Sunday, July 21, 2013

9:33 AM...guess who cried first?

¡Buenos tardes!

I am writing to you on this overcast Sunday afternoon from our dormitory room with the sounds of birds chirping, dogs barking, and music playing around us. Our dormitory is located just steps from Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, the parish that Fr. Jack runs. This morning we woke up to the beautiful sounds of singing and clapping coming from the church. What an incredible way to wake up! Sundays are truly a day of rest in Chimbote; something which I think our world back home could use a little more of. I'll get to our day in a moment, but first let's get some updates on yesterday's adventures.

Saturday, July 20, 2013
The plan was to meet in the lobby ready to go out at 9:15 am so that our bus could leave at 9:30. By the grace of Mama and Pa above, all 21 people were accounted for at that very moment! Quite impressive if you ask me. We loaded up the swanky coach bus, picked our own rows, and began the approximately 7 hour journey from Lima to Chimbote. In true Mama form, we began the trip saying a "Hail Mary" and a few words from our fearless leader Kassy. She reminded us that Peruvian time is very laid back and that we are to just "let it happen." Have you guessed which Kenney cried first? Yep, Kassy did! The moment she began addressing the group....tears! Talk about a true Kenney.

Captain Kassy telling us she "sometimes gets a little bossy." Noooo...not you Kassy!
No photos from the paparazzi!
Our bus drivers, Carlos and Joel, did not speak any English, but they were very patient while I tried to brush up on my once rather fluent Spanish. We made a short pit stop at the grocery store, which resembled a Costco, in order to stock up on lunch items, snacks, water, and of course...wine. (Sidenote: we did NOT get enough wine...clearly they didn't put Jack in charge of that one). With Joel's help and my broken Spanish, we ordered pavo (turkey) and queso (cheese) from the deli, exchanged some money, and headed back to the bus.

Jack admiring the coastal view. 
Liam taking advantage of a comfortable bus to catch some zzzz's. 

Chimbote is located about 260 miles north of Lima, the capital of Peru. The seven hour drive up the coast was a very unique road trip. We encountered numerous terrains as the bus wound around the mountains. From the dusty desert to the celestial coast to the magnificent mountains, this land is certainly not shy of amazing. There was an abundance of new sights with every twist and turn; making it difficult to know what was coming next.





In a land of such beauty, it's impossible to imagine the kind of poverty that the people face here on a daily basis. Just as the people of Chimbote see Fr. Jack as a sign of hope, we too encountered this as he surprised us on the outskirts of town. Just seeing his warm, welcoming smile on the side of the road was a very reassuring moment. Although Captain Kassy was prepared with directions, Fr. Jack instructed the bus drivers on where to go for the last few minutes. Pulling up to the parish compound was unlike anything we've ever experienced. Outside the bus window was a group of parishioners ready to greet us with balloons, banners, and open arms. As we marched off the bus with our luggage, several men were helped take the load off our back. It never seizes to amaze me how people of such poverty find the smallest ways to serve. When Emmett got off the bus, a sea of girls screamed with joy! You would have thought Justin Beiber or a member of One Direction had just appeared. (And we all thought it would be Jack to fall in love with a local). 
Yes ladies... Emmett (Emilio) Adam has arrived!


