The sense of true community begins

Sunday is always a disorienting day for the team.

After the mad-dash of the early morning the day before at the airport followed by the travel by plane and bus, the team shows up in Santa Cruz in the evening just in time to get their bearings, adjust for changes from the previous year's trip and rush off to dinner with evening reflection back at the hotel. Whew! With such a full day, it would be fair for the team to wake up Sunday morning wondering if the previous day was merely a dream... until they heard from the next courtyard over the rooster crow at sunrise. Yep, they are in Guatemala. :)

Back when the team stayed at the Hogar De Los Ancianos, the two things that signified that we were in Guatemala was the dogs barking all night outside our windows as they tried to guard against things that go "bump in the night" such as one of us using the restroom. And the other thing that was the, um, singer across the dirt road in the Pentecostal Church. This isn't a knock against that church so much as this lady would make Simon Cowell's head implode. Let's just say that the dogs barking and howling were quite a relief at times. I just wish that there was a recording of this so that we could share it on the blog here. Fortunately, she did not perform encore concerts after her Saturday session.

And now on to pictures and commentary from Susan and Deacon Al from the team's experiences on Sunday...

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Yesterday was an all inspiring day with our sister parish and Fr. Tomas (the new pastor of our sister parish, Sagrado Corazon de Jesus)! The Mass was tri-lingual so that our team could feel part of the community. Specifically, the Mass started off in English for us and then it shifted back to Spanish and Quiche with Fr. Tomas including Deacon Al in the celebration.

Plus, Fr. Tomas asked Deacon Al to baptize two children from the community.

After Mass, the team met with Fr. Tomas and visited about his vision of the missionary relationship. Following this meeting, the team went over to the Grand Salon where the youth of the church surprised the team with a marimba concert. Needless to say, the team felt very special with this unexpected gift. Many team members had tears of joy and gratitude!

Silvia may have even picked up a new skill in case the whole restaurant business doesn't work out for her.

After the concert, we were able to meet with the community leaders to share with them our thoughts on the mission and to hear their view points as well. Additionally, we learned about the outreach activities that they had within their own communities.

The Hogar experience blew everyone away, again! Rosie has several new boyfriends. And, sorry, Stephen but Deacon Al has stolen away your girlfriend - she thinks he is you with glasses.

The team is already a family! We are fighting a bit of rain and mud, but our spirits are high and full of anticipation.

I would say that the true highlight of the day was the Mass. The simplicity of the Mass and the inclusion of three languages and three cultures taught everyone that we are all one Body of Christ with one Faith!

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Why is today that a sense of community happens? My guess is that the truly open welcoming that the mission team receives during and after Mass is part of it. Before the team even arrives in Guatemala, it is taught to integrate itself and assimilate to the community around itself for we are just mere guests. Now, please do understand that there is always the temptation to observe things and want to make suggestions as we are so accustomed to in our home country. Yet, it's nearly impossible to truly comprehend all that one witnesses while on mission. Many times it takes several return trips for it all to fit together, which makes sense as in a way the mission team is just popping into our sister parish community's daily life as its in progress. How easily the team fits into that daily life is how the sense of community occurs. This mission team is standing on the shoulders of previous teams by continuing relationships long built previously. To be able to stand on those shoulders, our sister parish helps to give us the necessary boost us up and they hold us steady so that we don't falter.

Likewise, the community of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus will be there waiting for next year's mission team and ready to except that team with open arms as well.

Will you be on that team?

Well, let's revisit the day's sequence. Sunday is just like everyday for the team in Guatemala - very full. The morning starts off with a short ride on the bus or (optional) a mile-or-so walk through the Sunday markets and past the Cathedral to our sister parish on the other side of town. Mass is nothing short of beautiful as described above - a truly heart-felt experience full of sights, sounds and incense.

As in the past, after Mass, the team met with Fr. Tomas. He is offering a new direction for our missionary relationship by creating more structure and self-sufficiency from within his parish community. Specifically, Fr. Tomas is creating a lay organization comprised of leaders from each of the aldeas (rural communities) that will help guide the direction of the mission and evaluate the merits of financial grant requests from all of the aldeas. These recommendations will be communicated to Fr. Tomas and he will provide his feedback to our team so that we can better make collaborative decisions.

