Final Merida Reflection - Ashley Lawson

Now that I’ve been home for a week, I’ve had some time to step back, catch my breath, and reflect on an amazing experience and here’s what I’ve learned…

I am so blessed. Sometimes, I can’t believe that these experiences are actually a part of my job. Seriously – how did I get so lucky? I love getting to know students who I might not otherwise get to meet, exploring the world, making new friends, and using my talents to help others. Honestly, being an ABST accompanier is one of my favorite roles that I play on Gannon’s campus. Helping students expand their comfort zones and learn about the world comes easily to me and I’m so grateful for these opportunities.

A long time ago (after I finished my undergrad) I moved abroad for a year to teach English and a mentor once told me “a smile translates between all languages.” I’ve never forgotten this and I love seeing it in action. 

Thanks Team Merida for an awesome adventure – thank you for your smiles and for spreading them throughout the Yucatan. I will never forget the people we met, the places we visited, the friends we made, and the students with whom I’ve shared these experiences. #adulting

¡Te amo Mérida y realmente espero que nos encontremos de nuevo pronto!

Hasta luego,

Ashley

Open eyes, ears and hearts

Oh the memories that Merida, Mexico 2016 brought me.  I will never forget the amazing people I met and places I saw that touched my heart forever.  I loved working with the girls at Nueva Vida.  It was so special to meet all of them and form a special connection with a few after the second day.  The children at the daycare reminded me that even the little things can mean so much and to always see with they eyes of a child; with this approach the good is always clear.  I was deeply touched in meeting the people of Dzibikak.  Their hospitality, generosity, and kindness were all clear through our conversations and encounters with them.  The residents of the nursing home reminded me that there is so much to be learned from our elders and that we should treat them with the utmost respect and honor.  Most of all, I loved watching my group members grow and making friends with whom I share an unbreakable bond.  Ever since we returned to campus, I hope to see their smiling faces when I turn the corner, and when I do the joy and love they have in their heart is always there to greet me.  I hope that I can be this person to them as well.

It has been my pleasure being the group blogger with Kevin for this trip.  I hope to have the chance to blog for another ABST in the future.  

Signing off for the last time,  

Erin Lipnicky 

Merida Post Trip Reflection by Mallory Trabert

Oh Merida. What can I say. Our trip was absolutely beautiful. It was amazing to see the culture in Merida and meet so many great people. The best part, however, was being able to serve and use my talents for a greater good. I loved working with the girls at Nueva Vida and the children at the daycare. I also found a new passion for working with the elderly! I will never forget this trip- the people I met, the places we visited, the food we ate, and the lives we touched. So many great memories were made on this trip that will always be in my heart. Im so happy and grateful for such a great opportunity and I have Gannon to thank for that. Im looking forward to keeping the friendships I made and for the future to come.


Love,


Mallory Trabert

I don't smell anything

It has now been a week since we've back in the States. Our stomachs have settled and we're back into our regular routines. But one thing is for certain, we not the same people we were when we left for the trip. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had to traveled to Merida once again. I didn't know what to expect at first, but Round 2 was just as sweet. I was able to take down my guard as a senior and just be present. I realized there's nothing more beautiful than seeing pure joy in a child and this trip gave us chance to see this every day. No matter what happens in the course of my life, I know that Merida will always be a "punto de reunion" for me. It will always be my home. Gracias for your support, Kevin.

Merida Post Trip Reflection by Linden Lester

Now that we’ve been home for a week and I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things it’s starting to hit me that our Mexico trip is over.  While the physical trip may be over, we can continue to serve others with open hearts in our everyday life.

For me personally this trip was a realization of what my life is going to be like after I graduate.  August 1^st I will be moving to Honduras to complete a year of service with Olancho Aid.  Being in Mexico made me realize how excited (and I hate to admit it, but also terrified) I truly am for that experience. 

Being back at Nueva Vida for me was a turning point in the trip.  When we first got there one girl said to me that she remembered me from two years ago and that really just hit home with me.  The fact that we simply spent a few days with them, but yet they still remember us two years later, means a lot.  Also I’m always amazed by the friendships we are able to make with these girls.  There is no language barrier when it comes to children and play.

