As I reflect over my time so far in Bolivia, I am filled with a sense of gratitude, wonder, and awe. Gratitude for my host family, who welcomed me with open arms from the minute I stepped off of the plane. Gratitude for my friends and family who listened to my frustrations with the Spanish language, over laughter and tears. Gratitude to my Spanish instructors and everyone affiliated with the Maryknoll Language Institute, for helping introduce me to a new language, culture, and lifestyle. Gratitude to the Franciscan Social Center, whose members patiently listed to my broken Spanish after I had completed language school and moved in the center, and with whom I stop to talk every time I enter and leave my new home. Gratitude to my Restorative Justice Group for helping to keep me on point with forgiveness as well as my faith. Gratitude to the faith community in La Parroquia Divino Maestro for their sense of community and vibrant expression of faith. Gratitude to La Casa de Paz prayer group who helped me study the bible in Spanish and for their strong example of living out lives devoted to God. Gratitude to the Justice and Peace Office for inviting me to their meetings and their patience while I took a more active role as my Spanish was continuing to improve. Gratitude to the FMS and Maryknoll Lay Missioner communities whose gatherings were both a way to blow off steam and a gauge for how I was handling life on mission, in comparison to those who came before me and were happy to share their wisdom as well as their blunders. Gratitude to all of these people for letting me know that even though I was one individual in a foreign country, that I was not alone. As I ponder this time of transition, I take with me the memories of kisses for greetings, strong hugs from some of the best people under the age of 5 in the world, and pictures that have captured only a fraction of the memories I will hold in my heart forever. Thank you for walking with me, holding my hands, brushing back my tears, talking me into a smile, and showing me that family and friends (new and old) will always be the best medicine for a life well-lived!
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AuthorValerie Ellis, who is in alignment with the Black Lives Matter Movement and everyone whose life is impacted, now or before, by times of social injustice. Archives
July 2022
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