"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together." ~Archbishop Desmond Tutu
I have been settling back into the work here in Otuzco these past three weeks. There has been a definitive richness in the work here, which I am really able to contribute to now that I speak Spanish (I am still learning...and have incredible difficulty with making masculine and feminine match correctly, but people understand me now and I can express myself). Part of the beauty of our work is that we never hesitate to celebrate. Faith is culture here and popular devotion abounds, so we are never for lack of a fiesta...because there is always a patronal feast to celebrate when there are no birthdays or anniversaries or weddings.
My Community: dressed our best for our friend Teresa's wedding
(with some borrowed dresses from Isela- thanks!)
El Rosario Humano: We lined the Plaza de Armas here in Otuzco in the different colors of the Mission Rosary (World Mission Sunday is today) to pray for the people of the different continents of the world- a very powerful witness for me of the power of united prayer- especially when we prayed for North America (I think this Sunday will forever be different for me from here on out...my JVC friends call it 'ruined for life')
Tambillo: Deysi and I helped 'degranar' the corn (sort of like Indian Corn) to feed the pigs, I learned through a huge blister on my thumb...that it is advisable to use another husk to help you in the process
The road between Tambillo and Tarnihual: Deysi and I walked 3.5 hours to meet Jose Luis in the camioneta to return to Otuzco after the Mision (we were always accompanied by other folks during parts of our journey...all walking together)
During our mission visit in Tambillo, Deysi and I shared the tema of the Ano de la Fe, with particular emphasis on the huge devotion here in Peru during this month of October- Senor de los Milagros. We also talked about and distributed rosaries to the gente. We ran out of rosaries and Manuel- one of our agentes pastorales- didn't have one...so I worked the one off my wrist to give to him. This was a powerful moment, because I have worn that rosary since my freshman year at UD- I made it on the Catholic Life retreat with Sarah S. and have prayed with so many friends in many different parts of the world on that rosary. Now Manuel has it and is learning to pray with it- I told him how special it was that we get to now be united in prayer in a special way.
Finally, this weekend we had our Retiro de Jovenes. 15 jovenes (young people) joined us at the Centro de Formacion for a retreat about what it means to be a Lay Person in the Church today. This retreat for me, has been my first major solo participation here in the Centro. Gian, Isela and I had a bulk of the preparation-as the other part of our community was in Milagro helping facilitate their patronal feast this weekend. I gave an interactive presentation on the 'Oracion de las Tres and the Role of the Laity in the Church Today'...and towards the end of the presentation when we did a quick review...the jovenes had learned what I was trying to teach. Such a graced moment!! We had other opportunities to share prayer through lectio divina and a celebracion de la palabra, where I was able to witness God at work in the lives of these incredible young people.
La Presentacion: Oracion de las Tres y Laicos en la Iglesia Hoy
Conversaciones sobre los Tres Ministerios de Jesús- Sacerdote, Profeta y Rey
Sharing the fruits of the conversations and how as young people in the Church they are living out the ministries of priest, prophet and king in their communities
Through sharing the rosary, participating in Mass, providing themes for Mision, leading a retreat for young people...I have been incredibly struck by our unity. There is a unity in the human family that transcends cultures. We all have to eat, we all are trying our best in our communities and most importantly we all have the desire to love and be loved. When I approach my work through this lens- it is much easier to enter in with an open heart and mind. I think too, that this important lesson will be something to take with me as I continue work/ministry in other parts of the world. (I am doing my best to live in the moment, but often find myself reflecting about how this experience of perpetual mission can relate with the life I will lead when I return to the States) What I am doing here is relevant- because it is engaging people in their pursuit of loving and being loved- and this will need to remain my 'perpetual mission' in whatever work I engage in in the future.
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