October 18, 2006

THE LORD OF THE MIRACLES

During the month of October, the Senor de los Milagros procession, the largest in all of South America, takes place in Lima.  This tradition dates back to the Spanish Viceroyalty when a black slave drew the image of a black Christ on a church wall.  The image stayed on the wall despite several attempts to erase it and severe earthquakes which leveled all the surrounding buildings.  Devotion continued to heighten throughout the years and today the heart of the celebration gathers hundreds of thousands of people to this simple church in Lima.  Dressed in purple tunics, singing hymns, and praying as they accompany the image, the faithful process throughout the streets.  The litter, completely covered in silver and gold, which bears the painting, weighs more than a ton!  It is a true honor for a man to bear the image on his shoulder at some point during the 24 hour procession.

I visited the church this week and attended mass.  The pews in the church have been removed to better accomodate the multitudes of people who come during this month.  The masses are every hour and confession all day.  It was truly a blessing to witness God's people come to Him in simple trust and faith believing that He is indeed their Lord of the Miracles.

THE INCA MARKET

A trip to Peru would not be complete without stopping by the Inca Markets, a true shopper's paradise.  In the market you can find it all if you have the time and patience to look.  The natives of Peru are extremely talented artisans.  The work of the people ranges from clay to wood to leather, silver and bronze, to textiles, weavings, and alpaca wool.  I love to wander through the stands and admire the beauty and color seen everywhere.  Each area of the country and its people are known for their unique styles and designs, one more beautiful than the other.  And if you like to barter, this is the place for you.  Business too is a fine art in Peru.

TRAVEL

Some people talk about the weather, here in Peru I find myself talking about transportation.  To date, I have not yet gotten behind the wheel of a car.  That's for several reasons.  One, I need to brush up on driving a stick shift, just ask my brothers back in Nebraska.  Two, there are no rules for driving here.  You may think that is an extreme statement so I will take it back.  There are rules:  Always have one hand ready to honk your horn.  Race to fill any empty spaces on the road.  Choose any lane to make a turn as long as you honk or put your arm out the window (if you don't mind the risk of losing it).  The more religious items you hang from the rear view mirror or place on the dashboard the better.

With all that said, I take public transportation.  Inexpensive and readily available.  You can always get a bus; an omnibus, a microbus, or a combi.  A taxi is any car identified with a red and white strip on it, they are everywhere.  Finally there is the mototaxi.  While in Barranca we took the latest model into downtown.  All I can say is, "Batman, eat your heart out!"

OUTSIDE THE CITY

The Andes, running from northwest to southeast, divide Peru into three long topographic and climatic zones:  the desert coast, the mountains, and the tropical forest on the eastern slope of the mountains.  My travels thus far have been along the coast and the desert region, known to be one of the driest deserts in the world.  Outside the major coastal cities, much of what you see is similiar to this picture.  There is much poverty in Peru.  I have found that people work hard and live simply.  They are one with nature and with their God.

Our Sisters are in two schools where we teach the poor, in Montenegro and Barranca.  I have visited both of these missions.  I have pondered how different their lives were than mine but yet similar.  Similiar, in that they too could be happy in life because God was with them on their daily journey.  Already, in my short time here, I have learned so much about faith from these beloved people of God.