Jorge, my "PAL"

One would assume that building meaningful, cross-cultural relationships is something we prioritize while serving in Nicaragua. We are here, of course, for people.  But while I am constantly working with people, serving people, meeting with people, planning for people, and surrounded by people, I realize that one thing I don't do well is sitting down with people for the sole purpose of relating.

As an "achiever," and as a typical North American, I find that I often value work over relationship with those around me, often to a fault. I don't often take time to sit and talk with my co-workers. Many of my lunches are eaten while walking from the cafeteria to my classroom. Sure, I see myself as kind and friendly. I greet people and do the small talk. But sitting down with people for extended sharing and conversation? No time for that!

This school year, a co-worker and Ruth (in her role as expat staff care coordinator) launched a program called P.A.L., which stands for Participate, Acknowledge, Learn. The idea is that North American and Nicaraguan staff members are divided into groups of two, and that these pairs spend around 30 minutes each week together over a break or lunchtime. The main program purpose really aims to bridge the divide between cultures and worlds that are represented in our school community. NCA--a beautifully diverse school--actually struggles with cohesive unity and cross-cultural/language relationships--from our staff all the way down to our preschool students. I didn't really have a choice in joining the trial program as Ruth was helping coordinate it. The "I'm too busy to sit down for 30 minutes each week and eat my lunch" excuse wasn't going to work and also just sounds kind of sad when I say it aloud:(

Jorge and I meet on Wednesdays for a late lunch after my high school Study Skills class ends at 12:45.  Jorge has been at NCA for a little over 5 years after working for many years in a hotel and restaurant. He works with the security team at NCA performing many different functions. He spends part of his time opening and closing the front gate for vehicles entering the NCA parking lot. He supervises students buying food in the school cafeteria during lunch and breaks (not sure if he's ever caught a shoplifter!). He delivers and "flips" the heavy 5-gallon water bottles to classrooms throughout the school, keeping us all hydrated in this hot climate. He sets up traffic cones and manages the parking lot during dismissal. He delivers messages from the front office and the nurse to students and teachers around the entire campus. Jorge is always on the move!

Jorge cares for these three sons as a single father; after work, he continues to work when he arrives home in El Crucero after a 30-minute bus commute. He loves his family so much and loves providing for them. He dreams that his older two sons will be able to pursue their interest in auto mechanics.

Jorge nearly died 3 years ago. Stepping out of a bus in front of NCA in the morning before work, he was struck by a motorcycle passing illegally on the right side of the stopped bus. Jorge had severe injuries, including significant brain damage. Doctors were quite sure that Jorge was not going to live. After a long stay in the hospital, he was home-bound for many more months, unable to walk and talk. I remember the first time Jorge returned to visit NCA; students and staff were overwhelmed with joy seeing a walking miracle--an answer to so many prayers. But Jorge wasn't able to work yet; speech and memory issues continued to plague Jorge as did pain in his limbs. NCA eventually allowed Jorge to return to work on a trial basis to see if he would be able to complete his job duties, which I'm thankful for and I believe encouraged further healing and recovery to the point that Jorge is back at full capacity!

I'm thankful for lunches with Jorge. In our brief weekly meetings, he is teaching me a lot.
He teaches me generosity--Jorge almost always brings me a little dessert that he's purchased from the cafeteria; I am taken aback that he is choosing to spend his precious resources on me.
He models for me how to honor God with words--Jorge nearly almost mentions his love for God in our conversations, no matter how brief. I know some of Jorge's day-to-day struggles, yet, he never fails to mention God's abundant blessings in his life. One more day on earth to work and provide for his kids is enough to cause praise to fall from Jorge's mouth.
He teaches me grace. He listens to me speak in Spanish. Enough said:) I love his mini-lessons that he throws in during our time together.
He teaches joy. His smile is genuine as he walks around campus and as we sit together; his joy transcends circumstance.
He reminds me that not everyone lives like me. I love hearing stories about Jorge's family, his past, his household, his day-to-day life. We share an employer and both live in Nicaragua; after that, we're pretty much completely different as far as daily living and circumstance go.
He teaches me to be. I appreciate being "forced" to sit and talk about non-school stuff for 30 minutes. It helps me realign my priorities, see the "bigger picture" of ministry and life, and hopefully will help me find more moments to "be" with others without an agenda or a to-do list item to cross out.

It's embarrassing that it took 6 years and a formal program to make me sit at a table and share a weekly lunch with a Nicaraguan staff member. But it did, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to know and learn from Jorge. (For the record, Jorge approves this blogpost!)