Following the meeting with Fr. Tomas, the team visits with the community leaders as you can see in the photos above and heads back to the hotel to eat their sack lunches. There is a bit of downtime at the hotel to rest and get ready for the first day of school on Monday.

In the middle afternoon, the team drives over to the Hogar De Los Ancianos. The Hogar is run by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word out of Houston. This compound type facility on the southwest side of town contains dormitory style housing for the ancianos along with a dining facility, courtyard, gardens and a simple, but beautiful chapel. This gem is surrounded by a wall with a gate to both protect the ancianos and the facilities. More so, the ancianos who live here are essentially abandoned people who had previously lived on the streets or no longer have family to take care of them. The Hogar provides them all of their needs, but by living there, the ancianos agree to not to leave the facility as the concern is that they would be back on the streets to be abused or neglected again. All of their needs are most definitely taken care of here. :)

The biggest danger in visiting the Hogar is wonderful little gentleman that we dubbed the kisser. He received this nickname a few years back when he locked on to Elaine (unfortunately for her, he was the same height) and he just gave her a big hug and kiss on the check. He could be called the magicman as clearly he's working his mojo on Susan this year. Ha!

After the team returns from the Hogar, they head off to dinner at La Martita's and spend the rest of their evening in team reflection as well as preparing for the next day.

Hopefully, the team was able to enjoy the downtime during the early afternoon because there is no rest for the weary from here on out!

Seriously - are these folks missionaries?!?

The first batch of pictures have come in from the team - this time courtesy of Lili.

Yes, you may think to yourself... "hmmm, I suppose the church should double-check who they let go on mission". Don't worry, these folks maybe slightly crazy, but it's a good kind of crazy.

:)

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Per Lili - Jenna and Rosie are shown enjoying a fun airline ride this morning to Guatemala city.

Not everyone was as comfortable as them, for we had 3 people (including myself) who experienced their first plane ride EVER! As shown in this next picture, Tito quickly grabbed the barf bag before departure! It was kind of disturbing, since he was sitting next to me...

This next picture is an arial view of the beautiful landscaping while entering Guatemala.

We arrived safely and decided to party, by celebrating Michelle's birthday at La Martita's restaurant in Santa Cruz del Quiche. She was completely surprised and didn't react till the second verse of "Happy Birthday".

It's been a long day full of exitement. Everyone seems to be looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Goodnight from Santa Cruz del Quiche in Guatemala (: like some of the others, I still can't believe I'm here.

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It's always amazing how happy everyone is on the first day as it always seems to be the longest. Not only does the team have to show up at the airport early in the morning, most likely, many of the team members did not get much sleep the night before as they may have been trying to tie off loose ends at home in preparation for the trip, packing their carry-on bag and backpack or just simple enjoying a mild case of anxiety.

Of course, the adreneline that kicks in to survive the morning, eventually wears off just in time for a nap on the bus ride between Guatemala City and Santa Cruz del Quiche.

So far though, the team looks happy and ready for the days ahead!

The team has arrived safely in Guatemala!

This is the first post for the July 2008 mission team, yet we are proud to announce that the team has made safely to their final destination in Santa Cruz del Quiche, Guatemala. As a matter of fact, the team is have dinner at La Martita's restaurant as this blog post is being typed.

You can learn more about the weather and geography of Santa Cruz del Quiche by clicking this link here.

Also you can see a map here with many of the destinations that the team will be visiting.

Finally, are you curious what the physical distance between the sister parishes? Well, click this link here.

Sunday Night Live!

Thank you to the Youth Ministry of Prince of Peace for hosting our presentation on lay mission work in Quiche, Guatemala. We will post the latest video and presentation from SNL later this week Look for more details regarding our upcoming Infomation Session on the July 12-19, 2008 mission trip. We will keep you posted here!

