how's this for organized?

Here are the redefined goals I have for this mission and below is how I have progressed in each in the last few weeks.

1. Continuing to visit sick people in the clinic and in their homes
2. Regularly participating in the parish and at Mass, especially through singing with the choir at San Marcos
3. Developing an English portion of “Juguemos a Leer” on Saturday mornings
4. Helping to plan and improve the program with the “Grupo de la Tercera Edad” on Thursday mornings
5. Building rapport with the staff of the various clinics within the Foundation: supporting their efforts and listening to their concerns as part of the pastoral team
6. Participating with “Club de Amigas” on Sunday evenings
7. Supporting volunteers in the social work department: by getting to know them personally, visiting their classes from time to time, and being part of their major events to affirm the ways in which they reach out to the community
8. Growing as a mission team and seeking ways to help each other in our individual efforts and mission projects

Progress in these goals:
1. I am continuing to do pastoral visits. I also made updated reports for each home visit to have a file for each patient. Last Wednesday January 20th, I presented a case to the doctors at their meeting. As a result, the patient came to the clinic to see a doctor on Monday January 25th.

2.The choir is now singing Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings at Masses. I also am spending time with the families of some of the women in the choir. I have begun to facilitate Skype conversations between children of the parish here and in the United States. These conversations will take place on some Wednesday and Sunday evenings when I am in homes in the parish. My father, Brian Krebs directs religious education with a parish in North Dakota that will be working with us. The purpose of these conversations is to build ties between this community and one in the United States as an intercultural and language exchange.

3.Saturday January 23, 2010, Raquel and I led our first “Juguemos a Leer” class. We divided the 17 kids into two reading levels. We made nametags, and they learned how to say “my name is________” in English. I took pictures of each child with their name so we can begin remembering them. Kids can join the class until the end of January, so once we are full, I will make nametags for the kids with their names and pictures on them. We have weekly meetings set up for Thursdays at 12:30pm to discuss what we have prepared for the coming Saturday. Each child pays 50 pesos enrollment and 30 pesos per class. Raquel and I decided that 10 pesos per child per session will go toward paying for supplies for the classes. I need to prepare a space in the auditorium to conduct my bilingual component of the class.

4.Laura Vega, Abrana, and I plan to meet every Wednesday at 11am to prepare for the “Grupo de Tercera Edad.” We would like to plan 2 months in advance to be able to have activities with presenters from other places. Laura and I met on Wednesday Jan 20, and made many plans for the improvement of the Grupo de la Tercera Edad. This Thursday January 21, 2010, the Grupo de la Tercera Edad met and agreed to each save 1 peso every day to bring to the club to be able to pay for food and other things that the group wants to do. Linda Wasserman presented the first of a series of 15 minute English lessons. We elected a board: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. I took pictures of each of these people to make nametags. There are other support people that were selected to be part of the leadership for the group. I have their names and pictures also. I made copies of the handwritten lists that Abrana had of the names, addresses, and birthdays of the group. I will type this up so it is functional for attendance and records. I will update basic medical records as part of this database. I am creating an attendance board so people can record when they come to the group since there is concern about people coming just when there are give-aways involved. I will be supporting the group’s outing on Monday February 8th to Casa Club. We have bus transportation to and from the clinic and we will eat lunch there.

5.When I come to the Fomerrey 35, I walk through the clinic to greet the staff. I know all of them by name, and I am continuing to support them.

6.The Sister who has been leading the “Club de Amigas” is no longer in Guadalupe, so the group is becoming self-sufficient. I am preparing to give a talk to the group on Sunday February 7th about spirituality. I meet with the group two Sunday evenings a month and we choose a different discussion theme each time.

7. I attended one of Abrana’s parenting classes. I also met two Autistic children that Raquel has in “Apoyo Escolar.” I will begin teaching these two children about 10 minutes of English on Thursday afternoons at 1pm at request of their mother and Raquel.

8. We now have set aside Mondays at 7pm for our group prayer time at home for which we take turns leading. I have been available to discuss the diabetes program with Mike that he has been working on. Paula invited me to accompany her on her HIV/AIDS course on February 17-19 from 2-6pm. I intend on doing this so I have the background to brainstorm with her when she is preparing her workshops. I am working with Linda to support her efforts of teaching English with the “Grupo de la Tercera Edad.” We continue to be in discussion with Sisters Angeles and Beatriz.

This update above was especially for all of my bosses so they don't think I am lazy. My dad told me a story about monkeys. It seems like everyone around here is trying to get me to carry their monkeys around and they're starting to get heavy and give me headaches. I appreciate home oh so much more after being in thisenvironment. I appreciate your love and support. Andrea