Tuesday, June 1

I'm still a week behind, but we're getting there.

Today was the beginning of a great journey to Huitzapula. Many of you remember hearing my stories about Bolivia a few summers ago. While I don't know, I expect our trip to Huitzapula will be similar - sad in many ways to experience the poverty of these people, but at the same time joyful because of the spiritual richness that is present.

So, we left from Chilpancingo mid-day. Most of our travels were along long, windy mountain roads (not for the weak-stomach folks). It was beautiful scenery with some very rural areas. Many of the houses and even some towns are built up along the mountainsides. There were farms on the side of the mountain too. We saw where and how people lived - from walking around in the middle of town trying to sell things to passersby to seeing people leading their animals along the roadside to the next patch of land where they would graze. There were all kinds of animals - cattle, oxen, sheep, horses, goats. All of them were walking along the roads, sometimes with people and sometimes without.

Upon arriving in Huitzapula, our group was warmly greeted by Pastor Manuel and the women and children of the community. We hardly had time to unpack our bags and introduce ourselves before several of us had our "arms twisted" into playing basketball. Again, I should probably back up and say that introductions are very important to these people - it's about showing signs of hospitality to your guests. Everyone, including the children who are old enough to walk, will approach you with an extended arm. Sometimes, they say "buenos dias" or "hola" or "mucho gusto" (pleased to meet you) and sometimes they say nothing. Either way, they don't miss anyone in the greetings.

So, after officially meeting then, we went to play. Fortunately, play knows no language. With a group of 25 or 30 elementary aged children, basketball is very different - groups of them run around chasing after the ball instead of running away from it. Nevertheless, it was fun. I must say - I was a pretty popular player because I was teh only girl "adult" playing with them. Also, after they learned my name (Lucia), they never stopped calling it even long after our game. (It probably helped that there was another girl there named Lucia who was a little older than most of them and a good basketball player.)

After playing, I sat down and talked with the girls in my broken Spanish before our cena (supper) - tortillas with potatoes, cheese, cream and salsa. Yum!

Later we heard from Pastor Manuel about some of the problems in Huitzapula. We don't know poverty like they know it, but they keep moving forward despite all the hardships they have faced. Their sanctuary - built out of brick - was partly washed away by the river a couple of years ago. That doesn't stop them though. They use the space to cook and do other things. They built a temporary site where we worshipped and spent time in reflection. For a town that is so poor, they have so much. I will remember these people for a long time as they understand what it truly means to put your faith in God. Again, a lesson that I can use over the summer.