My sincerest apologies for not keeping up with this blog....
The final week was a whirlwind of events. The Millers arrived and began preparations for the big wedding on the 17th. Mike and Lupita were very busy hosting pre-wedding dinners, and finalizing all the details of the reception. I continued to work periodically with the social workers and at the medical post. I was also taking my evening Spanish class.
Wednesday, Wilder, the kids and I went and visited the residents of the Kinta Navidad, a secured apartment-like complex where handicapped people reside. We got to meet Marjorie, the 7 year old daughter of Maria. Marjorie has hydrocephalos and has shunts in her brain. She doesn't talk but is aware of people. We got her to smile when we gave her a nice soft blanket made by the Edgeley CYO youth group.
Bridger was busy throughout the week hanging out with Susanne.....a friend of Lupita's. They went swimming, shopping, to the University, etc....and of course out for ice cream several times! She spoiled the kids a lot!
The kids spent a lot of time on homework this week, as the reality of our near departure set in.
Friday was spent at Vesique Beach with the Millers, all the Gringos here for the wedding, and the Peruvian families and friends of the bride and groom. Brookston, Braeden, and Brinley climbed to the top of the "mountain" which overlooked the ocean. They had no troubles getting up, but were very nervous coming down! I held my breathe several times watching them maneuver their way down.
I made my first visit to the cave there. What an awesome experience! We walked through this cave, which is carved out by the erosion of the waves. Then we could see the awesome handiwork of God. The waves were incredible, and the kids had a lot of fun playing there. One little gal with us lost her shoes when a large wave came through. She thought she had her shoes high enough, but was proven wrong. We spent over 1/2 hour trying to recover her shoes....we could see them floating but the waves were too dangerous and too strong to fight through. Patiently the boys waited and formed a plan on how to get the shoes......and they did! She was all smiles!
Saturday was spent getting last minute items for the wedding.....hair accessories, shoes for Brinley and Bridger (theirs were trashed), and an outfit for Samuel (Wilder's brother) so he could attend the festivities with us.
The wedding was beautiful, as was the bride! OK, Mikey looked OK too! LOL. I was a gift-bearer and carried a large loaf of bread to the altar. Brinley was a flower-petal tosser at the end of the wedding. She looked so beautiful and grown up! I think she was actually the prettiest one there!!
So our first Peruvian-style wedding and reception was very interesting. After the wedding we all took taxis to the reception area. It was an outdoor tent about 3 stories tall. We didn't get served food until after 11pm....(wedding was at 7pm)....When they started serving the food, it was 5 courses. Unlike the receptions we are used to, there wasn't really a cash bar. Instead, they had a few bottles of beer at each table and everyone got one pisco sour----the official Peruvian drink. Around 1:30am or so, they had what's known as Hora Loca.....or "Crazy Hour".
Three persons on stilts, and 3 large 2-story puppets arrived for the dance. There were also some regular "jesters" who brought in hundreds of long balloons. So the tradition is for everyone to get on the dance floor and jump up and down acting "crazy" hitting each other with the balloons, and having fun. It was wild!
The kids had so much fun. Staying true to Peruvian tradition, we left the reception at 4:30am (which is actually early!).
Sunday slipped away rapidly due to sleeping in late and packing up our stuff. It was emotional. Brookston was having the hardest time with saying his good-byes.....and he was the one who only wanted to stay for 2 weeks! Mercedes and family were very sad too. In the evening, they had a little "dance" in the house for us as a going-away event. The boys showed off their dancing skills, and Brookston showed Tony's girlfriend Laura how to do the 2-step complete with the twists and turns! They were all amazed!! (I was too...he's actually good!).
Monday morning went by like a blink of an eye. We finished packing, rushed back to eat one last lunch with our family, and then rushed to the parroquia to say our good-byes to everyone there. It was the usual Gringo-farewell, plus Fr. Jack, Sr. Peggy and Enrique were with us....many well-wishers showed up to see us off. It's always very hard to leave, and especially this year because the relationships grew so much stronger.....plus the kids were emotional too, which didn't help me any!
The travel back to Lima down the coast of the Pan-American Highway was uneventful....long....but uneventful, thank goodness!!
When we got settled in at our hotel, we headed across the street for scrumptious pizza! We had a nice time talking with Fr. Jack and Sr. Peggy. Exhausted, we all went to bed early, around 11pm.
I awoke in the middle of the night to a noise. Then I felt the bed start shaking and "jumping". I thought, "Oh my God, it's an Earthquake!" And yes, it truly was! I jumped out of bed immediately, hollering at the kids over the loud sound of the quake......"Get up! Get up! We have to get out of here! Come ON! LET"S GO!! It's an earthquake!".........nobody moved or got up, so I rushed out the door into the hallway to see if anyone was rushing out of the hotel. All was quiet. The night watchman said, "It's just a small one." What!? I mean really......stuff fell off the night stands, pictures were hanging crooked, and I was completely nausious from being so off-balance. But I crawled back into bed and layed there awake for the rest of the night, waiting for the next shake which thankfully never came.
In the morning, we heard that the epi-center wasn't too far away and it was a 4.0. So hats off to all of you who live in earthquake states! One more reason to stay put here in the Midwest!!
Tuesday was spent at the Inca Market getting last minute souveniers.....one last trip to the pizzaria across the street, and off to the airport. All went well, flights were great, and we even made the "marathon" run in Huston. We had 1 hour and 33 minutes to get off our plane, go through immigration, then collect all of our luggage, go through customs, re-check our luggage, go through the whole security check point, and RUN...literally to our gate, which was 3 TERMINALS away! We returned to Minneapolis without incident at 10:30am on Wednesday, April 21st, and Jason was waiting for us at the baggage claim!!!!!
We made a quick trip down to Rochester to see my sister and family and say good-bye to them, as they are moving to Florida......Home and in our own beds Thursday night.....Ahhhhhhh......, and Friday of course unpacking and laundry.
So as we close this chapter of our adventure, we want to say "thank you" to everyone who kept us in their prayers and kept in touch with us while we were away...
God Bless you all,
Collette, Brookston, Braeden, Brinley, and Bridger Mathern
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Update April 12, 2010
Greetings to all......we are all safe and sound, and the danger has left.
After spending 2 lonely, boring days in the dorms, we have decided to return to our home. We had supper at the house last evening, hosted by "aunt Ana" and family. When Mercedes and Tony came home, they came down to see us and it was very emotional......they missed us so much, and we miss them too!
They told us that the assassin's family totally moved out Sunday morning, before the funeral. They are no longer in the city, and so the neighborhood has been very quiet......
Our friend Ted from Colorado attended the funeral yesterday morning with Fr. Jack. It's custom here that the funeral is in the home of the deceased.......now this is gross----Ted said that the body was smelling horrible and his face was all bloating up, nearly breaking the sunglasses that were on him. No embalming here. So it's been like 80's, hot and humid........you do the math. Following the funeral was the usual procession where his friends/family carry the casket above their heads through the streets. When they came past our house, Ted said that they were making the "revenge" signal to our neighbors. Fr. Jack said, "I am just so glad they are out of there now...(meaning us).......at that point, the family was gone, but nobody knew it yet.
SOOOOO.......this morning I had a heart to heart with Fr. Jack and Sr. Peggy, and we will be moving back into our host family's house......everyone is very excited. We will leave most of our belongings in the dorms and go back and forth as needed. But for now, I sit here in our house feeling safe and sound.
We will saying "goodbye" to Chimbote and friends on Sunday, and we leave Monday morning for Lima. We will spend one night in Lima, and our return flight is at 11pm on Tuesday evening. We hope to be in Minneapolis around 10:30am on the 21st.....
So our very heart-felt thanks to all who have been sending their prayers for us.....we will be home soon!!
Love to all,
Collette and kids.
After spending 2 lonely, boring days in the dorms, we have decided to return to our home. We had supper at the house last evening, hosted by "aunt Ana" and family. When Mercedes and Tony came home, they came down to see us and it was very emotional......they missed us so much, and we miss them too!
They told us that the assassin's family totally moved out Sunday morning, before the funeral. They are no longer in the city, and so the neighborhood has been very quiet......
Our friend Ted from Colorado attended the funeral yesterday morning with Fr. Jack. It's custom here that the funeral is in the home of the deceased.......now this is gross----Ted said that the body was smelling horrible and his face was all bloating up, nearly breaking the sunglasses that were on him. No embalming here. So it's been like 80's, hot and humid........you do the math. Following the funeral was the usual procession where his friends/family carry the casket above their heads through the streets. When they came past our house, Ted said that they were making the "revenge" signal to our neighbors. Fr. Jack said, "I am just so glad they are out of there now...(meaning us).......at that point, the family was gone, but nobody knew it yet.
SOOOOO.......this morning I had a heart to heart with Fr. Jack and Sr. Peggy, and we will be moving back into our host family's house......everyone is very excited. We will leave most of our belongings in the dorms and go back and forth as needed. But for now, I sit here in our house feeling safe and sound.
We will saying "goodbye" to Chimbote and friends on Sunday, and we leave Monday morning for Lima. We will spend one night in Lima, and our return flight is at 11pm on Tuesday evening. We hope to be in Minneapolis around 10:30am on the 21st.....
So our very heart-felt thanks to all who have been sending their prayers for us.....we will be home soon!!
Love to all,
Collette and kids.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tragedy Update April 10, 2010
Ok. I know a lot of you are wondering what has happened in the last 24 hours or so.
Let me start where I finished off....
After my last blog, I tried and tried to sleep, but to no avail.....there were people walking "with purpose" back and forth outside my window, watching the house of "the shooter." ---again, he lives to our immediate right. I was hearing voices all night.....angry, loud, purposeful. Then I heard the smashing of glass.....they were breaking bottles on the light post outside my window, in front of the shooter's house, and I could make out, "You are dead!" I think I maybe slept for an hour or so. I could only keep envisioning the shooter walking past me, stone-faced, cold-hearted. So sober, so relaxed, just walking past me with his pistol in his right hand, swinging in tune with his walking steps.
The morning came all too early. When we went to the parroquia, (parish) I was approached by Fr. Jack and Sister Peggy, wanting to know what we knew. I told them my side of the story, and what I saw. Jack said he heard 4 shots and went to the roof, hearing the 5th shot as he reached the top. The night watchman (Vanini) pointed out the body, lying still on the ground. Fr. saw his friends pick him up and put him in a taxi to the hospital. Fr. Jack then told me the boy died. I pretty much figured he would, being shot at such close range. I could see the flashes of the shots which were about waist-level.
So, now we have a 22 year old "corrupt" boy who's been killed. The mother, my friend. The sister, our foster daughter. Many people witnessed me holding my little Stephanie, and hugging her mother Isabelle. The wrong people. This is the problem. The "other" wrong people witnessed me comforting the shooter's mother who was having anxiety/heart problems... I was now caught in the middle.
So as Friday played out, I went to afternoon Spanish class as usual. I took the alternative way home from the parish, bought some fry-bread, and was almost home when Brookston met me on the street. I could see the cop's vehicle in front of the neighbor's, and thought now what??!!
Brookston, who appeared quite nervous, was talking very fast and trying to explain to me what had just happened.........the victim's friends had come to our place and were throwing rocks/cement pieces at the shooter's mother....Now she's about 60+ years old and was on her roof to feed her dog. The boys started throwing stones at her. Brookston said one bounced into our foyer and scratched Julio's motorcycle......Brookston also witnessed the "mother" throw a large piece of cement onto the guy below, knocking him down. The police arrived a short time later.
So as I was processing this information, thinking, "my kids just witnessed this violence---for real!!!" Wow. I went into the house, put some sugar on the fry bread, handed it out, and was sitting outside in our foyer talking to my house mom and brother, when we started to hear escalating voices.......off from afar, but too close for comfort...........the hair on my arms stood up as Brinley said, "mom, I think something bad is gonna happen.".......
Just then, a pickup with cops drove by with 3 militant-looking cops standing up in the back of the pickup armed with AK's...(or not...but big rifles, anyways)....They were desperately waving at all the people to get inside for protection. Our whole family ran inside and were in "lock=down" for awhile. Of course, some of us curious ones snuck a peek out the windows......only to see nothing.
When the imminent danger had passed and the riot noise had dissipated, we went outside to process all we had just experienced. The neighborhood was "quiet" for a time, and so we ventured out to Louis Carlos' place to see our MN friends, the Millers....escorted of course by our house mom and brother. We had a nice time. Wilder and Robertito returned later to Louis' house, and walked us home. Wilder then told me that his 4 cop friends were on patrol to keep us safe......Good 'ol Wilder! Always watching out for his "family.....(us)..." He told me the 4 cops that I helped to get reading glasses over a month ago were around keeping us safe. Wilder had brought them to the neighborhood earlier that day, and said, "Please keep my gringo friends safe. They are caught in the middle of danger." Of course they remembered "the tall Gringa" who helped them at the medical post a few weeks ago. So they were patrolling the neighborhood until 7am this morning. Also, Wilder told me that there were undercover policemen in the neighborhood fully armed, watching and waiting for any unrest. So, last night I slept......I went to bed fully aware of the police outside my window.....every noise I heard, I would remind myself, "There are police outside my window...".....and I slept........
