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Published: January 14th 2008
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Iglesia Presbyteriana de Ayacucho
Check out the drum kit on the right of the photo!! Hi Everyone,
Can you believe that this is my last day in Ayacucho. Time has gone so quickly!!! It was another busy day for me again today - they all seem to be like that!!
I got up early and headed to Iglesia Presbyteriana de Ayacucho. The service was absolutely jam packed!! It very quickly became clear that the service I attended was all in Quechuan, the ancient language spoken in the Andes, a bit like Gaelic in Scotland. Unfortunately the Cristillano (Spanish) service was scheduled for later in the afternoon when I would be at Los Gorriones.
The service was lovely though. The Quechuan language is beautiful. You always find that a number of the older people come to the Quechuan service, however, there were also a lot of young couples and children in the Church. A lovely lady came and sat beside me and helped me with the Quechuan when were were singing. I had a lovely chat with Pastor Oscar after the service and also got to take a photo of the inside of the Church. They have a praise band (note the drum kit in the right hand side of the attached photo) and
Festival
Colours are bright and dancing incredible!! from reading their newsletter, they have at least three services on a Sunday and something on every day during the week. Although they are not a wealthy Church (a number of peasants and farming people from some of the Andean villages are members), they do a lot of work in the community and also have various missionary projects. I only wish that our own church at home had as much vision and energy and focus!! The folks of Govan & Linthouse could learn a lot from the church in Ayacucho!!
After Church, I shopped for some gifts and then headed to Gringo Plaza for breakfast. There was a huge festival happening in the main square. Lots of dancing and a big parade. Didn't manage to suss out quite what it was all about, but the colours and the music was fantastic!!
After taking some photos of the festival, I headed to Gringo Plaza for some food and then caught the bus (route no 14) up to Carmen Alto for my last afternoon with the Sparrows.
It was another gorgeous day with the sun high over the mountains. The first thing I did was take Kris out for
Festival
Some more a wander in the garden. He seemed to have a real fascination for the kitchen today and wanted to constantly head in that direction. Finally he settled with some toy cars in a flower bed in the garden!! The Peruana ladies then called that we were headed outside. They had spread some mattresses on the street outside in the shade and we settled there with the kids, Ruth Karina, Jack, Diego and Nilda. Eberson and Kris headed off with the other children and the volunteers for an outing to the Mirador in Carmen Alto. Sheyla was still with her mum and due to return some time in the afternoon.
We enjoyed sitting outside with the children. I had Jack sitting with me, and fed him his mid afternoon snack. Some locals passed and it annoyed me that they stared at the kids, but the Peruvian carers were fantastic. They are obviously used to this!!
When we headed inside, most of the children went for a nap. Sheyla returned with her mum, who stayed on to help with some washing in the outdoor sink - perhaps her way of saying thank you to Gil and Chantal? We then worked
Can you spot the sheep
It's in the middle of the dance troupe eating the greens they are dropping!! on some costumes as the children will take part in a nativity play on Tuesday next week. Nilda will be a star and Kris one of the wise men!!
Eberson and Kris returned with the other volunteers and we proceeded to get the children ready for dinner and bed. I had Nilda tonight and was delighted when she ate all her food. Nappy changing was a little easier than with some of the other children as Nilda does not move her legs much. When it came to teeth brushing, she howled. That young lady certainly knows what she doesn't like!! One of the other ladies took over and completed the job better than I could have hoped to!!
After that it was time for bed for the ninos and time for goodbye from me. The Peruvian ladies presented me with a beautiful hand made certificate to say thank you for helping them this week. It has all of the names of the children on. I was so touched, as it was so unexpected. I actually felt that it was me who should be thanking them for showing me how to look after these amazing children!! I took some
photos today and have attached them for you. I will also send them on to Gil and Chantal.
It was very hard to say goodbye, but I know that these children have fantastic care, lots of love, and most importantly, their dignity. Gil and Chantal do wonderful work here despite the personal challenges they have faced recently. It was wonderful to be able to spend some time with Gil and Chantal too, and I was very sad to say goodbye to them. I did manage to take a lovely photo of them, which I have attached to share with you.
I am coming home with even more determination to support Gil, Chantal and the Sparrows. I hope that the photos I attach will renew the determination of all my friends at home who also help raise funds, and maybe even some other folks who have just chanced upon my blog. Gil has also given me some DVDs about the Sparrows, so I'm sure we can organise a night to watch these and also raise some funds.
The Los Gorriones website is: www.casahogarlosgorriones.org. If you have enjoyed the blog and been touched by the photos, then please check
Full festival
It was actually much longer than the photo suggests!! it out for yourselves.
Gil and Chantal - a huge thank you for letting me be part of your life and work with the Sparrows for a short time. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it and how much I appreciate your friendship!!
I then headed back to Ayacucho (again on the local bus) where I headed for the hotel to update my blog. Planning to head to bed after this as I have an early morning flight to Lima on Monday. Have a meeting with MIMDES in the afternoon, and then will meet up with the Vine Trust group in Lima on Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing Ica and Iquitos, and understanding more about the work of the Vine Trust, but will be sad to leave Ayacucho. I'll be back though!! Watch this space!!
Mum - so glad you worked out how to get on line!! Thanks for your comment. Gil has also sent you a lovely e-mail. I hope that you manage to check it out. Glad all well at home and that the boys (your budgies and my cats) are ok. Good to hear that my garden fence is still standing. Hope
Los Gorriones
The Peruvian care team with (left to right) Ruth Karina, Jack and Diego my fuschia survived the winds!! Hope all went well on Friday when you and Sandra volunteered at ARK!!
Karen - glad to hear HPs intro cafe was a big success. Love to Emma and sorry to hear about her elbow. Ter her from me that she should always strive for uniqueness, and although painful, she cetainly has achieved it!!
Next blog will be from Lima. Means I only have about 10 days before I head home and back to work (yeugh!!).
Ciao amigos!! Buenos noches.
Lesley x
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Vicki Gilbert
non-member comment
I don't believe it was your last day in Ayacucho
I cannot believe it was your last day in Ayacucho - you will go back one day, I just know it. Naughty girl, getting locked out of your hotel - that made me smile. As did the new jumper - I see your taste in colours has not ameliorated! I hope your journey back to Lima is OK and the activities over the next 10 days go well for you. Filling up reading about los gorrioncitos and Gil and Chantal, special, special, special. Ten cuidado. Vicki. Vicki