Who?
Me! Tara Chamberlain-- fresh out of college with a Master's Degree in Education and a summer to spare!...and for about half of the trip--my good friend Sarah Zorko will be there as well! But really, Jesus, the kids, and the long-term volunteers at Dulce Refugio are the stars of the story here! I am just going down for a short time to be a part of the great work being done here.
What?
We are traveling to Dulce Refugio Casa Hogar in the city and state of Aguascalientes, Mexico. We will be volunteering, and really doing whatever work needs to be done at the orphanage! There are about 50 kids who live there, ranging from babies to teenagers.The orphanage is Christian-ran, and the director is an amazing woman named Marce. She started the orphanage about ten years ago with nothing but faith and trust in God and his calling on her life. Now, Dulce Refugio is a fully-operating Orphanage and a long-term construction project that is constantly expanding to better serve the children! Dulce Refugio is a place of Joy and Hope and Love. Most of the work I will be doing will be centered around childcare, some construction, and maybe teaching some summer school.
When?
Easiest question: I will be leaving Columbus for Aguascalientes on Saturday, June 23rd and I will be there until Saturday, July 21st (Sorry Mom--happy birthday...I'll be missing it!) Sarah will be joining me on July 5th for the last half of the trip.
Where?
I guess this has already been answered, Dulce Refugio Casa Hogar in Aguascalientes!
Why?
Well, I love kids, I love speaking Spanish, and I love Jesus. I have a free summer, and I believe so much in the work that is being done in Dulce Refugio-- so much that I can't go on living life that doesn't support this place in some way! That's the short version... here's the longer version:
I think it started back in my middle school years when a spark was lit inside of me for speaking Spanish, and I just loved it! Throughout high school, I took Spanish (some years more beneficial than others) but I just loved the language. When I arrived at OSU and realized that Education Majors didn't have to take a foreign language, I was disappointed, so I decided to pick up Spanish as a minor anyway. Also, shortly after arriving at OSU, I fell in love with Jesus, and He has given me a heart for serving Hips people in a new way. Throughout my time at OSU, I got the opportunity to travel to Mexico 5 times... and three of these trips were to Dulce Refugio! When I first heard that New Life was taking a trip to Dulce Refugio in 2009, I couldn't say no-- a trip that was about helping kids... to a country that speaks Spanish... I was sold! To top that off, I got to go with my best friend--Leah Blewitt, and we had our first mission experience together! There are so many things I can say about my trips to Aguas, but I will try to limit it to a few highlights:
1. Kids are kids... no matter where you go, how rich or poor they are, or what language they speak. They're fun, they're full of life, and they love the same!
2. As "privileged, middle-class Americans," we're no better,worse, or different from people around the world...we're all just people! But as privileged people, we do have a duty and obligation to look beyond ourselves and our circumstances, count our blessings, realize just how blessed we are, that what we have is not our own, and that we'd be foolish to live for just ourselves. Honestly, I was born into privilege, and there is NOTHING wrong with that, I am so thankful for my life and my upbringing, but that doesn't mean I deserve nice things any more than someone who wasn't born into the same circumstances.
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| A picture of the New Life OSU team from this past March! |
3. Short term missions are great--they benefit the missionaries and the people they go to serve! By going on a trip, you are forced outside of your comfort zone, you are pushed to rely on God in ways and situations that you've never had to before, and you create incredible bonds with your team and the people you are serving. But if by going on a mission trip, if you think YOU'RE the one doing anything good--be prepared to be humbled! There is nothing good in us--all our goodness is from Christ. I am just a willing body, just a small part of the plan, just hands and feet sent to do God's work... He doesn't need me... He's plenty capable of doing ANYTHING he wants to do on His own! But the thing is, He wants to use His people to do His good work--wherever we are.
4. It's about relationships. I'll never forget the moment when our New Life OSU team arrived in Mexico this past March. Marce (the director) ran up and hugged and kissed me and said, "Welcome back! We love it when you guys come, it's like family is visiting!" We're family. This place has a part of my heart. I don't want to just travel to Mexico and do good work to make myself feel good, look good, or just to have a sweet adventure with great stories to tell... but I'm going to serve, love, and support my family.
There are probably a million more reasons why I can't wait to return to Dulce Refugio, but for now, I hope this paints a picture of why I go.
How?
Well, logistically, I will be traveling by plane, and staying at the orphanage. But honestly, this trip would NOT have been possible but for the amazing support I have received from many of you through prayer, monetary support, and overall interest and encouragement! Let's face it-- I'm a recent college grad who's currently unemployed... I could not have afforded this trip on my own, THANK YOU!!
**Thanks to Jared Carr, I've used some of your pics here!
**For more information about Dulce Refugio, check out their blog: children of hope on xanga.com
