August 19, 2007

Well, I'm long overdue for an entry, but thought it best not to write in the midst of the worst homesickness I've ever experienced in my life. Some of you know that ten years ago I moved from the Bay Area to Southern California after 25 years of roots in the San Mateo Bay Area. That was an adjustment, but was nothing compared to what I experienced in months two and three here. Yep, months two and three were full of culture shock. I had great moments, but was also very saturated by a great sense of feeling like a total alien. Dealing with discomfort at every angle and dealing with a lack of acceptance of differences. Part of adjusting to a culture is the learning process and sometimes to be honest, one doesn't always like what they learn about the people or culture they are choosing to live with and love. And vise versa I'm sure if you were to ask the people around me. One thing I realized after about two months here, is that my personality was polar opposite here. Can you imagine people describing me as the perfect companion, one who hardly talks and just hangs out by your side. Hardly the Nicole Fulmer I've known for the last 35 years. But that's all part of being in another country, speaking another language and developing yourself in a foreign land. You'll be glad to know that my personality is finding it's way, and no I'm not becoming SHY and DOCILE. Although, I've often asked God to make me that type of woman, He has never granted me that petition.
Well, just when I started feeling good again, I had the opportunity to leave for the states for two weeks. My dear friend Kjerstin got married and I was able to travel to be a part of Kjerstin and Tom Deane's special day, as well as, have time to visit with family and friends. Just what the doctor ordered. Speaking of doctor's - my health has really improved in the past 4 months. Blood sugar and hormones which were all over the board, are NORMAL.
Upon my return to the orphanage, I was greeted with much warmth and affection and while I was away I really missed my kids and "my Home" for this time in my life. Apparently, they missed me too.

Highlights over the past three months....

• Driving a 15 passenger van with up to 25 passengers
• Attending end of the year promotional services
• Sharing high school graduation and future dreams with our 4 graduates. By the way, they are the first to graduate highschool at the orphanage in 40 years!
• Realizing that I can be somewhere and not worry about time or how something is going to get done. As they say here..."Nicole, you are almost a good Mexican"
• Riding in our new schoolbus with capacity for 48 passengers with 95 people!
• Baja 500 - I was one car length away from the cars - MMM, talk about eating dirt!
• Visits with various groups from the states - Hey all you Pennsylvanian's have you seen any dogs with "Utters" lately. Utters and "B" send their slobbery kisses
• 9 puppies
• Our beloved Mickey leaving us to stay at the Men's Center for Rehab only to be returned because they were unable to rehab him. He still barks until 3 a.m. for loneliness and sleeps all day long, not to mention where he makes his generous deposits. I've never seen a dog mark territory so thoroughly, including entering the garage of the director's and leaving his mark on their front tires.
• Teaching about the Assurance of Salvation to my 35 friends at the Center for Rehabilitation in the Valley of Guadalupe
• Walking through hurts and disappointments with the girls and having the privilege to tell them about God's perfect love and the fact that He will never leave them or forsake them
• Hugs and kisses from the masses - well I live with over 100 people you know!
• Disagreements and situations that indicate that I truly live with more than 100 people, and am growing in relationship with them everyday. Life is about relationships. Sometimes more building is happening than just hanging out and shooting the breeze.

My responsibilities change often and I am able to be involved in a variety of things. I was named Supervisor over the dorms last month, and basically that just means that I check in with the workers regularly to make sure their kids are well taken care of, daily cleaning is completed and offer to step in to provide relief for the workers when needed. Can you believe the kids don't want to do their chores sometimes and can even be downright rebellious?! Yep, my "babies" are real NORMAL kids.

I haven't taught English over the summer, but look forward to beginning again. I will be adjusting the structure and will be teaching the youngest kids and workers basics, and will offer tutoring for the older kids with their English homework, as well as, offer an optional English class for older kids with interest. My goal is to build and grow a passion for the English language for those who respond. As in my class of 15-20 Spanish students, I believe only about two of us went on to pursue the language.

I have been building a relationship with the two Center's for Rehabilitation in the Valley of Guadalupe which is 16 kilometers from San Antonio de Las Minas where I live. The Men's Center is in Flor Acosta's original home. Flor and her husband founded Estado 29 Orphanage where I live and serve.

My first experience preaching in Spanish was at the Men's Center and the Women have asked me to come and share with them as well. Here women are regarded for teaching God's Word, so you can imagine as I learned that, how I was a bit baffled to be invited to teach to a group of 35 men. In some ways this type of thing is counter-culture, because as a woman I watch my p's and q's very closely in how I relate to men and the roles I take on here. The men at the Center are very dear to me, like brothers, and I enjoy greeting them at church and when they come by for resources. I've yet to spend a lot of time at the Women's Center, but will be doing so in the future.

I hope to not leave you hanging another three months before my next entry.

I appreciate your prayers and emails, please don't forget me, because I sure haven't forgotten you!

Nicole - nizzle2u@yahoo.com