2 Months In...

And I think I might just stick around a bit more ;) I can now sit in on visits with our friends and understand the general idea of what is being discussed. And so, I am able to understand the stresses of work that Glynda is under, that Ashelyn only likes to play with the princess puzzles and that Rosa has a serious gambling addiction and feels trapped. What a world of difference this makes in relating to my friends, on their part and mine. It's really quite exciting. I received a St. Therese de Liseux book of daily meditations in Castellano, to help me in my studies. And each morning, I hit the books for an hour to an hour and a half, translating, reading and memorizing. I have entrusted my learning Castellano to Our Lady of Lujan (during the pilgrimage) and I have no doubt that she is hard at work with me.

Jose and learning from Mother Theresa

He lives across the street from us and is known as our street's drunk. I don't know if I've spoken to him without the stench of alcohol on his breathe. He also happens to be one of the more rejected members of our street and because of this is so very lonely. There is never a time where I walk by, even if I'm really far away, where he doesn't shout, "Hola Brooke!!!!!!!" with a glorious smile across his whole face. He always wants to talk about his day, the weather and what food we will be cooking for dinner. It's the same conversation every day. However, one day 2 weeks ago, he told me something, something that opened my eyes and I must share it with you because it is so important. He asked if I saw one of the other missionaries handing him food the other night. You see, I had made for my first time, empanadas with carne, and I made about 3 batches too much! We ate empanadas for days actually! Well, this missionary had decided to share our leftovers with anyone on the street who wanted them. He beckoned over to Jose and stuck one of them through our front gate for Jose. Jose said that he felt like a dog, because of the way this missionary dealt with handing him food. I had seen exactly what he was talking about and my heart hurt for him in that moment. He said he is a human being and while he may be a drunk, that he does not deserve to be fed leftovers like some sort of animal. As a community we recognized our mistake and wanted to do whatever we could to repair the damage. And so, we invited him to our home to celebrate his 58th birthday, and he accepted! We made a delicious lunch and a huge chocolate cake and had a really good time together. He taught each of us, in this little moment, not to be afraid to love the poor, and not to forget that the poor are human beings. Not to forget that the poor have feelings and it hurts them to feel pitied and less than and that sadly they live this way all day, every day.

So on this same note, I just received (thank you Sis!!) my book of quotes from Mother Theresa. And I have to be very honest with you about something. When I first arrived here, I thought that praying to Mother Theresa and reading her stuff was cliche of a missionary! Yes, I know, how ridiculous it sounds. But, lately, God has just left me with this desire to read stuff by her regarding living with the poor. Then, my book arrives a few days after our lunch with Jose. Here is the first quote that I opened up to:

"We should learn how to give. But we should not regard giving as an obligation, but as a desire. I usually say to our Co-workers: "I do not need your surplus. I do not want you to give me your leftovers. Our poor do not need your condescending attitude nor your pity. The poor need your love and your kindess."

I don't know how this touches your heart right now. But it pierced through mine because we had just experienced this exact thing she had spoken of. A-mazing!

Final Thoughts
I wish I could share more with you from this past month, but I have to go now. THANK YOU for your love, for your prayers, for your support, for your encouragement. Please don't stop now. I think God is just getting things started :) You are in my prayers every single day.
Grande abrazos y besos!