Re-entry: A Big Beach Party and Cultural Festival

Hello all!  My mind has been very busy since returning to Indonesia.  The Wi-Fi is better than last semester, but still sketchy.  

Here is a post I wrote on 9/17.  More to come!  Blessings to you and yours!

 

9-17-14

I arrived at the seminary in Indonesia on 9/7, so I have been here now 10 days.  I am getting settled back in and am happy for the slower pace of life here, though my mind is still working at American speed.  So I am working to slow down my brain.

My first full day here was a holiday for the SVD (Divine Word) Community – the 139^th anniversary of the founding of their religious order.  It was celebrated in a big way at a beach party attended by all the seminarians, priests, employees and their families.  Needless to say, I had a blast, taking turns dancing traditional local folk dances (in groups), visiting with people, posing for photos, and of course swimming in the beautiful sea.   I met a fellow Texan from San Antonio, an anthropologist teaching in Australia who has been doing research in the nearby village of Sikka for 37 years!

Last Friday a few of us visited a local hospital run by SSpS Sisters (also founded by the same man who founded the SVD priests).  At that hospital is a simple dental clinic which we will visit when my friends Rennie & Kathy (a Dentist) visit here in early October.  Then we went to a local festival of arts and culture where I was thrilled by performances of local music and dance complete with local costumes.    It was wonderful!

My life for the past 2 months was so hectic (selling the house and everything I own!) that is has been nice to have some time here to rest and relax.  This week we have been discussing what the seminary and SVD community would like from me, and I expect that next week a more structured schedule will be in place for me.  In the meantime, I am looking forward to a visit this weekend from my Texas friend Maria and her sister, Anas.  They are coming from Jakarta to an island to the East named Timor. We will meet in the town of Kupang where we will get to meet and visit with my former pastor Fr. Paul’s father, sister and brother.  Kupang is but a 30-minute flight from my base in Maumere.

Photo1:  Maumere Arts & Culture Festival

Photo2: Beach party to celebrate the 139th anniversary of the founding of the Divine Word Missionary (SVD) order, shown here chatting in Engish with Australians Fr.Bill Burt, SVD (center) and famous anthropologist Douglas Lewis from San Antonio, TX (right)!

Photo3: Dental clinic at the SSpS Sisters' hospital in nearby Kewapante.

Back Home Again in Ledalero

Smiles on my face as I arrived…landing at the airport, riding on the newly-paved road to the seminary, seeing the spire of the seminary from the road, seeing Hubert (Berto) with his hand phone waiting for my arrival, and then walking into the dining room.  Many smiles and personal greetings/handshakes/embraces-European style…including from the Rektor.  Agust, Pice, Bernard Boli… so many friends.  All the usual players were here.  Except for the boys…The boys were nowhere to be seen and I noted their absence with a mix of sadness and blessing, for most of them have now gone forth to their missionary destinies.  Now there is a new crew in place – 18 young men to be ordained in 2 weeks.  2 weeks!  18 new young Catholic priests coming from the Indonesian church.  

And there was beer at lunch!  How fun.  Then Fr. Bill and I sat for a chat to catch up and share stories.  He asked straightaway what happened with me since I left.  He stated Hubert had told him of my selling my house.  I hope I explained it well as I don’t want to cause any concern for anyone here about my future as I am now dependent on God more than ever for my future.

And then there was the mosquito netting!  I delighted to take my siesta safe in the womb of my bed in the mosquito netting and to commune again with my Lord.  At dinner I saw more friends – Eman, Ito, Bernard Hayon and Juan (Mary Gomez!).  I feel and am so blessed to be back here in my beloved Ledalero.  We’ll see what God has in store for our futures.  But in the meantime, it is today and I am here and I am again happy.  Thank you Jesus, terima kasih Tuhan Yesus.

P.S.  It is COOL here…meaning the temperature.  There is even a chill in the air and everyone is wearing light jackets!  :-)  Thank you Jesus!!

I am going back!

It is with great joy that I announce that I am returning to Indonesia early next month!

