As the weeks roll into months the dry hot weather continues and dust increases. I have had many meetings, some welcome visitors and visited Cuenca Ecuadors third largest city. At present, we have three sections in the parish so each section has a co-ordinator. These people run their section of the parish. We all meet once a month to see how we are doing. We have formation and training every month especially for the 45 Catechists. From 7am on every Sunday morning, the first of the 372 preparing weekly for sacraments arrive. There is no religious education in the schools here. The enthusiasm, life and learning on a Sunday morning here is so life-giving. We have had a number of visits from American High School Students. We visit homes with them and the welcome and hospitality among the poor is always their most striking first impression. And what do we say about first impressions!? I am finding the visits of these young people huge acknowledgement of ‘our’ world and the world here coming together for the good of all. From all these schools 16 will be selected to come and volunteer to live and work here for a year or two. They are supported and cared for by Rostro de Cristo. The change over took place this weekend past. I will miss the four who worked with me but i will have five for the coming year so i am very content. They are the ‘new’ missionaries. Check www.rostrodecristo.org and more too on the site about Monte Sinai!

I am at presently ministering to Anita who has five children and is dying from Cancer in her bamboo home. To be present here when words fail us and we ask ‘why’ does God allow this…all we have is our faith to keep us going. Anita has faith because her dignity is held among the suffering in herself and for her children. We pray a lot.
I visited Cuenca for a couple of days in June. It is the home of the genuine Panama Hat! I saw them being handwoven with natural fibre of Toquilla straw. Now you know where to go before next years Galway Races!

I continue to eat great vegetables and fruit. Have had one portion of ‘Cheviche’ but still rely on the auld Chicken which really can’t be beaten! In my local ’shop’ i can buy one egg, one banana and one onion! No packaging! Hope the cyclists are eating well for 21st. I wish i was with you to cycle but will be in Spirit as i always enjoyed our fun cycle each year. Enjoy…i appreciate so much the huge generosity and efforts of so many and assure you all the money raised will be used directly in our parish here.

THANK YOU.

amigo, john.