It’s always so hard for me to reflect on these experiences because these trips are always such a high for me in life and I always feel like once I get back home I come way back down.  After this trip I am challenging myself to continue to live out that daily high that I get from these service trips in my everyday life at home.  Ever since I went to Mexico the first time this quote will forever be embedded in my mind.  “What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for one another!”  By going on these trips I’ve realized that my true passion in life is being able to give of myself and help others. 

I am truly blessed for being able to be a part of this trip.  We will forever be bonded by our waterfalls and volcanoes.  Mexico 2016, signing off! 

Blogpost by Alli Lee

Traveling to Merida, Mexico was such a great experience and I wouldn't change it for a thing. I learned a lot and had an amazing opportunity discovering a new culture, and a new country, all while finding a piece of myself. I enjoyed spending time with the girls at Nueva Vida, the children at the daycare, and people in the villages. I had fun working with those at the nursing home and loved listening to all of the stories they were excited and willing to share. Work projects were a lot of fun too. It was a blessing to see how far a smile or laughter can be spread from country to country. Language barriers or cultural differences may have set us a part at times, but we were all a part of a bigger picture through service. I won't forget this trip and am so excited to continue my travels to make a difference and share a smile. I met amazing friends and was able to try so many new things. I had an amazing journey with a lot of memories and was able to step out of my comfort zone with some amazing people. I hope to have the opportunity to go back and visit Merida again.

Love,
Alli

Merida Post Trip Reflection by Luke Bohrer

                Now that the long anticipated trip to Merida is over, I am left feeling blessed for be able to experience and learn as much as I did in only a short amount of time.  Being able to see another person’s way of life that is completely different than my own is also very eye opening.  Some of things I take for granted are common everyday struggles for the people living in the villages we visited as a group.  However, even though these people had less than I did, they would offer us their hospitality in a heartbeat.  The people were poor materialistically, but they were rich in happiness.

This trip opened hearts and expanded comfort zones, something that wouldn’t have happened if we stayed in Erie.  The children I encountered were ecstatic about us spending time with them. Despite practically not knowing any Spanish, I quickly discovered play was a universal language among kids. The kids found the simplest things such as chalk, balloons, and bubbles to be the most fun. Even just running around and chasing each other made them smile from cheek bone to cheek bone. It’s the simple things like giving someone your time and attention that makes the biggest difference.

 At one of the villages, I learned the people have no access to a doctor. Before, a doctor would come to the village every Friday to give consultations and care to the people for a very small amount of money.  But this doctor had passed away and now the people are doctorless. They cannot afford transportation to and from the city to receive the care they may need. There is an immediate need for a doctor by these villages.  Considering that I want to become a doctor, I plan on using my talents, knowledge, and resources to somehow fulfill those needs in future. Whether it’s personally serving these villages once I am a doctor, using my success to help fund organizations to serve them, and or a combination of both, I want to do everything I can to serve these amazing people.

The word “priceless” can easily sum up my experience even though everyone had gotten sick. I can’t wait to go on another ABST trip next year. And to anyone who’s reading this, remember to open your heart and to expand your comfort zones. 

Live in the Moment

Each day that passes, I miss Merida more and more. Although it’s great being back at Gannon and back to my regular routine, I can’t help myself from constantly thinking about my experience in Merida.

During just one short week, I learned more than I can put into words. Playing with the children at the daycare and Nueva Vida taught me to enjoy every little moment, and more importantly reassured me about my decision to become an early childhood teacher. Visiting the village of Dzibikak allowed me to realize how fortunate I am for my home, education, and all the opportunities I have living in the United States. Overall, I realized the importance of living in the moment. Leading a busy life balancing school, work, and a social life I tend to forget about living in the moment and taking in all life has to offer. I get caught up in worrying about due dates and what I’m going to do on the weekend that each day ticks by without me actually living them. It’s easy to live in the moment when you’re free of life’s stresses, but the challenge is living in the moment on a day to day basis.

I will never forget my experience in Merida, and I can’t wait to go back one day. Until then I will continue to challenge myself to live in the moment here at Gannon.

