Today was very difficult for me. Even though this is my fifth trip to Ecuador, I saw and realized things today that I hadn't before.
We began the day by walking to the foundation at 8:30am. Once we arrived, we divided the group into two - Brendan P. & E., Ryan Truby, Chicco and Sam went to play dominos with the men, while Maria and I were plus Ryan, Benjamin and Charlie played Chinese checkers with the women. Nathan translated for us, while Jocelynn, Abel’s sister translated for the others.
Abel and his sister, Jocelyn.
We played Chinese checkers with Ester, Leonora, and Elvia. Ester is a pro, she can spot a good move a mile away. Elvia is developmentally disabled plus her right hand is pretty disfigured as a result of Hansen’s. Nathan reminded us that playing didn’t have to be "by the rules” it was just as important that she be playing and that the movement of her hands was therapy in and of itself. Leonora had difficulties seeing the colors of the marbles, also playing by the rules, but fun was had by all the women especially Ester who had a hard time pronouncing “Ryan.” It was much easier for her to say “Brian” so since he was playing with green marbles, we gave him the nickname “verde.” The extraordinary care that was shown to the women, especially Elvia and Leonora was Christ-like. Elvia "won" the game after she had placed all her marbles "home." Woohoo! You should have seen her face light up!
Playing Chinese Checkers.
Maria played jacks with Mercedes and Sr. Luz while Blanca looked on. Sr. Luz was giddy as she was trying to get Mercedes to play and exercise her hands and motor skills. Again, it was more important to play rather than play right.
We then had Mass at 10:30am. Fr. Marcel, an Ecuadorian priest came to celebrate with us. Ryan T. read the first reading (I see a future for him as a Reader at Mass) in English and great care was taken to translate Fr. Marcel's homily into English (thanks Nathan) for our benefit. What came through again and again was his gratitude for our visit. Following Mass, we had a snack (green plantains and baby bananas).
Green Plantain Tortillas and Baby Bananas.
While eating, Fr. Marcel shared that he had first visited the foundation when he was in high school, about 25 years ago. Also during high school, they showed him a film about Padre Damien of Molokai and he decided to become a priest of the order of the Sacred Heart, the same congregation that Fr. Damien belonged to. Five years ago, Sr. Annie asked him to say Mass at the Fundación Padre Damien. Immediately following that Mass, Blanca (who is now near death), convinced him to come every week to say Mass. That was five years ago and he's been coming every week.
Following mass, Germania asked us (Charlie, Ryan M., and I) to present the vestments donated from St. Pius (thanks Fr. Paul) to Fr. Marcel. He was very grateful for the vestments.
Charlie Gillet, Fr. Marcel, Ryan McAfee
Following our snack, Benjamin, Sam & I walked back to the hostal. While we did that, the remainder of the group journaled in the chapel.
When we returned, we got in the van to go to Nuevo Mundo. Nuevo Mundo is a unique school. Here's a brief description of the model. In the morning program families pay tuition - $500 per month. The program offer the International Baccalaureate program (like what's offered at Sequoia High School). Then, there is an afternoon program which is for economically disadvantaged. Families pay $19.71 per month for the afternoon program.
While there we met Pat McTeague who had founded the school with Sonia. Pat had been a BVM but had left the order. She and Annie had lived together for 9 years but decided that they get along better not living together. They all this split their "divorce." Pat gave the boys an awesome “pep talk” to inspire them to follow God’s path for them (but, to become teachers). In one day, they were inspired to be either priests or teachers, we’ll see what happens. Education is the only thing that can change lives.
Pat McTeague at Nuevo Mundo School.
Upon entry into the school, the boys immediately noticed that it was even nicer than their schools back home.
At Nuevo Mundo, Abel lead us on a tour. We visited Jocelyn’s class and paired up with her classmates so that they could practice their English with us.
A tour of Durán followed. On the way, we passed through the wealthy part of Guayaquil with mansions and gates communities. After crossing a bridge, the scenery radically changed and we saw dirt roads, canía houses and garbage filled streets.
We saw Abel and Germania’s homes and a man fishing in a garbage filled canal, with another man a minute away selling those same fish at a make shift market on the side of the road. We also saw a dog, dead and bloated on the side of the road with legs stretched to heaven. How does a world become so divided between the haves and have nots? How can this extreme poverty be allowed to continue? How can we work to alleviate this? As Pat says, “education is the only thing that leads one out of the cycle of poverty.”
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