Day 9: Go, and Set the World on Fire

We broke into two groups today, rather than three, so while one team headed to the construction site to build the house, the other remained at the Coll School to continue helping out with the teachers. During the morning's work around the house, the guys had to deal with an unfortunate buildup of water, which they promptly found a way to drain. The fun didn't stop there, because there was still concrete to be smashed and trenches to be dug in order to allow for the extension of the foundation. Our man Josh Irwin walked a precarious line on the roof in order to move a collection of various objects into a different location. Don Lolo and Julio, with our own Mike Bennett in tow, laid down some SERIOUS foundation work.

While this team was giving of their blood, sweat, and tears (although mostly sweat) around the house, another dapper group of young men had quite the morning at the Coll School making new friends and gloriously reuniting with those they had already met. Our work was similar to that of days prior: aiding teachers in controlling their generally rowdy (but good-natured) students, singing and dancing along in the music classes, coloring stunning masterpieces, and constantly pushing the limits of our knowledge pertaining to the Spanish language. Andrew Layman even taught an English class by drawing simple classroom objects on the board and writing the Spanish-to-English translations next to them. Boom. Also, Isaac Rogers played some mean games of patty-cake with his amigitos. It was all magnificent.

Although each day thus far has been incredibly unique, today definitely put into perspective for us the magnitude of our actions. The first step to this was our participation in the schoolwide farewell-ceremony / fiesta / pizza party (for sure) that began around 11:30. Sister Esperanza kicked it off by calling up each grade individually to perform solid dance routines for us, which were clearly rehearsed to the point where we felt inferior to their mad skills. The first grade to go up was, ironically, the first grade, and their performance even included Jon, Vamsi, and Ben, who surprised everyone by matching almost every move. Following that, the students from San Juan Jesuite were directed to line up in front of nearly 300 people to receive their thanksgiving in the form of a short speech by Sister Esperanza, as well as a song and several gifts.

We attempted to return these immense favors by narrating a speech, composed by Shohan and Bennett and orated by Layman (and his whimsical Spanish accent). Apparently that went well, because we received a good deal of "muchas gracias" and their applause. This was succeeded by an outstanding performance of the Cupid Shuffle by the team, and by the end of the song half the school has joined us. THEN WE ATE DELICIOUS PIZZA (woohoo!). 

After the party, the children had to pack up and leave to go back to their homes, while we had more work to do... The hardest part now had come: saying goodbye. Over the past five days, our whole lives have been centered around the bright and shining faces of these children, and it is safe to say that silent tears were shed as we watched them file out the door. Tears will continue to be shed, in all honesty. 

We returned to our respective worksites to finalize our progress over the following few hours. Our hardest efforts were put forth throughout this week to complete these projects, and WOW what a heck of a lot of work we've put in. As the workday came to a close for the final time, we looked back with genuine satisfaction and amazement, along with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, on how far we've come. Our journey back to the retreat house had a contemplative and somber air to it, and the reflection process that ended our night brought about much joy as we reminisced upon the incredible surplus of fond memories that we will continue to cherish for the rest of our lives.

How does one describe our time here? It is hard to say for sure, but one aspect of it is certain: each of us is here because God has called us to be here. He has given each one of us a mission that is unlike any other in the world, yet still one that works towards a similar goal for us to, in the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, "Go, and set the world on fire." Despite our sorrow in leaving, we are incredibly firm in our belief that the memories we have made, the experiences we have shared in, and the lives we have touched will forever be imprinted upon our hearts. God's work for us is never over, and this trip has only been a mere stepping stone in this life's journey. Once we return home, we plan on continuing to express in our everyday lives the amazing level of love and compassion found within these beautiful souls, and we know now that our hearts are forever changed for the better.

Sending our love to family and friends, we will return home soon.

– Isaac Rogers, Josh Irwin, & Andrew Layman