Volume 62: Rest in Amigos

After just barely surviving the steps down the STEEP pyramid in Cholua, I was treated to blue corn ice cream (definitely something that is better than it sounds...). As we were walking to ice cream, a man stopped us, rapidly speaking in Spanish. In the little Spanish that I could pick up in the conversation, he asked Rafa who we were, nodding towards me and Ty. 

Rafa answered, "Mis amigos." My friends. 

Such a simple statement, yet one that made me stop and pause in that moment. There we were, in the middle of a small town in Mexico with our FRIENDS - people I love so much and laugh with and feel that I can be myself, despite speaking different languages. 

Later that night, I attempted to say a quick thank you at the staff dinner, yet I was quickly overtaken by unexpected tears and couldn't speak... As I was trying to articulate how special it is for me to be in a different country and be at a dinner with over 50 of my friends, I got overwhelmed with gratitude. 

Gratitude for:

- Luis and Irvin picking us up from the Mexico City airport, sitting in hours of traffic

- Luis, Irvin, Carolina, Aldo and Babi meeting us last minute for dinner and ordering our food for us 

- Aldo driving me back to the hotel on his motorcycle

- Marcos and AnaPaula taking us to an "early" lunch, being the only people in the restaurant at 12:30

- Diego securing a soccer field for us to play

- A whole crew showing up for a soccer game, just excited to be together and play

- Sitting at a long table after soccer, eating tacos and trying traditional drinks and sauces 

- Tony walking us around Puebla, determined to make sure we got to do whatever we wanted to

- Eating Dominos pizza (we were promised that it was different than in America...) and a whole group of our staff showing up 

- Hiking up to the beautiful church, laughing as Rafa led us to a museum that no one else was in, yet we had to pay for 

- Annel assigned to help us at the Camp Leaders fair 

- Getting to meet many eager new participants and hire them for 2024!

- Returners coming from far away to show up at staff dinner!

- Camila opening up her family restaurant to host all of us

- Luis waking up at 5 AM to drive us back to the Mexico City airport

As all of these moments passed through my head, before I knew it, I was surrounded by a group hug and of course then cried even harder...

At the end of the summer, I wrote about all of our support staff hugging me goodbye and saying "thank you for the opportunity."

Now, here I am, after a trip to Puebla, and it's my turn to be thankful for the opportunity. 

For the opportunity to learn from a different culture. 

For the opportunity to learn from their hospitality. 

For the opportunity to learn from their slower pace of life.

For the opportunity to learn from their loyalty and willingness to show up. 

For the opportunity to be loved by some of the biggest hearts. 

And most importantly, for the opportunity to have a whole community of people I love in Puebla, Mexico. As Rafa said, mis amigos.

So thank you, Camp Ozark, for the opportunities that change lives! Whether first year support staff, returners, or mine and the others who get to work with all of them.

And thank you, Jesus for His love for us and the way He works through people. May we find rest in His willingness to bring us such joy and gratitude through communities.