Paseos, Visitas, y una Semana Ocupada

Hello everyone!

Note: New photos are posted which you can see using the link at the right.

If you are guessing from the delay in this blog update that I have become a little bit busier, you would be right! Here are some highlights and reflections on life since I last wrote:

- Though we had a feeling it would happen sooner or later, it was still shook us up a bit that Nicole was robbed as she and Emily were walking to the Hospice for work a week ago Saturday. She is okay and wasn`t hurt, but the guy got away with her neck chain and its religious medals. We are all thinking more about what we are carrying (or appear to be carrying) when we go out, taking as little as possible. Sr. Juanita tells us that this time of hear, with Christmas coming up, is the worst time for theft and that we should be careful. She herself has been robbed 6-7 times in her 11 years here, and says it makes her mad each time. Coupled with what seems like increased harrassment toward Nicole and Emily when they go out (especially on Sundays, when many of the men are free from work and somewhat intoxicated in the streets), they are feeling a bit tired of being so much in the public eye, of not being able to be anonymous. There are people who try to help, and many of our friends are sure to walk us home especially at night, but we are definitely aware and watchful when we go out.
- On a lighter note, we three joined about 45 jovenes (youth and young adults) from the parish for a paseo (outing) last Sunday to a park out in the country about a half hour. We got a late start, not surprisingly, but enjoyed the tranquilo day of group games/competitions, soccer, and volleyball. Nicole impressed all the guys with her soccer prowess. I helped plan the event as part of the youth council, and the striking difference between here and the US were the economics -- we managed to feed 50 people for about 45 soles ($15) on fried rice. We brought a huge pot of it (the food delayed the departure) and everyone brought a plate and spoon, even some china. We had the goal of helping the youth already participating in some of the various parish groups to get to know each other better, and I think the outing was successful and the weather (except for some mosquitos early on) was perfect. I also enjoyed the opportunity to talk with some youth that I hadn`t known before.
- This week I began at last our project of visiting youth in their homes, beginning with meetings with some of the eight coordinators of the eight parish sectors. In a couple neighborhoods we have already made one outing of visits. The first was a small sector in which the coordinator knew all the Catholic families, and we were well received by the youth/families we spoke with. I will meet with a group of the young people this Sunday to talk with them about what they would like to see/do as a parish and as a sector in terms of youth activities. In the second sector, the visit went differently -- a bit humurous in retrospect but a little frustrating at the time. The coordinator had forgotten about our appointment, so I had to wait for her to shower and get ready after her siesta. Also, though I had suggested 2 or 3 people max, our group was to consist of 5 (myself, three short older ladies, and one husband -- who ended up not coming after all). Also, though they have lived in the neighborhood for more than 30 years, they were as lost (or more so) as I was in finding the streets and houses for the addresses I had. To shorten the story, we spent a couple hours wandering by foot and taxi and ended up talking with two parents and two youth. STill, a start. And, overall, I think I will really enjoy this part of my ministry here, to talk on an individual basis with youth and families to help them feel welcome in the parish and to invite their suggestions and participation. Yesterday I attended mass at the chapel in our largest sector, 2 de Mayo, and met several folks after mass who either have youth or are interested in helping with our projects.
- I participated in my first two choir rehearsals, though I have yet to really learn the guitar songs due to not having the lyrics and chords. I am scheduled to have some introduction to that this week by the choir director. Still, it is an animated group (at times to the frustration of the director :)) and we rehearse in the living room of a parishioners home near the parish. Our rehearsals are 9:30-11:00 pm Friday and Saturday night, which is a little unbelievable for me. I may not be able to long term make the commitment due to other ministry activities at the parish, but I am going to give it a shot.
- English class is going well. I have located some helpful lesson plan ideas online and we are also now offering a Friday night conversation session in our home from 7-9 for anyone in the class desiring opportunity to practice. We have 12-15 attending the Monday-Thursday classes and 7-8 coming on Fridays.
- Saturday Nicole, Emily and I took advantage of their day off (national holiday for the Immaculate Conception) and took a paseo to Trujillo, a couple hours north of here. The architecture is more colonial and the city a bit cleaner than Chimbote, and we saw significantly more tourists. We attended mass at the Cathedral, had a couple good meals, visited the pre-Inca ruins of Chan-Chan outside of town, and walked/relaxed a couple hours on the beach at the small nearby town of Huancacho. We met a dog there who loved to dig and fetch, and his owner is a doctor from the US who moved there two years ago to open a restaurant. All in all a good getaway.
- I am somewhat in charge of directing a Christmas play with the post-Confirmation group, and developed a script from online Spanish bible sources and material from Fr. Carlos that combines the story of the first Nativity Scene (tradicion begun by St. Francis) and the Biblical narrative of the prophets and the gospels. We will put it on a couple times before Christmas, on the 22nd at a show for parish children and the 23rd or 24th for the parish at large.
- Christmas is coming, and we see a smattering of lights in house windows and some downtown stores selling solely Christmas decor. Nicole and Emily bought a 2-foot tree for our living room and a couple strings of lights, which help add a little Christmas feel to our home. I think because I associate Christmas with being home with family and know that this year I won`t be (for the first time), I do find myself missing home a bit more. Still, I do look forward to experiencing the celebration of Christmas here. And the Tardio family -- parents and both brothers -- are also joining us here for the holiday, after which they will travel to Cusco and Macchu Piccu.
- Sometimes two years seems like a long time, but I also have been struck by periodic moments of beauty and peace here (like the beautiful late afternoon volleyball game with youth on the paseo -- we had no net but a lot of fun and laughter) that I am very grateful for. My spanish is definitely improving, which is exciting, though listening still is tough. I have hope for the good that I can offer and receive here, and in my good moments I do believe that God can take my imperfect efforts and help them bear fruit.

Well, its time to head home before I have to go to English class. Thanks for your perseverance in making it to the end of this lengthy entry, and I wish you a blessed Advent.