This brings us to this morning. Once I awoke and had my 2 cups of coffee, we got ready to go to the parroquia for music lessons. The kids were really excited. When I got to the parish, I found that the man didn't show up, so the kids were very disappointed. Sr. Peggy gave Brinley the home-made violin she so wanted......she told the story of how a man from the parish made it for his daughter and she didn't want to play it.......she then sold it to Sr. Peggy for very little money to feed her family......now, it belongs to Miss Brinley.....Sr. Peggy has passed it on to her little "sweetie." Ok. I cried, a little. Very choked up at the whole story of this violin.
So Sister Peggy had me come into her office and asked that we move into the compound for protection. She gave several good reasons, and stated that she was very worried about us. So I talked to the kids and felt them out for their feelings. It was pretty much unanimous that we continue to stay with our host family......however, Fr. Jack then came into the picture.....
I then visited with Fr. Jack for an hour, listening to his advice...."of course it's your decision, but I think you need to move into here today." He continued, "You are the closest volunteers I have ever had so close to such violence." So I contemplated it for a few minutes, and the boys came into his office and listened to his reasoning.......They were then OK with the idea of making a move to the parroquia....where there's 24/7 guards upstairs and downstairs.
So we went to our family's house, afraid to tell them what the new plan is.....however, they took it well........both Mercedes and Tony, our house mother and brother agreed that it's for the best... that it's not worth putting ourselves in danger for nothing.
Fr. Jack had pointed out that we've had a better experience than any other gringos visiting Chimbote.....we have lived "the life" of the families, witnessed the violence that can occur, and are still safe and sound.....no sense taking any chances....he had explained the customs to us....
When someone dies, they keep the body in the person's house for a vigil.....it's the family's responsibility to provide alcohol for the visitors to keep them there.......so all his friends have been drinking day and night, awaiting his funeral........The funeral won't be until tomorrow (Sunday), which means there is great potential for more unrest in the neighborhood.
He also told us that once the body is in the ground, it's custom to return to the person's home for a "party.".......which can go on for hours and hours......however, he's witness it where the victim's friends wait until he's in the ground and then seek their revenge on the assassin's family. Since this won't be until later tomorrow, it's just another reason to get out while we can.
"Thank you, Fr. Jack".... for making this very difficult decision for us....for me....for my family.
So we returned to our host family's house with very heavy hearts. Our family didn't see it coming, but supported our decision to move to a safer environment. We have left several of our things there, indicating that we will definitely return....... Mercedes will still make us lunch every day, and still do our laundry, but we will no longer be hanging out in the neighborhood after 4pm. Wilder brought the big white van to load our belongings, and he too agreed it's definitely for the best that we get out of there.
So this afternoon, we all moved into the dorms in the compound......it will be an adjustment, but one that is necessary for our safety......we are all very sad, but I am relieved and will sleep well tonight, knowing I have 2 guards guarding us 24/7........
We don't have wireless internet at the parroquia, so we won't be online as much.......We will blog and return emails if the internet is working at the parish....
Love to all, and please keep us in your prayers.
Collette
This morning, I awoke refreshed, the events o
\
Let me start where I finished off....
After my last blog, I tried and tried to sleep, but to no avail.....there were people walking "with purpose" back and forth outside my window, watching the house of "the shooter." ---again, he lives to our immediate right. I was hearing voices all night.....angry, loud, purposeful. Then I heard the smashing of glass.....they were breaking bottles on the light post outside my window, in front of the shooter's house, and I could make out, "You are dead!" I think I maybe slept for an hour or so. I could only keep envisioning the shooter walking past me, stone-faced, cold-hearted. So sober, so relaxed, just walking past me with his pistol in his right hand, swinging in tune with his walking steps.
The morning came all too early. When we went to the parroquia, (parish) I was approached by Fr. Jack and Sister Peggy, wanting to know what we knew. I told them my side of the story, and what I saw. Jack said he heard 4 shots and went to the roof, hearing the 5th shot as he reached the top. The night watchman (Vanini) pointed out the body, lying still on the ground. Fr. saw his friends pick him up and put him in a taxi to the hospital. Fr. Jack then told me the boy died. I pretty much figured he would, being shot at such close range. I could see the flashes of the shots which were about waist-level.
So, now we have a 22 year old "corrupt" boy who's been killed. The mother, my friend. The sister, our foster daughter. Many people witnessed me holding my little Stephanie, and hugging her mother Isabelle. The wrong people. This is the problem. The "other" wrong people witnessed me comforting the shooter's mother who was having anxiety/heart problems... I was now caught in the middle.
So as Friday played out, I went to afternoon Spanish class as usual. I took the alternative way home from the parish, bought some fry-bread, and was almost home when Brookston met me on the street. I could see the cop's vehicle in front of the neighbor's, and thought now what??!!
Brookston, who appeared quite nervous, was talking very fast and trying to explain to me what had just happened.........the victim's friends had come to our place and were throwing rocks/cement pieces at the shooter's mother....Now she's about 60+ years old and was on her roof to feed her dog. The boys started throwing stones at her. Brookston said one bounced into our foyer and scratched Julio's motorcycle......Brookston also witnessed the "mother" throw a large piece of cement onto the guy below, knocking him down. The police arrived a short time later.
So as I was processing this information, thinking, "my kids just witnessed this violence---for real!!!" Wow. I went into the house, put some sugar on the fry bread, handed it out, and was sitting outside in our foyer talking to my house mom and brother, when we started to hear escalating voices.......off from afar, but too close for comfort...........the hair on my arms stood up as Brinley said, "mom, I think something bad is gonna happen.".......
Just then, a pickup with cops drove by with 3 militant-looking cops standing up in the back of the pickup armed with AK's...(or not...but big rifles, anyways)....They were desperately waving at all the people to get inside for protection. Our whole family ran inside and were in "lock=down" for awhile. Of course, some of us curious ones snuck a peek out the windows......only to see nothing.
When the imminent danger had passed and the riot noise had dissipated, we went outside to process all we had just experienced. The neighborhood was "quiet" for a time, and so we ventured out to Louis Carlos' place to see our MN friends, the Millers....escorted of course by our house mom and brother. We had a nice time. Wilder and Robertito returned later to Louis' house, and walked us home. Wilder then told me that his 4 cop friends were on patrol to keep us safe......Good 'ol Wilder! Always watching out for his "family.....(us)..." He told me the 4 cops that I helped to get reading glasses over a month ago were around keeping us safe. Wilder had brought them to the neighborhood earlier that day, and said, "Please keep my gringo friends safe. They are caught in the middle of danger." Of course they remembered "the tall Gringa" who helped them at the medical post a few weeks ago. So they were patrolling the neighborhood until 7am this morning. Also, Wilder told me that there were undercover policemen in the neighborhood fully armed, watching and waiting for any unrest. So, last night I slept......I went to bed fully aware of the police outside my window.....every noise I heard, I would remind myself, "There are police outside my window...".....and I slept........
This brings us to this morning. Once I awoke and had my 2 cups of coffee, we got ready to go to the parroquia for music lessons. The kids were really excited. When I got to the parish, I found that the man didn't show up, so the kids were very disappointed. Sr. Peggy gave Brinley the home-made violin she so wanted......she told the story of how a man from the parish made it for his daughter and she didn't want to play it.......she then sold it to Sr. Peggy for very little money to feed her family......now, it belongs to Miss Brinley.....Sr. Peggy has passed it on to her little "sweetie." Ok. I cried, a little. Very choked up at the whole story of this violin.
So Sister Peggy had me come into her office and asked that we move into the compound for protection. She gave several good reasons, and stated that she was very worried about us. So I talked to the kids and felt them out for their feelings. It was pretty much unanimous that we continue to stay with our host family......however, Fr. Jack then came into the picture.....
I then visited with Fr. Jack for an hour, listening to his advice...."of course it's your decision, but I think you need to move into here today." He continued, "You are the closest volunteers I have ever had so close to such violence." So I contemplated it for a few minutes, and the boys came into his office and listened to his reasoning.......They were then OK with the idea of making a move to the parroquia....where there's 24/7 guards upstairs and downstairs.
So we went to our family's house, afraid to tell them what the new plan is.....however, they took it well........both Mercedes and Tony, our house mother and brother agreed that it's for the best... that it's not worth putting ourselves in danger for nothing.
Fr. Jack had pointed out that we've had a better experience than any other gringos visiting Chimbote.....we have lived "the life" of the families, witnessed the violence that can occur, and are still safe and sound.....no sense taking any chances....he had explained the customs to us....
When someone dies, they keep the body in the person's house for a vigil.....it's the family's responsibility to provide alcohol for the visitors to keep them there.......so all his friends have been drinking day and night, awaiting his funeral........The funeral won't be until tomorrow (Sunday), which means there is great potential for more unrest in the neighborhood.
He also told us that once the body is in the ground, it's custom to return to the person's home for a "party.".......which can go on for hours and hours......however, he's witness it where the victim's friends wait until he's in the ground and then seek their revenge on the assassin's family. Since this won't be until later tomorrow, it's just another reason to get out while we can.
"Thank you, Fr. Jack".... for making this very difficult decision for us....for me....for my family.
So we returned to our host family's house with very heavy hearts. Our family didn't see it coming, but supported our decision to move to a safer environment. We have left several of our things there, indicating that we will definitely return....... Mercedes will still make us lunch every day, and still do our laundry, but we will no longer be hanging out in the neighborhood after 4pm. Wilder brought the big white van to load our belongings, and he too agreed it's definitely for the best that we get out of there.
So this afternoon, we all moved into the dorms in the compound......it will be an adjustment, but one that is necessary for our safety......we are all very sad, but I am relieved and will sleep well tonight, knowing I have 2 guards guarding us 24/7........
We don't have wireless internet at the parroquia, so we won't be online as much.......We will blog and return emails if the internet is working at the parish....
Love to all, and please keep us in your prayers.
Collette
This morning, I awoke refreshed, the events o
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tragedy,-- April 8, 2010
It is with a heavy, sad heart that I write this tonight. Please bear with me, as I process tonight's horrific events.
First of all, I need to go back a few days and blog about the young man who lived 6 blocks from here who was killed. Fr. Jack had just told us that there's not been any killing/violence for almost 2 years between the gangs. Well, Sunday morning, actually at 3am when we were preparing for Easter mass, a young man was shot an killed. His funeral was on Tuesday, and we watched the funeral procession.
Tonight, after supper, I was helping Braeden with some homework. He was doing OK without me, so I sat in a chair to supervise and began reading a book that I started. It's a very exciting murder/mystery, and I was engrossed in the book. I looked up and Braeden was gone, and so I got up to see what time it was. It was 10:30pm....bed check...Brookston, check. Brinley, check. Bridger, check. Braeden........outside. I could see our host mom and dad and brother Tony were out there watching him practice soccer in the street. So I made a cup of coffee and took it outside to tell Braeden it was time to come in for the night.
I was standing on the doorstep, when I heard it. It was like a bomb going off right next to me. I turned my head toward the sound, and then I saw it. A flash. A boom. A flash. A boom. A flash, a boom. Oh my God, someone is shooting a gun! I watched as a young man stumbled backwards, around the corner out of my line of vision. Is this happening? No way. Can't be. This is not real! My immediate thought was, where is Braeden???!!!! Not outside. OK. He's safe. Then it began. Total chaos. People started hollering and running in all directions. I stared to my right, as the shooter began to walk towards us. The incident was only 2 doors down, so it was close. I thought, Really? Seriously? He has a gun in his right hand and he's walking towards us. Nobody is moving. Why isn't anyone moving??!! I then slowly backed into the safety of the foyer, and was going to hide, but my curiosity got the best of me. I looked out the non-window (cut-out in the bricks) and saw him. He was walking very stoic, no facial expression whatsoever. He was 20 feet from me...10, 9, .....he looked at me. He saw me. He was calm. Too calm, I thought. Behind him I then see about 20 people shouting and running after him. He began to run, and they all disappeared around the other corner of our block. I began to walk towards the shooting site. My brother Tony, said, "NO!" I looked at him questioningly, and said, "YES! I am a nurse, and someone has been shot. He is hurt and I need to see if I can help." Tony again said firmly, "NO!" So I'm thinking, What the h***??!! Why not? The shooter is gone! I pleaded with Tony, "Please let me go!" Then my house dad said, "NO! (in spanish, It's too dangerous!)" I stood there totally helpless, shaking. This is not happening. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes, four......then the police arrived.
To my horror, Isabelle gets out of the truck and starts hollering at our neighbor. When I gathered what the issue was, I was literally sick. My heart sank to my stomach. (Isabelle is the mother of my little Stephanie, (10) who we've helped financially over the years.) Isabelle was hysterical and saying that it was her son who was shot. (He's about 22 years old and NOT a good kid.....he and his buddies were standing on the corner harrassing people off and on for the last few weeks. I was physically grabbed twice on Sunday night by them. I had my house dad Julio walk with me to go and get Brinley and Bridger that night). Tonight, they were at it again, and tried to rob my house mom Mercedes just 10 minutes before the boy was shot.
So Isabelle is hysterical and ranting in Spanish, I grabbed her by the arms and said, "Where is Stephanie?!" She opened the back door to the police truck, and there she was. My little, precious Stephanie! She was sobbing. I held out my arms and she grabbed for me, melting into my arms and chest, sobbing. I carried her over to a light post, and I sat on the dirt ground, rocking her and crying with her. It's just not fair! No little child should have to see their brother shot, or should have to go through this! I wiped her tears and tried to tell her everything will be OK, but will it? I don't have any idea. Her brother was pretty much thrown into a taxi right after being shot, and was on his way to the hospital.
