Coming to Realize...

Nearing the end of week three here in Nicaragua, I have come to a realization; at first I thought it would be difficult to adjust to the culture of Granada-culture shock if you will-however on the contrary I believe that my greatest challenge will be returning to back to the States. From spending such a short amount of time in a foreign country my vision of this world and of myself has been cleared drasticly-it's almost frightening. I'm not sure if I can simply readjust back to such a materialistic based country after witnessing what I have here with out a tremendous amount of guilt. There is a bigger picture and purpose (cliche I know) and so many of the mindsets of Americans are self-orientated that they are unable to see this.
Motivation.
I feel motivated.
Rather I feel obligated to do something.
I am almost ashamed of my life back at home before this trip. I have all of the resources and opportunities knocking at my door that has been kept shut and locked for far too long. America is an exception in this world. We have much more than the rest and much more than what we need. Why is it that I deserve all that I have and thousands of children walk barefoot? Why are they forced to start work instead of an education? Why would a child have to result to such measures as to dance in the street naked for less than a dollar? And how in the 21st centruy is this reality?
A month is not enought time to solve the vast conflicts found here in Granada everyday. My heart however goes out to the children. A child is a child. All you have to do is spend one hour with a child to realize we are all the same. They will make you laugh from the bottom of your gut till you cry or be a pain in your ass reguardless. A kid doesn't discriminate based upon color, lanugage, weath or weight.
A wise woman told me,"More time needs to be spent finding peace between our simmilarities and less time spent fighting wars between our differences". A change needs to occur in the minds of the children of Nicaragua. They need to find hope. They need to dream. And someone needs to tell them that they have worth to become beautiful people.
The wise woman also told me, "When you wake up every morning ask yourself-what will I do today to justify my existence in this world?". Will you donate a few hours out of your day to help a child learn their abc's? Or will you spend your day contemplating whether to buy the new blackberry or the iphone?
We have but a week left. How do I go back?