Slideshow from July 2007 mission team

Last night we celebrated the end of the July 2007 mission team by enjoying in our "Sharing the Experience" potluck at Prince of Peace's Community Center. Besides all of the great food, stories and fellowship, there were approximately 100 people in attendance from the parish community to learn more about lay missions.

During the potluck, the following slide show was presented to give the community a taste of our missionary experience. I really hope that you enjoy this (and, if so, I encourage you to leave a comment with your thoughts)!

Now planning begins for the July 2008 mission team. Please contact me via email - sparc(at)houstonpopcc.org - for more information. [FYI - you will need to substitute the (at) for the @ symbol in your email. I can't use it above or I will start to receive spam.]

Oh, last thought ... or question to those at my table - who stole my enchilada while I was on stage? I have SEVERAL suspects in mind! Ha!

POTLUCK - Share the experience!

On August 3rd at 6:30PM in the Prince of Peace Community Center (Gymansium), the mission team will be holding a potluck to share the experience of the recent mission. Everyone is welcome to come and join the fellowship. We ask that you bring a covered dish and serving utensil as there will be plenty of stories, pictures and dessert to be enjoyed!

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

[ARCHIVE: WHAT'S NEW] From Elaine on July 8th

Eucharistic Adoration has officially started with the exposition after 5pm mass. After mass, Father Joseph reminded us all to pray for our own missionaries in Guatemala.

Today's gospel was VERY appropriate. If you missed church, check out...Luke 10:1-12, 17-20. We have 18, not 72 disciples spreading the good news and caring for the sick in Guatemala.

A sense of helplessness and a blessing

I'm feeling much better now, but this Saturday morning, I was suddenly wiped out with a loss of energy and an apparent stomach bug.

As the team leader, this sickness was my greatest fear as we had not quite yet built the veteran team member base to recover for me if I was unable to go.  Since sickness happens quite frequently when anyone travels from home and, especially, in a developing country, the mission team has a protocol document in place for other pre-designated individuals to takeover in my absence.

Fortunately, my sickness was just for the day and Deacon Al and Susan were easily able to handle the duties for which I needed to be absent.

The day began by visiting the Hermano Pedro Hospital, which provides the indigent and society's discarded a place to receive quality medical care and attention.  The hospital is run by the Dominicans with both religious brothers and sisters active in the daily administration,  Many of the doctors working daily are rotated in on weekly shifts from the US (and Houston, specifically) through various organizations, such as Faith in Practice.

After the hospital tour, I felt the need to go back to the hotel and Deacon Al and Susan led the rest of the team to visit the relics of Hermano Pedro at San Francisco church as well as to do some shopping in the market.

Alas, this is were my helplessness really hit me.  While the team was out for the day and I was resting in the hotel, I knew that I needed to complete some shopping to purchase items for use by the mission team back in Houston.  While I was able to walk to the Central Park to purchase a phone card recharge, I had very little energy to do much else other than sleep.

Yet, when the team came to visit and check-up on me at the hotel, they generously offered to do what I could not.  In one direction, Elsa, Nathalia and Victoria headed to the market to make my needed purchases there.  In another direction, Errol and Alma took a jitney cab to another store to purchase all of the coffee that we need for gifts.  [Their adventure was quite impressive as they took a similar jitney cab back to the hotel while carrying 70 pounds of coffee over a very bumpy cobblestone road.]  These folks were saviors for me in my moment of need with nary a complaint or hesitation.

Additionally, I had everyone step in to take care of me, including Adam, Frankie and Silvia checking in on my regularly as well as Lynda making sure that I ate the right things for dinner.

While I know that I am overlooking someone else's help in my list above, I just feel that my brief illness was more than just being sick, but instead it was practical learning on being able to allow others to minister to me.

Happy birthday, Nathalia!

It's always a great treat and excuse to have fun when someone celebrates a birthday during the mission trip.

So with that in mind - here is to wishing you a wonderful and happy birthday, Nathis!  18 years - hard to believe!

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Other team members made sacrifices in being away while their family members celebrated a birthday.  Both Lynda and Silvia / Adam missed out on a special celebration, but what a gift for them to be here in Guatemala with us.

