As a retreat director at the Tyme Out, I have been fortunate to work with many youth from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages. I enjoy coming to work and learning from and growing with the youth that we serve. I also have the pleasure to work in a Christian environment that supports my personal endeavors and missions. For four years, one of my missions has been working on the island of St. Lucia, located in the West Indies. With the Tyme Out staff supporting my mission, this October, I have been blessed with teh opportunity for the fifth time to travel to the island to continue my work. I feel incredibly fortunate that my work environment is encouraging my mission and allowing me to take time off to pursue my passion.
When I am in St. Lucia, I work closely with a Catholic youth group known as the Youth on Fire. The group is comprised of approximately 100 members between the ages of 13-25. While I am there for my two week mission trip, I will have the chance to actually lead two Tyme out retreats. I will be leading an all day relationship retreat and a night seminar on leadership. I am looking forward to bringing our resourses down to the Caribbean and to take the Tyme Out to an international level. I am looking forward to working with the group in many capacities as well as spending time at an the Holy Family Children's Home (an orphanage).
If you would like more information about the Youth on Fire, please visit our website at www.youthofm.com
Irie (Peace)
Amy
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Orphanage!
Hello everyone,
Sorry it has been a while since my last blog...the internet was off for a bit, and I didnt know how to get it back! Well a lot has happened since my last blog, but let me try to recap it a bit for you.
Monday I started working with the kids at the orphanage. Needless to say, I have fallen in love with all those kids there! They range from babies to kids about 15/16 years old. It has been quite an expereince. For the first week, many of the kids were still in school, but the ones that were not, I got to bond with quite a bit. There is a lot that we have done, but I can't write a novel here, so I will keep it on the short side. First of all, I am known as Auntie Amy to all the kids. They call all the woman aunties, and so its real cute to have them all come up to me hollering Aunty Aunty. There are two babies there, Jonelle and Fayben (I have to check the spelling of those names). They are absolutely adorable, and I love playing with them! There are also about three boys around the ages of 4 and 5 who just always want to be held. Well they aren't that light! So I keep having to remind them that I only have two arms, but God gave them two great legs to walk on their own! Joshua, Keelen and Orlondo are their names. Then there are about many boys between the ages of 6-12. Let me try to name them all here, although I may forget some! Alvin, Akem, Sherhan, Shawn, Dalien, Levi, Amos, and Noah. I think I got them all! Then the girls are a bit older there...they are Belinda, Donna, Annika, Annik, Nelda, Natalie, Luanda, Sollea. I dont think I spelled all their names right, but I will get them all eventually! Anyways, the older girls definitely took a little bit longer to warm up to me. A lot of them have trouble trusting, so its been good to finally be able to talk to them a little bit more. Today I told them lots of stories of home and bonded with them as Annik "platzed" as they call it...my hair. Needless to say, my hair does not actually look good cornrowed, which is to be expected, but the girls really want me to keep it. So for now, I shall humor their hard work, and cover my hair with a hair band when out in public! haha.
We have been doing arts and crafts the last couple of days. There are many behavior issues here with a lot of the kids and sometimes it is difficult to deal with. Especially since sometimes I don't think the kids take me as seriously because I dont believe that I shoudl be screaming at them as some of the other Aunties do. It is difficult for me sometimes here with the way they deal with punishment with the children. They are pretty strict with a lot of the discipline, and I have even witnessed some hitting going on. As a future social worker, this is hard for me to witness. However, it is not my place to try to change the discipline system that they have had. The aunties however, are extremely loving and kind, and the kids really love them. they are their own family here. Its really nice to see them taken care of so well. The kids have enough to eat, and they try their best to give them a space of their own. However, what they can provide is limited, and I often feel discouraged by the fact that there are not enough supplies or things for the kids to do and make because of their lack of funding. Once the packages are delivered, I am looking forward to doing more hands on activities with the children.
We have been doing a lot of learning from one another. the kids have been teaching me some of their songs, and trying to teach me some of their local dialect, Patois. This is a version of french, that actually apparently has not that many similarities to french, and lacks pretty much any language structure. So when the kids try to teach me, I just have to laugh, because I have no idea how to remember all the words they teach me. So far I know, Where are you going? "I am not your friend" (in the event that someone shoudl try to take advantage of me as the kids said!) and Never (taught in the event that a boy is trying to go out with me and I am not interested). These are the pharses that the kids have deemed necessary for me to learn! They also have taught me their favorite song which I am then begged to sing everyday about every twenty mintutes. Mostly, I belive, so that the kids can make fun of me for trying to sing Carribbean! The lyrics go something like this..."Not nice, tell them a rhino, a rhinooooooo ooooooooo. AHH AHH AH Ai. Money have to make" I really dont understand how this song even makes sense, but the kids love it, so I do too!
