Stripping Things Away

Today while we were eating a chicken sandwitch, Matt said something about how things here in Montero and in the community we are entering are sort of "stripped away." I mean, in many ways, Montero is sort of a barebones place. There really isn't anything to really do ... the greatest entertainments come from walking around the Plaza at night with all of the teenagers or buying a delicious popsicle made out of chocolate and coconut or eating a platefull of fries and salted fried chicken strips (a local delicacy)

And what really do we do here during the day even? We are really in someone else's show here, just trying to fit in wherever we can. Today we were out at the pampa de la Madre comedor (one of the two) to help with dishes and cleanup. Later I "taught" a few computer classes to some kids who didn't want to stop when it was time to go. (I have only very very basic spanish, so there was much sign language.) Both episodes were pleasurable and humbling for their own reasons. They were humbling because in each case it was clear that we are just here to be with to be in solidarity, to accompany ... our talents/gifts whatever are not what will really benefit people here. It is just our simple presence that will make a very very modest difference to a few people. The problems are so huge and the solutions so elusive that to hope for anything more than that out of a few weeks would be foolish. The pleasures of the day came once again from the people. Playing with kids on the playground at the pampa. Laughing while the twins Samuel and Manuel clung to me, each one on an arm. Lauhing with Pura, the woman in charge of the kitchen at the Pampa. Such graciousness all around.

So, no ... I would never say that Montero is much "fun" ... not much of a destination really. But for my part, I am looking at these three or so weeks as a chance to let most things just fall away amid all of the randomness, frustration and joy of this place.

MP