| Day 5 (Wednesday March 14, 2007) |
This morning after a hearty breakfast, we taxied off to our two work
sites. Our taxi drivers have become friends on a first name basis. They arrive
a few minutes early, eager to please (and make a few pesos). Father Victor,
who called each of us by name and gave each of us a huge hug, welcomed us back
The Entrance of the Cathedral
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for our third day of work.
At our site we encountered a very old man painting some intricate patterns
of flowers and birds, in brilliant colors, around the borders of the
church. He is from a local Indian tribe and spoke very little Spanish, but
we included him in our opening prayer circle. It was exciting to see real
artwork being applied over walls that we had just finished painting!
Most of us painted until 1:30 and returned to the Dioscesan Center for
lunch. We had plans to spend the remainder of the day in pursuit of
cultural adventure! Several of our team members are returnees from former
mission trips to Cuernavaca. They decided to put in a full day painting,
since they had seen the sights on other occasions, and felt compelled to
get on with the task.
The cultural group, not to be confused with the serious worker bees, went
to the Cortez Palace and Museum. There we were impressed with a Diego
Rivera mural that must be 75 feet long! The mural portrays the bloody
conquest of Mexican Indian tribes by the Spanish, and their subsequent
enslavement. The really surreal thing is that this mural was painted on the
walls of Cortez’ palace! The history of Mexico is a conflicted history.
Spanish vs. Indians; Catholicism vs. tribal beliefs; Texas vs. Mexico; rich
vs. poor; technology vs. tradition; and a love/hate relationship with the
USA. The average Mexican is proud of his heritage, but desirous of a better
life.
On our way back home, our young taxi driver shared with us that he is
married and has a little girl. He works 15-hour days, seven days a week in
Dr. Bob and Rick at the Cathedral
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order to feed his family. He confessed that he takes off about two days a
month due to exhaustion! His story is not that unusual! These are hard
working people who live in a constant struggle for survival.
Tonight, Bishop Delgado spoke with our group about the progress that has
been made, now that he is four years into his five-year plan. He spoke in
his normal humble manner about projects completed and projects that have
not progressed at all. He spoke of his deep gratitude for Saint Dunstan’s
help. Telling us that we are the church that has done more than any other
to help his Diocese. The Bishop is a realist. He knows he is working with
some priests who are set in their ways, and feel dependent on money from
the U.S. He is working hard to develop a new generation of priests who feel
responsible for the progress of their parish. To this end he has a seminary
program that he has developed. He said to us tonight that our work here
among his churches would have repercusians, as his people see us taking
responsibility for the work of the church.
“He is alive!” said the Bishop. “We keep serving Him the best we know how
and leave the results to God.” When Nunzi asked, “What can we do to help
you?” He replied, “ Pray for the Bishop that he will be wise and that he
will have a heart to be a good shepherd.”
Join us in this prayer.
Yours because of Jesus,
Bob Butler
(For Rick, Dixie, Dave, Terri, Marilynn, Nunzi, Ron, Jerre, Linda, Barbara,
Carl, Fr. Ralph, Shawn, and Betty)
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