The kids have also been shocked that I have never tried so many of their fruits before. For instance, wax apples are a hit over here. They literally feel like wax, but look nothing like an apple. The taste is hard to even describe. Much like biting into chapstick, and then getting a nice juicy apple like bite. They kids also love throwing rocks at the magno trees and eating them. They get me a mango usually everyday to eat off of those trees. Its so fun, because we get them down, and then really, just literally eat it right off the tree. A little wipe on my shirt, and then I bite into that skin (which is edible, but not all that tasteful) and peel that baby with my teeth. Then I get nice mango juice all over me as do the kids who feel that yes, I am comfortable with 3 of them to sitting in my lap. It is sooo yummy. I will definitely be missing the food when I leave.
The aunties also make me lunch everyday. I have, given up being a vegetarian while I am here. Ever since Alcina invited me for dinner, and i ate a meatish stew, I realized that I cannot escape trying to not eat meat while I am here, especially since that is what they serve the children, and I do not want to look like a spoiled brat when they are trying to teach them to eat properly. So anyways, i have eaten some questionable meat. by questionable, i mean I dont entirely know what kinds of meat it is...but eek. I eat it all the same. Today I closed my eyes as I ate chicken neck. I have to stop writing about it, it makes me queasy!
Anyways. The orphanage is great. The kids really are amazing, and I am truly learning how to appreciate. Appreciate the little things, like sharing a small tube of paint between 15 kids. Or appreciating all the little ants, even as they crawl around my food. And appreciating just the joy and the peace of the silence when I sit in my room at home.
As for my free time...My friend Unatha has pretty much made it her mission to make sure I am having a good time here. Her and her boyfriend pretty much pick me up everyday to do something different, whether it be going to visit some of our friends in the city, or going to Anse La Raye for the friday night street party. That was a lot of fun. We met up with Magnus and sang karioke, and then went to Unatha's counsins bar/restaurant. It played a mixture of local music and country! Haha, it was a fun night of dancing.
Anyways, hopefully this week I will go see Magnus' youth group again, and also attend the streeet party. Then on Saturday, I pick up my sister Bailey and my counsin Lauren from the airport, and they will join me for the rest of the time here! For now, this is all I have time to write. I have to get up early to go to a farm with the kids! Should be exciting! Hopefully...a fruit farm!
Love
Auntie Amy :)
Sorry it has been a while since my last blog...the internet was off for a bit, and I didnt know how to get it back! Well a lot has happened since my last blog, but let me try to recap it a bit for you.
Monday I started working with the kids at the orphanage. Needless to say, I have fallen in love with all those kids there! They range from babies to kids about 15/16 years old. It has been quite an expereince. For the first week, many of the kids were still in school, but the ones that were not, I got to bond with quite a bit. There is a lot that we have done, but I can't write a novel here, so I will keep it on the short side. First of all, I am known as Auntie Amy to all the kids. They call all the woman aunties, and so its real cute to have them all come up to me hollering Aunty Aunty. There are two babies there, Jonelle and Fayben (I have to check the spelling of those names). They are absolutely adorable, and I love playing with them! There are also about three boys around the ages of 4 and 5 who just always want to be held. Well they aren't that light! So I keep having to remind them that I only have two arms, but God gave them two great legs to walk on their own! Joshua, Keelen and Orlondo are their names. Then there are about many boys between the ages of 6-12. Let me try to name them all here, although I may forget some! Alvin, Akem, Sherhan, Shawn, Dalien, Levi, Amos, and Noah. I think I got them all! Then the girls are a bit older there...they are Belinda, Donna, Annika, Annik, Nelda, Natalie, Luanda, Sollea. I dont think I spelled all their names right, but I will get them all eventually! Anyways, the older girls definitely took a little bit longer to warm up to me. A lot of them have trouble trusting, so its been good to finally be able to talk to them a little bit more. Today I told them lots of stories of home and bonded with them as Annik "platzed" as they call it...my hair. Needless to say, my hair does not actually look good cornrowed, which is to be expected, but the girls really want me to keep it. So for now, I shall humor their hard work, and cover my hair with a hair band when out in public! haha.
We have been doing arts and crafts the last couple of days. There are many behavior issues here with a lot of the kids and sometimes it is difficult to deal with. Especially since sometimes I don't think the kids take me as seriously because I dont believe that I shoudl be screaming at them as some of the other Aunties do. It is difficult for me sometimes here with the way they deal with punishment with the children. They are pretty strict with a lot of the discipline, and I have even witnessed some hitting going on. As a future social worker, this is hard for me to witness. However, it is not my place to try to change the discipline system that they have had. The aunties however, are extremely loving and kind, and the kids really love them. they are their own family here. Its really nice to see them taken care of so well. The kids have enough to eat, and they try their best to give them a space of their own. However, what they can provide is limited, and I often feel discouraged by the fact that there are not enough supplies or things for the kids to do and make because of their lack of funding. Once the packages are delivered, I am looking forward to doing more hands on activities with the children.