As I sat and rocked her, the whole world seemed to pass by with my minimal awareness.....many people running in all directions looking for the shooter. Our immediate next door neighbors being questioned by the police (it was the son of our next door neighbor who was the shooter). The loud sobs of Isabelle, afraid for her son's life, and the friends of the victim, wanting revenge. All I could think of was this precious child in my arms, trusting me and looking to me for hope and comfort.
Isabelle and Stephanie soon left with the police, and I was left there shaking. I had never been so close to a violent crime. How do I begin to process? I need a drink. No, I need two drinks. No, I can't drink. I need to stay clear-headed. I was starting to relax a little, when Tony came in and said, "Can you help? We need your help now!" I thought, "What now??!!" Well, the mother of the shooter (our next door neighbor) was having a panic attack. So I went into their home and did my nursing assessment with what I had.....which was not much! She was breathing very rapidly, and her pulse was racing and thready. OK. Think. What can I do? What do I know?? We located a BP cuff and I took her BP...not too alarming. She had numbness and tingling in her extremeties, and her breathing was labored and rapid. OK. No paper bags. Found a plastic bag and had her breathe into it. Couldn't hurt. As her breathing slowed, her pulse did as well. She began to relax......too much. Oh my God, I can't feel a pulse! There it is, no--it's not....yes it is....Oh crap! What to do next?? There's no 911 to call. Her other sons are here and I am in a very bad situation! BP cuff is gone....no way to check vitals...check CMS...perfusion to feet and hands was minimal. No capillary refill noted. I tried in my best Spanglish to explain to her sons that she needs to go to the hospital. She was rubbing her chest.....Oh my God...she's gonna have a heart attack right here...right now...God, what do I do next? Her son (who is mentally ill) was telling me "no hospital." OK then. Great. Just then, Tony was at the door. "You need to come here now." HUH? NOW? She's not well.....I may need to start CPR. ....."right now." OK, OK....."please excuse me for one minute" I tell them. I exit the door, and Tony practically drags me back to our house. He tells me that the "gang" who now wants revenge on the son/family was at their door and almost in, when someone called for them and they retreated....."Whew! OK. Had enough of this." I was told that her daughter is a nurse and was on her way......THANK YOU GOD!
So I sit here now blogging about this experience, hoping that putting my thoughts and feelings into words will allow me to relax enough to sleep. It's 2:30am and I am wide awake. I hear people outside in the neighborhood talking, and I wonder what they are saying.
I guess tomorrow (or later today) will tell more.....hope to have a progress update on the older lady next door and on the shooting victim.
I know this story seems very scary, and it definately was/is, but I hold my position that this is a pretty safe neighborhood! Everyone looks out for each other. With the exception of those (drunk) young boys on the corner a few times, all has been well. For now, my plan is to walk the other direction to the parroquia (if need be) if it's after 7pm. As always, I will do my best to keep my kids safe. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Until later,
Letty
First of all, I need to go back a few days and blog about the young man who lived 6 blocks from here who was killed. Fr. Jack had just told us that there's not been any killing/violence for almost 2 years between the gangs. Well, Sunday morning, actually at 3am when we were preparing for Easter mass, a young man was shot an killed. His funeral was on Tuesday, and we watched the funeral procession.
Tonight, after supper, I was helping Braeden with some homework. He was doing OK without me, so I sat in a chair to supervise and began reading a book that I started. It's a very exciting murder/mystery, and I was engrossed in the book. I looked up and Braeden was gone, and so I got up to see what time it was. It was 10:30pm....bed check...Brookston, check. Brinley, check. Bridger, check. Braeden........outside. I could see our host mom and dad and brother Tony were out there watching him practice soccer in the street. So I made a cup of coffee and took it outside to tell Braeden it was time to come in for the night.
I was standing on the doorstep, when I heard it. It was like a bomb going off right next to me. I turned my head toward the sound, and then I saw it. A flash. A boom. A flash. A boom. A flash, a boom. Oh my God, someone is shooting a gun! I watched as a young man stumbled backwards, around the corner out of my line of vision. Is this happening? No way. Can't be. This is not real! My immediate thought was, where is Braeden???!!!! Not outside. OK. He's safe. Then it began. Total chaos. People started hollering and running in all directions. I stared to my right, as the shooter began to walk towards us. The incident was only 2 doors down, so it was close. I thought, Really? Seriously? He has a gun in his right hand and he's walking towards us. Nobody is moving. Why isn't anyone moving??!! I then slowly backed into the safety of the foyer, and was going to hide, but my curiosity got the best of me. I looked out the non-window (cut-out in the bricks) and saw him. He was walking very stoic, no facial expression whatsoever. He was 20 feet from me...10, 9, .....he looked at me. He saw me. He was calm. Too calm, I thought. Behind him I then see about 20 people shouting and running after him. He began to run, and they all disappeared around the other corner of our block. I began to walk towards the shooting site. My brother Tony, said, "NO!" I looked at him questioningly, and said, "YES! I am a nurse, and someone has been shot. He is hurt and I need to see if I can help." Tony again said firmly, "NO!" So I'm thinking, What the h***??!! Why not? The shooter is gone! I pleaded with Tony, "Please let me go!" Then my house dad said, "NO! (in spanish, It's too dangerous!)" I stood there totally helpless, shaking. This is not happening. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes, four......then the police arrived.
To my horror, Isabelle gets out of the truck and starts hollering at our neighbor. When I gathered what the issue was, I was literally sick. My heart sank to my stomach. (Isabelle is the mother of my little Stephanie, (10) who we've helped financially over the years.) Isabelle was hysterical and saying that it was her son who was shot. (He's about 22 years old and NOT a good kid.....he and his buddies were standing on the corner harrassing people off and on for the last few weeks. I was physically grabbed twice on Sunday night by them. I had my house dad Julio walk with me to go and get Brinley and Bridger that night). Tonight, they were at it again, and tried to rob my house mom Mercedes just 10 minutes before the boy was shot.
So Isabelle is hysterical and ranting in Spanish, I grabbed her by the arms and said, "Where is Stephanie?!" She opened the back door to the police truck, and there she was. My little, precious Stephanie! She was sobbing. I held out my arms and she grabbed for me, melting into my arms and chest, sobbing. I carried her over to a light post, and I sat on the dirt ground, rocking her and crying with her. It's just not fair! No little child should have to see their brother shot, or should have to go through this! I wiped her tears and tried to tell her everything will be OK, but will it? I don't have any idea. Her brother was pretty much thrown into a taxi right after being shot, and was on his way to the hospital.
As I sat and rocked her, the whole world seemed to pass by with my minimal awareness.....many people running in all directions looking for the shooter. Our immediate next door neighbors being questioned by the police (it was the son of our next door neighbor who was the shooter). The loud sobs of Isabelle, afraid for her son's life, and the friends of the victim, wanting revenge. All I could think of was this precious child in my arms, trusting me and looking to me for hope and comfort.
Isabelle and Stephanie soon left with the police, and I was left there shaking. I had never been so close to a violent crime. How do I begin to process? I need a drink. No, I need two drinks. No, I can't drink. I need to stay clear-headed. I was starting to relax a little, when Tony came in and said, "Can you help? We need your help now!" I thought, "What now??!!" Well, the mother of the shooter (our next door neighbor) was having a panic attack. So I went into their home and did my nursing assessment with what I had.....which was not much! She was breathing very rapidly, and her pulse was racing and thready. OK. Think. What can I do? What do I know?? We located a BP cuff and I took her BP...not too alarming. She had numbness and tingling in her extremeties, and her breathing was labored and rapid. OK. No paper bags. Found a plastic bag and had her breathe into it. Couldn't hurt. As her breathing slowed, her pulse did as well. She began to relax......too much. Oh my God, I can't feel a pulse! There it is, no--it's not....yes it is....Oh crap! What to do next?? There's no 911 to call. Her other sons are here and I am in a very bad situation! BP cuff is gone....no way to check vitals...check CMS...perfusion to feet and hands was minimal. No capillary refill noted. I tried in my best Spanglish to explain to her sons that she needs to go to the hospital. She was rubbing her chest.....Oh my God...she's gonna have a heart attack right here...right now...God, what do I do next? Her son (who is mentally ill) was telling me "no hospital." OK then. Great. Just then, Tony was at the door. "You need to come here now." HUH? NOW? She's not well.....I may need to start CPR. ....."right now." OK, OK....."please excuse me for one minute" I tell them. I exit the door, and Tony practically drags me back to our house. He tells me that the "gang" who now wants revenge on the son/family was at their door and almost in, when someone called for them and they retreated....."Whew! OK. Had enough of this." I was told that her daughter is a nurse and was on her way......THANK YOU GOD!
So I sit here now blogging about this experience, hoping that putting my thoughts and feelings into words will allow me to relax enough to sleep. It's 2:30am and I am wide awake. I hear people outside in the neighborhood talking, and I wonder what they are saying.
I guess tomorrow (or later today) will tell more.....hope to have a progress update on the older lady next door and on the shooting victim.
I know this story seems very scary, and it definately was/is, but I hold my position that this is a pretty safe neighborhood! Everyone looks out for each other. With the exception of those (drunk) young boys on the corner a few times, all has been well. For now, my plan is to walk the other direction to the parroquia (if need be) if it's after 7pm. As always, I will do my best to keep my kids safe. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Until later,
Letty
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April 6, 2010
I can hardly believe yet another week has flown by since I last blogged. The time here is just zipping by SO fast! Holy Week was full of church services galore! Wednesday evening was 3 hours, Thursday evening (foot washing) was 2 hours, Good Friday....well, we didn't make it, but it was an evening mass and it lasted 3 hours. No mass on Saturday, but on Sunday, we got up at 3:30am for a 4am mass. It was outdoors, and there were about 1500 people there. It was 2 1/2 hours long, and Fr. Jack did around 40 baptisms. As mass was concluding, the sun was coming up, and it was just incredible! We were standing there waiting for the final blessing, when 9 white doves flew right over us.....awesome!!
Good Friday is their "holiday" for Easter. Almost everything in town was closed down. I found a market that was open, and bought ingredients for knoephla soup. I made 2 large kettles of it, and it disappeared almost instantly! Braeden had 7 bowls of it, and Bridger had 5!! It tasted different, of course, but was a great try---nobody complained!!
Saturday the kids were all outside playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc......that evening Brookston and Braeden went on a date with 2 girls to a movie. They of course had an adult chaperone, an aunt of the girls.
Sunday after mass, we of course took a nap and then Julio took us out to his family's farm. We were able to see the milk cows that they milk by hand. Braeden decided to milk his one last cow of his "career", and amazed the family with how good he was at it! Then we started exploring the fields. There were vast, lucious asparagas fields. I thought I died and went to heaven! We cut some to bring home to eat........In Peru, they don't eat asparagas.......can you believe it? They only grow it for exporting--they thought I was crazy! We cut down some sugar cane, and the kids were sucking the sugar out of the stalk. Some of the family members climbed some trees and knocked down fresh fruit for us....prickly pear, guava, and some others I can't identify.
On our way in and out of the "farm" territory, there are military guards with rifles guarding the entrance to the fields. This is to keep the "invasions"...or "squatters" from moving in and setting up homes, and also to keep the theives out.
On our way back to the city, we saw people working in the rice fields......now I've never even thought about how rice is harvested.....what a process! We stopped along the road and talked to some people who showed us how they slam the rice stalks onto a rock to get the rice off the plant....to my surprise, it looked like wheat....then they showed us that you have to take the outside "bran" off the grain of rice.....a lot of work! So in this country, where they eat rice with every meal, I would guess there's plenty of work harvesting and preparing the rice!!
Since we are in the desert, we saw how they do irrigation trenches. The water comes from the highlands of the Andes Mountains, flows into a river, and is then routed towards the fields. Pretty incredible. The fields all have trenches between their rows which allows the water to nourish the plants. On our way home, some cops stopped us on the highway. They walked up to the vehicle, and Julio handed them 2 soles.....the cop said, "Oh...Gringos!" and walked away. I was perplexed, as we had done nothing wrong. So here's the scoop.......we already knew the police are corrupt in this country, but I hadn't thought much about what that meant......apparently they just stop people and demand money, or they will write you up for something....kind of their word against yours. My response was...What the H***!!!!!! Can't trust anyone. I mean anyone.
Sunday afternoon I took Brinley and Bridger and 2 of their friends to the movie Dragon. It was in 3D, but of course they didn't have glasses for us. It was also in Spanish, but the kids followed it pretty well....they loved it! Following the movie, for a special Easter treat, we found a pizza place and gorged ourselves on pizza. We brought left-overs home for the rest of the family.
Monday was homework day, me visiting the social workers, and ice cream with Sister Peggy downtown. She had called and wanted to take the kids out for an Easter treat.......it was a nice outing. I signed up for a Spanish class at the University of San Pedro. It's a professor who teaches in Spanish, so my first class was quite taxing on my brain. Today I will do my assignments and return to class at 4pm. The class is only 2 weeks long, and costs 100 soles, or about $30.00. Katina and Bridget, two long-term volunteers at the parish are also taking the class. I'm sad that I won't get to practice much, as we will be leaving in just 2 weeks from today.
So that's pretty much all for now. Will add some pictures soon!
Until next time.......
