On our last trip here, "Chavez" and I rode the whole time on the rear side benches of a Land Rover. Less padding, less air conditioning, sun through the window and more bounce to the mile than the other seats! This activity earned us the name of "Bench Monkeys", which we bore proudly. I have now continued that tradition!
We have just spent the last 3 days in the home village of "Alfonso", a friend who wanted our help with a video. We will create a documentary on life in the village, showing their day, their crops, health care, the surrounding area, a reforestation project and other scenes to help with development in the area. It was a 4-hour journey once we left the paved road, covering the terrain on dirt two-tracks (where there was a path). We had to stop and greet other members of his family on the way, so the trip out actually took six hours. And the bench monkey part? In order for all of us to go, and for "Alfonso" to join us and show the way, someone had to ride in the back of the truck! I sat on a cooler with a chair pad, wrapped my head in a calla (a traditional head wrap) and bounced along in the sun and dust! "Chavez", I hope I did you proud!!
No matter what the ride was like, it was worth it for the experiences we had. We were treated royally, with special food, the children danced for us, we toured the area and people were expecting us to come and take pictures, so we had total freedom to operate. We learned new words, made new friends and got an up close and personal persective on life in a small village of less than 30 people. There was no way that we could recreate the time without the friendship of "Alfonso", his trust of "Pancho & Gabriella" and the willingness of his family to open up their life to us.
And yet for all the joy we experienced in the village, we must remember that they do not know the one who sent us. Please pray for the people in that region, that the relationships we now have would open the doors for them to know more about the followers of JC.
The ladies will share more about this trip later. Thank you for your part in support of this trip!
Ricky
We have just spent the last 3 days in the home village of "Alfonso", a friend who wanted our help with a video. We will create a documentary on life in the village, showing their day, their crops, health care, the surrounding area, a reforestation project and other scenes to help with development in the area. It was a 4-hour journey once we left the paved road, covering the terrain on dirt two-tracks (where there was a path). We had to stop and greet other members of his family on the way, so the trip out actually took six hours. And the bench monkey part? In order for all of us to go, and for "Alfonso" to join us and show the way, someone had to ride in the back of the truck! I sat on a cooler with a chair pad, wrapped my head in a calla (a traditional head wrap) and bounced along in the sun and dust! "Chavez", I hope I did you proud!!
No matter what the ride was like, it was worth it for the experiences we had. We were treated royally, with special food, the children danced for us, we toured the area and people were expecting us to come and take pictures, so we had total freedom to operate. We learned new words, made new friends and got an up close and personal persective on life in a small village of less than 30 people. There was no way that we could recreate the time without the friendship of "Alfonso", his trust of "Pancho & Gabriella" and the willingness of his family to open up their life to us.
And yet for all the joy we experienced in the village, we must remember that they do not know the one who sent us. Please pray for the people in that region, that the relationships we now have would open the doors for them to know more about the followers of JC.
The ladies will share more about this trip later. Thank you for your part in support of this trip!
Ricky