Since returning from my trip in April, I have processed about God's powerful healing and intervention in my life while I was there.  I am changed.  Following much prayer and consultation with my spiritual director, pastor, close friends and family, I have discerned that I am to return.  As an official guest of the Bishops' Conference in the Diocese of Maumere on Flores Island, I will again be spending the Fall semester volunteering at the SVD/Divine Word Missionary seminary on Flores Island, experiencing the universal Catholic Church from a Southeastern Asian perspective, visiting local parishes in nearby villages, and practicing English conversation with the community there.  I couldn't be more excited!


While there, I will continue discerning God's will and call for my future and and excited to learn His will for the next phase.  I am surrendered to Him as never before in my Life.

"Here I am, Lord.  Send me!"  --Isaiah 6:8

If you're interested, have a listen to this great song that speaks to some of my hopes for this trip:  Let them See You by JJ Weeks Band

May God continue to bless you and your families and friends.

In His Love,

Joan

Tony Melendez

As I followed the news of the recent canonizations in Rome of now-Saints John Paul II and John XXIII, I saw Tony Melendez perform and reflect on the time he sang for St. John Paul II. See: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Man-With-No-Arms-Plays-Guitar-With-Feet-at-Catholic-Service-256794331.html

And that reminded me of a seminarian in the English Course taught by Fr. Augustine Senda, SVD.   And so, just now, I was facebook messaging with Tony about it and he asked me to send the story to him.  And I sent this to him:

I recently returned from a 2-month trip to Indonesia. As a volunteer, my job was to help seminarians and newly-ordained priests and others practice their conversational English -- with a native English speaker -- before being sent worldwide as missionaries. Their order is the Divine Word Missionaries. 

Indonesians LOVE to sing, and do so from birth. Many of them are very musical -- sing, play guitar, keyboard, midi, and sing in 4-part harmony easily. So we shared a lot of songs in English as another way of practicing. One day, one of the seminarians --Argus -- asked me to sing one of your songs with him. It was one I didn't know. So he sang it -- impromtpu. I just wanted  to thank you for that moment, and for blessing that seminarian. Under God's grace and the movement of the Holy Spirit, your music has made it around the world, even to a remote part of a developing country in southeast Asia. Blessings to you and your beautiful family and ministry. Praise God from who all blessings flow.

Joannie the Island Girl/Queen of Sheba
www.songsoflife.co
www.inourmidst.net

Mosquito Netting

"Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known." 1 Cor 13:12

I've been thinking about mosquito netting.  Every afternoon and evening in  Indonesia I entered the safety of a mosquito nettinged-bed for rest and protection from mosquitos and other UFOs and creatures of nature in my room.

The mosquito-netting formed a barrier that provided effective protection when I chose to use it (which was 98% of the time) -- much like God's love and mercy.  The netting was flowing and free-form; permeable, not rigid -- also like God.   When I exercised my free will to get inside the netting, there I was safe from bugs and mosquitos -- like living in God's will protects us.  And from there, I could see, albeit indistinctly, all that I needed to see.

For me, the mosquito netting became a kind of a chapel; a sanctuary, if you will, even a kind of tabernacle where I encountered the presence of Jesus, sought his protection and care, where he came to meet me very afternoon, where I sought communion with him and would pray my (mostly) daily rosary in the quiet of siesta time.

The mosquito netting was there when I needed it, like God.  It was even there when I, in my free will, decided not to enter into it...again, like God.   There I learned I could seek and receive comfort from the harsh temperatures and sun, safe from the plentiful mosquitoes seeking my body's blood and putting me ever at risk for malaria.

As humans, we can pick and choose...to enter into the love and protection of God's will, or not.  

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

God,  please forgive me for the times I have chosen to stay outside of your protection.  Thank you for giving me free will.  Please help me to choose you, over and over again.  And thank you for protecting me from harm while I was in Indonesia.

Eat, Pray, Love: Karen & Joannie do Bali

Two American sisters meet in South Asia!