Collette
Good Friday is their "holiday" for Easter. Almost everything in town was closed down. I found a market that was open, and bought ingredients for knoephla soup. I made 2 large kettles of it, and it disappeared almost instantly! Braeden had 7 bowls of it, and Bridger had 5!! It tasted different, of course, but was a great try---nobody complained!!
Saturday the kids were all outside playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc......that evening Brookston and Braeden went on a date with 2 girls to a movie. They of course had an adult chaperone, an aunt of the girls.
Sunday after mass, we of course took a nap and then Julio took us out to his family's farm. We were able to see the milk cows that they milk by hand. Braeden decided to milk his one last cow of his "career", and amazed the family with how good he was at it! Then we started exploring the fields. There were vast, lucious asparagas fields. I thought I died and went to heaven! We cut some to bring home to eat........In Peru, they don't eat asparagas.......can you believe it? They only grow it for exporting--they thought I was crazy! We cut down some sugar cane, and the kids were sucking the sugar out of the stalk. Some of the family members climbed some trees and knocked down fresh fruit for us....prickly pear, guava, and some others I can't identify.
On our way in and out of the "farm" territory, there are military guards with rifles guarding the entrance to the fields. This is to keep the "invasions"...or "squatters" from moving in and setting up homes, and also to keep the theives out.
On our way back to the city, we saw people working in the rice fields......now I've never even thought about how rice is harvested.....what a process! We stopped along the road and talked to some people who showed us how they slam the rice stalks onto a rock to get the rice off the plant....to my surprise, it looked like wheat....then they showed us that you have to take the outside "bran" off the grain of rice.....a lot of work! So in this country, where they eat rice with every meal, I would guess there's plenty of work harvesting and preparing the rice!!
Since we are in the desert, we saw how they do irrigation trenches. The water comes from the highlands of the Andes Mountains, flows into a river, and is then routed towards the fields. Pretty incredible. The fields all have trenches between their rows which allows the water to nourish the plants. On our way home, some cops stopped us on the highway. They walked up to the vehicle, and Julio handed them 2 soles.....the cop said, "Oh...Gringos!" and walked away. I was perplexed, as we had done nothing wrong. So here's the scoop.......we already knew the police are corrupt in this country, but I hadn't thought much about what that meant......apparently they just stop people and demand money, or they will write you up for something....kind of their word against yours. My response was...What the H***!!!!!! Can't trust anyone. I mean anyone.
Sunday afternoon I took Brinley and Bridger and 2 of their friends to the movie Dragon. It was in 3D, but of course they didn't have glasses for us. It was also in Spanish, but the kids followed it pretty well....they loved it! Following the movie, for a special Easter treat, we found a pizza place and gorged ourselves on pizza. We brought left-overs home for the rest of the family.
Monday was homework day, me visiting the social workers, and ice cream with Sister Peggy downtown. She had called and wanted to take the kids out for an Easter treat.......it was a nice outing. I signed up for a Spanish class at the University of San Pedro. It's a professor who teaches in Spanish, so my first class was quite taxing on my brain. Today I will do my assignments and return to class at 4pm. The class is only 2 weeks long, and costs 100 soles, or about $30.00. Katina and Bridget, two long-term volunteers at the parish are also taking the class. I'm sad that I won't get to practice much, as we will be leaving in just 2 weeks from today.
So that's pretty much all for now. Will add some pictures soon!
Until next time.......
Collette
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 30, 2010
Not much has happened in the last few days since I blogged. Brinley is feeling better, but the poor thing is SO sick of rice! She almost cried at the lunch table today when Mercedes served stir-fried cabbage, carrots, peppers and onions over rice. Everyone liked it and ate it, but poor Brin just left the table and sat outside reading her book. I was going to make her a fried egg sandwich, but we were out of eggs. Mercedes felt bad and went and bought 4 eggs from the neighbors. I made her a sandwich, and she scarfed it down with some canned peaches. She is really slimming down between the poor appetite and increased activity. Even my boys have noticed and complimented her!
Homework seems to be the hot topic for yesterday and today. The kids are somewhat behind, and have become a little lazy and unfocused. Braeden is working hard finally at catching up. Brinley is caught up, and found a book at Fr. Jack's gringo room. It's called "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." It must be good, because she hasn't put it down much for the past 2 days.
I read the book "Water for Elephants.".....a phenomenal book. Anyone who works in Long Term Care should definately read it! I got a pedicure last evening. What an experience that was. Seriously, I soaked my feet in a basin with a garbage bag in it. Well, they do what they can with what they have! It took over an hour, and cost me only $7! I also had Walter, a reflexologist and massage therapist work on my neck/shoulders last evening. I got a 1 1/2 hour treatment for ....you won't believe it......$10.00!!! Today I am without a headache.
I was at the Medical Post this morning working. I saw the 14 year old I blogged about earlier, who just gave birth. Turns out she had a C-section. She was crying and in a lot of pain. Please understand, that in Peru, pain medication is not really utilized like in the States. So she's had nothing post-op for pain. When I removed her bandages, I expected to see an infected incision site. To my surprise, it was very clean. Dr. Luis came in, looked at it, and walked out. I cleaned the wound and re-bandaged it. Then, with my best "Spang-lish", I tried to instruct her about massaging her abdomen. Her uterus was boggy, and so I made her more miserable by massaging her uterus and showing her how it needs to feel like a hard ball inside. This little girl, age 14, just a child herself is on her own--now with a baby to care for. It's just SO SAD!!!
The young man with the stab wounds was also in today. I was the assistant again for Dr. Luis to check the wounds. We took out several stitches. Just as an example, the laceration to his upper shoulder blade--about 4 inches long, only had 3 stitches in it! Now any nurse or medical person reading this will know what I saw next.....Dr. Luis took out the 3 stitches and I saw clear down to the muscle. He was moving the flesh around and it was separated from the muscle. Yep. Good 'ole nurse that I am, about hit the floor when he started screaming in pain!!! But the miracle part is that I don't see any infection starting in any of the wounds......they are doing something right!!
Monique and her group went up into the mountains to another village today. They will return on Thursday and leave already on Friday. Wilder is with them, along with a few kids from the choir.
So this is Holy week, and I learned today that there's no Saturday evening mass......The mass is actually on Sunday at 3:30 AM!!!!! This will be yet another great cultural experience for us!! The kids are already whining about it.......oh well......heard it's quite expectacular!!
Well, gotta go. Need to go downtown to find a color printer to print off some photos. My friend Patricia is doing some sketches for some of my friends.
Until Next Time,
Collette
Homework seems to be the hot topic for yesterday and today. The kids are somewhat behind, and have become a little lazy and unfocused. Braeden is working hard finally at catching up. Brinley is caught up, and found a book at Fr. Jack's gringo room. It's called "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." It must be good, because she hasn't put it down much for the past 2 days.
I read the book "Water for Elephants.".....a phenomenal book. Anyone who works in Long Term Care should definately read it! I got a pedicure last evening. What an experience that was. Seriously, I soaked my feet in a basin with a garbage bag in it. Well, they do what they can with what they have! It took over an hour, and cost me only $7! I also had Walter, a reflexologist and massage therapist work on my neck/shoulders last evening. I got a 1 1/2 hour treatment for ....you won't believe it......$10.00!!! Today I am without a headache.
I was at the Medical Post this morning working. I saw the 14 year old I blogged about earlier, who just gave birth. Turns out she had a C-section. She was crying and in a lot of pain. Please understand, that in Peru, pain medication is not really utilized like in the States. So she's had nothing post-op for pain. When I removed her bandages, I expected to see an infected incision site. To my surprise, it was very clean. Dr. Luis came in, looked at it, and walked out. I cleaned the wound and re-bandaged it. Then, with my best "Spang-lish", I tried to instruct her about massaging her abdomen. Her uterus was boggy, and so I made her more miserable by massaging her uterus and showing her how it needs to feel like a hard ball inside. This little girl, age 14, just a child herself is on her own--now with a baby to care for. It's just SO SAD!!!
The young man with the stab wounds was also in today. I was the assistant again for Dr. Luis to check the wounds. We took out several stitches. Just as an example, the laceration to his upper shoulder blade--about 4 inches long, only had 3 stitches in it! Now any nurse or medical person reading this will know what I saw next.....Dr. Luis took out the 3 stitches and I saw clear down to the muscle. He was moving the flesh around and it was separated from the muscle. Yep. Good 'ole nurse that I am, about hit the floor when he started screaming in pain!!! But the miracle part is that I don't see any infection starting in any of the wounds......they are doing something right!!
Monique and her group went up into the mountains to another village today. They will return on Thursday and leave already on Friday. Wilder is with them, along with a few kids from the choir.
So this is Holy week, and I learned today that there's no Saturday evening mass......The mass is actually on Sunday at 3:30 AM!!!!! This will be yet another great cultural experience for us!! The kids are already whining about it.......oh well......heard it's quite expectacular!!
Well, gotta go. Need to go downtown to find a color printer to print off some photos. My friend Patricia is doing some sketches for some of my friends.
Until Next Time,
Collette
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 29th
Yesterday was the big day for the "walk of faith". We got up at 5:30am, got ready to go, and met at the church by 6:30. Fr. Jack, Brookston, Braeden, Bridger and myself along with 3 otheres from the parish took the van to the base of the mountain and began our "walk". All along the way we had "stations" where there's a cross, signifying the stations of the cross similating Jesus's crucifiction. It was about a 3 hour walk up the mountain, twisting and climbing as we went along. It was really hot, and there were about 2500 people on the trek. As we neared the top, there was a breeze which helped a lot! When we got to the church, they had a re-enactment by some kids of the crucifiction. It was pretty real, and quite surreal to be honest. We then had mass for all, and started our decent. It only took the kids and myself 40 minutes to make it down the mountain back to the van. When we got there, (ahead of the rest), we waited for 30 minutes for them to get there. Of course, we had NO shade, so there we sat in the hot desert sand/rocks waiting for their arrival. We were back at the paroquia (parish) by 1:30pm.
The gringos from Fargo arrived at 3:30pm. Monique, bless her soul, brought a football for the boys. They practically unpacked her bags for her so they could get it! THANKS MONIQUE!!
Last evening we had a palm Sunday procession starting 7 blocks away from the church. We had a donkey with a "Jesus" and around 100 people in the procession. We got to the church, and to my surprise, the donkey and "Jesus" proceeded up the aisle to the altar. It was really awesome to see. Sometime during the mass, I needed to be excused, and was outside. Braeden and Bridger followed me. We were sitting on a cement bench in the garden, when all of a sudden people started running out of the church, and running out of the homes all along the paroquia. I was like, "what on earth is going on?" People were in panic mode, and looking up at the buildings when it dawned on me that our bench had been moving. I had chalked it up to the kids playing around and moving the bench, so I didn't really notice much, but when we discovered that we couldn't even budge the bench we knew instantly that we had partaken in an earthquake.
Fr. Jack continued with the mass, and all was well, luckily. Panic set in for me when I realized what was going on, and Brookston and Brinley were still in the church. I said a few quick prayers and left their fate up to God......I felt so helpless and panic=stricken. Wilder later told us that when it's windy here, there's usually an earthquake tremor of sorts, and then the wind stops. That's exactly what happened.
Today, we took 400+ people to Vesique Beach. Ron Stensgard and family arranged for the 6 large buses and all the food to be taken to the beach. The families from the soup kitchens were the guests for the day. Despite our slathered-on sun-screen, Bridger and I managed to get burned. The beach was gorgeous as always, but today it was very windy after lunch. I was a little nervous tonight about another tremor, but none so far.....the kids had a lot of fun.
Everyone hit their beds tonight early from their long 2 days of exercise and excitement. Tomorrow will be back to "normal".....school work for the kids, and myself working at the medical post.........time is sure flying by fast! Tonight my house dad, Julio, told me that he's going to be very sad when we leave. He's gotten pretty attached to us, and loves kids. He asked if we wanted to stay for a year............I won't divulge my answer to that! LOL!!
Until next time......
CM
The gringos from Fargo arrived at 3:30pm. Monique, bless her soul, brought a football for the boys. They practically unpacked her bags for her so they could get it! THANKS MONIQUE!!
Last evening we had a palm Sunday procession starting 7 blocks away from the church. We had a donkey with a "Jesus" and around 100 people in the procession. We got to the church, and to my surprise, the donkey and "Jesus" proceeded up the aisle to the altar. It was really awesome to see. Sometime during the mass, I needed to be excused, and was outside. Braeden and Bridger followed me. We were sitting on a cement bench in the garden, when all of a sudden people started running out of the church, and running out of the homes all along the paroquia. I was like, "what on earth is going on?" People were in panic mode, and looking up at the buildings when it dawned on me that our bench had been moving. I had chalked it up to the kids playing around and moving the bench, so I didn't really notice much, but when we discovered that we couldn't even budge the bench we knew instantly that we had partaken in an earthquake.
Fr. Jack continued with the mass, and all was well, luckily. Panic set in for me when I realized what was going on, and Brookston and Brinley were still in the church. I said a few quick prayers and left their fate up to God......I felt so helpless and panic=stricken. Wilder later told us that when it's windy here, there's usually an earthquake tremor of sorts, and then the wind stops. That's exactly what happened.
Today, we took 400+ people to Vesique Beach. Ron Stensgard and family arranged for the 6 large buses and all the food to be taken to the beach. The families from the soup kitchens were the guests for the day. Despite our slathered-on sun-screen, Bridger and I managed to get burned. The beach was gorgeous as always, but today it was very windy after lunch. I was a little nervous tonight about another tremor, but none so far.....the kids had a lot of fun.
