Martin Chambers Ecuador Trust

Well, my visitors have left – Andy, Christine, Gerard and Christine, along with Johnny have left amidst tears and snotters! Literally as we were all suffering from a cold and cough in the last few days. It was a sad time tonight at the airport as there was a big crowd who came along to ach of the five who had become their friends in the last three weeks. Together we had done loads: visiting parishioners’ house and really getting to know them, working with them (big Christine in the Nursery and the rest down the school). Of course it was different from Andy’s last visit in 2005 because then I didn’t even live in Nueva Prosperina and hardly knew many people; now I have got to know so many people that there is tremendous opportunities to visit people and see how families truly live here. The highlight of their visit was the farewell we had this morning: Mass at the school followed by a presentation of traditional dances from the pupils along with handfuls of presents – school jerseys, Ecuador flags and home-made cards. This was followed by the visitors treating everyone in the school to hot chocolate and a bun. The school makes a real impact on anyone that visits. Last weekend we had the Parish Fiesta Football Competition. In good Ecuadorian spirit, although it was scheduled for an 8am start, it didn’t get underway until 9.30am. Some chapels had sent two or three teams but some only one. In any case we had enough teams to make three leagues: boys 10-13; boys 14-16; and girls 14-16. Gerard and Johnny got involved in two different teams and Gerard even got to the final in his category although he didn’t actually get the winners medal (we suspect a bit of cheating from the ref!). Once again though it was a good occasion for people to come together and enjoy themselves! I had also gone down to Ayangue with Andy and Christine and the crew. They were good days to relax and enjoy the seaside after all the pressure of the Parish Fiesta. One of the days we took a two-hour walk to Playa Rosada where Paul Sanders and John Keane got stranded last year. There were no problems for us about getting stranded – the only hassle was the very large waves. We all started off paddling but ended up fully in the water – fun all round! We also have another Scots visitor out in our area: Bishop Joe Toal is out visiting Colin MacInnes who is inaugurating another Church this coming Sunday. It is great to see him out here since he has himself supported both this mission and Colin’s. It is the first time I have seen him since he became Bishop last year. Bienvenido, Joe!