The HERE and the NOW

“In life we cannot do great things.  We can only do small things with great love.”

-Mother Teresa

I have quickly come to the conclusion that there is no sound more beautiful to my ears than a child’s voice calling out to me, “Señora!.”  I don’t know how to explain it, but that simple word tells me that even if just for that moment they desire my attention, my help, my praise (or at times to whine to me as kids do, but I love it all the same).  In those moments, I do not feel like the useless girl from the US still trying to navigate her way around a foreign place, as I often feel in my more frustrating language moments. I feel like I mean something, like I add something. 

My heart is completely full of joy during the hours that I am at the comedor (after-school type program for those of you just joining us on this journey).  Sometimes, I think on the these feelings of contentment inside myself while I am there and realize that all the other things taking place in my life do not matter.  All the other aspects of life that I find myself worried about or distracted by throughout my day disappear in those moments.  Within my time there, I know I am exactly where I need to be. I have found that this is one of the greatest feelings I have experienced.  I desire to be nowhere else, with no one else.  I want to be there with those kids, helping with homework, playing games, pretending I know exactly what they’re saying when they talk really fast, and hearing them call out to me in their beautiful little voices.

Finally, I have taken some photos to share with you all from trips to the comedor.  However, I am not yet comfortable taking out my camera to photograph all the time so they are limited.  The kids and I are getting to know each other and it just not feel like the right time to try to be taking pictures.  I want to share who all the kids are with all of you. BUT more so when they are completely ready to share who they are with me. 

As always, thank you all for the love and support.  I feel so blessed to be where I am, and am truly, truly happy.  None of this would not be possible without the wonderful people I have in my life, both near and far. 

Un abrazo,

Kristyn

This is the road I walk to the comedor after getting off the bus.  It's not open fields, but just getting outside the city with less people and more space, I find this walk to be so peaceful.  

"Compartiendo un Sueño" is the name of the comedor.  For additional info I think you should be able to look at their Facebook page.  They have a website, but it's all in Spanish and their Facebook page has more photos:  https://www.facebook.com/compartiendo.unsueno?fref=ts

 After a day at the park (in which I forgot my camera) we returned to await parents.  The boys were all lined up to learn some Tae Kwon Do-type punches.  As you can imagine, they were really into it.

This is the outside of the classroom.  It's one room with a bathroom and a kitchen.  It's actually the garage of the woman who started it.  With time, she's hoping to expand.

As a special project, a volcano and town were built by the kids.  This was the exciting day of the volcanic eruption.  

Everyone gather round....

Success, for the most part.  Unfortunately for the project, fortunately for the pretend people living in the town, they lava flowed all over the table and floor instead of the "village".

After the previous photo my camera was passed around by the kids.  While they are all really nice pictures, many of them are similar so I won't share them all.  This one just goes to show that not everyone wants their photo taken all the time.  Some proof of why I don't always want my camera out...

My friend Eva and I

Finishing up the day with some games.  I lost.  Big time.  And if you know me, you know my competitive nature wouldn't let me lose just to be nice.  They won fair and square.

(Photo courtesy of Marina Ayala)

The road to La Plata

Every 15 or so days I travel to Buenos Aires to work with the headquarters of the IELU, the Lutheran church here in Argentina.  About halfway through my ride back to La Plata I decided to document my trip with some random pictures out the window. They're really random, so don't expect any professional photography here. Unfortunately, I did not capture any of Buenos Aires, but this is what part the one hour ride between the two cities looks like.  Just a little taste of Argentina.  Next time I'll add some of the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires.

If you look to the left of this photo there's a random horse hanging out by the road.  I came across a lot of them throughout my ride. Specifically in this area.  Not too many random horses in my area of town, unfortunately.

Starting to enter La Plata...

Futbol, lots and lots of Futbol...

This is the same bus as I take.  It's actually incredibly comfortable with seats that lean wayyy back and leg rests.  It's a good nap and reading hour...

