been SOOOO NICE to come here knowing more, it just helps to build relationships faster, gain respect faster, makes things overall easier.” -Maddy

“I would say that the three biggest things that made it quicker and easier to learn were choosing to just speak even if I felt silly, intentionally putting myself places to have to speak Spanish and not English, and immediately trying to use the new words or conjugations I learned so they would stick. I found personally that just going out and being with the people helped me way more than spending that time on Duolingo or other Spanish learning apps.” -Emilianne

On the order of learning the language: “1 - pronunciation 2 - conjugations 3 - vocabulary” -Treson

“The most helpful thing would be to learn conjugations, but you learn by listening and watching and looking at context. The [other] most helpful thing for me is conversing with a variety of people.” -Sierra

Parenting 101

Good luck.

Take each kid case by case. Generally speaking, little kids need more gentleness first to build trust and older kids need more strength to build respect first. Then it should balance out once everyone is on the same page.

Prioritize showing them Jesus. This may mean leading house worships and Bible studies (please try to do both and make it meaningful), but really it’s usually just being there and being a positive example of an adult worthy of their respect.

Be consistent. Hold your ground. If you say something, FOLLOW THROUGH.

Don’t pick battles you can’t win. Joy told me this gem, and I wish she had sooner! While it’s all well and good to make a child look you in the eye or tell them to respond to you, don’t ask either of the exceedingly stubborn ones (@Nicol) that you know you will have to expend three hours on. Pick your battles wisely, and don’t let them have the control.

Relationships require time and have to come from intentionally seeking one-on-one (and group) interactions. It takes doing and speaking.

When doing activities, let the quality control slide and realize that as long as they’re enjoying the activity who cares if you know it could be “better”!

Find a balance in recording memories vs. living in the moment — take pictures (!) but don’t hesitate to put your phone down. Journal, but maybe just bullet points. Use the app One Second Everyday and you’ll thank yourself later!

Bribery. It’s amazing. My mom reminding me of sticker reward charts unlocked a world of possibilities!

“Time in not time out,” is Melissa’s favorite phrase to explain the preferred parenting style here. In other words, hug on the criers, make their time out next to you if you can. If you can’t reason with them, be with them. (Granted, standing them on a bucket works great but she kinda hates to see it.)

“Castigar” = “to chasten” = make them understand why what they did is wrong and why they deserve punishment. Make the kids explain back to you why what they did is wrong (so that punishment isn’t just seen as more abuse).

Don’t beat yourself up for having to discipline the kids; you’re not being mean or un-loving. Rather, you’re showing them the care they didn’t get from people who told them “yes” to shut them up their whole lives. And if you still feel bad, after it’s all over, give them a hug and tell them you love them.

The Bolivian culture says kids need to grow up fast. But please let the babies be babies. It’s not up to us to change their culture, but this one thing is indeed up to us to counteract. Just remember that three-year-olds washing their own laundry and doing chores is part of a culture of taking away childhood.

And while babies need to be babies, older kids still need to be kids, too! Schedule time for them to play and do art and hang out.

Love on all the kids, not just the cute, tiny, or cuddly. The older kids need physical affection. And don’t just assume the Harding kids are “fine” because they have a mom. They need one-on-one attention just as much as the rest of campus.

A word from the rest of us:

“Be constantly taking a step back in your brain and asking yourself why they’re doing what they’re doing, even if it looks like their motive is clear.” -Sierra (nurse and Sunday assistant in Los Leones)

“Follow their routine as much as possible before you try to change it. Retraining them takes forever. Be very harsh in the beginning and follow through on every threat you make. After a few weeks you can let stuff slide. Like the old SMs said, gain their respect and build authority, then be their friend. (After they respect you, build forts with them on rainy days.)” -Treson (Guerrero’s house dad)

“When you are trying to get a kid’s attention or telling them something important/disciplining, come down to their level: like physically look them in the eye. You’re trying to get something important across and there are many factors that already impede the sinking-in of your message for their 2 brain cells, so your physical height and distance from them shouldn’t be one of them. It helps the child feel safer and more connected to you.” -Lisiane (kindergarten teacher)

“Always tell the kids exactly why they’re being disciplined, or make them tell you, and try to do it calmly and one-on-one. It’s important that they know that you want what’s best for them and aren’t punishing them for no reason. Sitting down with them one-on-one shows them that you care about them. Also, this will vary depending on the kid, but, in general, and especially with the little ones, it’s better to be too gentle than to be too harsh.” -Maddy (full-time Harding House assistant)

