The roads in Virginia were not so dusty today--because it rained in the night! While this was good news, unless it continues to rain it will not save the people of the cantón's devastated crop year. We continued to hear from the families we visited that their corn was totally gone, with much worry on their faces.
We made visits to the remainder of the homes and felt the same warmth and hospitality we had enjoyed yesterday. We have so many photos to share when we get back to Iowa, but here are a few. These brothers and sisters were such a joy to meet!
When we tell you about the welcome and hospitality, we're not just talking about the offer of a chair to sit in or a "bless you" and a hug in each home. We received so much care--we were given strong arms to lean on as we negotiated uneven ground and special help for any of us who needed it.
By lunch time we had made it to every home but three. These families live in a hard-to-reach part of the cantón and usually come to us when we visit. Today we were advised that it was a long, hard walk but if some wanted to do it, they would be accompanied by members of the Pastoral Team and of the Virginia Directiva and it would be about an hour and a half on a steep footpath. Of course we had some volunteers!
They took off after lunch and the rest of us put our feet up and enjoyed the lovely breeze while we waited. We also watched rainclouds gather over Berlín, a ways off. Then we heard the rumble of thunder and felt the breeze stiffen a bit. We searched the opposite mountainside for a sighting and saw the group still a distance away. And suddenly the skies opened and it rained. And rained. And rained hard. They returned drenched and exhausted, but honestly delighted.
We will return to Virginia tomorrow for a final meeting with the Directiva and a celebration with the whole community. There will surely be thanks given for the rain (although it will take many more days of this to help with their ruined crops.) We have just one more morning to spend with our brothers and sisters of Cantón Virginia. That doesn't seem like enough, either.
We made visits to the remainder of the homes and felt the same warmth and hospitality we had enjoyed yesterday. We have so many photos to share when we get back to Iowa, but here are a few. These brothers and sisters were such a joy to meet!
We will return to Virginia tomorrow for a final meeting with the Directiva and a celebration with the whole community. There will surely be thanks given for the rain (although it will take many more days of this to help with their ruined crops.) We have just one more morning to spend with our brothers and sisters of Cantón Virginia. That doesn't seem like enough, either.
It is never enough time. SO glad those brave souls made the trek to the far out families. It means SOOOO much to people. Physical effort expresses great love.
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