I left my heart in Obregon Village
Here’s why:
We immediately fell in love with all of the village kids. After
three months in Europe, it was really nice going back to a place where
the kids were intensely fascinated by white skin, arm hair, our attention, and our affection.
three months in Europe, it was really nice going back to a place where
the kids were intensely fascinated by white skin, arm hair, our attention, and our affection.
Rodrigo, the cutest tyrant in the village, tried his best to frown the entire first day we arrived. By day 3, he was all smiles.
Olivia was one of the most playful girls I’ve ever met. She was so excited to take us up into the mountains, to the cave, the waterhole, and into the trees. She can also peel fruit with her teeth in ways I never imagined possible.
Alejandro became my shadow. When I was little, I would sit next to my dad at church and half-hold,
half-play with his hand. Instinctively, I held out my hand for
Alejandro when he sat next to me and he started doing the same. Every
service from then on he sat next to me to hold and play with my hand. I
was constantly reminded of my dad.
half-play with his hand. Instinctively, I held out my hand for
Alejandro when he sat next to me and he started doing the same. Every
service from then on he sat next to me to hold and play with my hand. I
was constantly reminded of my dad.
Their kind of relaxation really resonated well with me. I liked the hammocks so much I bought one!
My mom always took care of me. She played with my hair, scratched my back, and shared her love with me. Being able to do the same for these kids meant a lot. Here is little Lupita (Guadalupe), my favorite!
Lupita and Marta getting into trouble, like usual!
Víctor is my Spanish name… Olivia wrote on her hand, “My best friend
Víctor,” with my pen on the last day before we had to say goodbyes…
ahhhhh. ¡Que triste!
Pastor Carlos, our contact, really made the entire thing possible. He was incredibly sweet, good-natured, and great with the kids. I really admired the way he led his church with humility and passion. And I had a ton of fun with him watching Mexico romp the US 5-0 in a soccer match. Incredibly, he predicted the 5-0 win, too! I rooted for the US until it became 0-4. At that point, I became a Mexican!