Everyone hit their beds tonight early from their long 2 days of exercise and excitement. Tomorrow will be back to "normal".....school work for the kids, and myself working at the medical post.........time is sure flying by fast! Tonight my house dad, Julio, told me that he's going to be very sad when we leave. He's gotten pretty attached to us, and loves kids. He asked if we wanted to stay for a year............I won't divulge my answer to that! LOL!!
Until next time......
CM
Friday, March 26, 2010
March 26, 2010
Today was a very emotionally charged day. I spent the entire morning at La Caleta, a government-run hospital near the harbor. This place was nowhere near an inhabitable hospital setting. The rooms had anywhere from 6-8 people in them. No TVs, no bathrooms. The beds were old, decrepit, rusty things with orange plastic mattresses. No sheets. No pillows. Maybe a blanket if they brought one from home. I visited Carmen, a woman I saw yesterday at the medical post who was pregnant and leaking fluid. She gave birth around 2am. For these new moms, nothing special. Again, no sheets--no pillows.......
There was a 14 year old girl who had just delivered a baby. No support system, no family. She has to work the streets to make money to survive. Most of these young girls are now being diagnosed with HIV when they test positive for pregnancy.
I spent an hour with the doctor and nurse who oversee the SIDA, or AIDS program. It is just SO sad! I saw the registery of people who are registed as having AIDS. Most of them are ages 16-35. There's an equal amount of men and women by my estimation. I saw very young people coming in for their meds and other treatments. My heart was just sick. With meds, their life expectancy is only up to 5 years because of the poor conditions here. Without meds, only about 1 year from diagnosis to death. The government is supplying medications to those who have HIV/AIDS through a World Fund. This will only be for about the next 2 years, and the funds are projected to run out. There is nothing in place in Peru to continue the programs. Chimbote has a very large gay population, and a very large prostitution rate. Education is scant, and those who have the disease are considered "outcasts". They do not utilize the hospital for their care, as they are shunned by staff. So they are taken care of by outreach workers from our Hospice facility here at Fr. Jack's.
On my way out, there was another young teenager in labor in the hallway about to give birth. Nobody was helping her except for some family members rubbing her back. She was crying, and the desperation on her face was heartbreaking. We also visited a little girl from Wilder's neighborhood. She's 18 months old and fell onto a boiling pot of water in her estera home. Her hands are severely burned almost up to her elbows. They are hoping to save her hands, however the healthcare is SO poor there, I believe if she doesn't die of infection, she will be incapacitated for life.
Yesterday when I was working at the medical post, a young man came in for dressing changes. He had been attacked on Saturday with a knife by someone who stole his shoes.....Adidas, in fact. He has a 7 inch laceration to his lower leg, a 5 inch laceration to his right shoulder blade, and a 4 inch laceration/stab wound to his left side. Dr. Luis had stitched him up on Saturday, and we did the dressing changes for him. The medical care at Santa Ana is outstanding compared to that of the hospital.
Braeden is doing much better. He woke up yesterday with "life" in him and has been eating. I would say he's about normal now. They worked at Kelvin's this morning at the wood working shop.
Tomorrow we will meet at the church at 6am for the "Walk of Faith" procession. It's anticipated that 2-3000 people will make the trek up the mountain to the church on the hill. Brinley has chosen not to attend and will go to Nuevo Chimbote with Luis Carlos tomorrow. Luis is working on getting a teaching job there. She has enjoyed spending time with "Luigie"---he's helping her with some of her homework. She remembers him well from when he lived with us for 3 months, so I am comfortable with this friendship.
Monique Moser is scheduled to arrive around 2pm or so. The kids are very excited! They hope she had enough room to pack a football for them!
Well, enough for now. I need to pack the backpacks with water and snacks, find the sunscreen, and find our sneakers, as tomorrow morning will arrive very soon.
Love to all,
Collette
There was a 14 year old girl who had just delivered a baby. No support system, no family. She has to work the streets to make money to survive. Most of these young girls are now being diagnosed with HIV when they test positive for pregnancy.
I spent an hour with the doctor and nurse who oversee the SIDA, or AIDS program. It is just SO sad! I saw the registery of people who are registed as having AIDS. Most of them are ages 16-35. There's an equal amount of men and women by my estimation. I saw very young people coming in for their meds and other treatments. My heart was just sick. With meds, their life expectancy is only up to 5 years because of the poor conditions here. Without meds, only about 1 year from diagnosis to death. The government is supplying medications to those who have HIV/AIDS through a World Fund. This will only be for about the next 2 years, and the funds are projected to run out. There is nothing in place in Peru to continue the programs. Chimbote has a very large gay population, and a very large prostitution rate. Education is scant, and those who have the disease are considered "outcasts". They do not utilize the hospital for their care, as they are shunned by staff. So they are taken care of by outreach workers from our Hospice facility here at Fr. Jack's.
On my way out, there was another young teenager in labor in the hallway about to give birth. Nobody was helping her except for some family members rubbing her back. She was crying, and the desperation on her face was heartbreaking. We also visited a little girl from Wilder's neighborhood. She's 18 months old and fell onto a boiling pot of water in her estera home. Her hands are severely burned almost up to her elbows. They are hoping to save her hands, however the healthcare is SO poor there, I believe if she doesn't die of infection, she will be incapacitated for life.
Yesterday when I was working at the medical post, a young man came in for dressing changes. He had been attacked on Saturday with a knife by someone who stole his shoes.....Adidas, in fact. He has a 7 inch laceration to his lower leg, a 5 inch laceration to his right shoulder blade, and a 4 inch laceration/stab wound to his left side. Dr. Luis had stitched him up on Saturday, and we did the dressing changes for him. The medical care at Santa Ana is outstanding compared to that of the hospital.
Braeden is doing much better. He woke up yesterday with "life" in him and has been eating. I would say he's about normal now. They worked at Kelvin's this morning at the wood working shop.
Tomorrow we will meet at the church at 6am for the "Walk of Faith" procession. It's anticipated that 2-3000 people will make the trek up the mountain to the church on the hill. Brinley has chosen not to attend and will go to Nuevo Chimbote with Luis Carlos tomorrow. Luis is working on getting a teaching job there. She has enjoyed spending time with "Luigie"---he's helping her with some of her homework. She remembers him well from when he lived with us for 3 months, so I am comfortable with this friendship.
Monique Moser is scheduled to arrive around 2pm or so. The kids are very excited! They hope she had enough room to pack a football for them!
Well, enough for now. I need to pack the backpacks with water and snacks, find the sunscreen, and find our sneakers, as tomorrow morning will arrive very soon.
Love to all,
Collette
By Brookston for Spanish Class
hola mi amigos, and hunter
on monday we went to trujillo another town in peru. it is the second best sruffing beach in the world and the resturant that we ate at was on the beach i looked like a screen saver. while in trujillo we went to chanchan the oldest ruins in south america they were 1000 years pre inca or somthing. we tuwerd the palace and it was about the sieze of edgeley it was huge good thing we had a guide or we would have got lost but the tour guide said that there was only 1 percent excivated so it was a huge empior. Braeden got sick while we were there so we had to go home early he was pucking on the bus it was not good. so now i am the only one who hasnt got sick yet. on tuseday we went to a swimming pool in new chimbote it was big and we went at night so there was nobody els. me bridger and braeden are going to kelvins a wood working factory/zoo.
we made beds and today we had to sand 20 chairs by hand ant the varnish them it took forever. tomorow we are going to walk up a mountain with 2000 people for good friday i don't know why it is on saturday and not firday. sunday we are going to the beach with 500 people whe work in the soup kitchen so that will be fun.
well thats all so i will rite next week.
adios
on monday we went to trujillo another town in peru. it is the second best sruffing beach in the world and the resturant that we ate at was on the beach i looked like a screen saver. while in trujillo we went to chanchan the oldest ruins in south america they were 1000 years pre inca or somthing. we tuwerd the palace and it was about the sieze of edgeley it was huge good thing we had a guide or we would have got lost but the tour guide said that there was only 1 percent excivated so it was a huge empior. Braeden got sick while we were there so we had to go home early he was pucking on the bus it was not good. so now i am the only one who hasnt got sick yet. on tuseday we went to a swimming pool in new chimbote it was big and we went at night so there was nobody els. me bridger and braeden are going to kelvins a wood working factory/zoo.
we made beds and today we had to sand 20 chairs by hand ant the varnish them it took forever. tomorow we are going to walk up a mountain with 2000 people for good friday i don't know why it is on saturday and not firday. sunday we are going to the beach with 500 people whe work in the soup kitchen so that will be fun.
well thats all so i will rite next week.
adios
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March 24, 2010 by Collette
WOW.....nearly one month already! Time is just flying by! Braeden has "it" now too....I call it the "it" b/c we don't really have a name for it. High fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. We went to Trujillo (2 hours north by bus) on Monday to see Chan Chan, which is an entire city buried in the sand, discovered in the 1940's. They have excavated and preserved one of 5 palaces, and so we toured the one on display....what an awesome experience! The empire dates back 1000 years PRE-inca, so the 1200-1400's...........
After our tour, we went to Juanchancho, a town nearby. This is where the re-nowned 2nd-best surf waves in the world are located. WOW.....I mean WOW....they were HUGE! The kids played on the beach while we waited for our lunch...........this is when Braeden became ill. He didn't eat, so this was my first clue he wasn't feeling well. He tried octopus, or calamari, and that was about it. We then went downtown to the center to see the government buildings, and it was apparent that Braeden wouldn't last the day. We went back to the bus station and got on our way back to Chimbote.......Braeden, poor guy, emptied his stomach 2 times on the bus. Of course, no bathroom on this one!!! He has been sick ever since. Today, no vomiting or diarrhea, but extreme weakness and dizziness. Wilder and I will take him to the Dr. tomorrow AM if he's not snapped out of it yet......he's been on the bactrim, and fever is gone, but lethargy and dizziness remain.......
Tuesday was filled with activities. After morning studies, Brookston and Bridger went to Kelvin's "Fundo".....carpentry shop and helped to make beds and chairs......Bridger was the "glue" man, and Brookston was chiseling the wooden ends of furniture pieces. Pretty cute.
I met with Sr., Juanita at the Hospice, and we talked for a great length.......I am now in contact with Liliana, who will set me up working with the SIDAs patients, or AIDS in English. Friday will be my first day. Tomorrow will be filled with working at the medical post (Santa Ana) giving immunizations and organizing the medical supplies. In the afternoon, helping Judy move her social work office and meds to the new Wimbush building. Evening meeting with my artist friends at their home.
Brinley and Bridger went to the prevention center today, and will be doing this daily around 3:30pm to about 6pm. There are American Gringos in charge of helping at the center, so the kids go with them.
Monique Moser is to arrive on Saturday around 2pm per my understanding. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival, ready to welcome her to our new Peruvian Lifestyle. She used to babysit the kids, so this will be a really rewarding experience for all of us! The boys have summoned her to bring down an American football.....which we have not been able to locate anywhere in this country!! LOL......
Today I met with all 4 kids and asked them about leaving early....like right after Easter Sunday. Nobody wants to go home early. This is VERY surprising to me, since Braeden is ill and Bridger is "bored" and "misses his English TV shows!!" LOL.....Since I have to change our return flight home, I will only pay the fee once, so thus far, we will be staying as planned until around the 20th.
Will post more as we go along!
Thanks for all your prayers and comments!
Love to all,
Collette
After our tour, we went to Juanchancho, a town nearby. This is where the re-nowned 2nd-best surf waves in the world are located. WOW.....I mean WOW....they were HUGE! The kids played on the beach while we waited for our lunch...........this is when Braeden became ill. He didn't eat, so this was my first clue he wasn't feeling well. He tried octopus, or calamari, and that was about it. We then went downtown to the center to see the government buildings, and it was apparent that Braeden wouldn't last the day. We went back to the bus station and got on our way back to Chimbote.......Braeden, poor guy, emptied his stomach 2 times on the bus. Of course, no bathroom on this one!!! He has been sick ever since. Today, no vomiting or diarrhea, but extreme weakness and dizziness. Wilder and I will take him to the Dr. tomorrow AM if he's not snapped out of it yet......he's been on the bactrim, and fever is gone, but lethargy and dizziness remain.......
Tuesday was filled with activities. After morning studies, Brookston and Bridger went to Kelvin's "Fundo".....carpentry shop and helped to make beds and chairs......Bridger was the "glue" man, and Brookston was chiseling the wooden ends of furniture pieces. Pretty cute.
I met with Sr., Juanita at the Hospice, and we talked for a great length.......I am now in contact with Liliana, who will set me up working with the SIDAs patients, or AIDS in English. Friday will be my first day. Tomorrow will be filled with working at the medical post (Santa Ana) giving immunizations and organizing the medical supplies. In the afternoon, helping Judy move her social work office and meds to the new Wimbush building. Evening meeting with my artist friends at their home.
Brinley and Bridger went to the prevention center today, and will be doing this daily around 3:30pm to about 6pm. There are American Gringos in charge of helping at the center, so the kids go with them.
Monique Moser is to arrive on Saturday around 2pm per my understanding. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival, ready to welcome her to our new Peruvian Lifestyle. She used to babysit the kids, so this will be a really rewarding experience for all of us! The boys have summoned her to bring down an American football.....which we have not been able to locate anywhere in this country!! LOL......