We have been doing a lot of learning from one another. the kids have been teaching me some of their songs, and trying to teach me some of their local dialect, Patois. This is a version of french, that actually apparently has not that many similarities to french, and lacks pretty much any language structure. So when the kids try to teach me, I just have to laugh, because I have no idea how to remember all the words they teach me. So far I know, Where are you going? "I am not your friend" (in the event that someone shoudl try to take advantage of me as the kids said!) and Never (taught in the event that a boy is trying to go out with me and I am not interested). These are the pharses that the kids have deemed necessary for me to learn! They also have taught me their favorite song which I am then begged to sing everyday about every twenty mintutes. Mostly, I belive, so that the kids can make fun of me for trying to sing Carribbean! The lyrics go something like this..."Not nice, tell them a rhino, a rhinooooooo ooooooooo. AHH AHH AH Ai. Money have to make" I really dont understand how this song even makes sense, but the kids love it, so I do too!
The kids have also been shocked that I have never tried so many of their fruits before. For instance, wax apples are a hit over here. They literally feel like wax, but look nothing like an apple. The taste is hard to even describe. Much like biting into chapstick, and then getting a nice juicy apple like bite. They kids also love throwing rocks at the magno trees and eating them. They get me a mango usually everyday to eat off of those trees. Its so fun, because we get them down, and then really, just literally eat it right off the tree. A little wipe on my shirt, and then I bite into that skin (which is edible, but not all that tasteful) and peel that baby with my teeth. Then I get nice mango juice all over me as do the kids who feel that yes, I am comfortable with 3 of them to sitting in my lap. It is sooo yummy. I will definitely be missing the food when I leave.
The aunties also make me lunch everyday. I have, given up being a vegetarian while I am here. Ever since Alcina invited me for dinner, and i ate a meatish stew, I realized that I cannot escape trying to not eat meat while I am here, especially since that is what they serve the children, and I do not want to look like a spoiled brat when they are trying to teach them to eat properly. So anyways, i have eaten some questionable meat. by questionable, i mean I dont entirely know what kinds of meat it is...but eek. I eat it all the same. Today I closed my eyes as I ate chicken neck. I have to stop writing about it, it makes me queasy!
Anyways. The orphanage is great. The kids really are amazing, and I am truly learning how to appreciate. Appreciate the little things, like sharing a small tube of paint between 15 kids. Or appreciating all the little ants, even as they crawl around my food. And appreciating just the joy and the peace of the silence when I sit in my room at home.
As for my free time...My friend Unatha has pretty much made it her mission to make sure I am having a good time here. Her and her boyfriend pretty much pick me up everyday to do something different, whether it be going to visit some of our friends in the city, or going to Anse La Raye for the friday night street party. That was a lot of fun. We met up with Magnus and sang karioke, and then went to Unatha's counsins bar/restaurant. It played a mixture of local music and country! Haha, it was a fun night of dancing.
Anyways, hopefully this week I will go see Magnus' youth group again, and also attend the streeet party. Then on Saturday, I pick up my sister Bailey and my counsin Lauren from the airport, and they will join me for the rest of the time here! For now, this is all I have time to write. I have to get up early to go to a farm with the kids! Should be exciting! Hopefully...a fruit farm!
Love
Auntie Amy :)
Friday, July 3, 2009
PICTURES!
This is a picture of some of the forest that is by the cottage that I am staying in...taken during my so called walk...
Some trees!
Path way to the main road...its much longer than it looks
Mom taking a picture of me before I leave for the plane.
Settling In
So this is a bit long but.....
these first couple of days have really been me settling in and getting acquainted with my surroundings. Tuesday after I got in, Mr. Nolley, (Nell) showed me around the place. Its very nice, and the cottage I am staying in is actually attached to their house. There is another woman living here from Ireland, she is very nice, but I have not seen her since the first day.
I pretty much passed out as soon as I hit the bed because I was so exhausted from the traveling and lack of sleep. The next morning, I was bumming around the house when Miss Nolley came to get me to tell me I had a telephone call. I was a little surprised, because who would be calling me!? haha. It was Magnus, letting me know that he couldnt make it in to pick me up and show me around on Wednesday, so I had the day to myself.
Miss Nolley decided to take me on instead! Nell and Alcina Nolley have lived on the island for 17 years, her father being from the island. So Miss Nolley took me and their house keeper Anthonia to Castries, the capitol of St. Lucia. Castries is a town that I am somewhat familiar with because of my last stay here. Its a very busy town with a lot going on, and I was a little overwhelemed at frist. Luckily, Miss Nolley seemed to understand. She helped me pick up grocerys and get everything I needed for the week. I ended up spending 110 EC on groceries, which translates to about 35ish dollars, which wasn't bad...but I just hope they last me!
