Miguel loves to hold Mariana.
The doll won in size; Mariana won in looks.
Burying Janessa in the sand at the river. On Sunday I slept until my alarm went off to get Roxina up. I got up to put the beans in the crock-pot and get my kids ready for church. We all ate a fast breakfast and then some of us went to church an hour early because Loren needed to make several trips back and forth. So we passed the time by talking and playing volleyball. I played a game against Domingo and I think I won despite the fact that he was keeping score. Others soon joined in. The ball was in the tree 50% of the time. I sat with the four girls and Fernando during church. The service was emptyish. Ricardo put on a show on the front bench. Scott poked me and told me to keep “my kid” straight. Ha ha. We had a load of people to take to Mochiqui and the orphanage. I helped Rhonda finish up lunch. But we’d forgotten to get corn tortillas so we ate our beans and rice slowly while Loren ran back into town. After clean up, we all had “quiet time” where we laid on our beds. Roxina was listening to music on headphones and at one point, I could hear the music in her headphones better than I could hear the music in my headphones. I hope she still has her hearing when she turns fifteen! I made smoothies and popcorn after quiet time. After dinner, we sat outside and watched the kids play soccer. I waited until the boys were gone before I played a quick game of soccer with Fernando, Maria, and MariChuy. We ALL went to bed early that night…
On Monday we had to eat cornflakes in the morning because the higher class cereal was gone. Rhonda did clean up while I got the swimming things together for the girls. Then I had my time off. I felt so lazy when I finally emerged. Chuy had an ant bite and no amount of affection from any of us could take away the pain for him. So Rhonda consoled him while I finished lunch. After lunch, the girls were so excited. They chopped vegetables for dinner with vicious energy. I did clean up, and then we left for the river. The river was chocolate milk with a current, but we had a blast anyway. We jumped/slid off a rock, floated along in the current and had splashing water fights. My feet hurt from the sharp rocks on the bottom so Donna and I sat down on the shore and we gave our legs mud baths. Roxina plunked down beside us, deciding that she too would take a mud bath. Slap slap slap! She threw mud on her legs and then stood up instantly to wash it off. Why should she waste time on a mud bath when there was an entire unexplored river? We buried Janessa in the sand and Maria kept tickling her knee to make her twitch. Eventually, everyone went to the other side of the mud puddle… er… river except me. I guarded the truck while I sat in the water. Soon two men strolled over. I sank lower into the water. They had to explain what they wanted to me three times before I understood that they needed their car jumped. By then, Donna was on her way across to rescue me. On our way out we helped them start their car (I don’t say “we” because I helped but because I happened to be along). Rhonda informed us as soon as we got back that Lenn’s family was coming home that night. So we cleaned up, packed up, showered, made dinner, etc. The Miller van came as we were loading up the truck. We stuck around for a while to catch up, but then we finally came home, exhausted.
On Tuesday I realized that I’d been away from home for an entire year. We left at 3:30 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2008 for the airport. My term is officially up. Anyway, I got up and started laundry and cookies. I went to the store. When I handed Don Josecito a big bill, he held it up to the light to check its authenticity. Then he gave me a sheepish smile. When he gave me my change, I checked the bills in the light too. He laughed at me. I burned a few cookies and passed them out for people to break their teeth. I made lunch then washed up the dishes. After my time off, I wrote out more verses on poster board. Then Janessa, Suzanne, and I walked uptown to get groceries for dinner. We saw Lindolfo Reyes at the store. I wanted to shake his hand, but decided against embarrassing myself. We helped make dinner and then we ate. During lunch Mario informed us that if you want someone to finish up a dish at the table, you tell them “¡Mátalo!” which literally means “Kill it!” I made phone calls and then went to bed early because I my head hurt so bad I was feeling nauseous.