Today I met with all 4 kids and asked them about leaving early....like right after Easter Sunday. Nobody wants to go home early. This is VERY surprising to me, since Braeden is ill and Bridger is "bored" and "misses his English TV shows!!" LOL.....Since I have to change our return flight home, I will only pay the fee once, so thus far, we will be staying as planned until around the 20th.
Will post more as we go along!
Thanks for all your prayers and comments!
Love to all,
Collette
Sunday, March 21, 2010
My Side of This Story By:Brinley Mathern
Ok, Mom said when she was reading Brookston's part that she was so embarrased in his spelling. Now my side of this story. Ok, I'll start at this so i haven't wrote yet because I met so many people :like Lesly (9) , Danna(14) ,Fiorella (14), Yasmin (13 I think), Harey ( 14) , Pattrick( 6), Stephine (10), Cristen (12), Dego (8) , Jude(11), Oscar (12) and, Javiar (14) and they are so good at Volleyball and Soccer.We been here for 24 days and 3 weeks and 3 days. It is the 21 of March and I miss my whole class and my grandpa, grandma and, my father, but I'm having a lot of fun down here. My brothers are the same . The 13 of March was Brookston's B-day and celebrated in the darkness! It was so fun. I did not sleep last night people were playing loud music. The LAMA Group was here and I helped them with the patients. We went swimming 2 times we were here and one was with Liz (moms friend). She took Bridger and I to the pool (I bet you are wondering were Brookston and Braeden were at-- Adian's house then at the pool with us but they bugged us so much Liz and Bridger and I went some were else and Adian stayed with the boys. Liz took us to the boats and fed the fish and we road in a boat. Then, went to drive the 4-wheelers . I noticed the money here is different then ours it is in Soles and centimos. Thats it for now and thats my side of the story.
Friday, March 19, 2010
spanish class
i learned alot of new spanish word like
bano is bathroom
beber is drink
luago is later
donde estas where are u
the thing i dont like is sleeping
i like to play volly ball with the kids they are trying to teach me how to play soccer and kick the ball properly its alot harder then it looks on tv.
got the ball stuck on the roof like 5 times.
my favorite food is lomo sentado i might have spelled it wrong.
civeche is disgusting it is raw fish cooked by lemon citrus
cuy is ok it task like rost beef. ttyl chau
bano is bathroom
beber is drink
luago is later
donde estas where are u
the thing i dont like is sleeping
i like to play volly ball with the kids they are trying to teach me how to play soccer and kick the ball properly its alot harder then it looks on tv.
got the ball stuck on the roof like 5 times.
my favorite food is lomo sentado i might have spelled it wrong.
civeche is disgusting it is raw fish cooked by lemon citrus
cuy is ok it task like rost beef. ttyl chau
SPANISH CLASS
having fun here it is about 85 degrees here every day. whent to the pool and we werent alowed to swim in the 9 ft water with out a head cap and gogles it was stupid so we had to stay in the 3 ft water. they said we could go in later if we could swim so breaded said he could swim and when the gut told him to swim to the other side he did but did a cross between a doggy padly and what ever michle phelps dose. so we couldnt swim there. on saturday we have to go teach a bounch of girls how to play basketball one speaks english like i speak spanish so preety poorly the other dont understand a single word of english so it will be dificult. bridger was sick on tuesday he is feeling better now. i want to go to the guns and roses concert i lima on the 25th but all the tickets are sold out. there is a camra crew here doing a dvd about the missions and we might get to be in it trying to teach people how to play basket ball . then a holly wood producer will see me and i will be a big movie star and make alot money. thats the plan any ways. well talk to you later hellow to everyone adiose.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 16th, by Collette
WOW. It's already been a WEEK since I posted last! Well, some of you may know I've been sick.....err----on my death bed, one would think! Severe diarrhea, vomiting from the cramping pain, and dehydration. Was taking Cipro, and was feeling better, when I got a horrible sinus infection! Stayed on the Cipro, but to no avail. Saw Dr. Luis yesterday.....cost me 4 soles, or about $1.30 which included a Z-pak!!! Lucky for me, the gringos from the LAMA group from the states have all kinds of drugs here for our medical mission.....we found pseudofed....the REAL kind, and I started that yesterday as well. Felt pretty good today, then tonight it's the stomach again..........UGH!!!!! There have been a few gringos "down" with this as well......Dr. Ed has been in bed all day with it! So Bridger had a VERY high fever during the night, was delerious, and near convulsions. I crushed tylenol and put in jelly to try to get the fever down......fever kept rising, so I cold-packed him in bed.....got it down somewhat and waited it out. An American Dr. came to see him this morning, and we started him on his bactrim, G2 electrolytes, and Tylenol. Diarrhea and vomiting set in, it was a day! POOR kid! Finally got some Ibuprofen from the LAMA group, which brought his fever down in no time. He has been laying around all day.
The other kids have been feeling OK. Brinley's cold is resolving and the 2 big boys are cocky, thinking they won't get anything! Hmmmmmmm...........
So I was able to put in some hours at the medical post yesterday and today, when I could.
I was a "floater" or the nurse "go-fer".....which allowed me flexibility with my illness and the kids'. We have handed out hundreds and hundreds of lice kits. SO glad I have the preventive spray! I also have been giving everyone age 3 and up a dose of parasite med. Whoever comes in, gets the med and the lice treatment....(they take the treatment home).
Dr. Jeff Lystad from Fargo is here, and has been keeping tabs on things. He has 2 of his adult kids here too, who are med students. We have definately been busy, when we aren't "confined" to a bed or the bathroom!!
We had a nice time at Adrian's (choir) house for Brookston's BDay on Saturday. The choir surprised him by cooking a lucious meal of chicken, rice, and you got it---potatoes!! :-)
That evening, we had no power on our block, so Brookston had to cut his cake by candle light. It was awesome cake! I went to bed very early, and the kids and house family all played games via candle light, told stories, and danced to the music! They were loud and having a lot of fun, and I just couldn't even lift my head! Sorry Brooks! However, Brinley told me they had more fun w/o me cuz they could act goofy and jump on the furniture!..............
Sunday I was feeling "a little bit better" and needed to get my kaboodle out of the house......so the kids and I, brother Tony, and cousins Oscar and Javier went to Los Pinos, a park with a swimming pool. They swam while I tried to bake the crap out of my head......Church Sunday night was awesome with the 40 new gringos here.......
The boys each have a "girlfriend" so to speak....or at least one that they each like. Thank God it's not the same girl! LOL.....they are sweet kids....I might have trouble getting them to come home.....Brinley also has a severe crush on a boy, so we shall see how this all plays out!
Bridger just dodges everyone......he walks by and they touch and squeeze on him and say, "gringito"! Means cute little gringo......
So that's it pretty much in a nut shell. We don't see too much of Wilder, b/c he's running around wild running for needed supplies, water, etc.......next week things will be quiet again!
Just hope everyone is feeling up to par!!!! WE HAVE LOTS TO DO YET!!!!
PLEASE NOTE----it's so much easier for me to put photos on facebook. We have hundreds on FB under my account.....Collette Mathern. Just request me as a friend, and you can view them all with their comments. Go to www.facebook.com to sign up! It's free!! LOL...
Love to all,
Collette
The other kids have been feeling OK. Brinley's cold is resolving and the 2 big boys are cocky, thinking they won't get anything! Hmmmmmmm...........
So I was able to put in some hours at the medical post yesterday and today, when I could.
I was a "floater" or the nurse "go-fer".....which allowed me flexibility with my illness and the kids'. We have handed out hundreds and hundreds of lice kits. SO glad I have the preventive spray! I also have been giving everyone age 3 and up a dose of parasite med. Whoever comes in, gets the med and the lice treatment....(they take the treatment home).
Dr. Jeff Lystad from Fargo is here, and has been keeping tabs on things. He has 2 of his adult kids here too, who are med students. We have definately been busy, when we aren't "confined" to a bed or the bathroom!!
We had a nice time at Adrian's (choir) house for Brookston's BDay on Saturday. The choir surprised him by cooking a lucious meal of chicken, rice, and you got it---potatoes!! :-)
That evening, we had no power on our block, so Brookston had to cut his cake by candle light. It was awesome cake! I went to bed very early, and the kids and house family all played games via candle light, told stories, and danced to the music! They were loud and having a lot of fun, and I just couldn't even lift my head! Sorry Brooks! However, Brinley told me they had more fun w/o me cuz they could act goofy and jump on the furniture!..............
Sunday I was feeling "a little bit better" and needed to get my kaboodle out of the house......so the kids and I, brother Tony, and cousins Oscar and Javier went to Los Pinos, a park with a swimming pool. They swam while I tried to bake the crap out of my head......Church Sunday night was awesome with the 40 new gringos here.......
The boys each have a "girlfriend" so to speak....or at least one that they each like. Thank God it's not the same girl! LOL.....they are sweet kids....I might have trouble getting them to come home.....Brinley also has a severe crush on a boy, so we shall see how this all plays out!
Bridger just dodges everyone......he walks by and they touch and squeeze on him and say, "gringito"! Means cute little gringo......
So that's it pretty much in a nut shell. We don't see too much of Wilder, b/c he's running around wild running for needed supplies, water, etc.......next week things will be quiet again!
Just hope everyone is feeling up to par!!!! WE HAVE LOTS TO DO YET!!!!
PLEASE NOTE----it's so much easier for me to put photos on facebook. We have hundreds on FB under my account.....Collette Mathern. Just request me as a friend, and you can view them all with their comments. Go to www.facebook.com to sign up! It's free!! LOL...
Love to all,
Collette
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 10th
Time is flying by fast. Monday was more house visits. Tuesday the boys, Wilder and I went to Julio's home to make his bathroom door accessible for his wheelchair. No tape measure, an old rusty hand saw, and rusty re-used nails, but we got it done! Julio was SO happy. Julio is a very good friend of Fr. Jacks (now), who in 1991 was paid and ordered to kill Fr. Jack. The details are not all known, but long story short, Julio had a conversion, and became a life-long friend to Fr. Jack. Years later, he was in a vehicle accident which rendered him paralyzed from the waist down. Thanks to "gringos", or American donators, Julio has his own electric w/c. He lives alone, and has been very ill of recent. He's had some blood transfusions, and is still very weak, but in the past 2 days he has been up in his chair and able to go out for a little while. We just need to return to fix the cement so he can make a smooth transition from the dirt into the bathroom, where he will be able to bath himself.
Brookston has been craving hamburgers VERY bad, so Monday evening, brother Tony, Brooks and I went downtown to a new market....much like a super walmart, but smaller......To our dismay, fresh ground hamburger was over $5.00 for about enough for 2 hamburgers. SO we were about to abandon that dream, when we spotted some frozen hamburgers in a freezer case. For 15 soles, or about $5, we got a package of 14 burgers. Wilder leant us his indoor electric grill, and I made home-made mac n cheese.....so it was American supper last night, which we cooked for our family and Willy. They really liked it! Mom Mercedes had some left-over "sandia", or watermelon, for desert. Bridger of course did not want to share, but too bad..........
So all was well until sometime in the very very early morning (before the roosters were awake), I became quite ill......diarrhea and vomiting. Wouldn't have been so bad, but the CRAMPS rendered me unable to even move. They were like labor pains, including back pain. I was ill all morning. Wilder got word and brought me some Immodium AD....I was SURE I had packed some, but couldn't find it. Brother Tony made me some coca-tea, which I was able to keep down. Mom made chicken soup for me for lunch, and that stayed in OK as well. So I thought I was on the mend, and it started all over again....the severe cramps. On top of that, I know I'm dehydrated, b/c the water just pours out of every orifce and pore in my body! So I sit here now with a huge headache.
Tomorrow will be the usual study in the AM for the kids, lunch, rest, play.........If feeling better, I will be prepping for the LAMA group. About 6 or 7 are arriving tomorrow night. Wendy will arrive here with my brand of shampoo/conditioner that was stolen out of our containers here. Brinley's and my hair has been a frizzy mess!!!! Thanks to Jill Weiman, our hair dresser in LaMoure, we have tea-tree oil shampoo and spray for lice prevention! That was an awesome suggestion from her!
Brinley, Braeden and I all had sore throats on Tuesday, but Braeden's and mine have resolved. Brinley is very congested and has a runny nose......which I assume she caught from her friends Oscar and Habier......house cousins who live downstairs from us......
So I have learned that poverty takes no breaks.....it does not recognize holidays, weekends, or even hours of sleep. It is a continuum of chronic needs and lack of funds/supplies. No matter the issue at hand, there is "never enough".....supplies, food, money, etc.......Poverty is a mere evil force stalking around waiting for the ruin of spirits and souls.
Brookston has been craving hamburgers VERY bad, so Monday evening, brother Tony, Brooks and I went downtown to a new market....much like a super walmart, but smaller......To our dismay, fresh ground hamburger was over $5.00 for about enough for 2 hamburgers. SO we were about to abandon that dream, when we spotted some frozen hamburgers in a freezer case. For 15 soles, or about $5, we got a package of 14 burgers. Wilder leant us his indoor electric grill, and I made home-made mac n cheese.....so it was American supper last night, which we cooked for our family and Willy. They really liked it! Mom Mercedes had some left-over "sandia", or watermelon, for desert. Bridger of course did not want to share, but too bad..........
