Language of the Heart

These past couple weeks have been loaded with activities.  I am excited to share some of the highlights :)

Lima: Encuentro Nacional de Jovenes
A group of 14 (Bro Doug, Giancarlo, myself and 11 youth) of us traveled from Otuzco to Lima for the Nacional Encuentro de Jovenes (think 270 Marianist Youth, gathered for a rally style event).  The Encuentro was an excellent event- and the 11 youth really bonded and I believe have the beginnings of a commitment to each other as a community.  It is great because they are from all different pueblos here in the sierra but the activities of the Centro Pastoral bring them together.  The Encuentro featured talks, opportunities for small group time, a talent show and the hora loca (a giant dance party).

The animadores- they led the dinamicas all weekend- Giancarlo is on the right on guitar

Our crew from Otuzco 

The Giant Cuy that made an appearance for the talent portion of our evening. Cuy is a type of guinea pig that is typical comida here in Peru. 

 This is our group with our sign which represents our work here in the Marianist Family.  Every group of jovenes had the opportunity to make a poster and share a little contribution about how their work.  Our jovenes did a great job sharing about their experience with the Centro Pastoral :)


Otuzco: Celebrating Bro Douglas's 45 Years of Religious Life
After our jornada with jovenes this past weekend we surprised Hermano Douglas with a lemon pie and card from the community.  He is such a witness and role model here for us in the community and it was nice to celebrate him before he heads to Lima for a Mass and celebration with the Brothers there.

Milagro: Visita- Las Parabolas de Jesus

We had an overnight visit to a community Milagro to present the theme of the Parables of Jesus to adults and ninos in the community.  The visit was a really fun experience. It was the first time in a while that Jose Luis, Giancarlo, Deysi and I have had a visit together.  After successfully sharing the Parables of Jesus with the ninos, we retired to the house of the senor for a couple hours.  We sat outside while the senora prepared supper and sang songs together and played guitar.  I love the simplicity of our life when we are on overnight visits or in mission.  Jose Luis, Giancarlo, Deysi and I took turns playing songs on guitar and just singing and praying together.  While we were singing the sun began to set and I watched the most beautiful sunset I have seen thus far in Peru.  After sunset we had a simple meal before heading back to the chapel to share the theme with the adults. 

Jose Luis in a dinamica with the ninos 

Parables of Jesus with the ninos 

La ovejita perdida...this video is by far my favorite parable video- it is hilarious!

Attempts to capture the most incredible sunset.  Lo mismo momento en todo el mundo cada dia, pero con particularidades de todos lugares diferentes :)

Sharing the Parables of Jesus with the adults at Milagro. 

These past couple weeks I have learned a lot about 'the language of the heart' (thanks Padre Beto Muller for such an apt description).  I may not always be able to speak the words totally correctly (although I am improving) but I am doing my best to use the language of the heart in my work and life. I felt so proud of our jovenes when their dance in the talent show was awesome.  I feel a deep connectedness to the groups of adults who I get to work with.  I am thankful and graced with the experience of a loving and supportive community- who I am gradually able to share more of myself with as I develop a vocabulary.  I hope to continue learning more about the language of the heart as I continue my ministry here!