A glimpse of the main government building.

 I've realized that writing takes a lot of time, and I often don't do it as often as I should.  But I figure I can start mixing my written blog posts with some photo blog posts.  Probably more exciting for ya'll once in a while anyways.  All continue to be well here in Argentina.  My weeks here are just flying by! I will share with you all again soon!  Hasta luego!

Un abrazo (a hug),

Kris

The Perks of Being an Outsider

I’ve talked a lot about the difficulties of living in a new country, especially one with a different native language.  I cannot lie, it’s very hard at times.  However, by only sharing the difficulties, I’m also not sharing the whole truth.  You see, there are several positives about being from outside Argentina that have surprised me along the way.

From my experience, Argentines are very welcoming to visitors and are very excited to meet outsiders. Before ever being called by my name, I am first known as “la chica de los Estados Unidos”  (the girl from the United States).  This is not said in a negative way, but with excitement and curiosity.  People are interested in learning about where I am from and why I am here.  I have yet to to come across any North Americans in La Plata despite there being a university with students from other countries in attendance, so I think being from the US adds to the curiosity. 

 In reality, I’m never called by my actual name, Kristyn. Within Argentina I have transformed into “Kris”, pronounced Krees with a rolled “rrr”.  Kristyn Zollos is a bit difficult to pronounce here.  It is so amazing to me that depending on the language you speak, different sounds are so difficult to make in a new language.  I’m still struggling to roll my “r’s”.  And I mean really struggling.

Wow, I’ve gotten off topic.  So, where was I? Oh yes, Argentines are very welcoming to foreigners.  People are excited to share with me their culture and are interested in learning more about my own.  While sharing with me things like food and pop culture here, in return they want to know if things are as they are portrayed on the television programs and what foods I eat in the US.  I’m very willing to debunk a few myths that television has created with shows like the Simpsons (which plays 24 hours a day here), and I’m sad at times that I cannot.  It was a disappointing day when I had to say, "Yes, we do have child pageants with ridiculous stage moms and girls who go by names like 'Honey Boo Boo” .  Luckily, I was able to respond to the question that followed with, “No, I never participated in such pageants, my parents chose to get me involved in other things.” And for that I am eternally grateful, mom and dad!

As an newcomer from the US, I also have an automatic “in” with a lot of people, especially children, who have an interest in the English language.  Most of the children learn some English in school and many enjoy telling me every single word they know within our conversation.  I love it.  They count for me and point out the colors in english.  They are just so excited to share what they know of “my” language.  What they don’t know, they ask.  And man, once they get rolling on asking what things are in English or what things are like where I'm from, they really get rolling. 

The first thing that every child wants to know is his or her name.  Some are easy…Azule,? Well that means Blue. Abril? That’s April. Ivan? You just sound it out differently.  But then there are the tricky ones.  Ismail? Uhh…  Ticiana? Well, let me think about that…  Do I break a small child’s heart by telling them there is no English equivalent to their name or do I try to make something up on the spot in avoidance of the horrible truth?  And let me tell you if I got to making things up, kids would be walking away with some ridiculous English names.  I’m no good with improv. 

These kids that I am referring to are from a comedor, or after-school (and before-school) program as it’s referred to in the US.  I originally was supposed to be working with a particular comedor that did not work out.  I was really bummed about this at first, but a friend, who is a social work student, mentioned this particular comedor that he has worked with in the past.  A call was made to the organization and the director was really excited to have me help out and asked if I could visit the following day.  The next day I was welcomed by many of the workers and volunteers at the organization who she had asked to be there to meet me.  I also met another social work student from the university who is part of a group of students working within the community.  She invited me to come along this past week as she and other students went around the community, to the school and a home for children.  This past Friday I also participated in the student’s classes on bullying that they helping put on within the school. 