When I was planning my trip to Indonesia, and before I had decided to go, my sister posted on Facebook that she was going to Singapore for a business conference.  I noted that she would be in Singapore at the same time I was in Indonesia, quite near to Jakarta.  That info factored into my decision to go to Indonesia as I could see the hand of God bringing us together on the other side of the world.  We agreed to meet in Bali, almost halfway between Singapore and easy Flores island.

With the help of my new friends in Indonesia, I made a reservation to stay one day alone in Bali near the airport.  During this time I went shopping with the locals at a Galleria Mall and went on my first-ever motorbike ride!

Then I met Karen's international flight, and we headed off to our reservations in the town of Ubud, Bali at the Sri Bungalows.  The It was about a 60-90 minute drive through neighborhoods of Hindu monuments, colors and culture.

In Ubud we enjoyed the beauty of the bungalows surrounding a beautiful rice field and each others' company.  Having only 2 days in Bali, we relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere and only as much sightseeing as we wanted.  It was quite relaxed and each decision about our activities was made at the spur of each moment.

It was quite hot outdoors for we northerners.  For meals, which were all open-air, we would arrive hot and sticky, and within 5 minutes would cool down thanks to the shade and ceiling fans.   Unlike at the seminary, both hotels in Bali were air-conditioned -- a nice treat for me :-).  On the last day, we treated ourselves by hiring a driver to take us around to a few sites.  At the Hindu palace, we jumped out of the air-conditioned car, took a picture, and then back into the cool if the car!  We did the same at the Monkey Forest and at the famous Kuta beach.  At Kuts were surrounded by very aggressive vendors offering to sell us many things for "cheap, Missus". 

More stories to tell, but suffice it to say we had a great time, good visit, and are already planning our return once we win the lottery!

Can you imagine?

"Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love Him."  1 Cor. 2:9

Imagine. Can we really imagine what God has ready for those who love Him?  Scripture tells us we cannot even fathom what God has ready for us if we but love Him.  Our human minds are amazingly made:  even so, God is so big that not even our most brilliant minds, even those of the Saints, can imagine.

This is my reflection this morning, Ash Wednesday, 2014.  I am sitting in a large, open-air meeting room in Ledalero known as the Veranda. Like any meeting room, it is filed with chairs and a few tables.  But some of the chairs are comfy, large, sturdy wooden arm chairs with rattan seats and backs.   The room has a tiled floor and four large windows with floor-length light blue curtains and white sheers.  One of the six walls in the room is made of concrete formed into a pattern that allows air and light to pass between the inside and outside.  The best "wall" of all is only maybe 2 feet tall, creating a large open space above where outside and inside become one.  Through it I see a plethora of palm trees, various fruit trees and the flowers for which the Portuguese named this island of Flores.

I have chosen this spot this morning as the place to read some professional articles written by an SVD priest here at the seminary who has a Doctorate in Catholic Liturgy.  He has asked me to read these articles which he, a native Indonesian,  has written in English, and to make suggestions about English grammar, writing style, and flow.

Can you imagine?  A PhD in liturgy has asked little old me to review articles he has written and to help him with the English, my first language.  As you may know, I love liturgy.  Imagine my delight to be reading about his research on rites of Christian initiation as celebrated in combination with ancient tribal traditions in eastern Indonesia! Similarly, I have been asked to attend newly-created English conversation groups for seminary professors, Catholic SVD priests who have Masters or Doctoral degrees and who want to improve their conversational English (pronunciation, grammar, context, etc.).  What humility these men have.  And how humble I feel! 

Can you imagine?  I can scarcely imagine that, when I said, "Here I am, Lord, send me", God would send me to a) INDONESIA, and b) help holy priests improve their English skills!  And not only that, but also to help the newly-ordained priests with masters degrees who are about to be sent around the world to spread the Good News (missionaries), as well as seminarians, seminary staff members, and professors!  All I can say is wow.

Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.  Send me.

And send me He did!  I pray that this Lent, we may all strive to seek the Lord while he may be found, and to grow in holiness.  Lord, help us to become saints.