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While Nathis's sister, Victoria also just celebrated a birthday, we will be thinking of Silvia as she celebrates her birthday in the next week.

Postcards from the edge - part 2

The following entries are heartfelt notes from various team members to the community at large as well as their families.

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From Susan:

To Mike, Stephanie and Meghan,

I'm doing fine - it's very safe.  Our hotel is nicer than the one we had in Corpus Christi.  I'm missing you, but it's been a wonderful experience.

Love, Hugs & Kisses,

Sue (Mom)

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From Jenna:

Dear Mom & Dad,

I am fine.  Camp is fun.  We get to meet all kinds of new friends, eat new foods, and make crafts.

See you soon.  Miss you much.

Love,

Jenna

PS - Give everyone an extra hug from me.

PPSS - Send money.

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*** Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the above blog post was originally submitted on Wednesday, but only posted online now.

[GUEST POST by Susan Gallagher] Come and see

To the staff and parishioners of Prince of Peace and friends from St. Max:

This mission experience is stellar - you must come!  I have experienced a love and appreciation from the Mayan people so great, that I cannot explain it.  I challenge you to deepen your faith by coming to Guatemala on mission.  Every person, young and old, is affected.

With the love of Jesus Christ,

Susan Gallagher

PS: We've had a lot of fun together, too!

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*** Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the above blog post was originally submitted on Wednesday, but only posted online now.

Yes, Mom - I know that it's late

I have been trying to post to the blog when practical, which means this time of day.  I do get to sleep in tomorrow as we will start our day around 7 AM.  :)

So, while I have read your emails, sleep can occur in Houston!  How's that for respecting my elders?  Ha!

The mission team is presently in Antigua, GT

I will try to post pictures tomorrow since we got in town late today.  Yet, we are in Antigua, Guatemala, which is one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

(Those of you with spouses on the trip better be prepared to go with the next team as this is a place that you will WANT to spend time with a loved one.)

We stopped on the way for an hour in another world famous place, the market of Chichicastenago.  This was something new for the team to do and the condition of the stop was that the team had only one hour to shop and sightsee (including the church).  Only 2 team members were a few minutes late - and rumor has it that there are about 6 to 8 cameras that either videotaped or photographed the event.  Blake and Anna should be on the lookout for this within the next couple of weeks!

Our visit to Antigua is a continuation of the mission by witnessing and praying with those being cared for at the Hermano Pedro Hospital.  Additionally, we will visit many culturally and spiritually significant places during our brief stay here.

More tomorrow.

Lots and lots of business meetings

Mission work is a lot of things, including addressing the business issues that only a personal touch can address. Over the last few days, the mission team leadership has been pulled into almost a dozen meetings to discuss everything from a financial request to build acquire electrical hook-ups for 4 of the 10 computes in Plan Basico (Junior High) that are essentially inoperative without them, to discussion on how our parish community in Houston can best connect spiritually with our brothers and sisters at Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Santa Cruz del Quiche.

While these meetings are often taxing marathons that require immense grace and scheduling flexibility (there is that word again!).

Yet, we have accomplished so much as a result of the business side of the mission. Importantly, each meeting was a success in terms of continuing to build our relationship with those we serve.

Glory and praise to God!

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More on this topic later, but here are some of the groups with which we met.

The team is tired, but it's a good tired

There were no posts on Wednesday night as the team was wiped out from ALL of the hard work the previous 5 days.

As many of you received my emails discussing the number of hours that went into this mission, I pointed out that the team is giving over 3,000 hours collectively.  While this does include sleep, I want to be sure to point out that sleep has been in short supply due to how much passion the team has toward doing all of its work the best possible way and with no less than maximum effort.  There have been many late nights past 12AM as well as starting our days around 5AM with only a few minutes break time in between.

And, truth be told, who wants to take a break when these kids are just waiting like there is no tomorrow to be with you and play with you.

Have you ever had a half dozen little girls in the 5th grade wait outside for you to play basketball?  There is no way that you can just let them wait as you can worry about sleep and high altitude and the fact that kids can run for ever later.

