Moving Day

Hello My Friends,
I finished up classes yesterday and I officially move into the barrio tonight. I am helping out with the Sacrament of Reconciliaiton for a Confirmation class in one of the other chapels in the parish so will take the advantage to move into the barrio. Please keep me in your prayers as I officially begin my work in the barrio and begin to experience the mission there.
Several people have asked if they could help out the mission financially. There are several ways to do this. For the technologically gifted you may contribute online at www.maryknoll.org. You will find all the information that you need there under the donations section in the Maryknoll Priests and Brothers section. As needs develop in the barrio I will let you know about the specific things that are needed. If you would like to give specifically to our work in the barrio please include my name in the donation.
For those in contact with me by Skype I will usually be available on Sunday nights and Mondays since I will be at the Center House those days. My Skype contact is tgraff1. My email continues to be tgraff@maryknoll.org. Thanks to so many who have been in touch.
God bless.

Greetings

Good Morning All,
This is my last week in language school and I will be moving out to Nueva Vera Cruz this coming weekend. I am grateful for my time in school but am also looking forward to getting to work. The people in the barrio have been very welcoming but I know that I will be struggling with the language and the culture for the months ahead.
Please keep me in prayer as I continue on with my studies here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello All,
It is Thanksgiving morning here in Bolivia. The folks here don't realize this but they seem happy enough anyway.
This is my first major holiday away from home and I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and support these last months. I am deeply grateful to the Lord for all of you and the place that you have in my heart.
I will be finishing up my classes in a few weeks and moving out to Nueva Vera Cruz for my ministry there.
All is going well.
Thanks again for everything.
Timothy

Hello All

Greetings from Cochabamba.
I am finishing my last few weeks of language school and will soon be moving out to the barrio full time. I spent last weekend in the barrio for the first time because the rooms that we added onto the chapel are almost done. We now have electricity and running water (most of the time) and am slowly getting all the comforts of home. The bed consists of a mattress on top of 2 benches from the school but is really comfortable. We will soon be getting (or borrowing on a permanent basis) some chairs etc. for the house.
The leaders of the parish met on Sunday to outline some of the priorities that we want to be working on. Their biggest concern was for the youth. With many parents working overseas, the large presence of drugs, alcohol and gangs and the high percentage of sexual abuse they are very concerned about the future for their children. This will be a top priority as we begin our ministry within the barrio.
I will have mass up the mountain for the 2 new barrios this Saturday night. As more people move in the community will continue to grow.
People have asked if they could help in any way with the minsitry here. Please feel free to make contributions to Maryknoll in my name and we will be able to use the money for our work in the barrio.
Please keep me in prayer and I always love hearing from my friends back home.

Hello From Bolvia

Hello All,
Sorry it has been so long since my last posting but things have been a bit busy down here. Classes continue to be good but challenging. I will have another month here in school before I move out to the barrio. I should receive official word about my assignment in a few days. I ask your prayers for my cousin Ed Carlin who died last week and also for his mother, my Aunt Irene. May Eddie know the peace that so often eluded him here and may Aunt Irene feel the love and peace taht so many wish for her. I was blog again soon when I have a bit more news. My love and prayers for all.

El Dia De Los Dinfuntos

Hello one and all.
Today we celebrate All Souls Day (El Dia De Los Difuntos). It is a major celebration here in Bolivia with many more people in Church and families visiting cemeteries to remember their loved ones.
Yesterday in Nueva Vera Cruz we celebrated La Misa del Los Angelitos - a mass for children who have died in their infancy or through abortion. It was a very moving service and was a blessing for all the families who participated.
Today I moved into the Maryknoll House and will be here for the rest of the month. I will be continuing my language studies and will be spending time in the barrio when I get the chance.
Please keep ime in your prayers as I continue with my studies.

Another Update

Greetings All,
All is going well here in Cochabomba. Classes continue going well and I am feeling a bit more confident in Spanish most days (not all). I had my first birthday away from home this week but it was a good day. I received a good number of ecards (from high tech friends) and went out to dinner with some other students.
I have another week before I move into the Maryknoll house here. I look forward to getting to know the men a bit better and to learn more about the missionary life here in Bolivia.
I enjoy hearing from friends and family so please contact me when you get a chance either by email (tgraff@maryknoll.org) or skype (tgraff1).
My love to all.