Then Miss Nolley took me to the duty free shopping mall in Castries. She showed me around all the stores that I might be interested in, and introduced me to some of her friends. SHe took me to her artist co-op that she began in St. Lucia about 9 years ago. It was a really neat store, with a lot of local artists things in it, including her prints and jewerly. We then went upstairs and got an exclusive look at the art gallery that was going to be opening up there. She had some of her paintings on show there, and also showed me all the other art that was there and told me a little bit about all the artists. It was really neat! Then she drove me around Castries where she pointed out the markets, places to eat...etc.
Miss Nolley then drove me up the mountains to the Benedictine monastary where I met one of the nuns who pointed me in the right direction towards the Holy Family Children's Home. Once Miss Nolley and I found the home, we got out, and met Liane, one of the directors at the home. She wasn't expecting me that day, but she took me around the home and introduced me to some of the kids that were already home from school. I met two adorable little babies who I immediately feel in love with! (Don't worry mom, I won't bring them home!) That afternoon, I settleed in and started reading one of the books Miss Nolley left in the cottage....and almost finished it! I had a bit more trouble sleepign the second night, as the mosquitos seem to love my blood, and there are some very loud barking dogs next door who like to bark evertime a tree moves.
The next day I decided to be a bit more adventorous. After learning that Magnus would be picking me up later in the day, I decided to do my own adventuring. I thought it was probably a good idea that I try walking to the orphanage, just to make sure I was ready and knew the way. Well that was quite a hike. In the car, I guess I underestimated exactly how far and how uphill it was. Let's just say, unpaved road 3-4 miles...almost all uphill with the asthmatic wearing flip flops in the sweltering heat. After stopping many times for water, (thank God I came prepared with my water bottle) I finally found a rock to take a rest on. Well I then felt like I might be going the wrong way, but of course, I was on a road where there was NOBODY. after about ten minutes, a man started walking up the hill. I asked him if he knew if I was going the right way to ciceron (where the orphanage is) and if the orphange was there. I was in fact going the right way, and he said he was walking that way, so I asked if I could join him. The man's name was Tiatus, and I was actually really glad to be walking with him the first time, because I was getting a lot of cat calls that I wasn't interested in responding to! He helped me ward them off! I think being the only white woman pretty much around in this area has made me more of a 'sight' so to say when I am walking. However, the Lucians are extremely nice people, and have been very generous towards me already! It's very different to be the minority, but I feel completely safe and comfortable here!
Well Tiatus dropped me at the home and the Aunties (as they are called by the children) were surprised to see me there again. Actually, they were probably surprised to see a girl drenched in sweat asking to sit down for a few minutes there! After I sat and talked for a few minutes, and checked in with the babies! The women then told me the best way to get back (instead of walking up another long hill..) I took a bus to the top of the hill, where I got out and started walking the same way I came. Or at least, I thought I was going the same way. I didnt see any other roads, and then all of a sudden I was on a huge main road, and I had no idea where I was. Well I must have looked completely lost, because someone pulled over and asked if he could help me. He worked for the public services, and I introduced myself, and he said he worked with the Good News Project (the group I went with last year) by helping them do some transportation. So he drove me all the way back to the cottage, which was great, cause I really had no idea where I was. He told me if I ever get lost, just give him a call, he is doing public transport all day! haha...i hope it doesnt happen again...but knowing me....
So then after I made it home and took a shower and layed down, Magnus came to pick me up. He was drenched in sweat from the hike up and exclaimed in his British accent that he couldnt believe I was living here, there were too many hills! Haha, I guess I will get used to it. I packed my stuff up to go stay for the night in Anse La Raye, the Village that Magnus lives in. He was having a meeting with his youth group that night, The Youth On Fire, which I had collected some things for and brought down with me. After about a half hour bus ride, and Magnus filling me in a bit on how transportation works, we got to his house. From there I met all his cousins that live next door, espeically one of his cute little "cousins" a little over one year old named Trinity. She was just adorable and did not want me to put her down after she begged to be held. She was absolutely adorable..and they said I could have her if i wanted so mom...,hhahahaha. Just kidding.
His mom has just moved to a different house, and so we decided that we would go over the hill and visit her, as I have never met her. Well, when Magnus said over the hill ,what he meant was over the mountain. I don't know if my body has ever been so sore from walking up hills in my life. After stopping to puff my inhaler a few times...we finally made it to the top to the new house that they are moving into. There I met his mom, who is an extremly nice lady, and we sat and looked at some pictures from Magnus' childhood, which were hilarious. After that, we went down to the village again, and went to meet his youth group. Its very simliar to ours at St. John Vianney, except for the fact that they are extremly poor, and a lot of the kids are struggling with serious issues. It was really neat to see magnus interacting with the kids, and pushing them to strive to get out of poverty. After that we hitched a ride from Magnus' friend back up the hill to his house. We just sat around and sang some songs, and Magnus busted out his recorder (what!?) hahah and pretty much played that thing all night.