“It's really important to make sure the kids feel heard. If they're crying about something objectively stupid, it can be easy to just tell them it's stupid and dismiss it. But remember that that ‘stupid thing’ feels really big and threatening to them. Sit with them and listen. It's even harder to do on the busy days (everyday), but it shows that you care, and odds are that that ‘stupid thing’ is hitting on something deep.” -Emilianne (Las Dahlia’s House mom)

Mental Health Tips

I recently listened to a podcast on generosity that spoke to me and made me question, “Do I trust God to continue to give me love and patience to pour out, or do I think that this that I have today is all the resource I will have? Do I try to hold onto it and ration those things?” No one can out-give God. Pray that everything you do be done from overflow. There’s a difference between pushing through hard days and manufacturing your own version of love you’re trying to give everyday.

Don’t skip devotions. Your most tired days are the days you’ll need it the most. By looking up and being connected to Jesus, you’ll be connecting the kids to that Jesus.

I think the second-most important thing I had this year was written affirmations from people I love. Have your family and friends write letters to bring with you!!! My mom wrote me a letter to open every sabbath that I was here and sometimes that’s literally what carried me through!

Compile a soothers playlist. Some super powerful songs to fall back on when you have no energy to put anything else in your mind.

Have your parents come visit if at all possible. It’s game-changing to be able to show them around and help them relate to your experience!

From your local therapists (trauma experts):

“If you’re a journaler, bring journals…If not, bring journals and start journaling or journal electronically, whatever really; journaling is highly recommended. If not just to emotionally process then to record life events.” -Lisiane

“(idk if the next group of SMs are gonna get along as well or like each other as much as we do, so only if you can) lean on *and* look out for your fellow SMs.” -Elizabeth

“Try to have a weekly SM hangout (worship Friday nights or movies sometimes or something) so that you can have people your age who speak English to talk to in person. Emphasis on try cuz life gets crazy busy here.” -Lisi

“Find something on campus that recharges you a little, even though it’s not official time off. For me last semester it was doing my laundry by myself for a couple hours while listening to music once a week, for example. Or walking in between houses to give medicine.” -Sierra [for others like me, KJ, it’s solo cooking]

“Take your day off without guilt and without shame. You will be guilted into feeling like you have to stay, but you have to rest to function. Also, don’t shame others for taking theirs.” -Elizabeth

“Voice your concerns/things that are bothering you! If it’s just something that’s bothering you, but you can see that realistically there’s nothing to be done about it, probably don’t bring it up to Melissa, but still talk to someone about it: another SM, your family, friends, etc. It helps to prevent things/frustrations from building up, which helps you to not burn out.” -Maddy

Packing List

This is the part you’re gonna wanna skip if you aren’t coming here. Forewarned.

Clothing

Chacos

Black pants (for every school function)

2 or 3 quick-dry pants

4 pairs basketball shorts (minimum) (shorts need to be almost, if not, knee-length)

4 skirts (minimum) (MUST be below-the-knee with no slits above; disregard any picture you’ve seen showing otherwise)

3 dresses (below-the-knee, at least wide-strapped)

Shower shoes (flipflops ARE sold in town)

Flannel shirt (SM staple dress code lol)

Sweatpants (for rare cold rainy days)

Rain coat

Rain pants (optional)

Rain boots (taller are sold in town, ankle boots don’t exist)

A lot of quick-dry underwear (and note it may be stolen off the laundry lines)

At least 2 cute outfits for days off

Button-downs and church pants for guys

Food

Christmas/Thanksgiving flavors and spices (pumpkin pie, nutmeg, mint, etc.)

Spicy food in general

Dried berries

Dietary supplements (fiber, protein, antioxidants, greens)

Vitamins

Probiotics with a capital P!!!

Veggie meat or dehydrated veggie meat

Your fav American comfort food (Pringles, Oreos, M&M’s sold in town)

Random

Grayl waterbottle

Replacement

LifeStraw for HydroFlask

Liquid IV electrolyte packets

International credit card (for anywhere but Rurre)

Visa debit card (ATM in town)

Bilingual Bible

Perfectly in-tact cash ($300 minimum; you’ll have to pay $160 in the airport for your entry visa)

Tea tree oil/lice spray

Nit comb (NOT just any lice comb)

Hair conditioner (shampoo sold in town)

Face wash and acne creams

Razor and razor heads

Tampons (pads sold here)

Body wash

6+ Bath & Body hand sanitizers

Perfume (I didn’t and majorly regretted not having something to smell good the first few months)

Hammock

Gum

Command hooks

Sharpies

Super glue

Duct tape

Sewing kit

Puppets (to play with and for worships)

Bible story felts

Extra screen protector

Ziplocs

2 microfiber towels (normal towels sold in town)

2 sets of sheets

Pretty wrapping paper or a piece of fabric to line clothing shelves

Power strip

Extension cords

Portable charger (!)

