La cruz de Yazu – Yazu’s cross

Dear Friends,

Valentine’s day here in Mexico?? One wouldn’t think it really existed. However, I discovered differently this February 14th. Here, Valentine’s Day, or El Dia de la Amistad, is almost as big as it is in the United States.I made some little bags for the students and teachers, which included some Hershey’s Kisses and a little button that said “I am loved,” or “Soy Amada.” I gave them to the teachers all throughout the day, and went timidly to pass them out to the students at recess. I thought “Will the kids even want an inexpensive, tiny button?” “Will they think it isn’t ‘cool’ enough to wear?” But all my worrying was for nothing. I went up to a couple of students to ask them if they would like a button, and by then end of recess, everyone was coming up to me wanting one! The students loved them. In fact, I ended up running out of them. The rest of that day, students and teachers were wearing their buttons around school. I even catch a glimpse of the buttons still today, months later. At first, I thought of this little gift as just something to pass out on Valentine’s Day. But I soon realized that to me, it was much more than a button. It represents a feeling. I wanted these kids and teachers to know that they are loved all the time, not just on Valentine’s Day. They are loved by friends and family, and above all God, every day of the year…and I am thankful that on Valentine’s Day, I could help them remember that. It also made me realize that even if we are away from our loved ones, we are still loved and surrounded by friends and family. As I walked around school that day, constantly bombarded with this message that “I am loved,” I felt as if each student or teacher was reminding me that I am also loved. And that is a message that I never get tired of hearing.

Angela Fife

Angela Fife serves as a Global Mission Intern with the Congregational Church in Mazatlan and Colegio el Pacifico in Mexico. She works with social and youth programs of the church as well as teaching English at the school.