Trip and Arrival

Well after an uneventful bus ride to LAX, a five hour flight to San Jose, Costa RIca and a 4 hour flight into Lima, "the team" has arrived. (the kids are still working on a team name). Can't say enough good about Taca Airlines- great to fly again with happy airline employees! We were all a little punchy in baggage claim and were passed through customs with a nod and a smile. Susan Parks, our on site project coordinator was ready for us. She even had a welcome sign!


We hopped on our charter bus with everything but one of Edward's bags, of course the one with his clothes and not his vestments. We were looking forward to a week in his robes but we have been assured that his bag will be here on the next flight. Our ride as a little over an hour from the airport just north of Lima to our fantastic digs at a Catholic convent. Our rooms are quite comfortable and if tonights supper is any indication, we are in for some marvelous home cooking by the nuns. Our starter chicken soup was followed by a beef and potatoe dish with rice. Peru treats potatoes as a vegatable so there you go.


Following dinner we heard from Susan on some house keeping items and safety rules. Marco Gomez from Jesus El Salvador, the parish where we will be working, spoke about his church and its mission in the working class neighborhood called Chorillos where it is located. Peggy (a Brit who has been here 25 years) from the church also spoke to fill us in on the parish history and some other background on our projects.


BTW: We are slated to repair a roof for a parish volunteer, build a concrete ramp for the parish and repaint the church, both inside and out. (Not sure how big this thing is???)


It is now about 9 PM local time and everyone is tired exept Luke who is doing everything he can to get the score in the NBA final game. We are divide on two floors, mostly single rooms with plenty of bathrooms and showers. Beth and I have the duty on the lower floor and Edward and Theresa are riding heard above.


Our day tomorrow is a recreation day but more on that later.