Lindsey Wilson Bonner Scholar Program

Congratulations to Love in Action as they welcome their community to shop at the bazar!

FUNday

What a fantastic week! We wrapped up our time by exploring more of Chapala via a boat ride to Scorpion Lake. It was a perfect, relaxing way to see Chapala. Scorpion Lake holds much of the history for the area’s native culture. After our boat tour, we strolled through the markets to see local goods for sale.

The week was wrapped up in the most special way— by cooking a meal together! Mama Ana taught us all how to make authentic salsas, Mexican rice, refried beans, and fajitas. Nothing quite sums up a week of learning, serving, and growing like sitting around the table together. 💙🤍💙

Day ✋ FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

We’re gonna keep you waiting for a little while longer to see the after pictures of the bazar. 🙊

It was a delight to spend our afternoon making and trading friendship bracelets at Love In Action. This was a heartwarming experience that our students will never forget! They have been champions at engaging through a language barrier. We’re so proud of their ability to push their comfort zones. As the leader’s mantra says try, fail, learn—and these seniors have been an exemplary model of it.

Thank you to Love in Action for allowing us the opportunity to learn and serve next to your girls. 🫶

Day 4️⃣ A little mid week siesta!

Today was a lovely respite from our hard work at the bazar to attend a local church with kids from Love In Action. Nothing says spiritual exploration quite like immersing oneself into at church service primarily in another language. Muchas gracias to Señor Frutos for translating throughout the service.

Our afternoon was full of fun times as we had a pizza party followed by field games with the girls. We danced our hearts out teaching each other different group and line dances. And even had a singalong led by Hailee and Macy! They’re all so incredible kind, gracious, and patient which is certainly a testament to the mission of Love In Action. Finally, there’s no better way to end a day than with ice cream!

Day ✌️

We’re making progress on the bazar. Shelves are hung, clothes sorted, and the place is starting to take shape. Today we had the opportunity to have lunch with the girls at Love In Action. It’s easy to see how peaceful the girls feel at LIA.

We spent our afternoon exploring at a local train station that has been renovated to tell the history of Chapala and its transportation system. One thing we are learning is that history is an important aspect of the culture here—preserved and not to be forgotten.

After our cultural activity we dropped in at a local nursery to purchase plants for the Bazar. Everyone had a wonderful time searching out the perfect plants to add beauty to space.

Day Three: Progress Loading⏳

Slow and steady wins the race as we continue to make progress on the bazar. Yesterday we were able to move our efforts to the new kids room and the future inventory room. We are eagerly awaiting the final product! Enjoy some sneak peaks!

After serving we once again had lunch at Love In Action. It’s a joy to share time with the girls there. Then we were treated to a VIP experience with dinner and a show at the movie theater in Ajijic. *not captured* but there were certainly lots of laughter to go around.

Day One ☑️

We began our day by learning the history of Love In Action. Anabel Frutos, Executive Director, saw needs within her community and took action to care for those facing food insecurity. She built a community center that grew to offer a soup kitchen, life skills training, and childcare. From there she saw that local children needed a place with safe people.

Then Love in Action was born! Now a girls home for ages 4-18 they strive to provide quality intentional compassionate care for children to allow healthy attachment and relationships to be built. They focus on a low caregiver to child ratio to increase opportunities for relationship building. Their emphasis on Trust Based Relational Intervention empowers children to use behavior as their voice— learning regulation techniques and tools for communication to express wants and needs in the healthiest way possible.

All week we will be working to restore Love In Action’s bazar, a thrift shop open to anyone within the community. Not only does the bazar offer an affordable way for people to get clothing and household goods, it also provides income back to Love In Action ensuring that they can continue to provide quality care.

We are grateful for the opportunity to give love and attention to the bazar and make it a space where anyone can find what they might need!

Senior Bonners have made it to Chapala! After a successful travel day, tacos, and a city walk we are ready to get to work the rest of the week! 💙💪🏼

Dear Bonner Fam, we have exciting news!

Prior to the pandemic, it had been a goal to get to a place where Senior Bonners could experience service and culture internationally as a culmination of their experience. Lindsey Wilson College Bonner Scholars are getting ready to make their mark on a very special place! Our group of rising senior Bonner Scholars is venturing out for one last service trip together in May to serve and learn in Chapala, Mexico.

Five Bonners will be spending a week with Oak Life School of Orphan Care and its partnering orphanage, Love In Action. Their mission is to educate and empower orphanage caregivers, directors and advocates to sustainably and holistically care for abandoned children.

Our students are excited to stretch and grow through international service. Over the next few weeks, they will learn how to avoid voluntourism and short-term service harm reduction, engage in ethical international service, and challenge their perspectives.

We invite you to follow along on this journey! Here's how you can support our senior Bonners:

1. Ask what they are most excited about.
2. Ask how they hope to grow and stretch their comfort zones.
3. Follow
4. Consider donating to www.lindsey.edu/giving and selecting Bonner Scholars as the designation for your gift.

Bonner Love,
Hailee Corbin
Alondra Fuentes-Nava
Caroline Hardwick
Mia Weigel
Macy Welsh

Oak Life

One last gathering with our graduates! We want to thank these four lovely people for the laughs, smiles, and great memories they have brought to our program. These four are truly amazing leaders with servant hearts. Thank you Macy, Kayla, Sean, and Zach!

The Lindsey Wilson Bonner Program is so excited to be able to host the 2024 Sophomore Exchange! We’ve been diligently preparing for tomorrow are excited to see everyone there. See you tomorrow! 🤍💙

📣 Attention all current Bonners!

Join Liz Brandt as she visits our campus this Thursday! You’re invited for a conversation to hear about her Bonner journey, reflections, and advice as well as opportunities available to Bonner students including internships, graduate school partnerships, conferences and more!

We love our partners!
Adair County FRYSC 💙🫶