Santa Teresita Again

These 2 men are very like minded and as I've said before, Guille and Susi are huge blessings in our life.  We had our first encuentro (meeting) with the neighbors in Santa Teresita to go over the results of the survey and to further equip them in helping themselves in the problems that the survey revealed.

It was necessary to get the galpón (abandoned workshed) ready for the meeting.  We were so thrilled to find this place with a roof and walls.  Even though Santa Teresita is a rural neighborhood, there aren't big trees that offer shade against the strong sun or heavy rain.  The galpón had a bit of trash that was easily removed and weeds that were macheted away by the muscles of our almost-12-year-old.

The trash-picker-uppers

Getting ready to begin the meeting... we had facturas (I'm not sure how to describe this typical Argentine food - maybe a danish?) and of course mate.

Here is an acto in action.  Chris was "playing the part" of the extranjero (foreigner) who came along with the desire to help those in need.  David and Guille were the locals who desperately needed to cross a river but didn't know how to swim or where the rocks were placed within the river.  The foreigner knows all about rocks in rivers and how to swim so he generously offers to carry David across.  But by the time he gets halfway across, he is too tired and can't go any further.  He deposits David on a rock structure in the middle of the river without giving him any instructions on how to get to either side.  He reaches the bank where Guille is waiting and informs him that there is no way he can carry him and offers instead to teach him how to cross, which is what you see in action above.

They arrive at the midpoint and the tired, well-meaning foreigner can't go on.  But, since Guille now knows how to cross on his own, he is able to teach David and they cross together to the otherside.

Here they are, after victoriously crossing the river on their own, able to show other locals the way as well.

It's a little silly, but it got good reviews from the neighbors who liked what it represented: they are smart, they need some tools and instructions on how to accomplish the things they want for the barrio, and we can work together for its good. 

Going over the results of the survey

This was a great exercise in talking about Salud Integral (Integral Health) and what the neighbors thought was needed for a healthy community.  Many important themes were brought up and discussed at length.

Chris and Guille will continue visiting with the neighbors a couple times a week and Susi, the boys, and I hope to attend the meetings on the weekends.  It will be interesting to see what God has in store for this barrio que no es olvidado ya.

PS I'm such a geek numbers person and very much enjoy the fact that today is 11-11-11 and this post was published at 11:11.  :)