Winter in Chile, but staying warm

So we are in the middle of winter here in Chile, but spring can be seen looming in the distance. For those of you who don't know about winter here it means cold nights, but fairly nice days. The cold of the night is worse due to an absolute lack of heating in houses. Yet, it is amazing that here during these days of winter we are able to experience so much warmth. Since i last wrote a lot has happened. We have had the entry of three new members to our program, Joe, Christine and Shanna. The first couple of weeks has been a nice transition process and they are doing nicely. It also has made me realize how i truly have learned so much during my time here. All the things you take for granted are now a normal part of my life have come as small obstacle to some of the new kids. First, i would have to repeat is the overall lack of planning that is done here, especially in the school system. For example, i was signed up to teach English workshops this year, but there was not enough students in both Brian and my class to warrant having two so we combined them and i am now teaching roller hockey. Yes, that is not a typo, i am teaching roller hockey to middle and high school Chilean kids. So needless to say that has been an interesting experience teaching kids to play a sport that i barely now how to play myself.

Two things that have really stuck out in my mind the last couple of days were:
1) the caminata that we had this weekend. The caminata was for Father Hurtado who is a very prominent religious figure here in Chile. It is an annual celebration and has a large attraction to the youth here in Chile. Brian, Luis Lien ( a seminarian) and I were in charge of a group of 50 or so students that went on a 5 hour walk through Santiago. The walk compromised of about 50 thousand or so young adults in the Santiago area. It was pretty crazy to see how they shut down parts of the city and after the walk had passed it looked like it had just snowed due to all of the confetti on the ground. It was pretty cool to see the passion of the kids and to be able to talk to them about it.

2) Last Jornada (our weekly religious retreat) that we went on with a class of Seniors in high school went very well. I arranged a slide show and then gave a small presentation about using the time they have left to learn and grow in the relationships between their class. But one of the most touching moments was at the end of the day, when the kids were given the opportunity to say what they wanted, one of the students Felipe wanted to thank Brian and I specifically for the time we have spent here and the affect we have had on the kids. It was really nice to hear because there are days that i wonder if i am truly having a lasting affect or if i am merely just another flash in the pan.

This week will be busy as usual and then i have my birthday, the Chile vs Venezuela game, and Fiestas patrias coming up, which means i am basically booked until the end of September. But i hope this gives you a small glimpse into what i am doing today. (sorry about the lack of new pics, i will try and get on top of that)