Please remember to keep our team members in your prayers daily.
TEAM
MEMBERS
Charles Smith
Laura Smith
Chuck Smith
Fran Wells
Ann Brancroft
Ann Phillips
Christine Reuss
Sheryl Thornton
Wes Thornton
David Hurst
Cully Dorer
Bryan Sisson
Check out the lastest pictures from our team
 |
Cully Dorer’s Journal Entry for Sunday, June 22…
Day 2 with our smaller group and things still seem a bit different: more somber. Our last breakfast at the Pinocho is every bit as delicious as it has been all week. Afterwards, Kay led a group of us on an expedition to the local supermarket. Since Sunday is the big market day, everyone and their brother were out on the streets of Montero. The skies were clear and the sun was bright as we leisurely made our way along the sidewalks. Even though it was only 9:15, it was quite warm and by the time we arrived at the supermarket, many of us had already broken a sweat. The inside of the supermarket was like a carnival: there was something for everybody and your never knew what might be around the corner. The store was about the size of the Piggly Wiggly in Homewood. The selection of goods was quite impressive, ranging from Head and Shoulders shampoo to giant fireworks. Through there was a variety of stuff, the prices were relatively expensive compared to what we have seen around town, especially things that are imported. We spent about 45 minutes milling around the store and picking out little food items to bring home. I bought and quickly devoured my first granny smith apple since leaving the states. Chuck bought a Sprite, but the vendor wouldn’t let him take the bottle out of the store because he wanted it for the deposit. So they poured it into a plastic bag with a straw for him to drink. Kay says they do that all the time! Most everyone wanted to go again to the main market, but didn’t want to carry all their groceries with them. So David and I decided to walk back to the hotel with everyone’s stuff. The walk was pleasant but warmer and by the time we got back to the hotel, we had both sweated through our shirts.
At the hotel, we just lounged around until just before lunch when all the shoppers returned with goodies from the market. Twice while we were waiting on them to return, we could hear Kay’s car alarm going off on the street because of speedy motorcycles passing by it. Lunch was really good, especially the beef and chicken kabobs and the strawberry ice cream thing we had for dessert.
After lunch, some people took naps, others went to run errands, and Chuck, Bryan and I played hackey sack for an hour or so before getting so tired and hot that we just laid back in some lawn chairs in the shade by the dining room. Playing hackey sack was a lot of fun, especially since Chuck was using his exaggerated Spanish while Bryan and I were singing old rock songs out of key. We heard laughter coming from the kitchen, and couldn’t help but think that they were laughing at our crazy behavior.
At 4:30, we met at the hotel lobby and walked 1.5 blocks to Leonor’s house for tea and refreshments. We visited with Leonor, her husband Jose Antonio, their older daughter Vickie, their younger daughter Ruth, and Vickie’s Peace Corps boyfriend from Missouri. We enjoyed that time in their back courtyard to get to know them, and to hear how Leonor and Ruth are feeling about going to live in Vestavia for a year. They will hosted by VHUMC and a part of that faith community. On the other hand, I will be staying behind when our group leaves. I will be living with Leonor’s husband in their home for the next two months, and helping other work teams that come down to work on the school. Jose Antonio told our group that he has never raised a son, and that this will be a great experiment for him. The group told him, “Good luck.”
We had our last supper at the Pinocho, then we packed up our backs for a 5:30 departure tomorrow morning for La Paz. Just so long as someone knocks on my door in the morning.