Nothing quite like the team looking dead tired during prayer and reflection to know that each member gave all that they could.

Finding four younger siblings in Guatemala

I have learned from my previous mission trips about the value in a diverse mix of people in planning the team. In particular, I am always on the lookout for teenagers and young adults to join the mission team - the "ninos" (children en Espanol).

Let's be real - I may be on the lookout, but the ninos always seem to fine me through the grace of the Holy Spirit. And this team has been no different.

All four ninos on this team are people that just independently expressed an interest in the mission team (thanks, Anna!). The great thing about the ninos that respond to the call of mission is how they are completely unaware of how they are being used to provide perspective and richness to the entire mission team. Many times, due to the considerable difference in age, the ninos do not understand how much they are valued as equal team members, but by the end of the trip, this becomes ever so clear.

The other side of having the ninos on the team is how much fun they bring. I feel lucky to always connect to them and build relationships that grow into friendships over the years. (On that note, Beck & Andrea, I can't believe that I was unable to catch you for coffee before I left to GT.)

So the ninos that have affected me include, but not limited to my first little sis, Michelle, as well as Raymundo (El Presidente), Andrea K, Andrea R, Beck, and Patricio. By the way, Patrick - your two espousas are still waiting for you from last year. :) And they really do remember you!

Even better, this year, I have added four new siblings to my extended family. Being that each of these four ninos are Prince of Peace parishioners, I feel especially blessed to know that I will be able to see them all the more often. Adam and Frankie as well as "dos ninas loco" (Vicki and Nathis). They are truly my buds and my little brothers and sisters. I care for each of them so greatly that I can only be assure that the mission trip would be greatly diminished without them.

Tomorrow afternoon, I will go shopping with mi hermanos y hermanas and I'm certain that we will have a good time being one big family.

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Goofing around in Chicabracan:

Frankie should know better than to sleep on the bus! Ha!

[Guest Post by Elaine White] AMAZING ADORATION

This week, the Prince of Peace Reservation chapel has been available 24 x 7 in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration for the Guatemala mission team. When planning for mission adoration, the mission leadership team was somewhat concerned that it would be a great feat to cover over 400 hours of prayer time from parishioners, family and friends. WHO would sacrifice to be present with Jesus at 2am? Well... I have witnessed how packed the reservation chapel is at ALL hours of the day. In fact, during the early hours of the morning, it is not uncommon to have 8 people in the presence of Jesus. A regular adorer mentioned in passing that she has never seen so many people in the chapel over this period of time. I recognized members of the Spanish speaking communities, Knights of Columbus, Parish Council, Finance Council, Living Matrimony, ACTS, SPaRC, (and more) praying together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Additionally, family members from other parishes as well as the general Prince of Peace congregation are connecting with the church via eucharistic adoration. So, WHO is sacrificing to be in the presence of Jesus at all hours of the day? YOU! It touches heart of our missionaries in Guatemala in knowing that they are so loved by their community and that what they do this week really matters. Thank you, Prince of Peace faith community, for your amazing adoration support for the mission team. It is because of your awareness and presence that the team continues to be successful, healthy and safe today. ***** Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is the adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. In the many Churches that have this adoration, the Eucharist is displayed in a special holder called a monstrance, and people come to pray and worship Jesus continually throughout the day and often the night. Christ’s great love for us was shown when he was crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal life. He loves us without limit, and offers Himself to us in the Holy sacrament of the Eucharist. ******

Postcards from the team

Since we are nearing the half way point on the mission, I have asked the team members to provide brief notes for their loved ones and the community to read.

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From Lily:

To Charlie - "Lily says I love you.  Call mother and Mom to say that I am fine."

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From Elsa:

"Mi amor, estoy bien y los extrano mucho a mis cuchis.  Can't wait to see y'all.  Love you. - Elsa."

