Domingo de Ramos, Palm Sunday in Bolivia

I just celebrated my first Palm Sunday here in Cochabamba. We started with a procession from each of our centers and then continued with Mass at the chapel. We had a small but hearty crowd for the procession down the mountain from La Rivera. We also had a number of older people and mothers with newborns who had trouble keeping up. About 1/2 way through the procession I turned around and saw a good number of people missing. My question was answered a minute later when a number of truffis (taxis) past us by carrying half the procession!Processing at 9,000 feet isn't easy. We had a Penance Service for Holy Week last night and I told the people it was a wonderful opportunity for 2 reasons: it is an experince of God's love and if they went to Confession in Quechua I would have no idea what their sins were. I trust that they were satisfied although I hardly understood anything that they said. As I said, I don't understand them but God forgives them any way. May this Holy Week be a great blessing for all of us as we follow in the footsteps of the Lord.