This morning I took the bus back to the cottage with Magnus' cousin who made sure I got off at the right spot and made it home ok. As for right now, I am just sitting around resting and trying to get my legs back to working. Mr. Nolley showed me an easier way to get to the orphanage today that didnt involve so many hills and is probably quicker. The walk is about 45 minutes, so Lauren and Bailey, bring your hiking shoes and maybe start training now!
Later tonight, I will probably go watch/help the youth on fire group get ready for their gospel explosion gospel concert which will take place at the end of the month....it raises money to help them with their funds and youth program. I will probably go later this weekend to Anse La Raye again for mass, which should be beautiful!
Anyways...Monday I will be working at the orphanage everyday, and I am feeling pretty confident in my navigating abilities after all the help I got this weekend! Will write more later!
Love
Amy
these first couple of days have really been me settling in and getting acquainted with my surroundings. Tuesday after I got in, Mr. Nolley, (Nell) showed me around the place. Its very nice, and the cottage I am staying in is actually attached to their house. There is another woman living here from Ireland, she is very nice, but I have not seen her since the first day.
I pretty much passed out as soon as I hit the bed because I was so exhausted from the traveling and lack of sleep. The next morning, I was bumming around the house when Miss Nolley came to get me to tell me I had a telephone call. I was a little surprised, because who would be calling me!? haha. It was Magnus, letting me know that he couldnt make it in to pick me up and show me around on Wednesday, so I had the day to myself.
Miss Nolley decided to take me on instead! Nell and Alcina Nolley have lived on the island for 17 years, her father being from the island. So Miss Nolley took me and their house keeper Anthonia to Castries, the capitol of St. Lucia. Castries is a town that I am somewhat familiar with because of my last stay here. Its a very busy town with a lot going on, and I was a little overwhelemed at frist. Luckily, Miss Nolley seemed to understand. She helped me pick up grocerys and get everything I needed for the week. I ended up spending 110 EC on groceries, which translates to about 35ish dollars, which wasn't bad...but I just hope they last me!
Then Miss Nolley took me to the duty free shopping mall in Castries. She showed me around all the stores that I might be interested in, and introduced me to some of her friends. SHe took me to her artist co-op that she began in St. Lucia about 9 years ago. It was a really neat store, with a lot of local artists things in it, including her prints and jewerly. We then went upstairs and got an exclusive look at the art gallery that was going to be opening up there. She had some of her paintings on show there, and also showed me all the other art that was there and told me a little bit about all the artists. It was really neat! Then she drove me around Castries where she pointed out the markets, places to eat...etc.
Miss Nolley then drove me up the mountains to the Benedictine monastary where I met one of the nuns who pointed me in the right direction towards the Holy Family Children's Home. Once Miss Nolley and I found the home, we got out, and met Liane, one of the directors at the home. She wasn't expecting me that day, but she took me around the home and introduced me to some of the kids that were already home from school. I met two adorable little babies who I immediately feel in love with! (Don't worry mom, I won't bring them home!) That afternoon, I settleed in and started reading one of the books Miss Nolley left in the cottage....and almost finished it! I had a bit more trouble sleepign the second night, as the mosquitos seem to love my blood, and there are some very loud barking dogs next door who like to bark evertime a tree moves.
The next day I decided to be a bit more adventorous. After learning that Magnus would be picking me up later in the day, I decided to do my own adventuring. I thought it was probably a good idea that I try walking to the orphanage, just to make sure I was ready and knew the way. Well that was quite a hike. In the car, I guess I underestimated exactly how far and how uphill it was. Let's just say, unpaved road 3-4 miles...almost all uphill with the asthmatic wearing flip flops in the sweltering heat. After stopping many times for water, (thank God I came prepared with my water bottle) I finally found a rock to take a rest on. Well I then felt like I might be going the wrong way, but of course, I was on a road where there was NOBODY. after about ten minutes, a man started walking up the hill. I asked him if he knew if I was going the right way to ciceron (where the orphanage is) and if the orphange was there. I was in fact going the right way, and he said he was walking that way, so I asked if I could join him. The man's name was Tiatus, and I was actually really glad to be walking with him the first time, because I was getting a lot of cat calls that I wasn't interested in responding to! He helped me ward them off! I think being the only white woman pretty much around in this area has made me more of a 'sight' so to say when I am walking. However, the Lucians are extremely nice people, and have been very generous towards me already! It's very different to be the minority, but I feel completely safe and comfortable here!