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From Eusebia:

"Hello, hijos.  Just wanted to let you know that all is going well.  The kids have touched my heart and I've learned so much.  More from them than they from me.  They're wonderful. - Mom"

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From Frankie:

"I would like to say thank you to all who supported me through the mission trip in Guatemala, especially my team and my family.  Because of you, I learned to be closer to God and help someone in need of a prayer or friendship.  Thank you. - Francisco"

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From Lynda:

"A very special and love-filled Happy 16th Birthday to Shelby.  You are my joy and I love you!!!  Mike, Rebecca, and all my love ones, thank you for your prayers.  Mission is wonderful!  All my love.  - Lynda"

Elaine, your presence is felt here

This mission is a success because of your efforts and late nights.  The willingness to sacrifice our personal time and everything else.

I think of you often and wish that you are here.

So before I go to bed, I am writing to say how much I love you and thank you for allowing me to devote so much of us to this.

And, the ladies (and Adam and Frankie) aren't letting me carry anything heavy so I did listen to you to avoid tearing the healing wound.  :)

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday afternoon.

Leave a comment for the team

If you are interested in leaving a comment or words of encouragement, you have the ability to be interactive with the team.

At the bottom of each blog posting, there is the word "Comments" in green letters.  Click on this word and you will be taken to another page so that you can enter in your thoughts, prayers or anything else.  We will read them and be appreciative of you sharing your time with us as a co-missionary.

Peace of Christ be with you!

Photo time...

Let's see if pictures really are worth a thousand words. :) (Click on the photo to see the description.)

A little down time during the mission

During the stress of the mission work, we often turn to our spiritual advisor on the team, Deacon Al, as well as the parish Outreach Director, Susan.

And, well, this is what we get (everyone may want to pray harder for us - Ha!)...

[GUEST POST by Deacon Al Prescott] Good Morning, Sandy

I miss your physical presence here in Guatemala but I do feel your spiritual presence as I know that you are praying for me and praying for the success of our mission. Your prayers along with everyone else's prayers are being heard and answered by God. This is one wonderful and powerful experience for me - I came to minister but I  am the one being ministered to by our brothers and sister here in Guatemala. My team planted a Pastoral seed today - we introduced "Prayer blankets" today, how we make them and how prayers are carried in the blankets. We also introduced the power of community prayer we visiting the sick. We went with part of the community to visit and pray with an ill gentlemen and the community feel in love with this form of prayer.My blogging time is up - PS. "love your cards" you sneaky girl. Love you.

Al

More on the blog tomorrow evening

It's late from a long day and evening so this post will be short.  Ha!

To all of our family and friends following along, the team is doing well and healthy.  Your prayers are being felt here and we think of you often, particularly in lifting you all (and the adorers) back home up in prayer every evening.

So with that, I will listen to the wisdom of my good friends, Lynda and Jenna, to call it a night.

Peace be with you all.

I won the drawing!

This post is more for my wife (and past team members).

Even though I think that Lily (aka Wen-li = Quiche for princess) has rigged the drawing for the icon of Our Lady of Guadelupe so she can win, I actually managed to have Our Lady select me tonight for her visit.

Okay - for those who don't understand this, it's a bit of a long story.  The essence is that the mission team brings an icon of Our Lady of Guadelupe on mission as the intercession of her presence has been felt in protecting the team and encouraging our success.

The story of how Our Lady found us as missionaries (and originally, through Connie and Fr. Tom of SOS) is the long part of the story for another day.  I truthfully fear that I will not be able to do their stories the justice it deserves.

Yet, every evening, we have a drawing to see in which room, this blessed (by Fr. Abelardo, no less!) icon will reside for the evening and next day.  The icon is very special to the team and Our Lady always seemingly finds the person that needs her icon that day.

And, let's just say that today was my day and I seemingly knew it before hand.

Thank you, Mother Mary, for caring us so greatly and sharing in the joy of being called to Christ's love.

The best laid plans

Since I already mentioned that it's critical for the team to pack its flexibility, we had an opportunity to use some of the flexibility this morning.

Every minute of the team's day is accounted for and scheduled.  This especially includes our mornings, which requires that the individual team members succumb to the overall team's movement timing.  The team leaders have been very fortunate to have the team collectively be accepting to the full and orchestrated schedule that have led to few instances of tardy team members.

