Back From Mexico

Viva la Mexico! It's almost midnight and surprisingly I am still so hyper! I just got back from my trip to the Mexican orphanage. Four other teen girls besides myself went on the trip too to help do the Lord's work at El Reino de Los Ninos. At first, when we got there at about 2 or 3 in the morning on Friday night, I felt like crap. Then, in the morning, after breakfast, I was back to my old self (although a bit tired), obsessively washing dishes and organizing everything. I was the youngest teen girl there, but people treated me as if I were one of the 17-year-olds. I may be young, but when it comes to at least acting like one of the adults (some, if I may say so, may be a bit cocky and bossy at times when we're on a church trip), I can hold my own. Anyway, I was a bit shy in interacting with the little orphanage kids at first and I had to remind myself that this was not a social trip, but a trip in which I was supposed to have my first missionary experience. I was intimidated mainly because I don't know much Spanish, but that's where a few of my friends came in . Whew! What a relief, man! Well, as I was looking at all these beautiful children, not much younger than myself, but so robbed of all of the things that people take for granted, my need to do something for them overflowed. My heart was totally captivated. Staying in a ghetto house with unsterilized Mexican water and fly-covered food make me think even more of how seriously these kids need help. Some of them have had such a bad home life that they're thankful to be in the orphanage. There was a couple there who had grown up in the orphanage and were now volunteers with their own house nearby and two kids. When I gave the cute little orphans the muffins I had baked, I was so happy to see that they appreciated it. Little girls ran up to me shouting, "Mi contigo!" and cute simple little phrases. The next day was our last day of hard work. I'm not rich, but at the same time, it wouldn't matter how rich you are if you visited El Reino de Los Ninos. Everyone has to parttake in the grueling cleaning process (don't get me wrong, I absolutely love cleaning unlike most Americans; my friends nicknamed me Mrs. Fields) which involves adults delegating as you work your a** off (excuse me) to leave the house cleaner than you found it. This is a real bummer, because you know that the missionaries that live there anyway are gonna mess it up quickly. I was glad to leave that house, but when it came time to leave the orphans I was very sad. Some of them were very lively as if they had no idea what sort of situation they were in as I saw them playing and chatting with bright, mischievous eyes. However, some of the kids didn't have twinkling eyes, but rather the empty eyes that I had whenever my spirit had been broken many times before I discovered Christianity. They looked to traumatized to really play and warm up to us. I did my best, however, to smile and help pass out the food and treats to them without imposing my kindness on them. They had, after all, had their trusting little hearts broken by so many of the adults that were supposed to be there for them. Anyway, after all of the playing and cleaning, our whole group went to La Boufadora (a busy marketplace by the ocean). It was fun. The whole experience was a mix of good and bad experiences that kind of opened my eyes. A lot of people see me just as a naive young girl who has had no experience whatsoever. On the contrary, I was already a grateful person before I went to Mexico. This just gave me a chance to really help people at the source instead of just sending money. It was cool. Anyway, I think I am going to send money and sponsor a child. Basically, what you do is give them a pic of yourself and write them letters that will be translated, and send in $20 per month to take care of them. They call you their Tio or Tia and get to know you personally. You can even visit them, if you have a high tolerance for the ghetto. I grew up in the ghetto for parts of my life, especially the Philippines. Even so, I've lived in America most of my life so I can tell the difference and feel grateful for what I have. If anyone wants, I can give them the address for sponsorship or the fax #. There was this one little boy that reminded me of my little brother so much that I almost cried when I saw his eyes. He is one that I'm definitely going to sponsor. In fact, I might upload the pictures of the Mexico trip into this blog eventually if you guys want to check it out. You know what's so weird? It's like I'm a normal American teen girl that likes all the normal things-- cute boys, shopping, music, my cell phone, etc. --and I don't mean to brag, but I have three things that I've found not a lot of girlies my age got-- a dare to be different in a good way personality, intelligence/maturity, and compassion. I know what you're thinking...what a conceited full-of-herself fake do-gooder. But that's not what I am. If I couldn't help others, I would be useless. Especially if I couldn't help these kids. A few of my girlfriends from school are in my environmental club and we're thinking of going to the beach to clean it up and making a whole fun overnight trip of it. Anyways, I was thinking that perhaps now I can start a humanitarian issues club, and my friends and I could have car washes where perhaps the proceeds can sponsor an orphan. I love seeing them smile. It makes my day more than getting my nails done and feeling selfish and lonely. But anyways, I'd be happy to give anyone the fax # if you wanna get involved and stuff. I could also tell you what sort of info (like age group of a child you wanna sponsor) to fax over or mail. But, yeah. I guess my purpose is to serve others. That's why I don't feel unhappy or worthless or lonely. Helping others is the cure to dpression. Seeing them smile makes you happy.