I am extremely excited about being involved not only in the comedor but in the community.  I really love the idea about truly understanding the place a whole, not just a single part of it.  The kids have already touched my heart with their joy for both learning and teaching.  Learning in this context is so beautiful for me because it is all about sharing.  I need their help and they need mine.  Actually, at this point I probably need their help more than they need mine. Sometimes I think giving them love and attention is more needed than teaching, so I like to think I'm contributing in some way.  I am excited to share with you all more of my experiences within this community as I continue to get involved.

To finish, I’d like to apologize for my lack of pictures today.  I can never remember to bring my camera and to take pictures at the right moment.  I also feel like a tourist when whipping out my camera to document an event or place.  Another confession: if you look through any of my recent photos they are all of our pup.  ALL of them.  I have probably have five or so photos on my phone of her with feathers all over herself after eating a pigeon, but I lack a single photo of my recent trips to the comedor.  I’m going to take photos tomorrow and put them up after.  I am 80% sure this will happen. 

Overall, I find myself extremely content with where I am at and what I am doing.  I am meeting amazing people constantly and building upon those relationships already formed daily. I am experiencing new things, many of which call me to take some large but necessary steps outside my comfort zone. I continue to learn and grow everyday from both my struggles and my achievements.  Looking upon all of it, I know I have so much to be thankful for, including my wonderful support system from afar. Thank you for the continue thoughts and prayers!

Much love,

Kris:)

Learning childlike humility...and how to use the oven.

It has been over a month since I left my home of Cleveland, Ohio and I can honestly say that time has FLOWN by.  I have been living in La Plata for almost three weeks…what??!!  Before arriving here I had a fear of time passing slowly and missing home.  Now, I fear time passing too quickly and that I’ll be back home and missing Argentina before I know it.  I think it’s a bit irrational of a fear, but it’s irrationally present.

I think time is passing so quickly because I still feel so new to this place.  Everyday is a constant, yet beautiful, struggle to learn and get accustomed to the world around me.  I’ve always been a bit of a child when it comes to the amount of sleep I need, but now it’s just downright pathetic as I find myself so mentally drained by the end of each day.  It takes an incredible amount of energy and focus to simply try to keep up with the conversations taking place around me.  All day, everyday…yeah I need a bit of sleep.

Before traveling here I purchased a Spanish/English Bible that has been one of the greatest resources in learning new words.  Each page has two columns: one side with verses in Spanish, the other in English.  This morning I read Matthew 18 with a very new understanding.  Verses two through four state, “And He (Jesus) said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

I’ve never truly understood what it means to be humble like a child, and I may never completely, but I think I’m getting closer.  I am nowhere near receiving the “Greatest in Heaven” badge.  That’s not at all what I am trying to say nor can I praise myself for being in a situation that the Lord placed me in.  However, those of you who know me, know that I like to think that I’m always right, that I like to have control over the situations taking place in my life, and that I think I can achieve most things that I want to on my own, without the guidance of others.  I’ve really had to step out of those roles that I’ve created for myself these past few weeks.  I praise the Lord for showing me what it means to realize that I am not okay on my own, that I do not know everything (in fact, I know very little), that I am so in need of grace and guidance and the joy that only comes through Him.  I am but a child.

Even beyond such realizations, everything has continued wonderfully here.  I am continuously growing in friendship with the people around me and with my level of comfort with my surroundings.  I am learning more of the language everyday and continue to have my ups and downs. 

One thing that I have really learned is to celebrate my accomplishments, no matter how small.  I’ve made steps in my cooking abilities here, learning to use the oven to make granola, cookies, and empanadas and I’m proud of myself for doing so.  (I’m going to continue working on my empanada skills so that we can have an empanada feast when you get here, family.  Get excited!) I find joy in carrying out full conversations and using, “Qué?,” only a couple of times vs. every other word as is often the case.  I can’t help but secretly pat myself on the back when I interject one of my new vocab words into a discussion.  These little joys are so motivating throughout my day.  They are proof that I am learning something despite often feeling like I’m running in circles. 