On Wednesday Janessa got ready so quietly that I didn’t wake up until 7:15 a.m. I laid in bed longer, only getting out of bed to make myself some tea. I emailed and then walked up to the plaza to read. One lady stopped me, looked at my large, sturdy frame and asked me if I was German. I did a lot of reading at the plaza… finishing one book and making it most of the way through another. I bought myself “lunch” which Marlen preached at me about: “Tricia! That is your lunch?!” The toronja (grapefruit) across my Fresca bottle looked pretty healthy to me! Don’t ask me what I did all afternoon, because I can’t really remember; pure laziness sorta makes the day one big blur. Right before prayer meeting, the rain and hail poured down. After a brief respite, we had another downpour. The meeting was cancelled. We had a bunch of neighborhood kids on our front porch where we all gathered when the electricity went out. The kids played in the rain and were soaked! I went to bed really early because I had nothing else to do without lights.
On Thursday at the orphanage, Debbie explained to me how to make chicken enchiladas for Johan’s birthday meal. I’d never made them before, so I took my time. For some reason, all of the kids on the entire orphanage property were in the kitchen and trying to stand in my way no matter where I turned…at least it felt like it! I kept literally tripping over children, especially Chuy who likes to hug my legs. Fortunately, Suzanne gleefully took care of floppy-headed Mariana for me. Lunch went okay; no one choked or gagged or died. During lunch clean up, Diego dubbed me enfadosa (annoying) and locked me out of the house. I took some much needed time off with Suzanne and Rhonda in the bodega. Afterwards, Suzanne and I set up bunk beds in the playroom (for the possibility of a new girl). After sweating our way through the process, we sheepishly admitted to ourselves that we might need some help…even with Suzanne behind the hammer. I helped Debbie heat up leftovers and we ate. I accidentally mentioned “outside” to Chuy while he was still in his high chair and he got excited. I forget how much he understands. After that, I felt obligated to entertain him out where the dogs and the bobitos (gnats) play. He enjoyed wandering into the ongoing soccer game. I gave him a quick bath and was ready to pull him out of the tub when Suzanne came in to tell me that Lenn was ready to take me home. After I got home, Aile entertained me with stories from her new classes and teachers and told me some of the things she’s learning.
On Friday I got around late but I was sitting calmly and reading when Lenn came by for me. The Millers were having their day off so the downstairs was quieter than most Fridays. I did laundry, hung out with the kids, and read my book. Roxina tried to talk me into riding the horse sidesaddle without the saddle. I would’ve been more tempted if the poor horse’s backbone wouldn’t be about two inches above the rest of its body. Ouch. DIF (social services) came by right before lunch and threw off our schedule. I did clean up while Rhonda took her time off. Domingo and Miguel were the ornerier than normal… yikes. Sam kept poking his head inside to make sure that the boys were working. I brought in laundry and then laid down for a nap. I was exhausted even though my day had about a 1% stress factor. As soon as I woke up, Maria and I walked over to Mochiqui under the tyrannical sun. (I found out later that the heat index was 118*.) Ana was in Choix, taking her mother to the hospital. MariCruz was out visiting. We felt that our trip had been wasted. We stood and watched the school kids play soccer for a while and finally mustered the courage to walk back to the orphanage. I helped Rhonda get dinner around and then I sat outside to watch the soccer game. Lenn took me and the Yoder kids home. We ate tacos with Marlen. The Yoders went to visit the Millers, but I stayed home to baby-sit my headache and read my letter from home.
On Saturday I woke up exhausted. I hate when that happens. Class wasn’t huge, but we were all crowded in one little space due to the lake in our backyard. After class, I didn’t go to the orphanage, but stuck around the house. I bought groceries and made chocolate cupcakes for the special activity in the afternoon. We had people and kids everywhere, but I tried really hard not to trip over them. I had fun getting a few things ready for upcoming birthdays and then I sat and tried to relax. We left for the orphanage with a truckload of things and people. Donna organized the games. I was in charge of a group of kids while they played relays. The only relay that I was required to participate in was the “pop a water balloon’ relay. The hot day made it fun to get wet, even though I dripped all through dinner. After serving the kids, I ate inside the house with Rhonda and Chuy. I met the new girl at the orphanage. Her name is Cati and she’s not a bit shy and very affectionate. Roxina was having a ball showing her around and introducing her to life at the orphanage since she’d just arrived that afternoon. The rain came as soon as everything was finished and we hurried home. I was cold when I crawled into bed and I didn’t even turn on my fan!
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