We were overwhelmed by the kind welcome!
Upon entering the parish compound, we were taken to our respective male and female dormitories. With twelve ladies in one room, everyone picked a bed without a tiff! I think we have already adopted the "let it happen" mentality of Peru. Nice work team! Our lovely volunteer coordinator, Katie, introduced herself and went over some housekeeping items. One rule that stuck with us all was: If somebody asks you to be the madrino (godmother) or padrino (godfather) of their child, say NO! (Unless of course you are willing to enter into a lifetime financial commitment such as this). Fr. Jack's trusty sidekick, Jaime, made his presence known from the moment we gathered in the "Gringo Room." There will be numerous stories about Jaime this week, so get ready! We have dubbed Jaime as 'the archbishop.' He is a local Peruvian who can hear, but does not speak. Although he has some special needs, he continues to communicate in his own way with the people around him. He is never without a smile or something to eat in his hand. He lives at the parish compound and is very territorial at mass. In fact, he sits right up on the altar; usually in Fr. Jack's chair. This frustrates the altar server, Herman, who has been working with Fr. Jack for about 28 years. Herman is a kind, loving man who has special needs of his own. He is very protective of Fr. Jack's chair, so much of mass consists of a stare down between the two. It is difficult to even describe their relationship, but it is quite the sight none the less! More pictures of mass and this experience to come in future blogs, so stay tuned...

Jaime always seems to be at a Kenney party!

Each day we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the "Gringo Room" with meals prepared by two wonderful women. After we got settled, we ate a spaghetti dinner complete with garlic bread. Saturday evening mass began at 7:30, so we walked a few steps to the church for the celebration. I don't think you've truly been to church until you have been to a mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chimbote. The passion, energy, and enthusiasm is not only refreshing, but exhilarating! When 21 Kenney gringos get together in such an environment, you can only imagine what may happen. It was like an episode of America's Funniest Home Videos. Throughout mass, dogs roam the aisles and Jaime attempts to sit in Fr. Jack's seat. As we were listening to the liturgy, a dog hops right up onto the pew next to Anne and begins to lick her face. Anne had already been warned not to touch the dogs because apparently she has had an incident with a monkey before. When the dog started licking Anne's face, nobody could help but laugh. Unfortunately, this moment was not captured on camera, but you can be sure that we will always remember it. The music throughout the evening was heavenly. Even part of the 'Our Father' was sung to the melody of Simon & Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence." The entire congregation held hands and sang with all their soul. The sign of peace was uplifting as everyone hugged and kissed on the cheek. What a powerful and humbling experience! 

In true Kenney fashion, the night would not end here. We headed to the "Gringo Room" for some wine, stories, laughs, and tears. Oh...have you guessed who cried second? Nope...it was not Colleen as Jack so outwardly assumed. Instead, Mary Brigh shed some tears during the beautiful songs at mass. Our night lasted into the wee hours as we continued our Kenney family bonding...with Mary Brigh taking the crown on "adult who stayed up the longest with the kids."

Sunday, July 21, 2013
Sunday...a day of rest: what a beautiful, yet foreign concept to us Americans. What a blessing this day was to remind us that it is okay to "stop and smell the roses." I am so proud at how we all embraced this concept. Waking up to the sound of music was simply glorious. We ate breakfast and helped serve food to parishioners after they attended mass. Anne found a friend in a woman named Patty who is wheelchair bound and completely immobile. This picture truly captures the essence of why we are here.


After serving lunch, the games began! We spent the day playing volleyball and soccer with many new friends such as Renaldo, Perla, Cassandra, Daniel, Raul, and Estefania. Children are the most forgiving when it comes to a language barrier, which helps to form an immediate and lasting connection. Around the corner from the parish compound is a recreational area with a playground, basketball court, and soccer field. Every Sunday there is a soccer tournament with local teams playing all afternoon. Below you will find a collection of photos from our first day. 

Herman- Fr. Jack's right hand man


Bill and his new amigos  

My peeps- Renaldo y Paula 

Coach Mark's new soccer star

Kassy and her crew 

Pure joy!

Marta and Eileen 

One of Chimbote's many furry friends

Maggie enjoying the game. 

Paula at play

Dot, Mark, and Suzette 

Some dad and daughter time

Strolling back to the compound 

Emily embraces the siesta!

Cassandra mugging for the camera

Fr. Jack holding court 
Captivated by Fr. Jack's stories 







A perfect end to a perfect day

1 comment:

  1. Wonderful stories and pictures. Keep them coming!You are truely Kenney Angels! Love you all. God Bless.

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