Well Tiatus dropped me at the home and the Aunties (as they are called by the children) were surprised to see me there again. Actually, they were probably surprised to see a girl drenched in sweat asking to sit down for a few minutes there! After I sat and talked for a few minutes, and checked in with the babies! The women then told me the best way to get back (instead of walking up another long hill..) I took a bus to the top of the hill, where I got out and started walking the same way I came. Or at least, I thought I was going the same way. I didnt see any other roads, and then all of a sudden I was on a huge main road, and I had no idea where I was. Well I must have looked completely lost, because someone pulled over and asked if he could help me. He worked for the public services, and I introduced myself, and he said he worked with the Good News Project (the group I went with last year) by helping them do some transportation. So he drove me all the way back to the cottage, which was great, cause I really had no idea where I was. He told me if I ever get lost, just give him a call, he is doing public transport all day! haha...i hope it doesnt happen again...but knowing me....
So then after I made it home and took a shower and layed down, Magnus came to pick me up. He was drenched in sweat from the hike up and exclaimed in his British accent that he couldnt believe I was living here, there were too many hills! Haha, I guess I will get used to it. I packed my stuff up to go stay for the night in Anse La Raye, the Village that Magnus lives in. He was having a meeting with his youth group that night, The Youth On Fire, which I had collected some things for and brought down with me. After about a half hour bus ride, and Magnus filling me in a bit on how transportation works, we got to his house. From there I met all his cousins that live next door, espeically one of his cute little "cousins" a little over one year old named Trinity. She was just adorable and did not want me to put her down after she begged to be held. She was absolutely adorable..and they said I could have her if i wanted so mom...,hhahahaha. Just kidding.
His mom has just moved to a different house, and so we decided that we would go over the hill and visit her, as I have never met her. Well, when Magnus said over the hill ,what he meant was over the mountain. I don't know if my body has ever been so sore from walking up hills in my life. After stopping to puff my inhaler a few times...we finally made it to the top to the new house that they are moving into. There I met his mom, who is an extremly nice lady, and we sat and looked at some pictures from Magnus' childhood, which were hilarious. After that, we went down to the village again, and went to meet his youth group. Its very simliar to ours at St. John Vianney, except for the fact that they are extremly poor, and a lot of the kids are struggling with serious issues. It was really neat to see magnus interacting with the kids, and pushing them to strive to get out of poverty. After that we hitched a ride from Magnus' friend back up the hill to his house. We just sat around and sang some songs, and Magnus busted out his recorder (what!?) hahah and pretty much played that thing all night.
This morning I took the bus back to the cottage with Magnus' cousin who made sure I got off at the right spot and made it home ok. As for right now, I am just sitting around resting and trying to get my legs back to working. Mr. Nolley showed me an easier way to get to the orphanage today that didnt involve so many hills and is probably quicker. The walk is about 45 minutes, so Lauren and Bailey, bring your hiking shoes and maybe start training now!
Later tonight, I will probably go watch/help the youth on fire group get ready for their gospel explosion gospel concert which will take place at the end of the month....it raises money to help them with their funds and youth program. I will probably go later this weekend to Anse La Raye again for mass, which should be beautiful!
Anyways...Monday I will be working at the orphanage everyday, and I am feeling pretty confident in my navigating abilities after all the help I got this weekend! Will write more later!
Love
Amy
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I am here!
Hello everyone,
Just wanted to tell you all that I am safe and sound in St. Lucia. What a trip! I took my plane out of Chicago at 5:40 am. I pretty much slept through this very short flight, until I of course, got sick toward the end of it. Thank God I did not get sick after the flight though, because otherwise I would have missed my flight to St. Lucia. I ran through the Atlanta airport in search of my flight to St. Lucia. I finally started running towards gate E-15 as I heard on the intercom, "Last call to board flight 561 to St. LUcia." When I saw gate E 14 skip to E 17, I got extremely nervous, but luckily, I ran back the other way, turned down another hallway, and just made it to my flight.
As luck would have it...I was seated first class! What!? I didnt pay for first class. After being offered a mimosa or orange juice, I gladly accepted the orange juice....fearing sickness if i accepted the first! Well then, a beautiful newly wed bride boarded the plane to sit down next to me, as her husband went to the back rows to sit by himself. As I was traveling alone, and probably the only person NOT on their honeymoon on that plane, I gladly swtiched seats with him so that they could enjoy their time together. Which was still great, cause I moved to the emergency exit where there was still plenty of room. I sat next to another newlywed couple, who I talked with a lot about St. Lucia. They seemed very excited.
