Misiones 2008

Last year I was so incredibly blessed to participate in Misiones, a 10 day trip with Saint George's College to the island of Tranqui in the south of Chile. As I planned to go again this year, I could remember two things about that experience: the beautiful scenery and people of Nepué and Chiloé, as well as the struggles I experienced on a daily basis, particularly when communicating in a language that I had only learned 3 months earlier. Okay, I guess that makes it three things.

I expected the experience this year to be a bit different. First, I have lived in Chile for over a year now and each day I find myself more confident and sure of my language abilities. Peole actually understand me now and I understand them (although there are moments...) Second, I was not just a participant: along with an ex-student who had graduated in 2005, I was in charge of the mission in Alqui and the group of students missioning there this year. Lastly, as shown from the last statement, I was not returning to Nepué where my memories from last year derive. Being a group leader, I had to go to Alqui this year, a small town about three hours away from Nepué on the same island.

I simply do not have words to explain this experience, what I place in my Top 10 of all my experiences in Chile. The students in my group were absolutely wonderful and we quickly became a family. We lived, cooked, laughed, and cried together throughout those 10 days. By the end of the experience, we didn't want to leave each other's company - so much so that despite our many days together, we had a barbecue at someone's house the night we returned to Santiago and the next day got together again for one of the kid's birthday. Missions is more than just visiting people in their houses, creating a connecting with them and the rest of the Catholic church and their country that they are isolated from due to geographic location. It is also a formative experience, retreat-like where inside the group of missioners (remember, these are high school kids) challenge themselves and others to grow in their faith and love for themselves and others. These kids took that challenge and went above and beyond any expectations I ever had. (Pictured below: Missioners and Alqui community in front of Alqui chapel)

Yet, just like last year, Misiones 2008 will be remembered for the people. This time in both Alqui and Nepué. The local community in Alqui is different than Nepué. In Nepué, most live an hour or so walk away from the chapel. In Alqui, it is at least a 2 hour walk, sometimes 3 or 4. (That walk is more like a hike through the forests and over large hills.) Because of this, the local community was not seen as much, whereas in Nepué they visited everyday giving us potatoes, salmon, bread, and more food than we could possibly consume in one sitting. Yet, in Alqui, those who did live close by took wonderful care of us and those who did not mangaged to walk the incredible amount of distance each day in order to celebrate the mass with us. Don Jose and his wife Señora Isabel took good care of us, constantly checking on us and at the end of our time, killing one of their lambs one day so we can have an all-you-can-eat fest. Also, I became close to one woman and her mute daughter, who did not live close but walked a long way in order to go to the mass. Our communication was limited but the bond was strong.

I was also very fortunate to make the 3 hour hike one day to Nepué. There I was able to see all of my friends from last year, particularly Señora Felicinda who I spoke about last year. We teared up after seeing each other again and she gave me her signature pat on the butt, calling me her "Little Gringita" saying how I am "más flaquita" (skinnier) and my butt is not as big. I just had to laugh - I wouldn't have expected anything else from my favorite person on that island. After a day there, I had to return to my community in Alqui. Parting ways, we teared up again, and when I told her that I would not be back next year, she said, "That's okay. We will be together again someday in heaven with Jesus." I smiled and gave her a big hug knowing she is exactly right.

Today I embark on a new adventure: my flight to the United States leaves this evening at 10:00pm to Washington, DC. With the student exchange kids, I will be there for 3 days and after see them all off on their flights to their high schools around the country. On the 23rd, I fly back home to Kansas City, the first time I have been home and seen my family since the end of July 2006. A long time gone and a lot has changed, but I am looking forward to it tremendously. Next blog post will be written while I am in the United States!