Gracias,
Karis Kosobucki

Coming Full Circle

Post Merida Blog Reflection by Katie Kapp

Merida will always hold a very special place in my heart. I went on the first ABST to Merida two short years ago as a freshman, and I fell in love with the city. Between the kindness, generosity, and love I witnessed and felt from all in Merida and its surrounding pueblos, I knew that my first visit to Merida would not be my last. So when I learned I would be co-leading the ABST to Merida this year, I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement.

Last year, I decided to serve a summer term as an AmeriCorps member in my hometown, inspired by my experiences on ABSTs. My main responsibility was to be a “teacher” in the day-camp for 3^rd-6^th graders. One of my coworkers led an activity for our children where they made a splatter painting, which was then cut up and distributed to all who helped make the painting. When I returned to campus in the fall and reflected on my time as an AmeriCorps member with CSC Assistant Director Jessie Badach Hubert, she encouraged me to come “full circle” with my experiences.

Drawing upon my days as a day-camp “teacher,” the transition to being a student leader and “maestra” at Nueva Vida was an easy one. Bringing the splatter paint activity to Nueva Vida was my idea, and I can confidently say it was a successful one, evidenced by one of the girls shouting, “Soy una artista!” (“I am an artist!”) as she threw paint on the canvas. We cut up the painting and gave a piece to each Nueva Vida girl and staff member, Gannon team member, and community individual who helped us throughout the week. The painting was representative of the community that we, as ambassadors of Gannon and the United States, worked to build with the Mission of Friendship and the Yucatan region.

Warmed both by the long, sunny days and the open, generous hearts of its residents, Merida was as beautiful as I had remembered it. I am proud that I was able to guide eight students through their experience in Merida and share my love for the region with them, and I definitely emerged a stronger leader from the experience. Coming home, I carried a sense of peace with me, knowing that I had internally come “full circle.” I don’t know when I will return to Merida again, but I do know that it’s a question of “when,” not “if.”

El Mono de Nueva Vida

Merida Post Trip Reflection by Christopher Beran

     I had not been planning on accompanying any of the ABST trips this school year. I certainly never thought that I would be in Merida, Mexico at any point this entire year. I thought I was going to just be in Erie, PA during Spring Break working on my tax return, catching up on some sleep, getting some things ready ahead of time for the rest of the semester, etc. Instead, with about 72 hours’ notice, I was preparing to travel internationally with a group of 9 other people of whom I knew only one person prior and hoping and praying that the Spanish I had studied for six weeks there in Mexico back in 2010 would return. I got to know 8 new people rather quickly, the Spanish returned a bit, and I had a fantastic week helping at the Mission of Friendship. And it is certainly friendship, generosity, and human connection that I came to understand deeper and truly experience throughout the week.

     To have a connection with another human being, I realized you don’t necessarily need to speak the same language. Heck, you can act and imitate another species being completely silly and actually make the biggest connections that way, especially when it comes to kids. I think I will be remembered for a long time at the Nueva Vida school as “Mono”, the monkey from Gannon.  I realized that spending only a mere couple of hours with someone can leave a lasting impact. I realized more that real connections happen when you are willing to give of yourself and freely receive from another. I realized that real connections happen when we have a vulnerability and love much like a little child who with little prior interaction just comes up to you and sits on your lap. I came to see more fully that the joy, love, vulnerability, and unconditional acceptance that a child has is what the Lord wants us to have with Him and one another.

“Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’” – Luke 18:16-17  

WERE HOME!

Hola amigos!  I am sad to announce that we are all back at Gannon and in class this afternoon. We had a long day of traveling Saturday and got back to the cold around 9:00PM.  We would like to thank all of you for your continued support and prayers during our time in Merida.  Please stay tuned for a final affirmation from each of our group members later on this week!

Adios!!

Erin

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Hola there everyone!

It's our final night here in Merida and we're slowly packing up for our long day of traveling tomorrow. We're looking forward to reconnecting with all of you once we're back in the States. Today, a group of us went on tour at a sister parish in Seye. Fr. Raul was gracious enough to show us around and even brought us to a running henequen factory. We were able to see how henequen is turned from the plant to a rope.

In the afternoon, the whole gang traveled to Dzibilchaltun to see, first hand, some Mayan ruins and we even swim in a cenote! It was refreshing for the body and the soul. Once we got back to the Mission, we enjoyed our final family dinner filled with laughter and community. It was a perfect stamp to end a splendid week.

