We celebrated mass with the children at noon; the children took ownership in the mass which was very cool to see. Two girls ran up to the closet to get the alter-girl outfits so they were sure that they were able to serve with Father. There was also a group of kids of ran up to be in the choir. This was all preceded by one girl running up to the altar and getting the bell from Madre Cindy and ringing the bell signaling for everyone to come to mass. This was followed by a rush of children running up the stairs, excited for mass. Kristin and I sat in the front row and the kids were surrounding us, and asking us to take their pictures, immediately followed by having to show them how the picture turned out. We met three girls who sat behind us, one who’s name is Jenny and she thought it was so cool that I had the same name. One of the girls asked how old we were, and when Kristin revealed that she is 33, the girl looked shocked. There was group of three young boys, who are 3 years old who were yelling the songs during mass and one boy Mericio was Kristin’s favorite. The kids were all so welcoming of us, even though we didn’t speak very much Spanish. I had a little girl sitting next to me in mass and she was trying to hold my hand and my arm during mass, while starring at me the whole time. Even though mass was celebrated in Spanish, it was equally as powerful to see the faith that everyone in the room had. After mass all the children went up and were blessed by Madre Miguel. It was clear to see the respect that the children have for the Madres and Padre.
Then we had lunch downstairs in the library. After lunch we came back to the hotel for a much needed nap, as we were exhausted from the altitude. The center bus picked us up at 4:30 p.m. and took us to Center #2, which is huge compared to the downtown center. We toured the center and saw the daycare, classrooms, dental and medical, huge soccer field outside, the skill center classrooms where the kids are taught things like sewing, woodcraft, auto mechanics, and other skills. We walked through the cafeteria during dinner, and there were a ton of families having a soup and bread dinner. They all looked us in the eye while we walked through, they all appeared to be very proud to be a member of the center and all said hello to us. When we walked in one classroom and the boys saw the Madres, they immediately stood up, as a sign of respect and reverence for the Madres and what they do for the center.
We had a break in the living room of the living quarters of the volunteers and employees before dinner. When dinner was ready they rang the dinner bell, similar to the dinner bell the Xavier Nuns ring at the Convent. I miss hearing that bell when our offices were in the Convent and I was working late. Kristin and I sat with some younger volunteers and ironically, the guy I sat next to went to LMU with Jimmy and knew who Jimmy was. It was interesting for Kristin and I to hear their stories and how the ended up at the center and doing such incredible work. After a long bus ride back to our hotel, we’re getting ready for bed and looking forward to what tomorrow has in store for us.
We’re having a great time so far and the people we have met here are incredible and the kids at the center are amazing. We are so grateful for this opportunity and wish we could have brought you all along!!
Until tomorrow,
Jenny and Kristin
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