There are a lot of other small things that I’ve had to learn and grow accustomed to.  The biggest of the “littles”?  Eating dinner between 9:30 and 11:00 each night.  All of my previous roommates in the US know that this is my typical bedtime.  There has to be a really good reason for me to stay up past 11:00  and there aren’t many.  Sure, some people will eat an early dinner here….at 8:30 pm, but that’s for wimps. One night I ate at 9:00 pm and my roommates laughed at my early hours.  My stomach has been really struggling with this new schedule for some time, but I’m working on it.  And by working on it, I mean that I have a large dinner-like snack at 5 pm to get me through the rest of the day. 

There is one other thing that I struggle to be grow accustomed to.  My first nights here I kept hearing horrible screams that sounded like someone being tortured.  I was very concerned, but no one else seemed to be.  When my roommate noticed the distressed look on my face, she laughed and said, “El teatro (theater).”  You see there is a theater within the church building and attached to our home, which puts on classes and practices (what are apparently very violent scenes) until very late. Now, I have the pleasure of falling asleep every night to the cries of someone dying.  Part of me wants to get comfortable with this so I can sleep easily through it, and part of me feels like it’s wrong if I ever do. 

I am slowly beginning my work here and am excited to share with you as I continue to get involved.  However, I am going to wait to share about such things for one more week. There’s only so much I can write and there’s only so much that you want to read within each post.  One week at a time (or a little longer in this posts case)…

All of you back home will continue to remain in my thoughts and prayers!  Thank you so much for the prayers and support that many of you have been providing me up to this point.  If you feel called to continue to pray for me, I ask for prayers for open eyes and heart, continued learning, and the energy I need to be truly present and understanding throughout the day. LOTS of energy!

Much love,

Kristyn

I talked about maté in my last post.  This is one example of a maté, although they come in many shapes and forms.  The "straw" or bombila has a mini filter at the end to keep one from drinking any of the yerba. 

Cookie, round 1. Somehow all the cookies just ended up being one very large cookie.

Cookies, round 2: A little flour....much better! It's the little things that make me happy:)

Speaking of little things...isn't she just the cutest??? Little Morita posing in front of the Catedral.

So I'm a little in love with her.  But during the very rainy past week we had here, nothing made me happier than a good book and a sleeping pup.

This was a gift from, Iara, the cousin of one of my roommates.  She liked me solely based on the fact that I spoke English.  At only 6 or 7, she surprised me by interacting with me in a little English of her own.   Nothing better than a bilingual "I love you" sign. 

Bienvenida a La Plata

I’ve been living in Argentina for two beautiful weeks.  The first ten days were in Buenos Aires, where I stayed at a seminary with the six other YAGM volunteers.  We learned about the country, the culture, and took classes in Castellano (Spanish, but with different grammatical additions, words and sounds).  By the end of orientation I traveled from Buenos Aires to my site placement incredibly grateful for the seven other volunteers and our coordinators, Krystle and Ignacio, all of whom who have become like family away from home.  If you’re reading this, I love you all!

I’ve also been so blessed by the patience and understanding of the people I am surrounded by in my new home of La Plata. I’m living with six other “chicas” in the house connected to the Lutheran church here, as well as five “chicos” that live below.  They have been so wonderful in accepting me and trying to include me despite the fact that I am clueless about what is going around me half the time.  I really knew that I was living in the right place when on the first day, while taking a walk in the park, they decided to bring home the cutest puppy that a women was giving away.  We now have a house pup by the name of Mora (for those of you who previously met her as Pancha, the name has been constantly changing since). 

As kind and patient as my new roommates are, I cannot help but feel frustrations as well.  It’s as if I am again a child, learning everything about the world I am living in.  I want to be able to share my life, my dreams, who I am, with the people I am interacting with, but I can’t do that at this point. I can only share the surface of myself, and it’s tough.  For the first time in my life, I am the outsider, I am the dependent one, I cannot do everything on my own.  I need others to help me relearn things I have done my whole life.  Things like turning on the stove, washing my clothes, even talking. 

