Maxi, my nuevo amigo

The second photo is of my nuevo amigo (new friend) Maxi.I’ve spent a lot of time with Maxi since I got here. We fixed his bike; today we played football and prepared a meal. Maxi has so much energy, I won’t need to go jogging!

Ovaldo  is everyone’s friend

Here is Ovaldo, a truly special person who is the heart of the house. He is everyone’s friend; he’s incredible. He was hospitalized for an operation on his back, and while he was there his mother died. He spent two years in the hospital, and no one came looking for him ... a priest friend asked L’Arche to welcome him as a member.

Marco with Fernando

Here is Marco, the baby of the house, with Fernando, a very devoted assistant. Marco is blind and autistic.

Marco with Annick

Here, you see him with Annick, the young Swiss assistant who will be leaving soon. Marco will find that difficult. Building relationships with children is very different from building them with adults. They have to be trained—it’s a very interesting process.

Sandra, my personal Spanish teacher

This photo is of the lovely Sandra. A ray of light in the house. She has assumed the role of my Spanish teacher, and she is also teaching me how to drink Mate – there are all sorts of things involved in the tradition (Mate is the national beverage in Argentina.).
There are four people in the house. They are very different from one another and they form an incredible group. 

I can tell you that I am truly fine and very happy to be here. I could not ask for more. This country and community fit me like a glove. I’m asking myself if I want to come home at the end of my stay here. Ha! Ha! Ha!

I arrived at a good time because it’s summer here. Everyone is in good humour, relaxed – there are BBQs, swimming, and football. (I’m really terrible at football.)

My little house between the home and the workshop

They have found a house that is perfect for me. It’s right between the L’Arche home and the workshop. I walk two minutes to the left and I’m at the home, five minutes to the right, and I’m at the workshop. It’s great! And then there’s Mia, who follows and protects me. She has her own little house, but she sleeps in my house instead.

I’m very impressed by the community and especially by the way it has become an integral part of the neighbourhood and by the interaction between the assistants and the people. I am learning a lot. The rhythm of life helps a lot – We take time to do things and time just to be.

My Spanish lessons are on Monday morning. I have homework to do. I also go to the gym and I run. I am truly trying to benefit from my time here. I see it as a gift, and I thank L’Arche Canada every day for giving me the opportunity to live out this dream.

In closing, I am praying a lot for Hollee, for Joe, and for all of you during this transition. Thank you for all you bring. A great big thank you too for the way you are following the situation in Haiti; it is magnificent. I read Jonathan’s blog Mwen pa fou all the time.

Zoel