(Greg - in case you are reading this, I have been invoking you when we gather the team to get ready each morning and evening.  I hear the words "it's okay to be on time" just as you say before our team's meetings back at work and the team hears the same from me as a result..  Thus, this time-tested phrase works on mission in Guatemala too!)

Funny thing with that the team members having to commit to being on-time, many other timing circumstances can still not be controlled.

The first instance for today was that when we were leaving to go to the school in Chicabracan, one of the drivers decided it was time to get gas for the van then, rather than before the team was picked up.  5-10 minutes lost there - hmmm, no biggie.

Yet, as we turned off of the main (paved) road to go down the gravel road into Chicabracan, I thought that everything was back on track and it was time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, hear the tap-tap-tapping sound of the molina grinding the corn, and to smell the morning glory of the countryside.  Also, I got to listen to the team perfect their musical program for the afternoon.

Well, all of this "being in the moment" feelings had to be set aside when we came to a stop about a quarter of the way down the road.  It turns out that men were working on building a potable water line through the area, which meant that this road was impassable.  After driving in reverse, uphill for an fifth of a mile, we got turned back around (after discovering that another road option was not possible either).

We found the "right" road and made it to the school, but only 30 minutes late.

Unfortunately, by being a half-hour late, the team had to scale down and rearrange its first (full!) hour program on the fly.

The challenge for the team is that we had to remember that the task of our activity was not as important as the relationship that we were continuing.  We could have easily cut-out our traditional half-hour bilingual greeting and prayer with the teachers, parents committee members, and team members.  Yet, our efforts would have been hollow without the basis of a relationship.

Selfish fun

For past mission team members, it has been close to three years since we stayed at the Hogar de Ancianos (Home for the Elderly).

[The hogar is run by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in Houston and its purpose is to provide permanent shelter and safety to lost and neglected elderly in the Santa Cruz area. The ancianos who live at the hogar are provided a clean room, food and spiritual nourishment. The only condition for their stay is that they are not allowed to leave as they will risk being abused or taken advantage of when they go back to living on the streets. Miraculously, the vision of the hogar was conceived by an Italian nun who was killed in an auto accident. Her death served as an inspiration by her friends and loved ones to act on her vision.]

So with all of this background explained, the hogar was always a highlight for the mission team. When we were tired from a long day in the mission field, we felt such energy, love and enthusiasm from the ancianos as they were so pleased to have us there with them. Since they have no family, there are few to no visitors at the hogar. The ancianos are not lonely due to the efforts of the sisters and their assistants, yet a new face is always welcomed by the hogar's residents.

As the last time that I was at the hogar was with the July 2004 team, I truly have missed seeing friendly smiles rather than the pleasant, but sterile environment of a hotel. Thus, when Elaine and I were planning out the sequence for this year's mission team, I decided that I wanted to be selfish in bringing the team back to the hogar. The selfishness was to see my friends from days past even if it meant that there was no purpose or plan for our visit.

With blessings and good fortune, two things occurred to make the visit happen. First, one of our team members, Blake, happened to be very involved with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and she independently mentioned that the sisters had a place in Santa Cruz that we could visit. (Little did she know of our plans...) Secondly, my wife, being very smart and organized, contacted Sister Maura per Blake and then spoke with Sister Emiriam in Guatemala. Elaine wisely organized a simple, but powerful program for our short visit. Essentially, our visit to the hogar was to be an extension of our mission theme - the ministry of presence.

I could go on and on about what happened Sunday afternoon, but essentially, the ancianos came from all over the hogar to where the room we were asked to wait in. Quickly, there were close to 25 ancianos in varying degrees of health and condition, but all of them still retained their energy and spirit. They sat with us and those, who could, spoke to us. And like she did in the past, one of my favorites, Trevie, found non-verbal ways to communicate as she is both deaf and mute. We shared some chocolate wafers before their dinner and they shared their eternal beauty.

Our biggest challenge was that many in the team wanted to sneak an anciano home with them. :) And, Blake, I will be checking your luggage to see if you did manage to sneak Trevie back to Houston.

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Pictures of our visit to the Hogar de Ancianos