I can only imagine

Eye Has Not Seen, sung by the seminary choir in Indonesia

Holy Bats, Man?!

What a wonderful week I had!  As I mentioned in my last post, I accompanied 2 vans full of priests on a 7-hour drive to a retreat house in Mataloko, a village in the western part of Flores.  There the priests had 3 days of provincial leadership meetings.  I was invited to go and explore that part of the island while they were meeting;  one English-speaking priest, Pater Anton (Tony), was assigned to be my sightseeing guide for the week.  Fr. Paul told me I would be taken care of while here, and he was right!  The SVDs have been so thoughtful and kind to me since I arrived.  Blessed be God!

Along the way, we stopped at SVD parishes for bathroom breaks or lunch.  At one, the SVD parish priest and our Pater Alfons posed for a photo with some of the Catholic school children.  There are many Catholic elementary and high schools here on Flores!

In kilometers/miles, the trip should take a much shorter time than 7 hours.  However, the road is a constant zig-zag.  I understand that, 10 years ago, the trip took even longer because the road was not yet built with asphalt like it is today.

Tony and I were provided with a driver.  One day we drove about 30 minutes west of the site of the meeting to Bena, a traditional village that has been maintained as a historical reserve to show the old way of life...tiki-like primitive structures arranged in a large circle with a community gathering space in the center. There is something to be said for community life like that!  Today, the advent of paved roads has caused many villages to be divided, and other villagers have been incented by the government to live nearer to the roadside, instead of further from the road, and to operate small kiosks where they offer things for sale like fresh fruits and vegetables, boiled corn (cooked over a wooden fire), peanuts, cigarettes and bottled water. 

At Bena, the government requires that the people who work in the village also live in the village, to maintain the authenticity.  And so they do.  Most are farmers who also weave and sell sarongs and belts to tourists.  Not that there is a high volume of tourists in this part of the island of Flores!

On the way there, we stopped at a site that offers a stunning panoramic view of the mountains that surround us. I was overtaken by the majesty and power and love of God. I literally couldn't stand...had to sit.  And there I sat speechless, dumb-founded by God's marvelous creation.  I had a very holy experience of the magnitude of God's love for us, for me.  It was powerful.

At Bena, I watched a demonstration of hand-weaving and purchased a handmade sarong to honor the woman who made it.  Her name was Angelica, her husband is Philipus, and their toddler son's name is Angelo.

Then we drove 4 hours northwest, on a crazy road that was 65% deteriorated,  to a town that is not even on the map called Riung, on the northern coast of the island.  There the SVDs own and operate a small hotel (revenue stream for the order).  We spent the night, then got up early the next morning for an excursion on a motor boat.  We went to the small Bat island where, from the safety of the boat, we saw zillions of large bats flying all over.  From there, we went to an uninhabited, undeveloped island with a pristine white sand beach.  The water was completely clear, and appeared to be azure blue in places where no vegetation was growing on the sea bottom.  We swam for a couple of hours during which God spoke to me about His love for me, and his desire for me to trust Him in new and deeper ways.

The Indonesians on the island of Flores are predominantly Catholic, unlike the rest of Indonesia.  They are happy, funny, and seem to take life in stride, for the most part. The SVDs take a siesta every afternoon and 2 social coffee breaks during the day.  So I am learning to slow down, be patient, and enjoy.

There are some refugees from a volcano eruption 6 months ago living in the nearby town of Maumere. The issue of human trafficking is alive and real here, and the Church is involved in addressing the above as well as helping people out of domestic violence situations.

That's all for now.  It's time to get into my bed, protected by the mosquito netting.  6:15 a.m. Mass comes early!

Here is a link to some photos from my trip.  I tried to add them here but was unable to publish the post with them.  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wdwq58xttjiflx5/gihY4xK_yx

Love and prayers,

Joan

How Did I End Up in Indonesia?

Some of you have asked to know the story of how I ended up on this marvelous adventure.  So here you go!