So all was well until sometime in the very very early morning (before the roosters were awake), I became quite ill......diarrhea and vomiting. Wouldn't have been so bad, but the CRAMPS rendered me unable to even move. They were like labor pains, including back pain. I was ill all morning. Wilder got word and brought me some Immodium AD....I was SURE I had packed some, but couldn't find it. Brother Tony made me some coca-tea, which I was able to keep down. Mom made chicken soup for me for lunch, and that stayed in OK as well. So I thought I was on the mend, and it started all over again....the severe cramps. On top of that, I know I'm dehydrated, b/c the water just pours out of every orifce and pore in my body! So I sit here now with a huge headache.
Tomorrow will be the usual study in the AM for the kids, lunch, rest, play.........If feeling better, I will be prepping for the LAMA group. About 6 or 7 are arriving tomorrow night. Wendy will arrive here with my brand of shampoo/conditioner that was stolen out of our containers here. Brinley's and my hair has been a frizzy mess!!!! Thanks to Jill Weiman, our hair dresser in LaMoure, we have tea-tree oil shampoo and spray for lice prevention! That was an awesome suggestion from her!
Brinley, Braeden and I all had sore throats on Tuesday, but Braeden's and mine have resolved. Brinley is very congested and has a runny nose......which I assume she caught from her friends Oscar and Habier......house cousins who live downstairs from us......
So I have learned that poverty takes no breaks.....it does not recognize holidays, weekends, or even hours of sleep. It is a continuum of chronic needs and lack of funds/supplies. No matter the issue at hand, there is "never enough".....supplies, food, money, etc.......Poverty is a mere evil force stalking around waiting for the ruin of spirits and souls.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 7, 2010
Can it really be Sunday already? We've been here a week, and it seems like a blink and time is gone. The kids are learning SO much....they are picking up on Spanish, and even doing a little arguing in Spanish with the neighborhood kids. Comical to watch and listen to!
The volleyball net is a huge hit, and kids are around all the time now...Brinley played literally all day yesterday! She even skipped going downtown with us......
The roosters, dogs, and squeek horns are really getting on my nerves! No sleep last night. A few blocks away, a neighborhood is having an anniversary party of the opening of their neighborhood.......loud music all night, heard in our house like it was outside our door. They have fireworks here that are hand made, and there are no laws limiting the amount of dynomite. I seriously jumped out of bed twice last night when they went off....thought we were being bombed.
We have several long-term volunteers here.....Luke and his wife have been here 1 month and are staying for 5......he is from Lidgerwood, ND! There are others from Indiana, Washington, and several universities....they all live with families as well. A family with 4 kids our age arrived for a couple of days....they have been in Peru for a year....Can't imagine!!! It just amazes me how people are so willing to give up their time and talents to help out down here.....everyone has their own projects that they are working on.......
The boys will be getting some paint and re-painting the BB court lines....this is their special project they want to do this week....Hmmmm...wonder why?? LOL
Bridger has been a little naughty.....trying to "scare" the lying, sleeping dogs on the street. He makes a fast step towards them, trying to scare them.....when we were in the barrios yesterday, he did this and a dog nearly attacked us. Maybe a lesson learned? He turned white as a ghost and then he got a very verbal lashing from me! He also likes to stick his head out the window and crow at the roosters to get them riled up.......gonna choke that kid!
Despite all my efforts to control what the kids eat, or drink, they still are "pressured" by their peers....Brinley had something us gringos call "liquid typhoid".....I freaked out, of course. She said she only had a bite or two....so far so good, no symptoms of illness. I guess they will learn the first time they get deathly sick....
We are SO thankful that our house mom Mercedes takes such good care of us! We are served meals restaurant style, she does all the cleaning of our bathroom and bedroom floors. She does all of our laundry by hand, which is a HUGE chore! The kids wear their clothes until they are almost crawling which saves on the amount of laundry, but not so much the time.......
I would say we are all about to start growing feathers....chicken, chicken, chicken! Chix n rice, chix n potatoes, chix n potato salad, UGH! All those carbs rev Bridger up, and make me very tired!!! Not a good combination. The food is VERY good, however it's very repetitive. Today we are having lunch at Mario Bazaan's family. Mario lived with us for about 3-4 months one year. He is living in Chicago with his son Delton who is also a good friend of ours.
Soccer tournaments starting, and the kids are already sunscreened up and off to watch...gives me a little quiet time....well, as quiet as it gets, I guess :-)
Yesterday the boys and I went downtown to the warf, Plaza, with Miguel.....so many nice changes since I was here last. We saw the boats//ships, and had a nice time walking around downtown......we found a pastry shop and wanted to get some pastries, but thank God Bridger reminded me we still needed 4 soles to get back home!!! Maybe next time.
The biggest thing that sticks out in my mind is a comment from Brinley and Bridger....."Mom, when do we get to see the poor kids?" I said, "REALLY? Look around!" They told me, "these kids aren't poor....they are HAPPY!" What a PROFOUND view from a 7 and 10 year old who have "everything." We had a long converstation about how really, we are the ones who are poor, because we cannot find happiness...we always want more, we always want the 'best'.....my kids found happiness in using a string for a VB net! Brookston has been smiling more than I've ever seen him...he usually just mopes around with lowered shoulders. Now, he's off and making a difference.......I AM SOOOOO PROUD OF THESE KIDS!!!!
Yesterday, without discussing it with me, Brookston gave his nice pair of BB shoes away.....he decided that his "old" ones that he wears daily here were good enough, and Miguel needed them more than he did......OK---gotta admit I was upset for about 1 second, then I cried.
Gotta go.....boys said they lost Bridger.....UGH!!
More later
The volleyball net is a huge hit, and kids are around all the time now...Brinley played literally all day yesterday! She even skipped going downtown with us......
The roosters, dogs, and squeek horns are really getting on my nerves! No sleep last night. A few blocks away, a neighborhood is having an anniversary party of the opening of their neighborhood.......loud music all night, heard in our house like it was outside our door. They have fireworks here that are hand made, and there are no laws limiting the amount of dynomite. I seriously jumped out of bed twice last night when they went off....thought we were being bombed.
We have several long-term volunteers here.....Luke and his wife have been here 1 month and are staying for 5......he is from Lidgerwood, ND! There are others from Indiana, Washington, and several universities....they all live with families as well. A family with 4 kids our age arrived for a couple of days....they have been in Peru for a year....Can't imagine!!! It just amazes me how people are so willing to give up their time and talents to help out down here.....everyone has their own projects that they are working on.......
The boys will be getting some paint and re-painting the BB court lines....this is their special project they want to do this week....Hmmmm...wonder why?? LOL
Bridger has been a little naughty.....trying to "scare" the lying, sleeping dogs on the street. He makes a fast step towards them, trying to scare them.....when we were in the barrios yesterday, he did this and a dog nearly attacked us. Maybe a lesson learned? He turned white as a ghost and then he got a very verbal lashing from me! He also likes to stick his head out the window and crow at the roosters to get them riled up.......gonna choke that kid!
Despite all my efforts to control what the kids eat, or drink, they still are "pressured" by their peers....Brinley had something us gringos call "liquid typhoid".....I freaked out, of course. She said she only had a bite or two....so far so good, no symptoms of illness. I guess they will learn the first time they get deathly sick....
We are SO thankful that our house mom Mercedes takes such good care of us! We are served meals restaurant style, she does all the cleaning of our bathroom and bedroom floors. She does all of our laundry by hand, which is a HUGE chore! The kids wear their clothes until they are almost crawling which saves on the amount of laundry, but not so much the time.......
I would say we are all about to start growing feathers....chicken, chicken, chicken! Chix n rice, chix n potatoes, chix n potato salad, UGH! All those carbs rev Bridger up, and make me very tired!!! Not a good combination. The food is VERY good, however it's very repetitive. Today we are having lunch at Mario Bazaan's family. Mario lived with us for about 3-4 months one year. He is living in Chicago with his son Delton who is also a good friend of ours.
Soccer tournaments starting, and the kids are already sunscreened up and off to watch...gives me a little quiet time....well, as quiet as it gets, I guess :-)
Yesterday the boys and I went downtown to the warf, Plaza, with Miguel.....so many nice changes since I was here last. We saw the boats//ships, and had a nice time walking around downtown......we found a pastry shop and wanted to get some pastries, but thank God Bridger reminded me we still needed 4 soles to get back home!!! Maybe next time.
The biggest thing that sticks out in my mind is a comment from Brinley and Bridger....."Mom, when do we get to see the poor kids?" I said, "REALLY? Look around!" They told me, "these kids aren't poor....they are HAPPY!" What a PROFOUND view from a 7 and 10 year old who have "everything." We had a long converstation about how really, we are the ones who are poor, because we cannot find happiness...we always want more, we always want the 'best'.....my kids found happiness in using a string for a VB net! Brookston has been smiling more than I've ever seen him...he usually just mopes around with lowered shoulders. Now, he's off and making a difference.......I AM SOOOOO PROUD OF THESE KIDS!!!!
Yesterday, without discussing it with me, Brookston gave his nice pair of BB shoes away.....he decided that his "old" ones that he wears daily here were good enough, and Miguel needed them more than he did......OK---gotta admit I was upset for about 1 second, then I cried.
Gotta go.....boys said they lost Bridger.....UGH!!
More later
Friday, March 5, 2010
03/05/2010 by Breaeden Mathern
I am having alot of fun there is this one lil kid who has shoes that squeak when he walks it gets very annoying!!!! today at 2 my mom Bridger and I are going to give alot of stuff away to poor kids and familes. then tonight they have stations of the cross where they dress up and act everything out. Then going to the los amigos band and practice with them. The girls are muy bonita some of them. Im getting good at volleyball i played that all morning with some girls and guys. They have fireworks here they make them by hand and one just went of about 10 seconds ago ha. Im gunna get my hair cut tonight at 9 and will be on facebook for awhile. I have to take cold showers everyday it SUCKS!!!!
i will post more later
BRAEDEN MATHERN
i will post more later
BRAEDEN MATHERN
March 5th
Well, the kids are actually acclamating better than I thought. Yesterday they played volleyball with the neighborhood kids, using a tree branch for a post, and a string as the net. The balls here are very worn out, flat, and they hurt when you use them. Today I promised Brookston and Braeden that they can go downtown with Wilder and get some new balls for the neighborhood kids to use. The boys will also build some shelves in their room to put their clothes on. Their room is literally 8x12 with a bunk bed......no place for suitcases or storage.
Yesterday the kids finished packing the bags for the school kids.....nearly 400 total! They ran out of notebooks, rulers, pens and erasers.....so had to quit. Bridger was using the wheelbarrow to haul the bags to the library for storage....it was very cute!
I had a meeting with their tutor who will be helping with their American homework when I am at work, and teaching Spanish lessons.....The kids really liked Liz and will do well with her.
I made several home visits to the people who will not be able to travel to the medical post when then LAMA team arrives. We have a list of those who need home visits from the doctors. I will be doing visits all day today again. I have an interpreter named Charro....she is awesome!
I also had a meeting yesterday regarding the "Home in a box" project. I will be taking this project on for Los Amigos. It was awesome seeing the families who received a box from the US. I recognized a lot of items from St. Rose Care Center in LaMoure, who sent down 9 boxes.
Today will be very busy, and tonight we will attend stations of the cross in another neighborhood. Each week on Fridays they have stations in a different neighborhood, and the rumor is the people dress up and act out the stations in each place......looking forward to it! The kids will then begin practice with the choir group, who have asked them to join them while they are here.......will be very interesting!!
More later,
Collette
Yesterday the kids finished packing the bags for the school kids.....nearly 400 total! They ran out of notebooks, rulers, pens and erasers.....so had to quit. Bridger was using the wheelbarrow to haul the bags to the library for storage....it was very cute!
I had a meeting with their tutor who will be helping with their American homework when I am at work, and teaching Spanish lessons.....The kids really liked Liz and will do well with her.
I made several home visits to the people who will not be able to travel to the medical post when then LAMA team arrives. We have a list of those who need home visits from the doctors. I will be doing visits all day today again. I have an interpreter named Charro....she is awesome!
I also had a meeting yesterday regarding the "Home in a box" project. I will be taking this project on for Los Amigos. It was awesome seeing the families who received a box from the US. I recognized a lot of items from St. Rose Care Center in LaMoure, who sent down 9 boxes.
Today will be very busy, and tonight we will attend stations of the cross in another neighborhood. Each week on Fridays they have stations in a different neighborhood, and the rumor is the people dress up and act out the stations in each place......looking forward to it! The kids will then begin practice with the choir group, who have asked them to join them while they are here.......will be very interesting!!
More later,
Collette
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
SPANISH CLASS
como estas
we arived at the miniapolis airport only to find out our plane was cancled. 1, 1/2 hours later we got it rerouted it left in a 1/2 hour and we had to clear security and bagage yet, we were literly running down the turminal to catch our flight. once in dallas Texas we rode a skylink (a railrode type thing) we got on our plane and a baby cryed the whole way. once in miami we ate and micdonald, then we had a 2 hour lay over so we went shopping and lost brinly and bridger mom was mad that they ran off. then our flight was delyade due to a big rain storm in miami, then it was delayed again due to the earthquack in chily and the tsunami in the pacific ocean. we flew first class so that was cool. when we arived in lima peru we ran to imigration to beat the long lines then stood in line for 45 minutes trying to get our bags, then we had to go to customes and ofcourse mom hit the button and it turned red so there we were geting our bags checked for bombs again evidentaly you cant have an ipod straped to two water bottles. then willy and hector finnaly picked us up and took us to our hotel room at 3 in da morning.