Speaker

Surge protector

2 or 3 converters (Type-C 200V outlets)

Extra earbuds

Extra charger cables

Spray sunscreen

Face sunscreen

Small fan to put inside mosquito net

Fairy lights for your mosquito net. Trust me.

“If you wear glasses, bring contacts, too!” -Lisiane

“If you wear contacts, bring a LOT of CL solution.” -Emilianne

“Diffuser if you have a sensitive nose.” -Sierra

“Beard trimmer and extra heads.” -literally all the guys

Meds

Peptobismol and Imodium

Tylenol

Malaria meds are unnecessary (but some brought it only to stop)

A dose or two of parasite meds

Antibiotics (if you’re allergic to the too-common amoxicillin)

Cold medicine

2 tubes Mupirocin

3 tubes fungal cream (not 60)

1 antibiotic ointment and like 3 packs of bandaids

*I anticipated crazy tropical diseases and parasites, which we also got, but I didn’t count on the times I’d have a cold, laringitis, and the flu.*

Vaccines

COVID

Yellow fever

Typhoid

Rabies

Tetanus

HepA

HepB

Update all routine vaccines

Craft/School Supplies

Pipe cleaners

Googly eyes

Beads (some types sold in town)

Card stock paper (only colored paper in town)

Washi tape (!)

GLUE STICKS (liquid in town)

Gifts for Kids

Stickers

Face masks (preferably sheet masks)

Hair masks

Washi tape

Bandanas

Coloring books (Las Lilas are asking for them)

American gum

Pretty journals (girl diary)

Sketchbooks

Nit combs

Gummy vitamins (use for bribery)

Marbles (especially really pretty or unique ones)

A few special notes:

They don’t sell Bibles in town. Bring a couple to hold onto until you find a new kid who needs it (all the kids here now have one, but the turnover rate is huge).

Children’s books, picture books, Bible story books for all ages are also so lacking here and would be such assets.

They do sell mosquito nets in town. A lot. Don’t bring them unless you have extra room. The free-standing tent-like nets are luxury items that everyone but me used this year (I regretted packing mine just to never use it).

Bugspray, deodorant, and t-shirts are sold in town. So are plastic organizing bins and craft supplies like pens, markers, colored pencils, colored paper, glitter glue, ribbon, etc. Just look around and you’ll find what you need.

Looking On Before Looking Back

I’m jealous of you all in the future. Really and truly. My heart is here (can you tell?).

May you come with all the enthusiasm and love your heart can contain.

May you encounter more joy than you ever have before.

I pray that you all have the best year here, because that’s what it’s been for me.

I pray that you are the picture of God these kids need to see.

I pray that you make the most of your talents and stretch yourself to find new ones.

I pray that your Spanish comes quickly and fearlessly.

I pray that your spirits stay high and your mission stays focused.

I pray that you recognize the beauty and simplicity of this life.

I pray that you fall in love here.

I pray that when it’s time to leave it breaks your heart and changes the way you live the rest of your life.

Love to all the future SMs from all of us,

Katie-Jane

🤍 Check Out Our Website

Take all the pictures (and send them to us)

Boiling clothes and bedding for lice

This is el arroyo, a staple activity that you are,
in fact, NOT required to partake in (and maybe
recommended not, as it collects sewage 🤪)

Bring a hammock and you’ll have provided
yourself the only “couch” you’ll have for a year

Prepare to refer to yourself in your heart
as a parent

Baked beans and Big Franks
hoarded since August

Don’t be afraid to get close;
lice can be fixed easier than hearts.

Juancito and his love of baby birds

If you make them stand on a chair,
hands above their head tires them out and
gets them to respond to you in a quarter of the time

Bienvenidos

Number one way to get a parasite: eat river mud

“Let them do good, that they be rich in good
works, ready to give, willing to share,
storing up for themselves a good foundation
for the time to come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life.”
— 1 Timothy 6:18,19