Instead of looking at these frustrations as a burden, I am working on seeing them as the blessing that they are.  At 22 years old, I have the opportunity to see through the eyes of a child.  I have the opportunity to relearn about the world around me in a new and different way.  I am struggling, but not without the kind and loving support of those around me.  I am an independent person, now forced to completely rely on others, forced to rely on God for the strength I need.  I haven’t had to that since I was a child, and I think it’s about time that I relearn that I need others and I need my faith in the Lord.  I was not created to stand alone.

Life is meant to be shared, it’s meant to be full of connections to others and that is such an incredibly beautiful thing.  Here in Argentina they have a custom that I think is such a wonderful illustration of this sharing of life and that’s the sharing of a maté (different than mate… that wouldn’t be so beautiful).  Maté is a tea-like drink that the people here consume CONSTANTLY.  Everywhere you go you see people carrying thermoses and maté.  Some drink it alone, but most often it is shared.  Shared throughout conversation and passed from one person to the next, one person constantly refilling it with hot water after each individual drinks.  You sit in a circle, sharing about your day, your life, or just sitting with each other, enjoying the day and the company.  It’s not rushed, but a tranquil time to just be with one another.  So wonderful. 

In learning the language I’ve already had more than my share of communication mishaps.  During my travel day to La Plata, when the youth of the Lutheran church traveled with me from Buenos Aires, I wanted to share with them how grateful I was for their kindness to me.  I stated many times, “Estoy graciosa,” “estoy muuyyy graciosa.”  Later while talking with one of my roommates, I decided to make sure that I was telling people I was thankful in the right way.  In fact, I was not.   Instead of telling people, “I am so thankful”, I was saying, “I am so funny.” They must have thought I was so full of myself, repeatedly needing to share with them what a great sense of humor I had.  Well, I do have a great sense of humor, but they’ll discover that without me repeatedly stating the fact:).

I would like to finish by stating that I have not made note of my work yet because I have not begun.  This first week was about getting to know my surroundings: the city, my roommates, the language.  It will take a little bit of time before I am completely settled into my weekly obligations, as I figure out my schedule and how to best divide my time. I am excited to get started but also grateful for a week of rest and exploration as I settle into my new life here in La Plata, Argentina. 

I hope all of you back home know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and if willing, I ask for your prayers as well.  Prayers for patience, for a light-heart, and for the ability to laugh off my constant mistakes. Pray for eyes that see the needs of those around me, for ears that are continuously understanding more of the Spanish language, and for a heart that focuses on the blessings instead of the frustrations.  Finally, pray that it is the Lord that I learn to use as my greatest strength and support.  

Argentina/Uruguay crew awaiting our departure!

A lovely illustration of the Noah's Ark story (you better believe Spongebob and Patrick made it on the ark!) painted on the surrounding walls of a Lutheran church we visited while in Buenos Aires.

While visiting the church, a giant participation trophy (dating back to 1999) was awarded to us after a futbol match.  YAGM(er) Josh holds the trophy while checking out some Dragon Ball Z cards that his new friend wants to share.  It was a wonderful day shared with a wonderful congregation! 

A special thanks to Jen for leading group exercises during orientation.  Jen was a trainer at the YMCA before doing YAGM, and a motivation to exercise when we were lazy.

The flag of Argentina.  

Las Madres y las Abuelas de la Plaza de Mayo have been marching weekly around the plaza since 1977 during Argentina's "Dirty War".  They began marching despite great risk, in defiance of the government's state terrorism, in hopes of learning what happened to their "disappeared"children and grandchildren.  While justice has since been carried out and information given, they continue to march weekly in remembrance of their loved ones and for other social causes.

Downtown Buenos Aires

The cathedral in downtown Buenos Aires

Josh helping prepare our first experience of asado.  It's like a cookout, but probably better, with soooo much meat.

Myself, Jen, and Elizabeth enjoying the asado cooking experience.

Soooo much meat...

Meet Mora!

