Report #4 - July 6, 2009
Ground is broken on our construction projects!
Shortly after breakfast Saturday morning we convened to board our van meant for eight, that seats 20, and headed back into the mountains!
Our first stop was in the secondary site of our eco toilets located in Occotuna. We met community leaders, and were dazzled with three young girls who performed songs they themselves had written. BSPC members replied back with the Doxology and the opening two verses of Amazing Grace.
Thereafter, the group divided, some staying in Occotuna, and the others heading back to Vista Alegra to begin with the picks and shovels. Martin, Evan and Will stayed behind in Occotuna, and worked hand in hand with locals. They happened to be some of the first Gringos ever to this area, so the level of trust needed to be built little by little. By the end of the day, they had formed solid relationships with the Occotunaians. Especially David, the little 3 year old, who was fascinated with the construction.
Meanwhile the remainder of the group made tremendous progress on the site in Vista Alegra. The group began digging a trench to drain water from a cesspool that accumulated from water runoff from the dairy plant. The job was down and dirty, and more than one person smelled less than desirable. Again, we won't say who was the dirtiest, and smelled the worst. Just ask Nathaniel why he's coming home with one less pair of shoes.
In the evening, the group piled back into the bus, and headed to the municipal prison. The prisoners make crafts while incarcerated to raise funds for their families on the outside. In addition food is not served inside the prison, and families must bring food for the loved ones to eat while in prison. The premier purchase of the day was made by Will Alexander, who bought a 20 inch wooden handmade sailboat which doubles as a jewelry box. Not sure how he´s getting it home yet, but will certainly be an adventure.
We closed a long day with a Chinese feast, evening devotions, and a restful night's sleep.
Sunday morning began in similar fashion. Although, breakfast was made optional, and several folks took advantage of a little sleep in. While awaiting our bus, we passed the time playing hackie sack, and juggling soccer balls with some local HVCA school boys.
Eventually........... Peru time. The bus showed up, and we headed to the work sites. First to Vista Alegra, where the group encountered their first real dilemma. One of the work toilets sites sits on the property of the local dairy plant. Originally, our secondary site was proposed in the plaza of the same community. However, weeks ago when Jed came to meet with local authorities, nobody was available at the proposed time. So, Jed moved onto nearby Occotuna to see if they might also benefit from a communal eco toilet, and their response was positive. So, a disgruntled local of Vista Alegra showed up yesterday morning to dispute the boundaries of the property lines. He claimed the toilets where on his mother's land not the land of the plant. Politics........... After carefully reviewing the documents, and measuring the plots, we determined construction could continue.
During the day of work in Vista Alegra several memorable moments took place. Nathaniel, John and Willy made fast friends with local boys, Angel, Johnny, and Jorge. A soccer ball was a vehicle for the relationship. Later, Angel was taking over as photojournalist for the team (with Nathaniel on careful watch). Although, this was unknown to Jessie who was a bit concerned with camera's fate. Not to worry, valuables were recovered safely.
An impromptu digging contest broke out at one point between Willy and Jessie. Who could pull out the most dirt in a minute. By the skin on her teeth, Jesse pulled out a win. Close competition however. The digging on the canal, designed to purify the water runoff from the plant, was making fantastic progress.
While all this was going on, Katie, Rebecca, and Mary worked tirelessly on the Pachamancha, an authentic Peruvian dish cooked beneath the ground, which contains both alpaca meat, and potatoes. Mary and Rebecca overcame their fear of alpaca, as several live alpaca loomed nearby during the cooking. At one point, Mary was heard threatening the live animals, that if they got any closer, they too might become part of the group's feast.
A special moment for many occurred late in the day. With a picturesque mountain backdrop, Sally engaged two young Peruvian girls in a game of handclapping, several yards from the rest of the group. During our devotions last night, several people commented that they saw Jesus at work in that moment. More than a few wiped a tear from their eye.
The cooking finished just as the other group arrived from the secondary site in Occotuna. Their day was quite an experience as well. Upon arrival in the morning, the group came upon a festival of all the local communities, several of which BSPC has done projects with in year past. Music, dancing, costumes, the works. To the group's surprise, they were immediately ushered to the head table as ¨distinguished guests.¨ Ha, they thought they were there to dig a hole......
The festival lasted most of the day, and the group enjoyed watching song, and presentations for hours, while playing with nearby children. Carol and Jen were approached by the Espinosa sisters, indigenous women to the area, who immediately took interest in some of the first white women ever to the area. Quite a moving moment. Martin and Evan presented a soccer ball to David, the youngster they had befriended the previous day. He instantly became the most popular kid in town. What a joy it was to see the smile on his face.
At the close of the day, after the festival, the group worked until near sundown, and was able to build a concrete mold, mix the concrete, and fill the mold to begin construction of the base for the eco toilets.
At about this same time in Vista Alegra, the Pachamancha feast was completed. Half of the BSPC group took part in a dinner of potatoes, green vegetables, and alpaca. Unfortunately, 15 minutes into the meal, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon, just as the other half of the BSPC group was arriving. The entire group gathered belongings and food, and ran for cover in the buses and trucks. They all reconvened at the hotel. A moment of collective adrenaline. Special because differences were set aside, and everyone was in it together. Quite a rush.
The day concluded again with a powerful devotional session, and a small worship with singing, and prayer. It was ROWDY!
All are well, and we miss you all. See you very soon.
Desde Peru, con amor,
Peru Crew V
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