Arriving and Meeting the People

The flights out here were an adventure but like everything that has tried to hinder our trip we saw God work things out to his glory.  Despite hours of delay leaving Denver we managed to run through the airport in Philadelphia and got on our flight with no time to spare. 

Arriving was like entering a new world – hot, humid, and filled with smiling friendly faces.  We were met by Martires, Jose, Arizmendy, and some others.  Jose and Martires are our translators – living with us in the church and taking care of all the logistics of the trip.  Arizmendy is the regional director and is looked upon very highly in Sierra Prieta as one who is bringing the much needed help and resources of Food for the Hungry. 

Our living quarters are fully adequate – a cinder block church with a tin roof and a tarp strung across one end to separate the women and men. 

We got to sleep very late and slept in.  After breakfast we took a walk around the community and met some of the children and people of Sierra Prieta.  It is filled with primitive wooden and tin homes that are not much bigger than single car garages.  The people are so friendly and smile and wave at every turn.  As we walked along we played catch with the kids and quickly we included in a game of pelota, which is more like cricket than anything else I could describe.  Soon a few of the ladies were getting their hair braided in the local salon and other folks were making home visits.  It was so amazing to see team members connect so quickly despite the language barriers.

The children look at us as though we are celebrities and flock around whenever we are about.  Sunday afternoon brought us to the local school which only has enough rooms for kids up to 4^th grade even though they meet in 2 sessions each day.  They had a welcome meeting complete with speeches from community leaders, the principle, the PTA leader, a sponsored child and a young man from the local youth group.  Food for the Hungry people also spoke and each person was very excited about the partnership we have started and spoke of many visits.  They said we should consider Sierra Prieta our home.  In some ways we already do.

As the meeting progressed a rain storm struck.  It really struck.  It was raining so hard that we had to suspend the meeting as speakers could not be heard due to the rain on the tin roof.  We waited about 25 minutes, completed the meeting during a lull and then waited another 40 mins for the rain so subside enough to leave. 

The evening brought a service at the church, which was outside because we have taken up the entire inside of the church with our beds.  It was very similar to a service in the States minus the lights, building, and other technologies.  Zach and Aletha shared their testimonies to the blessing of all in attendance.

We have all made special connections with the people here already.  The family of Gregorio, and his son Wilson, their wives and children has opened their home to us already – almost seeming insulted when we had to leave after an hour of conversation and hospitality.  Their home is no more than 200 square feet divided up into 3 rooms.  Their cocina, or kitchen, is outside.  Its a fire on an tin piece elevated on sticks/branches.