I'm going, going...back...back...to Cali, Cali

Written by Laurie Holland

Well, here we are, folks...the end of my journery here in BsAs. I'd like to catch you up on my last week here among these superb people here in this city. Earlier this week, my group and I were taken on a boat down the river to see some not so nice areas. I really wasn't prepared for what I was about to see. I've never seen a river so absolutely polluted in all my life. It was a sad sight, an ugly sight, depressing, and the air was foul. While boating down this river, I saw more plastic bottles than I could count, plastic bags, aerosol cans....you name it, I saw it floating in the water. And the most discouraging sight were the many shacks built alongside the riverbank. Many living there are immigrants from Uruguay and Paraguay who've moved to Argentina in hopes of a better life. Shed-looking shanty homes with boards pieced together, clothes outside on the line drying in the sun, children waving to us from the bank....they should be in school. What a sad sight to see such absolute poverty. After a few hours of boating through polluted water, I felt dirty. I was anxious to take a shower. I was reminded of how blessed I am to have a warm shower, soap, and a towel. May God bless that community and raise those children up to do great things in this world.

Last night I attended a closing banquet in our Group Study Exhange's honor. We all had an opportunity to say a few words and give our good-byes. I was doing well when I shared my own words, but when members of the families that hosted me took the mic.....yep, tears started flowin'. It seemed my whole table was in tears. I didn't understand all that was said about me, as it was spoken in Castellano, but I think the main idea was clear...actions speak louder than words, and there are no cultural boundaries for the exchange of friendship. Throughout the past 4 weeks, there were many times in which I was not able to communicate everything to my host families. Without the exchange of many words, how is it that we were able to share so much together - that I was able to walk away with imprints of each family member upon my heart always. Their smiles and kind deeds will not be forgotten. I was greatly encouraged by the words of a young woman who inscribed in my notebook the following when I wasn't looking - You are a model of living that a lot of people would like to have, but they do not know how to find the way to balance this crazy world with a spiritual life. Don't let this world change you because you are great. Thank you, Belen, for sharing that with me. You are so very wonderful, mi hermana.

This morning my group had our request granted - a visit to the children's hospital. After only 4 hours of sleep...yep, went dancing last night at 2am and went to sleep at nearly 5am...I was a bit tired but so very glad for the opportunity to be blessed so much by the children. In the oncology ward waits many children with their parents, sometimes the whole day, to be seen by a doctor and get radiation and chemo treatment. There was a small area in the corner in which we set up shop to play with the kids and keep them entertained a bit in hopes of putting a smile on their face. Many children were a bit timid and shy to join us, and others simply lacked the stamina or desire. There were about 5 or 6 kids ages 6 to 10 or so that participated for the couple hours that we were there. One girl was wearing a hat, as it was obvious she lost hair due to chemo. A young boy wore a Make A Wish T-shirt. Another boy a bit shy and cute as ever. Another boy who took a special liking to Zakiya - he has the most beautiful eyes. A few others joined later. We started with a warm-up exercise to get the kids going. Those finger puppets came in handy, as the kids enjoyed playing with them. They were eager to know how to say each animal in English, as was I eager to learn from them how to say it in Spanish. Man, those kids were adorable. I had to take some pictures. That definitely sparked their interest, and pretty soon the kids were taking pictures of each other and of my group. They were intrigued by the opportunity to use a digital camera. We had a lot of fun. I was most blessed by their precious smiles. One young 4-year-old boy was carried over by his mother who told me her son wanted to hear me speak to him in English. His mother is an Argentine but teaches English, so her son has been learning a bit. She shared with me that her son sometimes asks about his little sister, as his mother recently gave birth to a little girl. Five days after birth, the young one died due to problems with fluid in the lungs. The mom shared that her son has a condition that the doctors are not certain of. Although it is not believed to be cancer, the boy is treated with chemotherapy. They live outside of the city, but they sometimes have to stay for a few weeks at a time in the city while this young boy gets medical treatment. She told me sometimes she waits all day at the clinic before her son is seen by a doctor. Do the problems you are facing today appear to be a bit less important than you thought this morning.....I consider mine to be minute in comparison, especially after hearing her share a bit with me, all while hugging her son with a warm smile on her face. I am so grateful for that wonderful experience today.

After lunch, I got a 3 hour siesta in. I was tired. After I woke up later this afternoon, I was tired. After I had coffee with my group, I was tired. After dinner tonight, I was tired. I'm about to get a good night rest tonight. I will wake up, pack up my things, and be off to the airport to head back to the states. Upon my arrival, I will be living in a different city, a different home, and starting a new job early Monday morning. WOW, the many changes. I'm truly grateful for my health. I look forward to personally sharing with each of you my many more experiences that I was unable to write about in this blog. I have taken over 1,200 pictures, so I hope to get them posted online as soon as possible. I will send the link out shortly thereafter. Take care. Count your blessings. You have far far more than millions of others in this world.