Preparando para Semana Santa

Greetings! A couple weeks have passed since my last entry -- seems that the days fly by with a variety of activities, tasks, etc. Photos of yet another trip to the beach (parish workers field trip) and a few random other shots can be accessed through the link at right. Now, an attempt to update you on a few aspects of the past two weeks:

Beach trip 3/1
As mentioned above, I joined with 45 other `pastoral agents´ of the parish for a fun day at Vesique Beach -- including members of the choirs, pastoral council, liturgical ministers, catechists, etc. Many of our group that went to Lima also came along -- the interesting thing was that at least 30 of the folks that loaded onto the bus (borrowed from a community of sisters in town, it said `Special Education Services` on the side) were youth and young adults. Partly to be sure, a trip to the beach might appeal more to a 22-year-old choir members than the older ladies that count the money, but it still struck me. I also noticed this trend in Lima at our course. At a comparable `youth ministry training event` in the US, the average age would be at least 35, and likely higher. At the ADEP course in Lima, the vast majority were under 20, maybe under 18. Our group, which included myself and several in their mid to late 20`s, was the oldest group there. In the Catholic Church here, youth are largely ministered to by other young people, which is largely a good thing. A possible downside is a lack of experience and wisdom, but a few dedicated older adults could ideally provide the necessary accompaniment to make this work. Not sure of the cause/effect dynamic, but there is more a sense here that people who work with youth should be young themselves. There is still space, I believe, for people young at heart. Anyway, back to the beach: I had a good time bodysurfing (maybe the only one there doing so, there a few bodyboarders and surfers came in the afternoon) in the morning. After lunch the waves got quite big, so while it was still fun swimming, I was more likely to be tumbled around than ride in smoothly. My camera was borrowed by a couple people from the group during the day, so there are quite a number of photos to view if you are so inclined.

Youth Survey/Census
We divided our leadership group into pairs and managed to survey about 120 youth in their houses, a small portion of the total but a good start. They seemed to enjoy the experience -- or at least to find it worthwhile -- and we`ve had some good discussions concerning the responses, how they speak to our own faith and what we hope to accomplish in serving youth here. Sometimes these discussions are quite tangential and squish `business items`, such as planning upcoming events, into the final few minutes of the meeting. However, in the long run I think they are helpful in community building and faith sharing in the group. My hope, once semana santa is over and I`m back from my trip (see below), is to gradually cover all areas of the parish, surveying and visiting youth. Then, to establish a ministry team to make periodic return visits. I will keep you posted on this as well as on new initiatives that might grow out of the survey results.

Semana Santa
Our leadership group (majority of Lima group + a few others) has taken on two main projects for Semana Santa (Holy Week). First, we are gathering a group from the parish to participate in the Diocese-wide stations of the cross, which is done by climbing the mountain outside of town (with the cross on top, it has shown up in a few of my photos). We meet at 6:30 am Saturday, 3/15, for the hike that begins at 7:30 and should last about 2-3 hours, I`m told. At a church near the top, we`ll celebrate Mass. Should be a fun, tiring trip!

Our second project is the presentation of Jesus` way of the Cross, using the 14 traditional stations, in a route through the streets of one of our parish neighborhoods. I worked with a team to put the script together and others have taken charge of the route, costumes, and direction. We`ve had two rehearsals so far, and I think we`ll pull it together. I am happy to play the part of John (who has no lines, just accompanies Marìa the whole way) and to not be directing. A lively guy named Ginno, who has experience and talent in projects like this, is taking the role of director. The cast is currently about 20, though we still are seeking 5-10 more to fill out the ranks of the soldiers, crying women, and the crowd in general. There was some interest in having me play Jesus, but we decided that the possible struggle with the language (and likely lack of volume of my voice) would make that difficult. My mom and my aunt Janie will be here for the holy week celebrations, so I am happy they will be able to participate as spectators.

Choir
I do believe that I am getting a bit better at singing, even hitting a few notes in preparing for singing at Mass a couple weeks ago that made me wonder if it was really my voice I was hearing. I am enjoying being a part of the choir, which includes some talented musicians (though at times members struggle in finding the balance between demanding commitment and having an more relaxed atmosphere). We had a short retreat last Sunday afternoon for the choir, given by Tino, a Franciscan brother at the parish, and I really benefitted from it. A good time of quiet and reflection as we approach Holy Week (mixed with some active games, of course). I have picked up a Spanish song book with chords and have begun learning a few songs at home, but am still a long way off from being able to play with the group.

Visitors!
I am excited to be welcoming my first two visitors next week: my mom and my aunt Janie. They will arrive in Lima next Tuesday night, and we`ll be in Chimbote Wedneday through Monday to celebrate Holy Week and Easter. The schedule will be full (with of course some time for naps built in), as I am looking forward to sharing with them a little of my life here: friends, activities, places, etc. On Tuesday the 25th we fly to Cuzco for a couple days there, after which my mom (maybe the most active 63 year old mom I know) will take a four day hike/camping trip on the Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu, where we will meet Janie for a tour. Look for blog entries and photos from our adventure sometime in early April.

English
Our English class is growing steadily, and we have gradually developed a system that seems to work well. Each Monday and Thursday we divide the group into two, basic and intermediate, to teach grammar one night and reading/comprehension the other. On Fridays, all are invited to our house for practice in conversation. While last term we had 6-8, last Friday we had 22 guests. We ran out of chairs and had to put blankets on the floor, and divided into two (sometimes noisy) groups. They enjoy the chance to practice, and also just seem to enjoy the fellowship -- usually at the end people start breaking into more Spanish. The class itself is a small community, and I enjoy the opportunity to teach and get to know them -- age range from 15 to late thirties.

Fish
Lenin, a friend of mine, asked me if we ate fish, since `living in Chimbote and not eating fish is like not eating.´ I admitted that I had not cooked fish at home, having been warned of buying `bad` fish by others and not being able to tell. Of course, we three periodically have ceviche at restaurants or in homes. He offered to accompany me to the market yesterday, where he showed me a number of different varieties and how to tell if they are fresh (clear eyes, red gills, firm flesh). We bought a big one (a `bonito`) and he helped me clean it, so that yesterday we had a real Peruvian lunch: Fish, rice, yucca, and salad. However, we still did the un-Peruvian things of having each person serve themselves and not piling a mountain of rice on each plate. Below you can see the fish we bought and prepared.

I may write before our trip, but likely not -- have a blessed holy week and Easter!