Archive for March 26, 2008
Bob’s report: Visit to Monterrey, Mexico
Mission Awareness Trip
March 1-8, 2008
It is a pleasure to be in touch from northern Mexico. I am very grateful to be able to spend this week with our CFCA family here. This trip is focused on CFCA projects in northern Mexico, including the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis, Potosí, Jalisco and Querétaro.
I played one song with them and I overheard, “If they ask for an encore, let’s do our first song again.” I remarked to the families present, “Wouldn’t it be great if world powers could send guitar strings instead of arms?”
A good orientation and initial gathering
Sponsors were invited to say something about their sponsored friends and to tell us about their involvement with CFCA. Father Tony Lee, pastor of St. Jude’s Parish in Peoria, Ill., shared that while he is here, Father Peter Herely is leading a CFCA weekend at St. Jude’s. Our prayers are with you, Father Peter.
On Monday, Father Tony and I teamed up for a bilingual morning prayer, readings for Lent, hymns led by Bob and shared intentions. Tomorrow morning, Father Tony will celebrate Holy Mass for us in English.
Successful visits generate warmth and love
The Ortigosa Home and Day School—preschool through junior high—serves 88 sponsored boys and girls. The sisters had organized a general assembly of the students that included musical interaction with students by Bob. Boarders served as guides for sponsors on a tour of the facilities. Warmth, love and shared snacks topped off the visit.
We remembered in a special way the meeting today of the OAS as it considers the crisis of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
Jerry Menard traveled to Nuevo Laredo with Miguel Angel to see his sponsored
girl, Rosario. I am happy to report that this trip went very well for Jerry, for Rosario, for the Sisters in Nuevo Laredo and for staff member Miguel Angel Alba, who did all the driving.
Empowered mothers grateful for sponsorship
Our group visited 65 dynamic families of subproject PAN, many of them squatters living in the area of Cerro de la Campana. Mothers Licha, Marta and Petra are the community leaders. Staff member Matilde from the project office offers solidarity, visits and support. The tiny kids danced a cute number, and 7-year-old Magali proclaimed, “It’s really bonito (nice) to have a sponsor.” Maria spoke of her two children, a 9-year-old boy in fourth grade and a 14-year-old girl who is a special child. She emotionally expressed her gratitude for the sponsorship program. Other mothers, including Francisca, Claudia and Sylvia, also expressed a sincere and balanced gratitude.
School children display creative talent
At Parras de la Fuente, 76 spontaneous sponsored children were waiting for us, together with veteran missionary educator, Sister Rosario. Her congregation has served in this home and school since 1912. Alexis, Estefania, Gloria and Jorge all did a nice job on their respective songs, singing a capella at that. The sixth graders upheld the poetic fame of their town with two synchronized declamations: La Muñeca and Parras Tierra de Poetas. I encouraged the kids to appreciate these precious years in such a pretty and good school. They were proud to say aloud the names of their sponsors.
Bernardo Grousset School, which houses subproject BGS, has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Parents are welcomed to participate in the classes. Creative thinking, spontaneity and self-confidence in expression are encouraged. A general assembly of students took us through the entrance of the flag, norteño folk dances and vocals.
Cristina and I are now on our way to Guatemala City to meet the mission awareness trip group arriving March 8. Thanks again for traveling with us.
God’s blessings,
Bob Hentzen
Monterrey, Mexico
March 8, 2008
March 26, 2008 at 3:09 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
Bob’s report: Visit to Guatemala
Mission Awareness Trip
March 8-15, 2008
Best wishes from our March 2008 mission awareness trip group. It’s nice to be home. Our sponsors have made the effort to place themselves in the midst of this ancient culture in which all of God’s creation is seen as sacred. We thank our loving God for the privilege of just being here.
A humble family speaks
From the very first morning in Guatemala City, this has been a very blessed time. I am inspired by the courage and zeal of Natividad. She is now a CFCA social worker in some of the toughest areas of Guatemala City. Natividad grew up as a sponsored child. This first morning of the trip, Natividad brought a sponsored family from the edges of the grand metropolis to meet the sponsors, to have a good breakfast with us and to share their struggle and their dreams.
The father, Braulio, rents a small piece of land in San Jose Nacahuil on which he plants corn and beans. I find that he lights up when he talks about farming. He deeply respects the land and explains how he kneels and prays before disturbing the pachamama (Mother Earth) with his 18-inch hoe. Once the land is prepared and the seeds are in the ground, he prays for life-giving rains. Many days, Braulio wakes up unemployed. On these occasions, he leaves home at first light with ax, machete and rawhide mecapal (headband), and treks each time further in search of firewood. Even for essentials like fallen wood, land owners are sometimes trigger happy when a campesino ventures across their fence line. When he can, Braulio hires out as a day laborer. The going rate for day workers in his area is about $6 per day. He plays guitar for liturgies at the parish.
Mother Sylvana works very hard at home caring for her own father, who is bedridden with a stroke. Their oldest son, Pantaleon, works on construction sites during the week and studies on weekends. Marta Alicia, 13, is in her first year of junior high. Their second son, Rolando, 15, was born with a good mind, but with quite a list of physical challenges. Rolando is sponsored. He thanks his sponsors for their love and medical help, and he demonstrates his gratitude by studying hard to become an accountant.
Hearts full of dreams
Friday in Patzun was special. Seven newly sponsored children were personally met, welcomed into the CFCA family and sent on their way with hearts full of dreams.
Our dynamic and devoted community workers from Project Patzun offer a traditional musical greeting to the sponsors. Each of them visits 325 sponsored families in the villages of the highlands.
Cristina and I wish you a restful and hopeful Holy Week and Easter.
Bob Hentzen
CFCA Guatemala
March 16, 2008
March 26, 2008 at 2:19 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 3 comments
