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November 19 Team ParaguayI have arrived home safe and sound.
Dispite experiencing MAJOR technical difficulties in Paraguay (which prevented me from blogging on a daily basis), I have not since forgotten one minute of my mission experience.
In a hundred words or less: my life has been forever changed.
In the airport yesterday morning, after having flown all night, My student sponsor Mary Jane, Shannon, and I talked over breakfast. We realized that no matter how hard we may try, the emotions and visuals we experienced and witnessed while on our mission will, in some ways, be untranslatable. Idioms of our own minds, if you will.
You think you know, but you have no idea.
Pictures speak a thousand words, which is why as of this morning, I finally was able to upload a bunch of new photos for your viewing pleasure. What I cannot verbally express, I hope you will interpret for your own via these snapshots in time.
Arriving home yesterday was a bit odd for me. I was not used to traffic lights, perfectly paved roads, and streets free of Chipa vendors.
I was not used to English, "mid-50s" degree weather, and more than 5 hours of sleep at night.
Hello twilight zone!
Nevertheless, coming home was somewhat of a special time for me.
I realized that not only did my mission experience allow me to help change lives in Paraguay, but allowed me to come home and change lives in my own country as well. With a mission experience under my belt, I have recognized what volunteer hours and fundraising helps to be a part of. I have witnessed (especially in Team Paraguay) that human compassion is still burns within the hearts of people from all over the nation and world. I have realized how lucky I am to wake up everyday with the often taken for granted opportunities of health care, education, and a home.
And most importantly, I have realized that I am strong and that I can make a difference.
Lauren November 12 Let me tell you...Saved Blog from November 11, 2007:
In Mission Training, the instructors warned us that this could happen: her name is Chiara.
Hoping to be seen by Operation Smile for a second time, Chiara needs cleft palate repair. Her glistening eyes and precious smile drew me in instantly.
To be totally honest, I'm not quite sure how we first met, or what I was doing when it happened, but ever since that day, that moment, Chiara has not left my side. She finds my awkward spanish endearing, and likes to hold my hand as I make my rounds in the hospital. I've met her father and spoken to him a couple of times in broken spanish, but more than communicating verbally, he displays his appreciation for the love and care I show toward his little one in his teary eyes.
I find out tomorrow if she has been selected for surgery. This is by far the most nervous I have been in my whole life.
On a lighter note, Shannon and I had our first real "free" day today since the mission started. In hopes for the team to "rest up" for the strenuous surgery week ahead, we spent our lazy day sleeping in and lounging by the pool. Our good friend Montse (a student volunteer from Paraguay) vistited us today, and came bearing gifts. She had bought us both a Terere set and and handwoven piece of traditional Paraguayan lace.
In Paraguay, Terere is a cultural drink. It is very popular here and it is common to see both the young and old with a guampa (the cup used to drink the Terere) and their thermos underneath their arms filled with plenty of ice and water. The guampa (cup) is filled half way with yerba mata (an herb) and each time you wish to "take a drink", you pour ice cold water from your thermos into your cup and take a nice cold sip from the bombilla (or the metal straw with a filter at the end). It is absoultly delicious and very Paraguay. It serves as the perfect gift for the oncoming summertime heat.
Before I post this blog, my sponsor Mary Jane wants to take this opportunity to say hello to Kinsey and David in India!!
I hope everyone has a good week, and I hope to write more and post more pictures soon! I know all of you bloggers out there are interested in checking out all of the AWESOME pictures Shannon and I have been taking over the past few days!!
Buenas Noches!
LP November 09 Que FachaParaguay is incredible, and I mean incredible.
The rain started around 8 last night, and since then has only taken, perhaps, a 5 hour break. Accompanied by thunder and lighting, the rain has managed to flood the streets, and leave everything soaking wet. Suprisingly, the country is still radiating sunshine and warmth. Incredible.
Another bus load of potenital surgery canidates arrived at the hospital early this morning. Having traveled near and far, another handful of hopefuls found themselves on Operation Smile's front door. A little over 60 persons were seen today, bringing our grand total to approximately 232 patients screened in just 2 days. The efficency of the doctors and surgeons on Team Paraguay is amazing. They are incredible.
Los niños have been fantastic, as always. Today's mission-- to draw. The children were so eager to get their hands on coloring books, sketch books, crayons, and watercolors today that the local volunteers and I set up a lengthy stretch of tables to accomodate the masses. I love watching the kids hard at work. Later in the day, after our art supplies began to run low, Mary Jane, Shannon, and I taught a few children how to jump rope. One young girl, Ramona, was determined to get at least ¨diez¨jumps, and slowly but surely accomplished her goal. We all burst into applause and she did not stop smiling for the remainder of the afternoon. Incredible.
Despite the¨highs¨, the day was also accompanied by a few lows. There were so many infants in the hospital, and because of their age, all of us knew that they would not be canidates for surgery this time around. It was so hard watching the doctors and nurses tell these children's families that they would need to wait another year. I can only hope that they are able to recieve help the next time Operation Smile is in Asuncion.
As I am constantly being reminded, many members of the team and I are going out to dinner in a few minutes, so I must run!!
I will upload today's pictures later!
LP
CIAO
November 08 Bienvenidos Parte DosWell, after a few unsucessful attempts at blogging, I think I finally have this whole "advanced technology" thing under control!
At 5 a.m. my day began. Mary Jane (my student sponsor), Shannon (my mission partner), and I quickly dressed for the heat (95 degrees and sunny, baby!) and hurried down to a "Team Paraguay" breakfast. We gathered our stickers, bubbles, stamps, ect. and braced ourselves for the busy day ahead-- the screening process.
Today was our first day at the hospital.
After arriving via an hour long bus ride from the hotel, Shannon and I were put right to work. We were both given red "Operacion Sonrisa" volunteer smocks and given a tour of our new "home"-- considering we will practically be living in the hospital for the remainder of the mission. We were then directed outside and toward a long string of tents-- and potential operation canidates. It was so hard meeting so many people and then realizing that only half of them would be able to recieve surgery.
I must admit, before today, I was convinced that I would be uneasy my first time around people with cleft lips and palates, but in all honesty, I do not think that I even missed a beat. All of the children that I was able to play with and to meet with today were all so beautiful internally that the external was practically immaterial.
I think that today alone, the children went through at least a thousand crayons and at least 4 or 5 coloring books--- the princess coloring books, i must add, were at hot ticket item. No matter how hard I scrub, my arms are still tatooed with various colors and designs courtesy of a STAMP ATTACK so graciously provided by my new found friends, and no matter how many times I may brush my hair, I keep finding stickers in my hair brush.
In the 10 hours or so I was at the hospital today, my spanish improved 200%. I have always been a bit hesitant when it came to speaking a foreign language to a native speaker, but once I realized the importance of communication, there was no stopping me.
I'M A SPANISH MACHIENE!!
Hahaha. Not quite, but I am putting forth good effort, and when the locals stop to speak with me even after they recognize the language barrier, I know that they appreciate my attempts. It's a good feeling.
The students from the American School in Asuncion have been a HUGE help as well. When I need help, they are by my side, and when I need a friend to laugh or cry with, I know they will be right there. Their support makes a world of difference.
Anyway, it's quite late here, and I need to prepare myself for tomorrow.
Today was absolutly wild, and absolutly incredible. I'm sure tomorrow will be no less.
CIAO!
Lorena BienvenidosJust want to make sure that my blog is finally up and running! I will write more after I make sure that it is visible by everyone! Thanks for visiting!
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