Today most of us went to Flor del Campo for a tour of El Cordero, the day school, and to meet with the CAP ladies. El Cordero now has two assemblies on Wednesday morning. The younger kids' assembly starts at 7:20 am (!) and the older kids start at 8:20. We got there for the tail of the first and stayed for the second assembly. The kids are adorable as usual. The character trait of the week is tolerance -- be tolerant of others but if things go too far, take a positive approach to stopping or changing the behavior. Be tolerant and be gentle and positive when correcting someone. Hmm. How many of us need to hear that lesson?
Jackie, the school director, spoke to us for several minutes. I was so impressed with her when I met her in February and am even more blown away by her now. Several pairs of eyes were flooded with tears when she explained that this is not a job for her, it is service to God. Her face was radiant as she said that. What a blessing she is. We asked about the 6th grade class - 8 students. We (and they) are worried about what happens next year. Right now, the school doesn't have any room for a 7th grade. WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO HAVE A 7TH GRADE NEXT YEAR. Get on your knees, put on your thinking caps... We need space and a teacher. Pray for a solution to this.
After a tour of the school, complete with performances by the tiniest in the daycare, we crossed the street to the LAMB office to be with the CAP ladies. I was thrilled beyond words to see my dear amiga Sonia. We all sat in a circle and introduced ourselves to the group. Petronilla started and added that she is 87 years old. Next was Susanna, 93. Everyone after that included their age. When it came to my turn, I introduced myself and announced I am 20 years old. The CAP ladies roared! Hey! Then Pamm and Jan also claimed to be 20. Great hilarity among the group! I wept as Erling, a young man of 19, introduced himself. He is part of the Alonzo Movement. He explained that he had dropped out of school, was getting into drugs and gangs. Now, because of the Alonzo Movement, he is out of gangs and drugs and has hope for his future. His mother, Isidra who is also head of the CAP program, described Alonzo Movement and said they now have 130 children participating. This ministry only started last December! Imagine that - in 6 short months 130 children's lives have been changed. I was sobbing by that point. If you ever doubted the power of God's love, check out the Alonzo Movement.
Jan had worked with the ladies yesterday making jewelry which they had on display for sale. Naturally, we oohed and aahed and bought tons. Erling had made woven bracelets, which the teens scarfed up before I could get over there! I managed to get one of the small ones. We bought everyone of his bracelets - the large ones are true works of art. After the sale was over, we brought out snacks for everyone. We were all milling around socializing when I happened to see Erling and Isidra in the most beautiful, intense embrace with Erling's face buried in his mother's neck. I can only imagine what their emotions were but it was truly a sacred moment. I will never forget it. It seemed like Isidra was overcome with pride for her son's success and relief that the Alonzo Movement had returned her precious son to her. It seemed like he was overcome with relief and joy from his unexpected success. Beautiful.
Reluctantly we left, shifted gears and headed off to our GianCarlo and Valle run. Yes. We bought them out! Lots of new, great stuff for the art auction this year! You may know that Carolyn is a picky eater. I am sorry for her to say she has been de-throned. Pamm now has the crown (or should I say tiara...) She ordered a chicken sandwich at the restaurant in Valle. After a long wait, they delivered two sandwiches on white bread. She immediately pulled them apart to examine the contents. To our collective surprise, the chicken sandwich included ham. I believe she touched every part of the sandwich before declaring it too weird to eat. My favorite part was when she sweetly offered her manhandled sandwich to Bruce, "Do you want my sandwich?" Bruce blanched but politely declined. The rest of us at the table aren't nearly as refined as he is. We turned inside out and screeched "ewwwww" at the thought of eating Pamm's fingerprinted reject.
When we returned home we reunited with Anne and Leamarie who spent the day at SBV. Leamarie is happier every day she spends out there. Heads up Holy Family: You will lose Leamarie to Honduras sooner rather than later. Have you ever seen her beam? There is nothing like it in the world. She lights up the entire room when she talks about the school, the teachers, the children. When we arrived she was nervous about the prospect of living here. The other evening we went to PriceMart (like Sam's Club) to buy bulk food for Carla and her baby. As we walked in Leamarie squeeked and exclaimed, "They sell flat screen TVs! Now I know I will be OK here." I really don't think she wants one, just the idea she could get one is enough! She delivered the books that Mrs Bush's students collected. The children were thrilled! I will have pix later as they are on L's camera and she has gone to bed.
Anne had a wonderful day with the teens sewing. From Monday to Tuesday lunch they made 10 chair bags. Today they made 16! Astrid, Reina, Paty, and Ela really have gotten the hang of it and have caught her enthusiasm. Anne, yesterday, delivered the gifts that the ECW from St. James sent to the children at SBV who had never received a gift before. Anne still gets teary telling us about it. We haven't tired hearing about it yet! As each child pulled out the surprises from their bags they were absolutely delighted. Every child picked something from the bag and ran to Valerie to share some of their gifts with her. Valerie was in tears, Anne was a mess -- these children who have nothing -- their first instinct is to share whatever they get. Amazing. Grace.
Tomorrow is back to work at SBV. I can't bear to think the week is coming to an end.
Wish I could share how wonderful this place is, this place of miracles, with each and every one of you.
Thanks be to God.
Sixth graders putting on a program for us during assembly
Wonderful Jackie, Director of El Cordero school
Toddlers performing for us
Carolyn holding the tiniest "student" at El Cordero daycare!
Erling, member of Alonzo Movement
Erling and his wares...now on the wrists of the teens and most of us!
Lovely Isidra, head of the CAP program
Melissa holding one of the things she made
Jan leading the ladies in the macarena!
Pamm's icky food
