Greetings

Hello all,
We are in the midst of a mild (?) rainy season here in Cochabamba. But mud is still mud. The barrio has no paved streets so getting around is quite the adventure. Than God for 4 wheel drive and our trusty truck.
Our school starts here on Monday morning which I am really looking forward to. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know the families in our various barrios and to see the different possibilities that there are for ministering to the families in the area. The program is sponsored by the local governemnt but they informed us that they do not have the money to open the program for the first 3 months. But by then the students would be very hard pressed to keep up with their classes. So, we took it upon ourselves to raise the money ourselves for the teachers, food etc. for the program to open on time. It is a program that is of vital importance to the children and their studies ' we also provide the only hot meal most of them will have that day. It is certainly worth the sacrifice for the help we are able to offer these very poor children.A few friends have sent donations which we are using for the program. Thanks so much for helping these poorest of the poor children.
It is good to be able to hear from friends and family and keep them informed about our life here. It is certainly full of daily challenges but also daily rewards.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Back in Bolivia

Hello Everyone,
I arrived back home here in Bolivia yesterday after a week's visit with my brother and sister-in-law in Florida. It was a 2 day trip there and back but well worth the effort. We had 3 days in Boca Raton and 3 days in Hollywood. Both very different but very beautiful and relaxing. I did not realize how much I needed a break and it was very good to be with family again.
It is Super Bowl Sunday here (not quite the same as the States) but all the Maryknollers in the area are having a bar-b-q and party here this afternoon. I will return to the barrio afterwards.
Thanks again for all your support and prayers.

The Barrio of Nueva Verz Cruz

A number of people have asked me about the barrio where I live. What kind of area is it in? Is it more rural or urban? I have posted some pictures of the barrio in this blog so you can have an idea of the area we live in and the people that we are serving.
I will be leaving Bolivia tommorow for some vacation time with my family in Florida.
It is tough to have to go north during your winter but it is only Florida.
I will be returning on Friday, January 30th.

Good Morning

Good morning my friends and family from Cochabamba,
We are enjoying a beautiful morning here and my heart goes out to you in the middle of a harsh Northeastern winter. That isn't true but it sounds good to say.
Things are going well down in Bolivia. I am getting a bit more aware of the barrios and all the dynamics of life. I look forward to getting more involved with the lives of the people here and coming to a better understanding of their experiences, joys and struggles of life. As school starts again and the activities and programs in the barrios begin to pick up there will be ample opportunities to see how it is that the Lord is working here in the lives of the people.
Next Monday I will leave Bolivia for 10 days away. I will visit my brother and sister-in-law in Florida for a week. It takes 2 days to get there and 2 days to get back - so much for the speed of modern transportation. Although I didn't plan to go back to the States until the summer I see that it is a good break for me and a chance for me to be with my family.
Hope all is well and please feel free to be in touch by email or on skype. The contacts that I have from friends and family are always a joy for me.

Greetings from Nueva Verz Cruz

Hello All,
Greetings from Nueva Vera Cruz.
I just returned to the Center House in Cochabamba for my day off after a long week in the barrio. I will usually be off Sunday afternoon into Monday. It is a nice break and allows me some time to think and pray after my experiences of the week.
All is going well and I am getting a better sense of the barrio and the lives of the people there. I had mass up the mountain at the barrios of La Rivera and El Costa Nera. I will now be going up every Saturday night as we begin to establish our ministry and presence there.
I am getting a bit more confident in the language as I am able to communicate a bit more easily with the people I am serving.
On the 20th I will be going up to Florida to visit my brother and sister-in-law. It will be a nice time away and good to connect with my family once again.
Again thank you all for your prayers and support for my time here.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Bolivia!
Just arrived back at the Maryknoll Center House where in a few hours we will be having the traditional Christmas bar-b-q. Just like home. Although it is a bit cold and overcast - about 70 degrees.
I am missing you all on my first Christmas here in Cochabamba but all is going well. I celebrated La Misa de Gallos in el barrio de La Rivera last night and then concelebrated Mass but at the Main Chapel in Nueva Vera Cruz afterwards.
This morning I celebrated Mass again at the Main Chapel and then we participated in the chocolate and bread served to the children in the avenida in the barrio.
It was a very different but wonderful Christmas. Getting much more in touch with the lives of the people I serve and understanding more about their lives.
may the Lord bless all of you this Christma season.