Eye see

I see the promise of tomorrow in a rural classroom

I’m back in Nicaragua after three quick but wonderful weeks enjoying times of celebration – our Jubilees of 50, 60 and 75 years of life as Sisters of St. Joseph. Being with Marie and the other Jubilarians and reliving my own golden jubilee in 2006 was a great joy. Call, response, community, ministry, service, growth, love and much more are indeed aspects of life to be celebrated. And celebrate we did!! Soon we will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Dianne. Dianne has been in this area of Latin America 16 years and before that spent 8 years in Bolivia…around the time I was in Peru….as well as shorter stretches in Panama, Guatemala and Mexico.

I also had visits and other fun times while home. I felt as though I had dragged the constant rains and humidity with me from Nicaragua but tried not to be paranoid about it. After a few days we had hot but enjoyable weather and outdoor times were lots of fun.

I returned on the 9th and encountered very interesting folks along the way. I was surprised to find out that I had been ‘upgraded’ to First Class because they tried to pack too many people in Economy Class. They told me it was because I had Sky Miles with Delta…but I think it was my age…in spite of very few gray hairs!! Who knows…it was great having space and a meal and drinks and attention!! Delta does not have a light meal as does Continental in the ‘rear’!

Claudio and the trusty pickup truck.

As always there have been some changes here, even in three weeks time. So, I’m catching up. I’ve gone to the ‘campo’ four times this past week with Vero, Claudio and one of those times we had a visitor from Atlanta whom we took to La Ceiba for a workshop on gender. It was a full day and Maggie was a good sport and didn’t whine about the strenuousness of the trip with the lurching, jolting, sliding, etc. of our trusty yellow pickup truck. I took some school supplies to the most isolated areas. I was able to purchase them at very, very low prices while in the States. Our visitors had also brought such down, so we had some nice packages to deliver. Hopefully, the crayons didn’t melt or the chalk break before they arrived at their final destination. The rural schools are equipped with one room of four walls, a roof, some desks or benches, an antiquated chalkboard and precious little more. So, any item is greatly appreciated … the boxes contained crayons, chalk, a few rulers, scissors, pencils and a pack of markers. The teachers were delighted as will be the children. It takes very little to bring joy!

Next Sunday Kari and I will go to Los Planes de Cuajachillo 2 to participate in the annual celebration of the parish in that sector. We celebrate “Nuestra Senora de Nancite” (Our Lady of Nancite). Nancite is a fruit that is in season right now. Actually, it’s one of my least favorite fruits but I will be well behaved and eat some next Sunday! I did a blog a couple of years ago on the procession that precedes the Mass. We pray for NO RAIN during the procession. It’s a long walk….longer still if you’re drenched. I enjoy the people and their devotion and dedication and feel privileged to be a part of their cultural expression of a long tradition for them.

Students hard at work.

August 24, 2010

Today started out with the joyful announcement that the young man with the cart that ‘carts off’ branches and leaves that result from trimming the trees, was at the door. Then I left for the office….I thought I’d learned the lesson of paying attention to the numbers on the buses…but you know how much an 8 can look like a 0??? I thought I was getting on a 110 but as I was chatting with the woman next to me, she said she worked at the Oriental Market…and then when I sensed that the bus was going to turn onto a ‘wrong’ street….I asked her what route we were on and she said, “118”! Well, needless to say, I got off shortly, walked a few blocks and got onto a bus that would take me where I intended to go!

How did your day start today? And, what have you relearned??

Love and support,

Jeanne