I’m stealing the title for this blog from a friend because
it is very fitting for this past week (and life in general) at The Finca. The
highs and lows of one’s heartbeat are of course normal and completely healthy
and the same is true for life. Without the ups and downs of life we’d be faced
with a flat line. Of course anyone who has seen any medical drama can tell you
flat lining is not exactly good news. It is at that point in our lives when
things seem to be going smooth that God sometimes needs to shock us back to the
reality of life. As for the times in life when your “heart” seems to be
skipping a beat or racing out of control that’s when we need a thorough exam.
Who better to check in with than the one who created you, the one who knows
every bit of your being, the ultimate healer Christ.
Thinking back over the past 2 weeks
I can clearly see this applied to my life. Thinking back to mid November when I
had to plan my first Quincinero fiesta (for Wilmer’s 15th birthday).
As with most celebrations up to this point my first thought is… I don’t know
how to do this. However, with large amounts of help from my Finca family though
I learned with highs and lows. With less than a week to go before his birthday
I am told to talk to one of the sisters here about planning his quincinero.
Life’s heartbeat hit a low when thinking of how little time that was, but went
back up when I realized that I could make this a very memorable day for him. So
I talk to Sor (sister) Elda
and I’m thinking, “Great! She’s at least from Honduras and will have some
cultural guidance.” Well, not exactly. The first thing she says to me is, “I’ve
never been to a quincinero (for boys) only quicineras (for girls). Typically
it’s not celebrated for boys except for here at The Finca and I’ve never been
here for one.” Heartbeat…. Low. We both went on making a general check list and
general plans of what the party should be. I check with Wilmer as to what he
wants for his meal, remind to pick a girl for his waltz, figure out who he is
going shopping with for his special outfit, decorations etc. Of course most of
this would change just a few hours after I thought it was figured out… a series
of life ups and downs. Eventually it all came together. We had a beautiful
Mass, supper outside (the rain actually held off… definite high!), and a dance
for hours.
Earlier that same week was Thanksgiving. From the Mass to
football to dinner it was all amazing. Just when I’m thinking how great it’d be
to spend time with family back home God gave me a little but much needed jolt.
During Mass the priest broke out his English translation during the
consecration. I’d forgotten what it was like to hear the Mass (or even just a
part of it) said in a language I fully comprehend. I then got to spend a bit of
time with kids who wanted to practice a dance for Wilmer’s fiesta. After that
it was time for football… real American football. Well flag football and on a
soccer field, but still priceless. Just as we’re “warming up” the skies opened
up. At first this was a low thinking that the game would not go on. I was
wrong! We played in all the glorious rain and mud barefoot. We teamed up
pilgrims vs. Indians and began with a rendition of the national anthem as only
could be song by a patchwork squad of missionaries. A definite high!
Team
huddle… imagine if you will that most of us are women and know very little
about American football, but there are 1 or 2 guys per team with great plans
for the perfect play. However, those plans must also be disseminated in Spanish
so all our missionaries can understand. The one clear thing was that it was a
free for all. Somehow in the chaos I ended up open yelling, “Ashley, here!” and
actually caught the ball, but then lost my flag. Next down, same thing but no
one stopped me. Touchdown!! We (the pilgrims) went on to win.
Following
the football game it was time for Harry and me to make enough green bean
casserole for over 100 people. Cooking for that size crowd is quite the feat,
but with the incredible organization and planning of Erin Lucia it all came
together. Around 4:30 all of our invitees showed up. This mostly consisted of
our “watchis” (security guards) and their families, the women’s group
(neighbors), our teachers and a handful of others. Seeing the smiles on
everyone’s faces was another high.
The only
low really for Thanksgiving was that I didn’t get to spend it with my family
back home. That was made up for though when I got to call home the following
Saturday (my Dad’s birthday). Not only did I get to talk with him and my mom,
but also briefly with my high school choir teacher who happened to be nearby.
Then I got to call my sister and brother for a bit. I’d hoped to catch them
while they were still at my Grandma’s house so the phone could be passed around,
but they’d left. It was really great to hear Liz’s voice again. We hadn’t
talked since her wedding in August! I also got to wish my brother’s girlfriend
a happy birthday.
Amid the
happiness of that phone call I learned that a gal I know from high school lost
her husband of only a year in Afghanistan.
I know the sadness I felt cannot even equal a drop in the flood of emotions she
has endured. Little did I know at the time though her husband was also from my
hometown. That only made me wish all the more that I could be there for them
and their families. My prayers and those of my missionary community are with
them.
This past
week has been another roller coaster of emotions as well. December, 1st
we said our goodbyes to the departing class of missionaries. They’d been here 2
years and one for 3 years. Although my class had only lived with them for 2
months it is still difficult to see them leave. Perhaps though the hardest
thing is seeing our kids so sad when the missionaries leave. Some pretend not
to be, others are openly teary, others are angry and still others will bury
their feelings until a final straw breaks their composure. Please continually
pray for all of our children here. It is not an easy time for many of them.
Not all times this past week were
sad though. In fact there were many entertaining memorable moments. During TEMA
(religious ed.) the kids in each of the houses had various skits, songs or
dances for the departing missionaries. Whether it was Juli and Riccy hosting
the night dressed up in 90s track suites with rocker hairstyles, the littlest
girls singing a precious church song or the house 5 boys arguing about what
dance steps they’re suppose to do next. No matter their act it was clear that
each was showing their love for the missionaries.
I was given a very special project
to work on for the “oldies” as a going away gift. I got to record a video
message from each of the kids to give to any of the missionaries they wanted.
As with most projects, I took a lot more time than I expected. However it was
totally worth it to be able to give that little piece of love from the kids to
the oldies. I pray too that it can help provide a small bit of closure for
those on both ends. While the messages may be hard for some to watch right away
I hope in time it can give that sometimes necessary reminder of the incredible
impact left here for both the children and us.
So remember that spirituality is
like an EKG. Don’t let you life flat line, embrace the highs and lows because
it is how we know we are fully alive. Don’t forget when life seems to be
skipping a beat or racing out of control take even just a moment for a check up
with your creator.
