Hola! (Aventuras en México y Filadelfia)

Dear everyone,

Lina here, just seven hours away from our beloved MIT! If you, like me, can't understand the above Spanish, translation here: I've enjoyed a ten-day adventure in Mexico, and continue on in Philadelphia.

This summer was meant to be a time of learning and growing with my family, since it'll be harder to come back home as I get older. It's been really interesting, since my family only moved to Philadelphia this past year. (And my younger brother's entering Kweku's high school come September - time flies.) But God is good; I've been adjusting and making mistakes and getting through!

An interesting development has been the missions trip. I'd wanted to go to Mexico four years ago, but couldn't make it; but this time, I ended up going with my brother and mother as well!

We teamed up with a church from Mexico - a church that runs children's programs in rural areas every summer. 50 of us spent a week in the beautiful province of Aguascalientes ("hot water"). Long story short, I learned a lot. There were a lot of challenges -- including not being able to speak Spanish, not knowing my teammates, sharing sleeping/bathroom quarters with 20 other females -- but the week was a very rewarding experience regardless. Hallelujah!

The people of Mexico are the warmest people I've ever met. They're so hospitable and friendly, and open to conversation! It was great getting to befriend them; we definitely came back with a lot of memories.

(some of us enjoying Mexico City at night; it was actually supposed to be a girls' group picture)

Back home, I've been doing a lot of writing. I actually found my diary from ten years ago!

Wow. I think the science museum cited here is Boston's Museum of Science; but it's so funny looking back! Seeing my old self is the strangest; these past ten years have been a great growing experience.

Writing letters to God, reading, Bible studies with the brother, studying 5.112 (I'll be a TA next term!), getting acquainted with my parents' church, baking lemon meringue pie with the family -- this summer's quite enriching. Woohoo!

All the same, I can't wait to be back on campus. 24 more days!

Love,
Lina