Making Friends

Amigos Nuevos
After breakfast we took a drive over to the church where we will be working. It is called Jesus de Salvador and is located about 30 mins. from our hospitable convent accomodations. We were greeted very warmly by both Pastor Marco and his family. There were also 8 other kids from age 12 to 24, the oldest two are youth leaders from the dioscese. Through music and games everyone became quick friends. Following the introductions and "icebreaker" activities we went together to the ruins at Pachamaca. Starting in 200 bc and ending with the Spanish invasion in the early 1500's four distinct civilizations made this area a sacred settlement. The site of offerings and sacrifices (some human) were described by our guides who also shared with us the problem of encroaching development over the vast area of suspected ruins. Our new Peruvian friends got a real kick out of being tourists in thier own land.
After walking the ruins and visiting the museum we boarded our busses and headed to find a park for our picnic lunch and some games. We settled on a roadside field and had a great meal with the universal languages of food and sport cementing our international bonds. We also visited a nursery just next door and purchased plants for our church frontage garden project. We returned to Jesus el Salvador and bid our friends "hasta manana" but not before they shared some fantastic home made chocolate with a marvelous name that translates as "chocolate roof tiles".

Reflection time was held outdoors this evening oin the covered patio overlooking the Pacific. We began with a minute of silence broken only by the sound of the surf reminding us of home. As has been the case, it was a little cloudy and damp but our spirits were high from the day and our bellys full from another convent meal. Overcoming the language difference was a commong theme and all the kids said the succeeded for the most part. Each of our youth are now "buddied" up with at least one Peruvian youth and they are all excited to get to work. We all agree that yesterday's activities, bonding our own kids as a team, made today's "home run" introduction a success. Edward concluded with a quick primer on Pentecost and asked us all to be thinking about that as we attend church tomorrow. We will have a musical role and Edward will be participating in the mass celebration. Following church it is off to "Peruvian Home Depot" to get supplies for the new concrete entry paths, garden walls, paint and roofing supplies.