Finding the World in Colombia
Detallista
by Savannah Laux
Señora Carreno and students on Monserrat.
Detallista. A Spanish word without an English equivalent, Señora Carreno, a Spanish teacher at NorthStar Academy, described it as meaning someone detail-oriented, meticulous, and who will go above and beyond to serve and meet the needs of others. She used this word to describe the Colombian people.
Señora Carreno was raised as a missionary kid in Colombia; and grew up immersed in the language and culture, which has never left her. Despite the fact that she now lives in the United States with her family, she still describes herself as feeling more Colombian than American. She calls Colombia and its people her home, and this past summer she was able to return to the country she loves and bring along her very own Spanish students.
In July 2019, Señora Carreno and several students, as well as NSA’s Director Cooley, embarked on a Spanish immersion and mission trip to Colombia. The trip members spent the week in Bogotá as both missionaries and students. Señora Carreno described most of the trip as “Spanish, Spanish, Spanish,” with many cultural and spiritual activities as well. They spent almost fifteen hours in Spanish classes, went to a coffee plantation, took dance classes, served at a children's center, went to a salt mine, and ended their trip on the mountain of Monserrat.
The students on the trip served at an after school service for underprivileged children and teens in the community. “It was so fun. They[the children] loved talking to us.” described Sabrina Bailey, a Spanish student on the trip.“The children had never heard of online school,” explained Señora Carreno, “and they were very curious about the students.” Interacting with the kids of the community was not just an opportunity for service but a way to see God's hand in the lives of the Colombian people. Señora Carreno spoke of the fact that despite their circumstances, the children of Colombia were filled with joy; it was evident that their joy came from God, not material things.
The Colombia mission trip was not solely a trip of service but of learning, growth, and exploration. “Travel is important to learning and understanding the worldview of others,” explained Señora Carreno, “The world is so much larger.” The students were able to experience the friendliness of the Colombian people and see first-hand the life they live and what they do with it. “I think it showed me an interesting new side of things that I've never seen before. People were very willing to share their culture with you...they were willing to spend lots of time on making food for us to thank us for visiting and helping with the kids,” said Sabrina Bailey, “It reminded me to appreciate the things people do for me more.” Though the students did not explicitly learn the word Detallista, they still were able to see its meaning within the Colombian people as they served and were served in return.
Señora Carreno Discusses the Columbia Mission Trip
Savannah Laux is the editor-in-chief of the Navigator and founder of the Navigator class at NSA. She is a senior and has been with NSA for three years. Savannah hopes to have a career as a lawyer and work in the area of human rights. Some of her hobbies are reading, writing, and music. She has a strong passion for writing that fuels her love for the Navigator.