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Click HERE to learn more about the SC Federation
Almost two years ago I moved
from Cincinnati, Ohio, to El Paso, Texas, to experience life in community and
life on the margins as an Affiliate with the Sisters of Charity. To be honest, I was not looking forward to
the move. I had never imagined myself
living in the Southwest, and my complete lack of Spanish made me feel like a
fish out of water. This feeling was
amplified when I began joining the Sisters in ministry at the Proyecto Santo Niño clinic, a day program for special needs children and
their families in Anapra, Mexico. I had
no idea how I would be able to contribute without the language or any
experience with special needs children.
Fast forward to now.
When we pull up to the
clinic in the morning, I am greeted by children running out to the car and calling,
“Whitney,” “Winnie,” “Wendy,” or some other variation of my name (which does
not translate well in Spanish). In
broken but much improved Spanish, I ask them how they are and what they want to
play that day. Many times I end up being
a tiburón or zombi chasing them around the playground. Other times we color together, or they want
me to read them a book (in Spanish of course), which usually requires them helping
me pronounce every third word. And
sometimes I’m lucky enough to have some of the girls give me a makeover,
complete with a fancy up-do and thick makeup.
To my pleasant surprise, there are a lot of things you can do with
children without speaking their language!
Next month I will move back
to Cincinnati to become a Novice; and as my time on the border comes to an end,
I reflect on my experiences here with awe and gratitude. I have learned so much about love, about
patience, about service, and about myself.
The children have reminded me how to enjoy the little things in life, they’ve
shown me how to love indiscriminately, and they’ve taught me that I am capable
of more than I often think I am. There
have been many encounters that have contributed to my growth over these past
two years, but the children of Proyecto Santo Niño
have definitely made one of the deepest imprints on my heart. Although it will be difficult to say goodbye
to the border, I am thankful for the time that I’ve had here, and I look
forward to the road ahead.
Thank you Whitney. I so enjoyed meeting you in July. You are a blessing to so many,
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