Over the past few weeks I was able to make an overnight trip to some of the more remote campos of Pedro Santana. I brought a traveling Christmas catechesis kit which consistent of laminated images of the Annunciation and the Birth of Jesus, various images of Mary with Child and a kids song "Yo Tengo Un Amigo Que Me Ama." Here I am leading a game before we settle down for the class. The kids are absolutely beautiful.We slept in the chapel in Sierrecita and walked each day to the various visits. One of the main concerns up in the mountains is destruction of the environment. The people need to make a living, but there is no flat ground. They end up burning hillsides so they can plant crops for a few years until all of the top soil runs off and they must burn more hillside. Its not a sustainable way of life, but the government is not doing anything to help them. They only have schools because our bishop has built them in each village. Hopefully some new iniciatives can take hold like fruit orchards or peanut crops which are less taxing on the soil.
Please pray for two of my students from Los Memisos who will be baptized on December 14th as well as several from Higuerito who will hopefully be receiving their first Communions soon. This weekend they will be making their first Confession!
