A week in review...

This week has been filled with lots of different events, I will try to share some snapshots. It has been a great week overall, especially because I think I have crossed the 'bridge of unknowing' with Spanish.  I am still far from fluent (hopefully I will get there by the end of this year) but I can definitely communicate now, and think in Spanish. Woo hoo!

Friends: Out celebrating Nestor's birthday- after just over a couple months I have finally made some really cool friends outside my community 

Bingo: Under La Virgen de la Puerta- sadly Deysi and I did not win

Bendicion de Casa: As a community we went over to Donny's house and celebrated a house blessing with him and his wife and baby in their new home in Otuzco

Mision con los Ninos: In Chagapampa, we had a bendicion del pan to close the theme

Futbol: In Chagapampa- sometimes being present means playing a game or two

Cocina: De la Senora Hilda- she cooked for us in Machigon

Herding Sheep: In Machigon- just after presenting the parable of the 'Lost Sheep'

Reflexion: A moment of pause to take in the beautiful mountain views 

Simplicity

In my couple of months here my eyes have really been opened to the grace of simplicity.  The campesinos who I work with are very simple but they have graced me with so much and also reminded me about what I don't need.  I have time here in Otuzco to read, practice guitar and of course practice Spanish.  I spend free time going on walks, napping, and just chatting and being present with people.  It is a great life indeed! Some photos that follow are from my whole time here- with an emphasis (hopefully) on the graces found in simplicity.  

Otuzco: Nuestra Capilla en el Centro Pastoral 

Otuzco: Cemetario de los Angeles

Otuzco: Panaderia- bread baked fresh daily, at this panaderia in an old fashioned oven 

Chiclayo

Purupampa: Above the Clouds

Rayampampa: Agentes Pastorales

Capuli: A boy and his sheep

Capuli: Deysi and I taking an afternoon break

Pichampampa: Una senora en la chacra

Casmiche

Bellavista: Leading a simple closing prayer with the students 

Bellavista: Offering the compromisos of the students during the closing prayer