It was a long day
HI to every one
hast luago
we arived at the miniapolis airport only to find out our plane was cancled. 1, 1/2 hours later we got it rerouted it left in a 1/2 hour and we had to clear security and bagage yet, we were literly running down the turminal to catch our flight. once in dallas Texas we rode a skylink (a railrode type thing) we got on our plane and a baby cryed the whole way. once in miami we ate and micdonald, then we had a 2 hour lay over so we went shopping and lost brinly and bridger mom was mad that they ran off. then our flight was delyade due to a big rain storm in miami, then it was delayed again due to the earthquack in chily and the tsunami in the pacific ocean. we flew first class so that was cool. when we arived in lima peru we ran to imigration to beat the long lines then stood in line for 45 minutes trying to get our bags, then we had to go to customes and ofcourse mom hit the button and it turned red so there we were geting our bags checked for bombs again evidentaly you cant have an ipod straped to two water bottles. then willy and hector finnaly picked us up and took us to our hotel room at 3 in da morning.
It was a long day
HI to every one
hast luago
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tour of downtown, History
Interesting day today. We started out downtown Lima at the Museum of Inquision. Hmmmmm. All about the torture chambers. They had wax dummies for the poor souls being tortured. OK....gotta admit, it was very disturbing, but the kids were very engrossed! The English guide was ill today, so we had the tour in Spanish, but needless to say, it was quite explainatory! Brookston and Braeden took pictures and notes and will do a report on it for their class.
Then we went off to the San Franciso Cathedral. We learned a lot about the Franciscan brothers from Italy who came over.......they had catacombs under the church, with about 25,000 people's bones laying in crypts down there. I had been there 2x before, but the kids were quite shocked. I was actually surprised at how much they listened to the guide, and asked questions! Too bad they wouldn't let us take ANY pictures in there though. It was pretty amazing....we didn't get to go in the cathedral though, as it was closed. We got pictures of it from the outside, though.
We saw the government palace where president Alan Garcia resides. Boys were like, "Mom--these guys are armed and ready to kill".....talking about the security surrounding the palace.....
SO much history here! We then went and bought Bridger his set of professional bongos, complete with a carrying case. He still has a smile on his face! Then, we looked all over downtown Lima for an instrument called a Ocarina, made of bamboo. Both Brin and Braeden wanted one yesterday, but only one where we were, so decided to wait.....long story short, we ended up going all the way across town back to the Inca Market to purchase the one we originally saw......the musician said they are rare, and it appears that it's the only one in the city!!
SO-----I now have one very sad girl. I have put out an APB for one in Chimbote......I sure hope someone finds one for her!!!!! As for Brookston, he will play the guitar, and I will play some sort of marraccas (sp?)......hope to have a whole band soon!
Boys are playing pool upstairs, Willy and I are watching Bridger get a bongo lesson from a hotel guest.....More later!
PS---I am REALLY thinking I've had enough 1:4 time with my kids!!!!!!!!
Then we went off to the San Franciso Cathedral. We learned a lot about the Franciscan brothers from Italy who came over.......they had catacombs under the church, with about 25,000 people's bones laying in crypts down there. I had been there 2x before, but the kids were quite shocked. I was actually surprised at how much they listened to the guide, and asked questions! Too bad they wouldn't let us take ANY pictures in there though. It was pretty amazing....we didn't get to go in the cathedral though, as it was closed. We got pictures of it from the outside, though.
We saw the government palace where president Alan Garcia resides. Boys were like, "Mom--these guys are armed and ready to kill".....talking about the security surrounding the palace.....
SO much history here! We then went and bought Bridger his set of professional bongos, complete with a carrying case. He still has a smile on his face! Then, we looked all over downtown Lima for an instrument called a Ocarina, made of bamboo. Both Brin and Braeden wanted one yesterday, but only one where we were, so decided to wait.....long story short, we ended up going all the way across town back to the Inca Market to purchase the one we originally saw......the musician said they are rare, and it appears that it's the only one in the city!!
SO-----I now have one very sad girl. I have put out an APB for one in Chimbote......I sure hope someone finds one for her!!!!! As for Brookston, he will play the guitar, and I will play some sort of marraccas (sp?)......hope to have a whole band soon!
Boys are playing pool upstairs, Willy and I are watching Bridger get a bongo lesson from a hotel guest.....More later!
PS---I am REALLY thinking I've had enough 1:4 time with my kids!!!!!!!!
First days of trip
WOW---after all the "hoop-la" getting here, we are finally here! Saturday was a plethra of trials. Morning started at 4am, and at 4:30, just 15 min. before leaving for the airport, Jason came in and said he had locked the keys in the pick up! No way, I thought....all our luggage is in the back, so this won't be so bad. We took 2 cars to the airport, thanks to Ann and Dick Miller. It was a VERY quick "goodbye" on the curb, and off Jason and Dick went......
So we are standing in line to check in, and find out that our flight had been cancelled d/t the storm on the East coast. We stood there from 5:15am to 6:30 until they found a re-route for us. I told them if they couldn't muster us up a miracle, then all 5 of us and our 17 bags would be going home with them until we could leave!! I saw the panic in their eyes, and they worked faster! So at 6:30, they got us all re-routed.....we did a marathon........checked bags, passed through security, and sprinted to our gate....for a plane that left at 7am!!! We did NOT expect our baggage to follow us, but luckily it made it!! THANK GOD!!
So off to Dallas TX, then over to Miami........and just when I thought we were "in the clear," a storm hits Miami, earthquake in Chile, tsunami in the Pacific.........UGH!!!!!! Plane was delayed 3 different times......Long story shorter, we flew FIRST CLASS from Miami to Lima, and arrived at 1:30am....only 3 hours late! Step 1---pass immigration. Step 2----collect bags. Step 3---clear customs (OF COURSE I hit the button and it was red, so all our luggage had to be scanned, delaying us yet another 45 minutes!) FINALLY, we are "out" and met Wilder and Hector, who took us to our hotel. Arrived at 3am, had a few Crown Royals, (duty free :-)) and at 4am tried to sleep.....up at 7, ready to go!!
We toured Barranco by foot, then by van.....Bridger had his first experience bartering with a man for a cross necklace. Grandpa Jimmy Joe's order.....he would be SO proud! Bridger said he could only spend $3 US on one so he could have more money for other things!! LOL.
Then we went to Larcomar, a very Americanized plaza on the cliff overlooking the ocean. Kids had a great time playing video games there! 2 tokens for 1 sol, so about 15 cents per token!!
Back to hotel for quick nap, and off to the water park for a very spectacular light show.
Supper across street from hotel....PIZZA TO DIE FOR!!!!
Today, we will tour the Palace, Cathedrals, Catacombs, etc........Brin is very excited to see Francisco Pizzaro's bones in the one cathedral! She's been studying!!
So the kids are doing very well......food has not been a problem this far. They have not asked for too many things to purchase, so mostly just food! They are getting used to not throwing the toilet paper in the toilet, but it's hard!
Will blog again in a few days.....
Love to all,
Collette
So we are standing in line to check in, and find out that our flight had been cancelled d/t the storm on the East coast. We stood there from 5:15am to 6:30 until they found a re-route for us. I told them if they couldn't muster us up a miracle, then all 5 of us and our 17 bags would be going home with them until we could leave!! I saw the panic in their eyes, and they worked faster! So at 6:30, they got us all re-routed.....we did a marathon........checked bags, passed through security, and sprinted to our gate....for a plane that left at 7am!!! We did NOT expect our baggage to follow us, but luckily it made it!! THANK GOD!!
So off to Dallas TX, then over to Miami........and just when I thought we were "in the clear," a storm hits Miami, earthquake in Chile, tsunami in the Pacific.........UGH!!!!!! Plane was delayed 3 different times......Long story shorter, we flew FIRST CLASS from Miami to Lima, and arrived at 1:30am....only 3 hours late! Step 1---pass immigration. Step 2----collect bags. Step 3---clear customs (OF COURSE I hit the button and it was red, so all our luggage had to be scanned, delaying us yet another 45 minutes!) FINALLY, we are "out" and met Wilder and Hector, who took us to our hotel. Arrived at 3am, had a few Crown Royals, (duty free :-)) and at 4am tried to sleep.....up at 7, ready to go!!
We toured Barranco by foot, then by van.....Bridger had his first experience bartering with a man for a cross necklace. Grandpa Jimmy Joe's order.....he would be SO proud! Bridger said he could only spend $3 US on one so he could have more money for other things!! LOL.
Then we went to Larcomar, a very Americanized plaza on the cliff overlooking the ocean. Kids had a great time playing video games there! 2 tokens for 1 sol, so about 15 cents per token!!
Back to hotel for quick nap, and off to the water park for a very spectacular light show.
Supper across street from hotel....PIZZA TO DIE FOR!!!!
Today, we will tour the Palace, Cathedrals, Catacombs, etc........Brin is very excited to see Francisco Pizzaro's bones in the one cathedral! She's been studying!!
So the kids are doing very well......food has not been a problem this far. They have not asked for too many things to purchase, so mostly just food! They are getting used to not throwing the toilet paper in the toilet, but it's hard!
Will blog again in a few days.....
Love to all,
Collette
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Final Countdown!
Well, it's the final week for preparing for the trip. We started packing, and what a chore that is! So many donations to fit in, checking and re-checking the packing lists. We all received our shots on Monday....WOW....never had such sore arms! I could barely pull my pants up on Tuesday morning! The kids got Typhoid and Hepatitis A injections. I got Typhoid and Tetanus.
Had a final check-up prior to leaving....passed most of it :-) We also got our scripts filled for "emergency" antibiotics for food poisoning. UGH----just the thought of needing to use them makes me cringe!
Wilder has been working on transport and hotel arrangements on his end. He is getting more excited each day too! We will leave on Friday the 26th for Minneapolis. We'll have a "quick sleep" and off to the airport by 5am on Saturday. We connect in Newark, NJ and then straight to Lima---will arrive at 10:30pm Saturday night.
Will post more as we go along......
Collette
Had a final check-up prior to leaving....passed most of it :-) We also got our scripts filled for "emergency" antibiotics for food poisoning. UGH----just the thought of needing to use them makes me cringe!
Wilder has been working on transport and hotel arrangements on his end. He is getting more excited each day too! We will leave on Friday the 26th for Minneapolis. We'll have a "quick sleep" and off to the airport by 5am on Saturday. We connect in Newark, NJ and then straight to Lima---will arrive at 10:30pm Saturday night.
Will post more as we go along......
Collette
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sign Off
OK--learning how this all works. Thought I could preview then finish the blog, but couldn't figure it out.....so until next time, I am signing off.
Love to all,
Collette
Love to all,
Collette
Getting Started
Wow--woke up today and it's February already! Had butterflies in my stomach when I thought about how few days left before we leave for our trip.
Since this is a new blogging experience for me, I thought I would try it out. Many of you know how this trip with my 4 kids has come about, but I will explain to those who may not know.
I first visited Fr. Jack's Mission---Los Amigos de Padre Juan---in Chimbote Peru in August of 2000. I fell in love with the people and the mission itself. My second visit was in February of 2004 with Jason. I returned again in February of 2007 for a 3 week stay. This is Fr. Jack's 50th , or Jubilee year, and so he had the Peruvian parish youth choir on tour in the USA for 2 months. My family and friends hosted the entire choir for 3 nights......many friendships were built and experiences shared. Fr. Jack put a "bug" in my ear that it's about time for me to bring one of my older boys.........that got me to thinking: 1. How could I choose which child would go? 2. How could I ever pay for the trip? 3. When would we go?
I was at mass in Nativity Parish in Fargo ND, just a few days later, when God spoke to me during communion. I was watching Fr. Jack administer communion to his choir and to his friends in the front row.....so many people, so much love!!!
It was then that I had that nudging urge-- familiar to me only when in prayer. "You can go for the LAMA mission in March and stay for Mikey's wedding in April." OK. "God, are you CRAZY?! There's no way I could afford this....no way Jason will allow this....no way I can get off work that long......"
God's answer was, "believe and you will receive...." OK. So now my thought is, "God, if you want me to go and take all the kids, and stay for 2 months, you will need to provide me the finances." And a great peace within overcame me. And I waited for something to happen.
Two months later, I received a legal consulting case for a firm in Chicago. Needless to say, I was able to make the money for the trip......Jason didn't say "no", and the school was willing to fully cooperate to allow this once-in-a-lifetime experience for the kids. No excuses not to go!
Thus begins the preparations for this adventure with the four Mathern Munchkins......
Brookston 13---(will turn 14 while there)---hesitant and complaining about the length of the trip...worried about getting behind in his school work here.
Braeden 12---very excited to go. Has already been emailing friends at the mission and they are "scoping out the chics" already for him!
Brinley 10---very excited to go. She has made friends and will do very well.
Bridger 7---well--not too excited about no Nickelodeon or Disney channel (or TV at all), or his ability to just lay around while everyone else works.
Most of you reading this remeber Wilder Benites, our "hermano peruano" or Peruvian Brother. He has stayed with our family for 5-6 months at a time every year since 2001. He is probably the most excited to have the kids come and see his culture. Wilder "Willy" will be our chaperone, tour guide, and event planner. We have a lot of exciting things planned for the kids.
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