The Simple Things

As I am writing this, I am sitting under the shade of a large-leafed ‘almond’ tree looking out onto the Trujillo bay area. The waves are cresting and breaking while the breeze rolls off of the crystal-blue waters. There are so many things I tend to take for granted in life, such as living 30 feet from an ocean, but moments like this remind me to open my eyes more and appreciate the surrounding beauty.

These waters in front of me have housed the joys, laughter, playfulness and wonder of hundreds of children who, under not-so-ideal circumstances, have been brought here to the finca. Despite the trauma and neglect these kids have endured throughout their life, the beautiful thing is that they can take a break, even just for a few seconds, from the horrors, the shame, and the hurt to enjoy, to laugh, to love. Life can be difficult, unfair, and oftentimes unforgiving, but what is sometimes taken for granted is the beauty life brings--the opportunities to share life, to confide, to care, to enjoy, to laugh, to love.

The past few months at the Finca have been quite jam-packed with a whole slew of different activities, visitors, and work. Here are a few events/things that have caught my attention:

We just finished housing a group of Notre Dame students on a mission trip for their spring break to help repair outdoor security lighting and a few roofs. It was a giant, but wonderful change of pace to have 18 people in the house, instead of our measly 3. Mornings were spent working hard on the projects, afternoons enjoying the Finca, and evenings cooking and enjoying each other’s company. It was really exciting to see the Finca from the fresh eyes of the students as they experienced everything for the first time. From the beauty of the soccer field overlooking the mountains, to playing with the kids, to learning how to wash clothes by hand, experiencing their firsts alongside them helped me to appreciate what we have here at the Finca. There were a few scorpions that were harmed in the making of a fun week, but many friendships and encounters were found.

As a part of my job as a nurse here at the Finca, I am in charge of taking the kids to specialty doctors’ appointments in surrounding towns and cities. In February, I took a 7 year old girl who has been at the Finca for a year now, as well as a 6 year old boy who just came to the Finca a few months ago. It was so wholesome to see the two become friends over the trip as the little girl showed him the ropes of what a trip to the doctor’s looks like, which included watching out the window side-by-side.

The trees here at the finca have their own seasons and, right now, leaves are starting to fall from some of the trees here. A few weeks ago, I came across a group of boys screaming, celebrating, and laughing. Naturally, I asked what they were laughing and celebrating about, and they didn’t hesitate to show me. They grabbed the biggest stick they could find off the ground, threw it up at the tree, and danced their little hearts out as the yellow leaves fell around them. Sometimes it’s the simple things here at the Finca.

Blessings to everyone as we approach the close of Lent, ‘Semana Santa’ and the coming of Easter. As always, I would love to hear from you and I hope all is well.

Paz y bien,

Natalie♡