Roots

Well.  Another day.  This place is actually growing on me quite a bit.  For the first month I had images of Colorado flash through my mind involuntarily: being in the mountains, taking morning walks in the park, hanging out with my friends.  But hey.  I'm here, and of all my options, the best one is to live each day with decision and purpose.  And guess what?  This place has really become more and more special to me.  

Until recently, the Mexican culture has typically been somewhat of a distant thing for me.  Even though by heritage I am Mexican, the fact that I was raised in the U.S. has made me identify more with U.S. culture than with my Mexican roots.  However, being here in Juarez has begun to change that.  The Spanish language has been flowing more easily on my tongue, and my understanding of the Mexican people and culture has been growing.  Rather than seeing the culture as an entity that I simply observe or analyze, I now see a people who I can know because we have the privilege of speaking a common language.  And as I develop friendships with people here, my appreciation for the Mexican blood in me gradually increases.

Who knows?  Maybe I will live in Mexico for a long time.  Maybe not.  But as time continues, I am more satisfied with being here.

(Above is a picture of my team and a couple of staff members).