Just before bed, we had a wonderful final group reflection with Tricia, Jonny and Ali in our company.  We had the opportunity to share our affirmations about each other and our experiences this week.  It was a great way to connect for one final time in Merida.  As of now we are all packing up, showering and preparing for our 5:30AM departure to the airport.  Our flight from Merida is scheduled to take off at 8:04AM.  We ask for your prayers of safe travels as we journey back home tomorrow!

See you all soon! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Merida 2016 :) <3

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Chilling in the Cenote!

Strike!

Hola everyone!

We just wanted to give everyone an update about our community day! Today was an interesting day and didn't go exactly as planned. While we originally planned to attend ruins and attend a cenote, we decided as a group that it would be best if we laid low and just hang out at the Mission House. We have pushed ourselves pretty hard these last few days and today was the best day to gain our strength. In the mean time, Kevin shared a few stories from last year and it was great day to practice service of presence with each other. We even learned about Mayan cultures, volcanoes, and even waterfalls in the area. With our extra rest, we'll be able to take on whatever Merida throws at us next.

We appreciate all your support and love. Until later, Merida 2016!

Extra, extra read all about it!

Hola amigos!  We’re on a short break with access to Wi-Fi, so we thought we would post more information about our day yesterday!  First, we went to the Rena da Paz nursing home where we spent time with the residents and played several rounds of loteria (picture bingo).  It was so fun to spend time with another group that the Mission of Friendship partners with.  One of the residents even shared her story with us and touched many of our hearts.  Following our time at the nursing home we made a brief stop at the medical dispensary run by the mission and met with Dr. Sylvia.  It was awesome to see the work that they do there and how much help they provide to the people of Merida.  Our last stop of the day was the Nueva Vida girls program.  While there we enjoyed a delicious lunch, worked on some projects for Tricia and goofed around with the girls.  For our work projects we divided into groups and got a lot done around the mission.  Some of us painted a sign on the side walk, others organized the mission storage room and others moved plants around the grounds of Nueva Vida.  At the end of the day we were so sad to say goodbye to the girls at Nueva Vida.  We received many hugs and kisses for the road and all hope to see the girls again someday. 

We will try our best to post more information and pictures soon.  Sending lots of love from Merida!

Erin J

Hola amigos!  We had a very long day at Nueva Vida doing work projects and hanging out with the girls.  We also went to the nursing home and played loteria (A.K.A BINGO).  Sorry for the short post, but we are very tired and ready for bed.  We will check back in again tomorrow and update you!  Sending lots of love from Merida!

La Bazar de Ropa

Hola Amigos!

Today, we started our day bright and early preparing for a clothing sale in the village of Dzibikak, outside of Merida. Thanks to the generous donations of many people we filled several rows of pews in the church with clothes for all ages. Word got around fast throughout the village, and people were already lining up at the door before the sale began. While the sale was going on we kept the children busy. Who knew simple things such as chalk and balloons could bring so much laughter and smiles. We sold a lot of clothes and met a lot of people. Doña Flores and her daughter were very excited to meet us. They shared their culture and were more than welcoming. Doña Flores repeatedly welcomed us back and told us that we would always have a place to stay in Dzibikak.

After spending time at the clothing sale, we visited the restored hacienda Dzibikak. The hacienda was similar to a plantation that harvested and produced the henequen plant for rope production. The hacienda was beautiful and if you would like to know more about it you can look it up online (the link wasn’t working here in Merida). We received a tour, ate lunch, and had a nice refreshing swim.

Then we walked around the village and explored more. The differences in the style of living between the hacienda and the people of the town of Dzibikak were evident. There is a physical wall separating the village from the hacienda house, which represents a physical and cultural divide. We were all moved by the obvious disconnect between the two, and are hoping for a change.

Later on, at the mission house, we were joined for dinner by the Hedderman family (they are from Erie too, and Gannon graduates!) It was nice to talk about their experiences traveling and to hear what they had to say about Merida.

We cannot believe how fast the week is going, it feels like we just got here! Don’t be surprised if some of us stay an extra week, month, or even year (just kidding…maybe!)

We miss you all and can’t wait to tell you all about our experiences! J

Love,

Alli and Karis