Contributing

Packing up to leave the village was a whirlwind of prep and then BAM, we were gone. Waking up was same as usual, but in no time at all we were packing and cleaning, eating breakfast and preparing lunch. We barely got the plates off the table before we were instructed that in was time to go, now. It was odd since the whole trip had been more focused on Paraguay time, a more relaxed pace of life, and the ease of openness. Instead, as we hurried to do final clean up we were shoved headfirst into the American concept of time, that time is money, and we were on a tight schedule. I think just adjusting to the pace of life, and accepting the fact that just being there is something was a major accomplishment. You didn't need to do all the time, you could just be.

I learned that communication doesn't necessarily mean full understanding, and that one smile is all it takes to make a one kid's day. I learned that I can survive in a lot worse environment then I'm used to, that I'll be okay, and I don't need a shower every day. Yet, one somewhere in those five days would have been nice. I learned that a group of people working as a team can accomplish a lot more than a group of people working as individuals. There is so much more this trip has taught be and opened me up to in life. I'm thankful for every bit of it, the ups and the downs, for they have forced me to grow into a better individual.

"Who need the gym? The kids here are an adorable mess. They'll use you as a jungle gym and beg to hold hands, be picked up, or spun around. Its an all inclusive workout."