Last fall, when my time of otium sanctum (holy leisure) began, I said to God: "Here I am Lord, send me".  In other words, I am a blank canvas.  Use me as you will for your purposes.

My pastor, Fr. Paul Kahan, SVD, is from Indonesia.  On his trip home last fall, he and a fellow SVD were talking about the seminary he attended and the need they have to help Indonesians become more fluent in speaking English.  They discussed having a native English speaker come to Indonesia for this purpose, maybe sometime in the next year or two.

Fast forward to early January.  I cantored at a memorial Mass for a Ugandan at St. Rita.  Although most of the music was in English  I was moved by the native 2 songs they sang.  I was also touched by the love of the Africans now living in the Dallas/FTW area, and by the life story of the man who died.

For several years now. Since learning there are now more Catholics in the southern hemisphere than in the northern, I have wanted to travel to Africa to experience the Church in the southern hemisphere, and where there are many conversions taking place.  After the Ugandan memorial Mass, I was discussing my desire with Fr. Paul rather animatedly and he started telling me where there are SVDs working in Africa.  Then he said the words that were to change my life: "Why don't you go to Indonesia?".

I impulsively said "okay".  Then I spent about a week praying, researching & talking to trusted advisors.  All the pieces fell into place and I said my fiat to God:  Yes, Lord, be it done unto me according to your will.   I felt peace about going and began my preparations.  Once I said my "yes", my friends, family and I practically stood back and watched in amazement as God orchestrated the many details.  They seemed to all just fall into place! 1 month later I headed to the airport bound for Indonesia! 

Blessed be God.

Road trip

I just found out I am traveling to an SVD retreat house in Mataloko, a 7-hour drive from the seminary where I am staying.  Some of the priests have a 3-day meeting, and I am tagging along.  Be back on Friday.  If you don't hear from me for a few days, you will know why.  Pray for me as I pray for you :-)

Sight seeing

I finished this long blog post on Saturday, and then it promptly vanished into cyber space!  So here is my shorter re-creation of it, with fewer stories but still representative photos.  :-)

On Tuesday, one of my hosts. Fr. Lukas, SVD, took his visiting niece and me sightseeing in the are.  We went up to Nilo to see the Shrine of Mary of the Nations ; visited the local Diocesan seminary including the room where Pope John Paul II stayed during his 1989 visit to Flores; and visited the town  of Maumere's market, shops, and SVD house.  Following are some photos.

Blessed be God!

Laundry

Today Fr. Antony helped me find the laundry.  I saw large machines I assume are washing machines.  However, the women in the photos took my laundry and immediately dunked my clothes in a large basin of water inside a large sink and started washing or pre-washing them.  I was asked if there were any special instructions and which items needed to be ironed.  When I asked when the laundry would be ready, I was told maybe in three days because of the time needed for air-drying during the rainy season.  They pointed to an electrical clothes dryer but told me it is broken.  I was impressed with the organization of their operation, and I look forward to receiving my clean clothes.  :-)

Scorpion (exclamation marks removed)

Yesterday afternoon,  part of the complex where I am staying lost electricity; this included my room.  I was glad to receive several candles, some matches and a bic-like lighter.  After adoration and dinner, it was almost time for bed anyway --  when you get up for morning prayer at 5:15 a.m., you tend to go to bed early!  I said my rosary by candlelight.  It was quite lovely, actually;  I enjoyed the soft light of the candles compared to the overhead fluorescent lights, for a change. 

This morning as I was getting ready for 5:15 a.m. morning prayer by candlelight, I noticed something small moving on the tiled bathroom floor.  Expecting a small lizard, imagine my surprise to see a full-blown scorpion!  I haven't seen one since my camping trip with The Kouba family 20-some years ago!  I was quite astonished and unsure of what to do.  My brother Mark gave me a mini flashlight, which I turned on and shone on the unwelcome visitor.  He did not like the light, and eventually retreated into a hole in the wall.  When I tried to convey my shock to the priests at breakfast, I was met with a matter-of-fact "oh those are common in the tropics.  He didn't bite you, did he?"  And on we went with the morning.  Yes, St. Thomas Aquinas, thank you for helping me learn temperance!

