I have
been busy this week, so this is a summary of what I have been doing. Along with
the different places I visited, I also had the opportunity to spend time with
German’s family (German is the Coordinador de Nacional Oficina de Diconia). I also spent an evening with some of the friends I have
made here. Enjoying time with my Colombian families and friends has been the
perfect end to a great trip.
I had
the opportunity to visit farmers who live in the outskirts of Barranquilla.
They are displaced farmers (by the guerillas, government, and other forces) who
have been farming a large piece of land for many years. Within the last couple
of years, a Colombian force has come in and bulldozed over their houses and
their crops. These people are left with only the crops that survived and
animals to live off of, with the hope that their request for new land from the
government will go through. Although I did not understand everything that was
said, I could see the expressions on their faces and see the pain in their
eyes. I watched as their worn-out hands took detailed notes on the entire
conversation. I could see their sun-touched skin from hours of working on the
farm. I was able to connect with a couple of men on a walk at the end of the
day (they were surprised I could speak Spanish and could understand them, since
I had not understood much during the group conversation). I connected with the
men because I was interested in their suffering and learning about their lives.
They were also interested in knowing about my time in Barranquilla.
This
week I was also able to continue teaching English at El Colegio Nazareth Olaya.
I taught with a student from Lee University and it was neat to compare our
experiences of being in Colombia. I listened to the students as they sang songs
in English in preparation for an event in the Fall. I was greeted with more
hugs and “Cait, Cait”s than I have been greeted with my entire life. Spending
my second and last week with the students showed me the impact I had made on
the students’ lives and the impact they had made on mine. I taught them that
learning a language is hard and it is okay to make mistakes. I learned more
from the students than I have from any other group. Working with middle school
students is great because they are always honest! We taught each other that
being intrigued by our differences and similarities is what made our time together
so special. I had the opportunity to thank everyone at El Colegio Nazareth
Olaya by speaking on the school radio. After the radio show ended, everyone
gathered for a photo shoot.
One of
the best parts of the week was my time with Sarah, Regional Coordinator of the Andea
Region for Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA). Sarah and I visited El Museo
Caribe, which is in Barranquilla. The museum focuses on the coastal Caribbean
area, but has a specific focus on Barranquilla. I had a great time reading
about the history of Colombia and about different aspects of the country. I
enjoyed being able to ask Sarah questions about observations I have made
throughout my time here. My Spanish has vastly improved, but I still find it
difficult to ask complicated questions. I loved sharing stories and experiences
with Sarah because she has done lots of traveling in Latin American countries
and speaks perfect Spanish! My time with Sarah was filled with storytelling,
learning, and sharing. I am very grateful for the time we spent together engaging
in conversation about this wonderful country and our experiences.
Today I
said goodbye to the students at El Colegio Nazareth Olaya. Tonight I am going
out for my last night in Barranquilla with Gina and Omar. We are going to a
well-known restaurant with live music. I had tears in my eyes today when I said
bye to Johana. I am looking forward to going back and reading each of my posts
once I arrive home. For now, I am
enjoying every last moment. Gina and I leave for Cartagena tomorrow morning. We
will be spending time with Omar’s cousin and touring Cartagena for two days. My
flight leaves Sunday evening and I will arrive in the USA on Monday morning.
Thank you to everyone who has been following my blog. I will post some reflections
once I arrive home and have settled in. I might even write a post in Spanish!
Bendiciones!
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