Mora helped me unpack...or distracted me while I attempted to unpack.

My space decorated with the lovely "bienvenida" signs that welcomed me when I arrived.

The famous and beautiful cathedral of La Plata!  

A Season of Life: Argentina

I am currently sitting in the airport, waiting for yet another departure from the United States.  This time I will be headed for the town of La Plata, Argentina for a different kind of adventure.  For the next 11 months or so, I will be working as part of the ELCA’s Young Adults on Global Mission program.  I will be working on three different assignments: (1) Helping with young adult programs at a local Lutheran church (2) An after-school program for children living in poverty situations and (3)Helping plan the Lutheran Church’s annual assembly for the region. 

As I prepare to arrive, I find myself swamped by a craziest range of emotions I’ve ever experienced. I am of course extremely excited by what this next year will bring and the relationships I will form.  However, I am also nervous, anxious, and surprisingly sad.

Why am I sad? I am of course sad to say goodbye to my family, friends, and the home I feel like I just returned to.  I am sad to leave the comfort of this place I know so well and the people who so well know me.  I am sad for the times of celebrations I will miss: the weddings, the birthdays, the births.  But  these are just small sadnesses.  Most of all I am sad to say goodbye to the people I fear will not be here to welcome me back.  I am sad to say goodbye to the grandfather and other role models who have been such a huge part of my life since before I can remember who are now entering a time in their lives where they are preparing to meet their Father in heaven.  I am sad to think I will not be home to both mourn and celebrate the lives of these individuals who God as blessed my life so richly through.  It breaks my heart to know that when I walked away from my grandfather last week, it is quite surely the last time I will see him until we meet in heaven. 

These thoughts are very difficult for me as I leave, but then I remember that it is because of my grandparents and the others that I am where I am.  They raised me with a faith in the Lord and with prayers in my heart to be led where He calls.  He has called me to this year of service and that’s where I must go.  I praise Him for the time I have had with those I love and the love he poured into me through them and through all of you, friends and family, who have enriched my life so greatly.  Thank you!

It was also sad to leave the new relationships formed through the YAGM orientation this past week in Chicago.  There are 60 amazing young adults partaking in this program, and it was such a joy to get to know them the past seven days.  Six of that 60 will be traveling to Argentina/Uruguay along with me and I am so grateful to be spending another week with them in Buenos Aires before continuing on to our site placements.  I look forward to the ways that God will use each of us throughout this next year.  To find out more about the YAGM program, you can visit www.elca.org/yagm. 

We had many great discussions throughout orientation.  Some of them revolved around with the way we personally, as well as others viewed our time in the program.  Frustrations were shared about our time being referred to as a “trip” or “a year off”.  It will not be a vacation or a break from real life, this is real life.  I am continuing my life in Argentina.  Someone used the term “season of life”, which I thought was a great way to refer to our time with this program.  

We also wrestled with the idea of thinking of ourselves as missionaries.  I’ve had a hard time using this word when referring to my year. In my mind, a missionary is someone with a religious education, like a pastor.  How can I be a missionary?  It made a lot more sense to me when someone brought up the point that we are in fact answering God’s call to carryout His mission in our lives.  But with that, all Christians are called to be missionaries.  One does not have to be a missionary halfway around the world in an undeveloped country.  We are all called to a mission of our own, even (or maybe especially) in our everyday lives.  One should be a missionary in their home, in their office, within their community.  I think this is something that I can so easily lose focus of throughout my daily living and something I am excited to refocus on throughout this next year. 

As I wrap up this post, I ask that you keep the YAGM(ers?) in your prayers as we venture around the world.  We carry such a range of emotions with us, so we could use both safety and the Lord’s peace as we journey to our placement sites.  I will use this blog to share stories and lessons that I learn throughout my year.  I look forward to continuing to update you on this “season of my life” as it unfolds! 

Peace,

KZ

Team Argentina/Uruguay waiting to depart!

A not-so-short video summary...