If you're reading this, it must mean one of two things: you are excited for my every moment of my year in Ecuador and want to live vicariously through me, or you are nervous for my year abroad and read this to ensure I am alive. Either way, welcome!
As entitled, I'm writing this blog before I leave in order to explain what my program is and what my hopes and fears are. However, we're going to move backward, I just think the title flows better this way.
Explanations:
Rostro de Cristo (RdC) is a Catholic program that focuses on building relationships in a faith filled environment. It works in Guayaquil, Ecuador (including surrounding areas such as the suburb Duran). Guayaquil is a city of few "haves" and many "have nots." The areas in which the volunteers live are Arbolito and Antonio Jose de Sucre (AJS) in Duran as well as Mt. Sinai. Each location is unique in its environment and story, but they each were founded by Ecuadorians from the plains, mountains, etc who wanted to move to the city to advance opportunities. Communities would go into open land and build houses out of whatever they could find. The government has tried to get rid of them, but each time, they have proved resilient until they are given the legal right to live there. AJS is the most advanced, and Mt. Sinai is the least developed. In fact, this is only RdC's second year to have a house there. I still do not know where I will be living or with whom, but I should be finding this out shortly!
The pillars of RdC are faith, community, simple living, social justice, and hospitality. Throughout the year, I will be challenged to live a lifestyle according to there tenants. Literally translating into "Face of Christ," Rostro de Cristo seeks to find Christ in every person: in their stories, joys, and struggles. It works with the Ecuadorian people in solidarity in order to find long term solutions to the poverty and other problems in the area. It desires real change, not just charity.
Expectations:
I am coming into this year of service trying not to have too many expectations. However, there are a few I'd like to mention:
1. To deepen my faith with God and to better see the beauty of Christ in every person.
2. To permanently change my lifestyle to "living simply" and realize that stuff is not what defines a person.
3. To greatly improve my Spanish to the level of near fluency.
4. To make lifelong friends both with my fellow volunteers and with Ecuadorians.
5. To erase any ignorance regarding Ecuador, Latin America, developing countries, poverty, etc.
6. To learn a lot about myself, my values, my faith, and a new culture.
Fears:
This year is going to be extremely different from anything I have encountered before. So naturally, I am fearful about what is in store for me and the trying times ahead. In no particular order, some include:
1. Leaving my friends, family, and especially Eric for 13 months. This part seems crazy to me--why would I want to do this?!?
2. Not being able to communicate well because of my lack of practicing Spanish.
3. Changing so much in this year that it will be difficult to relate to the people I love when I come back and feeling like I do not belong.
Well, that's all for this blog! Orientation starts on Monday the 18th at Boston College, and then we will all leave together on August 1st for Ecuador! I can't believe it's really happening! I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for me.
Well, that's all for this blog! Orientation starts on Monday the 18th at Boston College, and then we will all leave together on August 1st for Ecuador! I can't believe it's really happening! I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for me.
