Wednesday in Cuatla

Third day of work. Fourth day of trip. We're getting our rhythm down.

The wise youth began our day with a prayerful dedication to Diane Evans. The role of the young folk on this trip cannot be understated. They are wise and wonderful leaders with spirited insight that imbues the rest of us with meaning. This day has been dedicated to Diane's memory at the request of our young people. Thank you, kids.

Our task today was to finish all the details of painting the church, then clean the entire space, put away all the supplies, and make order of what had been a big mess, all in time for church to begin at 4pm. We actually finished in time for a few of the grownups, Laura, Lynne, Hannah and Martha to be exact, to venture out into the market place in quest of the local newspaper. A nearby shopkeeper had shown Matt our picture gracing the front page of the local newspaper due to our visit with the Presidente of Cuatla. That's the Mayor of the local town. We were determined to find copies to bring home to show our families. We were successful only through the kindness of this same shopkeeper who left her store and walked with us directly to the Newspaper Office to purchase copies of the paper. Lesson learned: always be kind, patient and generous with foreigners. It is the greatest gift of hospitality one could give a visitor.

And hospitality did indeed rain down upon us. Father Tony organized a Fiesta to end all fiestas. We were ushered to a nearby location, one of those hidden courtyards that you never see from the street, but only through an unnoticed gate. At least 80 parishioners had shown up for the church service and all stayed for the Fiesta. We were seated like dignitaries before a small chamber orchestra of youth from a nearby music school. The food was fantastic. A potluck extraordinaire. Tamales. Mole. Menudo. Salads. Nopales. Watermelon. Taquitos. Skirt steak grilled right on the spot. Pineapple Cake. And of course plenty of Coca Cola. While we ate, the Presidente arranged for us to be serenaded by two of his top singers. One aging Mexican pop singer and one very young, very animated, very talented, tall, dark and handsome young man that the teenagers will be talking about for some time to come. Ask Sammy, Mary Martha, and Jordan-- they all danced with him. In fact he was still singing and waving and laughing when we walked back to the bus at 7pm to climb aboard our trip home.

We will each carry fond memories of Iglesia de Ascension in Cuatla, Mexico. Peace and grace are indeed with us.
mdk