I had a dream last night that included a strange woman who gave me what-for because I’ve not updated my blog in a very long time. I don’t know who the woman was, but she was right for startling me into a nervous awakeness. I owe it to you—the people who helped me get here and who are reading this faithfully even though I’ve been totally irresponsible about writing it regularly—to keep you updated on my life and experiences. I’m sorry. I’m hoping that you will be able to find some patience, tolerance, and grace within you and then extend some of it to me. Truly, I’m sorry.
In the last long while a lot of things have happened. I’ll do my best to include the most important bits.
- My best friend, Erin, came to visit me for a week. Even though I was fairly sick most of the time, we managed to make a party out of it.
- Roxanne, the wonderful Canadian volunteer who arrived here just the day before Sam and I, went back to Canada and has been greatly missed. She was replaced by her cousin, Chantelle, another wonderful Canadian volunteer who will be leaving the same day and Sam and I.
- My family and a family friend, Mel, came to visit for two weeks. We visited all kinds of cool places including but not limited to a nature reserve, Iguazu Falls, and the ruins of the Jesuit missions. It was a wonderful trip for all 5 of us, and a wonderfully timed break for me.
- Martin stuck around for 2 weeks before his May term class (which was in Paraguay) and then 1 week afterwards, which provided some fabulous bonding time.
- The Paraguay Radical Journey team and Chantelle took a trip to Argentina to see Iguazu Falls where we saw amazing, breathtaking, heart stopping views, had a wonderful time goofing around in the city, and were burglarized. Someone broke into our hotel rooms while we were away and took all of our valuable electronics which included two computers, two digital cameras, two iPods, some gadgets from Sam’s computer, and cash. I’m down a computer and a camera, meaning that I’m updating this blog on a computer that’s not mine, and it won’t be including photos.
My term here is almost up. In just two short weeks I’ll be boarding a plane that will take me back to the US. I have very mixed feelings about going back. I’m excited to be home for a while, to see family and friends, and to start college at Goshen. I’m thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to live out new experiences, but as we all know, change is scary.
Honestly, I don’t want to leave this place yet. I’ve made Paraguay my home. This neighborhood has become my community, and I don’t want to have to say goodbye already. In my experience, people here care deeply about each other and support each other in ways that I’ve never seen in my culture. I don’t want to leave that. I don’t want to have to break relationships that I’ve worked so hard to build. I don’t want to have to think about whether or not I’ll ever come back.
I realize that this is all part of the deal, but it’s really snuck up on me. I’m trying my best to make these last two weeks count and stay positive about what’s to come. I’ll do better about blogging again. Thanks for your prayers and your patience.
Sarah
