bitter sweet sympony

This story from my experience in Guatemala is one that is constantly bouncing around in my head. I think about this man at least once a week, if not on a daily basis. He touched me. His story shaped how I think about things. I will not forget him. Ever.

Our service team was split into three groups. Each evening, one of the groups took the opportunity to serve the individuals at the Homeless Shelter run by the Nuestros Ahijados. Because there were only two instructors, I went with the third group. Little did I know, but this second trip would directly shape my world view. It would be a moment in time that I will think back to for the rest of my days.

The students served the individuals just as each other team had done. The people at the center are so grateful for the services they receive. A warm meal and a roof over their heads is something that they don't have access to otherwise. This homeless shelther is the only one in Central America. Just think for a second about how backward that is.... there are millions of people who need the assistance, and there simply aren't resources to serve them.

Anyway, while the students were washing the dishes, I had the chance to chat with a few of the individuals at the Center. I was completely taken aback when one individual spoke to me in perfect, accent-free English. I spun around and proceeded to see him translating for others around him. He was sharing their thanks for our service. I kneeled down to be at eye-level with him and shared with him the purpose of our service team and that we were thankful that they had allowed us to serve them. That we were hoping to do our part to ensure that they knew we care about them. He asked why people would come and do such work; especially people from America. I responded by detailing the notion that our group was there to garner a world view. To better connect with the rest of the globe's inhabitants.

By this time, he and I were just chatting, the others had moved on to other things. He looked at me and told me that my group and I were great people. I looked him in the eye and responded by telling him that he, too, was a great human being and that the only thing that separated the two of us was chance. This conversation allowed me to share the common experience of humanity because there truly wasn't anything inherently different about us. We were two people living completely different lives, but I could have just as easily been in his place or he in mine. After I told him that he was a good person, he told me that I shouldn't say things like that. For a moment I felt that I had overstepped my boundary and that I had intruded on a past that he didn't want to share. But, I followed it up by saying that we shared the common human experience and that he simply had faced different barriers in his lifetime. I repeated myself, tell him that he was indeed a good person and that he deserved the best in life. He just looked at me and said, you really shouldn't say such things..... you're going to make me cry. At that point, I was holding back tears and hoping that he understood that I was being entirely sincere.

He shared with me that he was adopted as a child and grew up in Oregon with his adoptive family. He had lived the luxury of America but had decided to return to Guatemala. He had lost everything and was now standing before me embarassed to be in such a condition where he was forced to use the toilet and shower in front of me, a woman. That his life had been reduced to something that he was ashamed of.

Just as we began to move on in the conversation, Hector tapped me with his umbrella and told me that it was time to head back to our host families.

The gentleman looked me in the eyes and said words that I'll never forget, "Thank you for coming here; I hope that we will meet up some day in the states and I can help you like you've helped me here."

I walked out of the shelter holding back tears knowing that I had accomplished everything I had set out to do on this journey.

summary

so, all of those updates that I had... I suppose I should get to them. I'll do my best; I'm trying to have a productive day, and this wasn't included in the checklist of chores... so, bear with me :)

First, the bill that I worked my ass off on failed miserably in the house. It was a mighty sad day for North Dakotans and I still can't quite get over it. The bill would have protected individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender from being fired from their job or evicted from their home based solely on their identity as LGB or T. The arguments that were brought up against the bill were so juvenile, archaic and unjust that I can't even begin to describe them here. What I can say; however, was that I had the opportunity to be in the House Chamber when it was heard and voted on. The discussion lasted for well over and hour. One of the sponsors of the bill, Corey Mock, allowed me to sit with him and I can't say how grateful I am of this opportunity. He made an incredible speech that eloquently summed up the reasoning that this bill is a necessity in the state of North Dakota. I was proud to be a member of the "under 30" generation at that time. Even though we were extremely outnumbered in that chamber, we did the best we could to represent human rights, dignity, and equality. Corey also allowed me to push the "green" button at the time of the vote. I know this may not sound like a huge deal, but after you've worked for nearly 6 months every day trying to educate people and get them to send letters to their representatives and senators, that symbolic "button pushing" meant quite a lot. I'm thankful to have ended the journey like I did; it allowed for some closure and even though I can't say that I've quite moved on, it instilled a drive in me that I don't think I'll soon lose. I'm so grateful for the process that SB2278 exposed me to. It showed me how backward much of our government is, especially in ND. The fact that there is only 1 woman under 30 is sickening and that there are only 7 total individuals in the house and senate who are under 30 is even more devastating. These old white men are simply out of touch with their constituencies and even more frightening, the world. Involving myself in this process has forced me to consider running for office. I can't say when I'll do it, but I know I will. Someday I'll be sitting in that chamber and casting my votes for a more progressive and equitable ND.

Beyond that, things here were crazy with the flooding. We weren't in school from March 6 until April 6th... and that basically means that everything is being squished into the time remaining. It gets a bit difficult to teach (and learn) when things are so out of the ordinary. The water is receding and the flood threat has passed for Fargo; luckily without any major strife.

I've also been trying to get back into running. I used to run quite a lot in high school, but the drive and passion for it sort of passed. I tried to keep it up when I moved to Germany, but things just weren't the same there. And, obviously, since college, I have neglected to do this as well. I've slowly been making progress and am happy to say that two nights ago I ran 7 miles in 65 minutes. This may not seem like a very long way, but I am quite proud that I was able to accomplish the feat. I called Mr. Jeremy Tucker last evening and we collectively decided to run Grandma's Marathon together next summer. I think it will be a great goal to strive for.. and, it'll be some nice brother/sister bonding time :) I am super excited to continue the running outside in the nice weather. Every once in a while we get a nice day that teases us into thinking that we are going to actually have a spring.. I'm just waiting for the leaves to turn green and the grass to start coming back.

One last thing before I sign off... I have the privilege of leading another service team to Guatemala this May. We will be leaving on May 17 and returning on May 27. We are collecting items and if you are moved to give to this incredible cause, please let me know. This journey has been one that has most profoundly impacted my life. The ability to work with students for 4 months to unravel the intracacies of privilege, opression, poverty, and culture is inexplainable. I can't even say how happy and proud of my students that I am. They've truly demonstrated that they're slowing beginning to "get it." It can be overwhelming and unnerving to be exposed to the inequalities and atrocities in this world... and I commend them for working to understand how they can do their part to overcome them....

There are a million other things I could write about.. but for now, I must do some homework. Ta Ta my friends....