A room with a view... my nearest neighbour

The old with the new...

from the front...

Oblique view...progressing nicely...this week we hope to buy roofing materials and roof her. When she is roofed will let you know...

Christmas can be a wonderfully joyful time, but for many it can be difficult and even painful time. We pray that this Christmas may be more of the former for you, an abundance of peace and joy, and we ask you to remember those for whom this Christmas will be more of the latter, an impoverished and lonely moment. Whichever it is may the love of the Child reign in all of our hearts and bring us to an understanding of what really matters in life.

The road to nowhere...delivering a parcel of food to an impoverished family...We spent most of Christmas Day delivering food parcels to the most needful families. It is a Christmas Day with a difference but one that certainly helps you understand the true meaning of this often difficult time of year...

This lady is happy with her parcel of food...it will make a little difference.

This family are more than happy with their hamper, they moved here during the year and are still building their house...

On Christmas Day, we had an entire family baptized in the Parish of San Bernebé, Apostol. It was a very joyous occasion. The suits are usually bought by the Godparents who are generally chosen because they have the means to do so. Although the rains have started, we are as of Monday, not yet flooded, so no canoes. Watch this space...

Jesus, Mary and Joseph...and the rest of the nativity scene in our cane chapel in Hermano Gregorio. The new chapel is well on the way and we will inaugurate in February, God willing.

Does anyone remember the Dixie Chicks, the ones we bought two months ago, well here they are. Within days of Christmas, they're having nervous breakdowns all over the place. Just don't make chickens as they used to...

Jake, Jake, are you there. We were lifelong friends, we were through thick (maize) and thin (feed-stuff) together and he ups and leaves without even a goodbye.

A view of the work beginning just this week on the new chapel, centre in Hermano Gregorio. It has been a long struggle legalizing the property but finally it is ready to go. The foundation is in and the steel that you see is for the pillars.A view of the chapel it will replace. It is falling down and yet a hive of activity with catequesis, various parish meetings and Mass on Saturday.

Recuerda siempre esto:

Las personas grandes discuten sobre ideas, principios y el futuro,

Las inteligencias medianas sobre los eventos y sucesos de hoy,

Las pequeñas sobre las personas y temas sin trascendencia...

En cual te encuentras tu???

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Have a good one...

Dixie Chicks

Dixie Chicks is a project which we have started in preparation for the Christmas ( not an american country music outfit) where we have helped a number of families to acquire their own chickens and rear them, profit from them at Christmas and invest again in a new clutch in the New Year so that they may be able to earn a few dollars more and maybe develop a business sense to the benefit of their families. Each family gets 100 chicks (75 cents each) and will be able to sell them for around $7 a chick. A small investment that could potentially make a big difference. (in the case of the chicks, a fatal difference, but such is life, right.) If you would like to become involved, it would make a "pullet" of a Christmas present for some impoverished family. Think about it...

Jake, somehow Christmas isn't what it used to be. I'm not sure why but run.

Today, Tuesday, was a very happy day for us here in the parish because we inaugurated our new childcare centre, Centro Desarollo Infantil, Child Development Centre. There was great excitement everywhere especially among the 40 children and there parents who will be the first to use the centre. Within a year that is to increase to 60 children and will be of some considerable benefit to this community.

Gladys the clown made a special appearance for the children. Well done Gladys.

It is a collaboration between the parish and a government agency who are going to help us to run it in the long run. Dr. Raquel represented the government agency as I cut the tape...

We all gathered in the recreational room for the festivities. This is a sample of the rowdy crowd. Can you hear the noise?

Where have my sea legs gone ...never prayed as much...

All before you like your entire life in a canoe.

Home after Mass on Sunday in San Bernebé...

They lost everything during the night, all that is left is in the canoe...

Docking up ... at the front door.

Remember, always look left and then right just in case a speed boat is about.

Some memories of the winter in our parish. When you look out the front door, don't you sometimes just get that SINKING feeling...maybe not.

Life's like like a box of... well not the same for everyone.

Friends gone fishing...

Peering into the abyss...

Catechism class at one of our new chapels areas, as you can see it is a cane-timber structure but there is hope that we may be able to build something more permanent in the near future. This is our very first First Communion class in this area. There are some 20 others in catechism in this new area. Andrea (centre) is 16 and is our catequist.

Water front apartments are always more expensive, maybe its the contamination, the rubbish or just the disease laden mosquitoes...

A wobbly investment (even in boom times)

A new family move in, house warming party in one hour...

Mom, where are my socks for school...

You just have to do it, its the custom, you have to BITE the cake, yummee... But after seven it gets a bit colesteroly

Some of the gang, the youth group celebrating the big one...

Another one...

Help, I can't feel my leg...that's my leg...oh sorry.

Saturday was the dreaded day, yes another year. Here are some of the memories... Here is a party in the barrio Hermano Gregorio...

With some of the children of the catequesis...Infancia misionera...

With some wonderful religious, the ones you never hear about in the Irish Independent. Mary and Elizabeth have given over 30 years of their lives to the poor in the community of Colimes, two hours from Guayaquil, mighty women from Galway and Cork with their first Ecuadorean vocation... They are members of the Mill Hill Sisters, Franciscans of St. Joseph...

Primera Comunion en el sector Cerro Redondo.

First Comunion in Cerro Redondo, 29 of August, 2010.

A beautiful day with 25 children receiving their First Communion. There was great celebration and fanfare. A mad rush ensued the week prior to prepare the chapel for the celebration. The day itself, unforgettable...

Some more images from Cerro Redondo yesterday.

A Cead Mile Failte from the indigenous community of Cientos where we shared hard boiled eggs and some corn. From what little they have, you WILL have to have some. (C'mon, it wasn't that long ago in Ireland, was it?...)

Yet another birthday party for Mum in the community of Hermana Gregorio II in the Parish in Guayaquil. No chance of going to nothing here, especially while the tourists are around.

The wonderful missionary team from the Great Mid-West, Indianapolis, USA, who spent 2 weeks building tables and chairs for our new school and child-care centre, some of which are visible in this photo. From left Sam, Mike, Bob, Roberta, Matt, Mum, Doris and Mary Joe. They gave two weeks of their lives seeking to help those living in poverty in our parish, Gospel living I think they call it. I hope it inspires more to do something similar. Let me know when you're flying in, I will collect you at the airport. See you next year amigos if not before...

With their heads in the clouds as usual... Mum and Doris in the parish of Chontamarca, the province of Cañar, Ecuador. Photo taken at 3100 metres.

With Francisco Guaman and his family in Pomatoglla, Cañar, Ecuador. Francisco is a good friend and a member of the indigenous community, a descendant of the Cañari tribe which predates the Incas. In this paradise they live a very humble and peaceful live at close quarters to their Creator.

In the background, the Andes. This photo is taken at close to 3000 metres. Don't look down...