The Group Eleven

Our Colombian family met each other late one night in July two years ago. Most of us arrived in Colombia for the first time that night. Quickly, we would learn how to live in this country and we would be bound together tightly by our experiences. It has been almost two years since we first met and introduced each other. Since then, we have laughed together, cried together, celebrated birthdays together, and experienced a part of life in a way none of us could have imagined.

We are friends. We are family. We are brothers and sisters from many different walks of life who have come together to be a family. We are eleven. We are the Eleven.

There is Gabriel Cuarenta. He was born in Mexico and moved to California with his family during elementary school. He is deaf in one ear, and plays the guitar rather well. He has a great sense of humor and loves the color orange. His last name means 40 in Spanish.

Erin Cuarenta is married to Gabe. She is from California. She met Gabe in under-graduate school for mathematics. She is in charge of the pre-AP math courses at CNG. She loves to dance and talk. Erin and Gabe travel every chance they can. She takes some really great pictures.

There is Sarah Leonard. She is from New Jersey and has a heart of service for Latin America. She is a runner, which Liz immediately joined her in their free time. She is newly married (less than two years). She goes to church with her husband in Chia, north of Bogota.

Then there is Ben Leonard. He has a story. He is American but was essentially raised in Colombia by his mother. He is now a missionary at a church in Chia. Sometimes I take a personal day from work to help him at the mission. He wins at Scrabble most of the time.

Suzanne Collins is from southern California. I call her Suz. She has an infectious laugh which I enjoy hearing. She has coordinated our last two Thanksgivings, and she spent Christmas with Liz and I. She has three cats in her apartment. She is my little sister.

Joy Verbon has lived in Colombia for five years now. She first taught in Medellin and came to Bogota two years ago. She enjoys dancing and has performed in many dance troupes. She recently married her fiance whom she met in Medellin.

Raul Moreno is from Medellin. He is talented with everything musical. He just married Joy in a intimate wedding with his family and the eleven of us. He speaks Spanish mainly, but is learning English. Raul & I communicate in true Spanglish.

Andres Jaramillo is Colombian-American. He grew up in Colombia and served in the U.S. Marine Corp before graduating from UConn. He works at the U.S. Embassy here in Bogota. He met is now fiance in college, and they are marrying this summer in the States.

Kim Hazlin is from Connecticut. She is tall and can almost see eye to eye with me. She loves everything Colombian from music to the language. She teaches in the Primary school of CNG. Her wit is quick and her humor is dry. She can't wait to get married this summer.

Liz & I round out the eleven.

We are brothers and sisters. We compliment each other, and drive each other crazy. We all get together at least once a month to celebrate. We see each other at times in smaller groups both planned and impromptu. We enjoy each other. We joke, we argue, we greet each other with a Latin kiss, and we look out for each other. Life is hard. That is why God gives us families and friends. We are all different. We are all unique. God has brought us together in a unique way. We are one, but we are not the same...We carry each other.

Liz and I wanted you to meet our friends.