As we started approaching the island, all I could do was smile, because I was almost touching down in the place that I love so much! I could hardly wait to get off that plane. After a while in customs and getting my luggage, I finally opened the doors to the island and to the sweltering heat. I saw Magnus right away, and breathed a sigh of relief that he was at the airport, and I didnt have to worry from then out. We waited for about 45 minutes for his cousin to show up with the van. In that time, we got to talk and catch up after having not seen eachother for a year and a half. By now I was drenched in sweat (what was I thinking cotton t-shirt and jean capris!?) but we loaded my massivly heavy suitcases in the van and headed out. After nearly an hour and a half ride, we finally got a hold of mr. nolley (who i am staying in his cottage) and figured out where we were supposed to be. We had to travel up a bunch of ricketly old roads that were extremely bumpy to get to the cottage. Magnus and his cousin dropped me off with my suitcases in the middle of the road and I changed into Mr. Nolley's van. From there, he drove me the 1/4 mile to his cottage, which is beautiful.
I have a kitchen, living room, bedroom and two beautiful porches that look out onto the sea and onto the beautiful island of St. Lucia. I had told Magnus to go home, beacuse I was exhausted and pretty much went right to bed after calling my mom. I slept from 6pm until 8 am when I woke up to the beautiful sounds of birds chirping, the forest swaying, and of course rain. It must have rained inches last night! I kept waking up to all these glourious sounds and to getting caught in my mosquito net, but none the less, it was a great sleep. Today, Mr. Nolley is going to walk me down to the orphanage and then Magnus will come get me later to take me around town and get me acquainted with things.
For now, I am going to unpack and get dressed. Maybe eat breakfast looking out on the island! Can't wait to right more!
Love
Amy
Just wanted to tell you all that I am safe and sound in St. Lucia. What a trip! I took my plane out of Chicago at 5:40 am. I pretty much slept through this very short flight, until I of course, got sick toward the end of it. Thank God I did not get sick after the flight though, because otherwise I would have missed my flight to St. Lucia. I ran through the Atlanta airport in search of my flight to St. Lucia. I finally started running towards gate E-15 as I heard on the intercom, "Last call to board flight 561 to St. LUcia." When I saw gate E 14 skip to E 17, I got extremely nervous, but luckily, I ran back the other way, turned down another hallway, and just made it to my flight.
As luck would have it...I was seated first class! What!? I didnt pay for first class. After being offered a mimosa or orange juice, I gladly accepted the orange juice....fearing sickness if i accepted the first! Well then, a beautiful newly wed bride boarded the plane to sit down next to me, as her husband went to the back rows to sit by himself. As I was traveling alone, and probably the only person NOT on their honeymoon on that plane, I gladly swtiched seats with him so that they could enjoy their time together. Which was still great, cause I moved to the emergency exit where there was still plenty of room. I sat next to another newlywed couple, who I talked with a lot about St. Lucia. They seemed very excited.
As we started approaching the island, all I could do was smile, because I was almost touching down in the place that I love so much! I could hardly wait to get off that plane. After a while in customs and getting my luggage, I finally opened the doors to the island and to the sweltering heat. I saw Magnus right away, and breathed a sigh of relief that he was at the airport, and I didnt have to worry from then out. We waited for about 45 minutes for his cousin to show up with the van. In that time, we got to talk and catch up after having not seen eachother for a year and a half. By now I was drenched in sweat (what was I thinking cotton t-shirt and jean capris!?) but we loaded my massivly heavy suitcases in the van and headed out. After nearly an hour and a half ride, we finally got a hold of mr. nolley (who i am staying in his cottage) and figured out where we were supposed to be. We had to travel up a bunch of ricketly old roads that were extremely bumpy to get to the cottage. Magnus and his cousin dropped me off with my suitcases in the middle of the road and I changed into Mr. Nolley's van. From there, he drove me the 1/4 mile to his cottage, which is beautiful.
I have a kitchen, living room, bedroom and two beautiful porches that look out onto the sea and onto the beautiful island of St. Lucia. I had told Magnus to go home, beacuse I was exhausted and pretty much went right to bed after calling my mom. I slept from 6pm until 8 am when I woke up to the beautiful sounds of birds chirping, the forest swaying, and of course rain. It must have rained inches last night! I kept waking up to all these glourious sounds and to getting caught in my mosquito net, but none the less, it was a great sleep. Today, Mr. Nolley is going to walk me down to the orphanage and then Magnus will come get me later to take me around town and get me acquainted with things.
For now, I am going to unpack and get dressed. Maybe eat breakfast looking out on the island! Can't wait to right more!
Love
Amy
Monday, June 29, 2009
Nerves!
Well...
In less than three hours I will be packing into our car and heading down to O'Hare. From there I will be taking a 5:40 am flight to Alanta, followed by a plane switch that will take me to St. Lucia. My friend Magnus will be picking me up and taking me to the place I am staying! I have started to get nervous as this is my first time ever traveling alone. My friend Caitlin reminded me that I managed to survive four months in a country where I spoke none of the language, so I should be fine flying down by myself. Well that helped, until I started thinking of all the things that could go wrong on my trip!
For now though...I am just praying that I make it to the plane switch and that Magnus will be there when I get to the air port so that I don't have to find my own way around the island.
