It’s hard to believe, we’ve been here for 10 days now at the Hogar for the girls. This last week we got sick with the flu, along with 3 seven year olds that live across the hall, so we weren’t able to write. The days here are long and intense. School just started last week so the girls get up at 6am, then it’s straight through until bedtime at 9pm. The mornings are quieter. All except two of the girls go to school in the morning. The other two girls go to school from 2pm-7pm. It is similar to the system in Mexico where the schools have morning and afternoon sessions in order to double up on the use of the buildings/rooms.
The Hogar is really nice, with patios, lawns, trees, a pool and a slide. Here's a picture of the front patio, and the second one is of the side garden area where the sisters walk and pray the rosary and where the kids have their visits on Saturday with their parents.
Matt and I have a two hour break mid day and then it’s back to the grindstone. For our breaks we’ve ventured out to the Jumbo grocery store two blocks away where they sell everything! We were so lucky to have a store in walking distance. It also offers a variety of entertainment. Bob Barker – decked out in suit and tie – now works in Maipu, Chile. He walks around the Jumbo store with his nifty little wireless microphone and announces the sales. I swear, it’s really him, with the awesome Bob Barker voice and all. The poor guy though, the first time we saw him I couldn’t help but stare, and the second time I couldn’t stop laughing. The other Tias that work here at the home didn’t think it was funny at all, and said all the stores have an announcer. Who would have thunk it!
Our second great blessing here at the home is that we live right across from a great park. It’s not very big, but they did wonderful at using the space. There’s a walking path, bike trails, a big toy and a plaza on the top of the hill where they do traditional dancing classes. There’s a brass band that practices in the parking lot and there are lots of trees. There are always a bunch of lovers in the park and stray dogs taking advantage of the shade and the grass.
We have definitely been initiated by fire here, feet first. The girls had no mercy, as was to be expected from rambunctious 10-12 year olds. The first days were pretty chaotic trying to figure out how to set limits and take charge in the home. Luckily the sister that is helping out at our house is also known as the Ogre, and she’s been helping us regain order and learn more about the routines and the do’s and don’ts. By the 6th day of working I finally figured out their routine for getting meals ready and reheating the food. (the actual cooking is done in the main kitchen for all the houses). The girls all looked at me in surprise and asked, ‘When did you learn how to cook?!’ I had to explain that yes, I already knew how to cook, so then the logical next question of amazement was, ‘What ELSE do you know how to do?’
Here's some pictures of our angels heading out for their first day of school.
Some of you have been asking what the girls are interested in here. Here’s a short list for you. First and foremost they want to know if we’ve met anyone famous. They have had a hard time understanding that most famous people don’t visit Washington State. They love Ragaeton, whis is Spanish pop music mixed with rap, Hannah Montana (even the older teens), Thriller movies, and Chilean Soap Operas. They ask about Britney Spears, Angelina Joeli, Brad Pitt and the Jonas Brothers. Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh and Frutillita (Strawberry Shortcake) are all really popular. They all have a million sparkly plastic bracelets on their wrists and know how to make them into flowers and other fun designs. The middle aged to older girls all have an English class, so they all say ‘bye’ and ‘how are you?’ and then giggle uncontrollably.
Matt has started reading with the girls and teaching them hand games and setting up a garden. They all adore him and think he can fix anything and do anything. It’s so amazing to watch. I’ve started talking to the girls about doing a little ballet class (I’m thinking Yoga would be pretty boring right now, either that or once we did one downward dog the uncontrollable laughter would never stop) and then we’re talking about doing a conversation club in English with some of the older girls.
The language barrier continues to be a struggle for both Matt and I. The kids talk faster, slur their words more, use more slang, and like to tell you things on the run. I’ve had to teach them to stop, look at me when they talk, and keep on explaining to me what they are trying to say after I’ve said ‘What’ 5 times. Matt is learning a little more each day and the sisters and his pocket dictionary help out a lot. Right now we keep telling ourselves poco a poco, one day at a time. We know that we are where we need to be, and that there is so much yearning for God’s love here. Sometimes it’s hard to see through the challenges of this first transition, but we’re blessed with beautiful moments mixed in to remind us that God is still right here with us and we are not alone in the journey. We miss you all very much and hope all is well in the US of A. Until next week, take care and God Bless ~ Janelle and Matt
