Cali, Colombia
I’m moving to Colombia.
There’s a million things I could say about this and I’m not quite sure where to begin. Most of you have probably already heard the news anyway.
Here’s the short version: I’ve wanted to do a missions/humanitarian trip for a long time. I had pretty much finished an application for a volunteer position in Peru when this opportunity to teach English in Cali, Colombia was brought to my attention.
You might be thinking, “Cali? As in, drug capital of the world.” Yup. That Cali. Though that reputation isn’t entirely accurate anymore.
Colombia ... the place I'll call home for nearly a year.
I’m going to South America to teach for one academic year at Ekklesia School, which is part of a church belonging to the same affiliation as the congregation my parents attend (and I used to). I’ve met the pastor - a phenomenal woman of God. She’s one of the few that speaks English there, however, so I’ve been cramming Spanish and will continue until I get on the plane and after.
Which brings me to departure time. I don’t have an exact date yet, but it will be mid August. So very soon. My last day of work here is July 28. I’m going to spend a couple of weeks vacationing with family before I fly south. I’ll have just over a week to do some training and preparation before I get in front of a classroom.
It’s true, I have no teaching experience whatsoever. All I knew in Spanish was senorita, adios and gracias before a few weeks ago. I’m freaking out a little. This trip also means I am giving up my dream of going to the Vancouver Olympics next February; I’ll just set my sights on London in 2012.
I’m ridiculously excited. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and the door has swung open wide. Despite a few nerves, I know God has called me to do this and he will both equip me for the job and be with me every step of the way. Of that, I have no doubts or qualms. Plus, this is a great chance to travel – I can cross South America off my list – and experience more of the world.
This is my happy face - super stoked to be going to Colombia. :)
Never fear, I will not disappear off the face of the earth while I’m gone. I’m not sure what the Internet situation is there, but I will keep this blog updated with photos, stories and whatever else strikes my fancy as often as possible. Feel free to send in your requests, comments and updates on your life so I don’t feel too isolated down there. I’ll also be blogging regularly about the process to prepare and actually leave for Cali.
So, what do you think? I’m going to Colombia!
The missionaries return
My brother and his wife, Jason and Shannon, are returning from a six-month missions trip to Burkina Faso (western Africa) tomorrow. I am super stoked to see them!
Jason built a computer database for a handicapped centre, while Shannon used her nursing skills as a clinic. They are my heroes.
A year in review
This is what my 2008 looked like, in a nutshell:
January – Ottawa got hit with record amounts of snow. Phenomenal Michael Buble concert.
February – Lunar eclipse. First Family Day.
March – Friend Sarah has baby girl.
April – Hilarious Avril Lavigne concert. Cousin Jen has baby boy. I start doing street outreach with Ottawa Innercity Ministries.
May - My sister and her husband visit. Fabulous Starfied/Shane & Shane concert. Cousin Sharon gets married. Parents celebrate 30th anniversary.
June – Travel to Vancouver, Banff and Dawson Creek to visit family.
July – Camping at Sandbanks Provincial Park with family. Go skydiving. Ottawa Bluesfest. City Chase.
August – Cottage with extended family. Niece Allie Grace is born. Cousin Sheri has baby girl. Go caving and zip lining in Quebec.
September – Complete a year with Metroland; work in Arnprior for a few weeks. My birthday. Friend Emily gets married. Cousin Amy has baby girl.
October - Siblings from B.C. visit. Brother and his wife leave for Africa. Federal election. Hot air balloon ride.
November – Visit Hawaii with cousins; I go parasailing. Nephew turns three years old. America elects its first biracial president.
December – Harper gets Parliament prorouged after Liberal/NDP coalition. World Juniors in Ottawa. Skijoring. Flying lesson. Christmas.
The impact of a homeless man
Andre Hamel died last Friday. The majority of people in Ottawa had no clue who this man was, and I only knew him a little.
He was homeless. He used to hang out near the NAC, and I would see him on Wednesday nights when I walked around with my outreach team handing out sandwiches and juice. He had a huge black dog that he rescued and cared for over the last eleven years.
After a month off, I was back at outreach last night and a lot of people were talking about Andre – the impact he had on their lives, how they were dealing with his death from a heart attack, and the memorial service planned for this morning at the downtown corner he panhandled at.
Ironically, it’s probably the best night I’ve ever had doing street ministry. My team spent several minutes with some of Andre’s closest friends, talking about how he’ll be missed and how they are coping without his positive attitude, jokes and smiles. Though snacks and toiletries are appreciated, I believe our condolences and sympathy meant more to them than any material goods.
Oh, and some random guy got really offended when I smiled at him … then told me I needed to lighten up. Good times on Bank Street.
UPDATE: Check out a photo gallery from Andre’s memorial service yesterday here.
Belen
I like to think of her as another little sister. She is 10 years old, has five siblings of her own, and parents that can’t always find work to support the family. She lives and attends school in Anceita Alta, Peru.
Her name is Belen Alexandra Salvatierra Rodrigo, and I’m her sponsor.
I started the sponsorship through Compassion Canada with a friend over three years ago, and I’ve never regretted the decision, even when my bank account was severely lacking. I get photos of her once a year and I hang them on my wall to remind me to write to her. She sends letters every couple of months, and they always make my day. They are translated, of course, but I can still see her neat cursive writing. She talks about her friends, what she’s learning in school, and asks me about myself before signing off “… with a big hug and many kisses.” Her drawings are bright and cheerful; I know she’s smart and has so much potential for great things.
Someday I would love to go to Peru to visit her … my other little sister.
Seeing the invisibles
Yesterday night I hit the streets of downtown Ottawa with a homeless ministry team. I did five weeks of training with Ottawa Innercity Ministries, and that evening was my first time putting the learning into action.
I went with a woman who had been working with homeless people for four years and a guy who just recently started doing outreach. We spent about a half hour making sandwiches and filling huge shoulder bags with food, toiletries, socks and hats.
We walked a route that took us along Elgin and into the Byward Market, then we came down Bank Street after a couple of hours. The lady knew nearly all of the people we met by name, asking about their health and family before handing out our goods.
I love downtown. It’s a great destination and I’ve been there a hundred times just to hang out with friends or go see a show.
But it felt like a different city when I was there for the sole purpose of making eye contact with people on the street. Sure, I’ve seen the homeless before … I’ve clapped for buskers playing guitar or tossed change into a cup. This was a whole new level. I didn’t step around drunks sitting on a curb or guys trying to keep warm in a store entrance. I was actually looking for them.
This time, the people dressed up for dinner or out shopping with friends were the ones that seemed odd and out of place.
I don’t know if ‘enjoyed’ is the right word to describe my experience, but I didn’t drive home feeling totally hopeless or anything. It was actually quite neat to sit and chat with the street people, to hear pieces of their stories and offer some comfort in the form of cheese sandwiches, juice boxes and conversation.
The highlight would have to be when one guy sang me a song that he made up on the spot. The only thing missing was his guitar.
Cheryl