This will be my last post from America, the next time you hear from me I will be on the beautiful island of St. Lucia. Please keep me in your prayers, as well as the kids and workers at the orphanage, and my sister and cousin for when they join me in a few weeks!
Love to you all
Amy
In less than three hours I will be packing into our car and heading down to O'Hare. From there I will be taking a 5:40 am flight to Alanta, followed by a plane switch that will take me to St. Lucia. My friend Magnus will be picking me up and taking me to the place I am staying! I have started to get nervous as this is my first time ever traveling alone. My friend Caitlin reminded me that I managed to survive four months in a country where I spoke none of the language, so I should be fine flying down by myself. Well that helped, until I started thinking of all the things that could go wrong on my trip!
For now though...I am just praying that I make it to the plane switch and that Magnus will be there when I get to the air port so that I don't have to find my own way around the island.
This will be my last post from America, the next time you hear from me I will be on the beautiful island of St. Lucia. Please keep me in your prayers, as well as the kids and workers at the orphanage, and my sister and cousin for when they join me in a few weeks!
Love to you all
Amy
Thursday, June 18, 2009
St. Lucia-Island of Love
In January of 2008, I traveled to the beautiful island of St. Lucia, located in the West Indies. The two weeks I spend on the island changed my life dramatically. I would like to share a tiny bit about my experience there, as well as tell you about my upcoming mission back to St. Lucia.
Tonight I will be leaving to O'Hare to fly out to st. Lucia. I will try to blog as much as I can. Please keep me in your prayers as I am on this journey! Feel free to comment on my blogs as well!
After fifteen hours of traveling, I stepped off of a small plane into a beautiful, breath-taking land. I knew immediately why people fell in love with this country. On Sunday morning, we awoke bright and early to go to Mass. St. Lucian's run on their own time, and the priest, Paba, started a half hour late. But it was well worth the wait. It was everything a mass should be. The children go up in the front and answered questions about the Epiphany. The teens and children participated as lectors and choir members. The music they sang and the way they sang was what I have always longed for in a Mass. It was uplifting and joyful-they were on fire for God. At the sign of peace, people literally got up and walked across the entire Church hugging one another. I felt God's presence at that Mass like I had never felt before.
In St. Lucia, I had the chance to work with a mixture of different people in diverse places. I got spent a few days working at Upton Gardens, a center for abused girls. I was blessed to work with the Mother Theresa sisters in their nursing home that they ran. I spent a few days at the boys training caility (mch like and American Rawhide), where I got to work with young boys who were struggling to become better men. I got the chance to work at Corpus Christis, a nursery and daycare. I was privileged to paint one of the three houses that we built while in St. Lucia. I spent the day with cognitevely delyaed children of all ages, learning fom and with them. I had the opportuniyt to work at a traingin shchool for teens decided what trade they would go tinto for their futures. I got to visit the St. Lucia prison, where I spent time with women who were incarcerated. I was honoerred to help serve schildren at a soup kithcen with the Mother Theresa sisters. I learned worship songs form the beautiful elderly ladies at the nursing home. I danced with the St. Lucian's to their local music and steel bands. I ate fresh fruit and locial cuisine tha tmy friends in the kitchen made. And I made friendships with people I thought I might never get to see again, but who will always be in my heart; Unafa, Sextist, Magnus, Lydia, St. Omar, Hilary, Herman, Keisha and many more.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to the place where I left a piece of my heart, and be reunited with these wonderful people once again. On June 30th, I will be boarding a plane and heading down to the island that I have come to love so much. I will be traveling alone, and have the opportunity to work at St. Lucia's orphanage, The Holy Family Children's Home.
The Holy Family Children's Home was founded in 1997 by the Archdiocese of Castries in collaboration with the Good News Project, Inc. from Wisconsin (the group I originally went down with), and the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Delivrande. The Home is a charitable organization managed by the Dominican Sisters with the help of a Board and administrative staff. The rapid growth of the Home over the last ten years is illustrated:
*In its present capacity to accommodate 21 children in two houses.
*In the progress of the children's psycho-social and educational development.
*Most of the children are at primary and secondary schools. Some have completed their secondary education and one is now at a tertiary institution.
Their mission is to provide a loving and secure temporary home for children who are abandoned, orphaned, neglected or abused in their living environments, with a view to making long term provisions for their care within a family atmosphere which is stable as well as socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually enriching.
On the 18th of July, my younger sister Bailey, and my cousin Lauren will be joining me in St. Lucia to work there with me. We will all be flying back together on the 30th of July. Please keep their travels in your prayers!
On the 18th of July, my younger sister Bailey, and my cousin Lauren will be joining me in St. Lucia to work there with me. We will all be flying back together on the 30th of July. Please keep their travels in your prayers!
Love
Amy
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