La convivencia...and all that comes with it

Seeing as I spend up to 5 hours some days translating letters the kids write from Spanish to English, I have seen my fair share of words and I've started to establish a rhythm. One word I come across all the time in the letters, however, is a word that doesn't translate with ease, and it's become a word that I frequently think of when reflecting on life here at NPH. "Convivir," which means "living together" or "sharing life together," holds a connotation in Mexican Spanish with strong emotional ties. I like to think of it as "living life together with _______ "(insert someone's name here, because it's all about relationships). Now that I'm starting to get my bearings, I am really appreciating what it means when I see the kids (and really everyone connected to the NPH-Mexico family) conviviendo. 

Speaking of sharing life, this past weekend was NPH-Mexico's 56 year Anniversary party in Miacatlan. It was a fun and exciting time where everyone connected to the house was invited for a day-long celebration. Families of grown up ex-pequenos came back and it felt like a huge family reunion. I LOVE visiting Miacatlan...and being able to come back to Cuernavaca, haha. There are moments at the ex-hacienda when I like to just stop and try to take in everything that is going on: a million ball games, countless kids walking, talking, and playing together, sports competitions, face painting, a wedding booth for the kids (ha!), puppies and paletas, etc. It is barely-organized chaos and a really beautiful sight. When I was there, I couldn't help thinking about the future letters to godparents I will translate describing the fun events through the eyes of a little child.

Besides making several little friends and watching many very official and intense sporting events (there were soccer, basketball, and volleyball tournaments going on all day long), I enjoyed getting to see the Miacatlan volunteers, talk with some grown-up ex-pequenos, and 

even met some UNC dental students who came down for the week to work on kids' teeth! That was a fun surprise- you can bet I dashed over there when I saw people wearing Carolina t-shirts on the other side of the court! After mass and a special lunch, I had to complete a delightful task for my scholarship office work: briefly interviewing each of the kinder kids! The kinder group consists of eight little ones aged 2 to 6, and they sure are sweet. I asked them what their favorite food, favorite toy, and favorite color was, among other questions. They are pure muffincakes.

On a different note, while I have been really loving getting to spend more time with these kids (specifically the high schoolers), there are always moments where I'm saddened and humbled by the hurts that many of them carry. Something that comes with conviviendo and getting to know people more, is knowing about their pasts and their current struggles. This has been really tough for me at times. I am constantly blown away when I think about how each kid who is here is not in their biological family, for whatever reason, be it death, poverty, or abandonment. Sometimes I think about how pain is so sacred, you have to handle it gently because it is so personal and real. I have treasured the few times a couple of kids have opened up to me, but sometimes I am at a loss for words. The kids definitely fill my prayers at night.

That said, the tough stuff makes the fun times that much better because it's so great to see them thrive. Monday we (Casa Buen Senor, the hs house) went on our THIRD water park excursion. This week was to Ixtapan de la Sal and it was my favorite by far! I had an absolute blast, and I think a lot of the kids had fun, too. I built up the nerve to go on the scariest ride 

3 times, and I think I may have earned some of the guys' respect. When I went up to the top with several of the hs boys, they were waiting when I made it up and said "ladies, first!" I, of course, laughed at them for being scaredy cats, said "gracias, cabelleros," and proceeded to scream as loud as possible when I went down the drop. 

On a normal weekday, the kids have a lot of free time since it is summer and the other volunteers and I are brainstorming special games and activities to do with the kids. Painting nails has been a hit, along with Jane has started tennis lessons for a few kids who are interested, and that has been fun. I'm toying with the idea of starting some sort of glee club but I'm not sure it's the best idea, considering how little I know about singing, haha! Edith and I want to plan a water balloon fight and water games for our next work weekend.

This weekend I'm headed with two friends on a trip to Puebla and Oaxaca! I'm very excited to get out and see more of Mexico besides Cuernavaca, Miacatlan, and water parks! I'm hoping the long trip doesn't wear me out and is super fun and worth it. I'll be sure to take lots of pics. That's all from me for now, I hope everyone is doing well! I love and miss you all. I really hope to have some visitors this year (seeing Kat Bossi was a HUGE highlight and I can't wait until Matt comes to visit next month)! This place is worth checking out. :) 

paz afuera,

whit