Author: Jessica

Camilo is carried onto the field in the arms of his adult high energy friend. When Papá releases the soccer ball from his hands, Camilo is almost dropped before he makes his way directly to the target.  Our friends X and S yell for Camilo´s attention before they punt the ball in his direction. He… Read more

After a measly three months of life in Mexico, I was languishing in my inability to speak the language. Agony poured over me as I felt I would never be able to communicate effectively. Only nine months later, I was conversing in Spanish with ease. I heard questions and responded in the correct language without… Read more

After an exhausting walk to the end of our street with Camilo in and out of his Flintstones car, we made it to the driveway leading its way to the back of the new café. The green gate was pushed open, creating a welcome invitation for a two year old on an adventure.  Camilo propelled… Read more

A typical Lao family pulls out in front of our car. Four people on the motorcycle with a 20 gallon jug of water up front. Dad is driving, the smallest member, maybe two years old, is standing on the vehicle seat sandwiched between dad and his mom behind him. The sister, maybe six years old,… Read more

A splitting scream shot out from behind me as I hanging one last ornament. Misa had been a witness but no amount of wishing could have made his arms extend any longer in that moment. We wrapped the young child balled up on the floor into our arms and did our best to examine the… Read more

Camilo lulls himself to sleep at night by naming his favorite trucks on repeat. In the darkness of a bedroom without windows with his legs and arms spread out making a star, out comes the parade, ¨Dump truck, boom truck, cement truck.¨ At some point the chanting ends, but I imagine his dreams are filled… Read more

Moving to a new country can make 26 years of life experience feel obsolete. With everything around me foreign, I reverted back to childhood. I depended on others to keep me alive. I was a four month old eating solids for the first time. Only small bits and pieces made it to my mouth as… Read more

As we rolled into the gravel parking lot, the lack of other vehicles was not surprising. Undesirable, but not surprising. We crept up to the bit of shade provided by trees and found a handful of university age individuals spread into different groups. Perhaps in the United States or in Mexico where I have the… Read more

Only a young child could be excited about going to the market when it is 40 (104 F) degrees out. With our eyes squinting, we stumble from the car up to the blankets draped over the entrance to keep the world inside in darkness. In our 20 meter walk, the sweat already sticks to us… Read more

The neighbor´s servant lingers in the street. His hips are holding up oversized jeans with patched holes in the knees. His chest is covered by a graphic tee that holds no meaning to him. His hair falls into his eyes as he examines the concrete path littered with twigs and speckled with white and yellow… Read more