Much like the darknesses of our lives, whether tribal black magic, sin, temptations, or sufferings --all of which God allows -- the Light overcomes the darkness.  Every time.  At morning prayer I realized that even if I had been stung by the scorpion, still God would be with me and still I would be blessed.

Let us seek out the Light in our lives today, and let it dispel the darkness.  Alleluia.

Blessings and love from Indonesia,

Joan
 
Photos:
1.  No explanation needed!
2.  The candles
3. Adoration at the chapel last night
4.  Joan in action speaking to the young priests in the English course.

Photos, by popular request :-)

1 The walkway from the plane to the terminal in Maumere
2) The tabernacle in the chapel at the SVD house in Jakarta
3) beautiful candle holder/plant stand (Jakarta SVD chapel)
4) Balinesian umbrellas in the SVD chapel, Jkt.
5)  very cool ornate Indonesian chair in the lobby of the SVD house in Jkta.
6) Me in front of St Joseph parish in Jkta.

More photos can be seen in my Facebook page ;-)

Out of reach

Upon my arrival in Ledalero at the seminary, I quickly learned that Wi-Fi connectivity is very very limited here.  In discussing this with some of the young priests this morning, one of them wisely said, "Perhaps that is how God wants it."  Indeed!

After lunch, some of them were trying to help me connect and pointed out where 2 of the routers are.  So at the moment, I am sitting outside on a folding chair right beneath the router box :-).  Everyone once in a while, I get connectivity here...more frequently than in my room or the dining hall.

Last night the dinner lineup included a large platter with 2 very large cooked fish (with skeleton, head, fins, the whole 9.)  The priests were very helpful and coached me how to pull some meat off the fish to put on my plate.  The texture and taste were fantastic.

Everyone is very friendly here.  The seminarians and young missionaries who are learning English seem excited to have a native English speaker from the states with whom to practice their English.  Fr. Bill arrived here last month from Australia, so he helps them with the British-style of pronunciation.  Now, with my arrival, they can practice American-style, too.

After a good night's sleep, I awoke and went to morning prayer at 5:30 a.m..   !!!!!!! This was followed by 30 minutes of meditative prayer, then Mass at 6:45 a.m.  (Yes, you read that right... I was there that early!)  The music was gorgeous... singing from the heart, very prayerful and heart, felt.  The men here sing confidently and beautifully, and the acoustics in the church make it sound like there are many more singing than actually are there.  There was also a 25-voiced choir upstairs in the choir loft.  Beautiful singing! I recorded a couple of snippets and will try to upload them here for you.

For breakfast, we had rice and fish and hard boiled egg and more good conversation.  After that, Fr. Lukas and I visited for a long time, getting to know each other.  He has been telling me fantastic stories of missionary work, Indonesian history and culture, and conversions resulting from the SVDs presence here.  Then we had coffee and a snack and more visiting with others.  I caught a 20-minute break then it was time for lunch.  My new food at lunch was some sort of yummy sweet avocado drink.  There is a large avocado tree right here on the property.  Can you imagine?

My large room is quite rustic.  It has a twin bed with a cloth canopy overhead and attached lace panels all the way around, aka mosquito netting.  I also have a desk, several chairs, and a wardrobe.  I do have my own bathroom with a sink, a toilet, and a very large plastic container holding maybe 10-15 gallons of water that have been filtered through a small cloth bag hanging at the faucet to remove dirt caused by the rains.  There is also a hand-held shower hose that I look forward to learning to use.

At times it is quite hot and sticky here, I.e. humid, muggy.  And at other times it is cool with a slight breeze.  It may take me awhile to adjust to the humidity and the proximity to the equator. 

I have been enjoying some great conversations about our Catholic faith and the universal church.  Also have been laughing and enjoying a much simpler life.

Everywhere I look I see flowers and trees and plants.  The rains are intermittent and lovely.

God is doing a mighty work here and I am privileged to be here to help out in my own way, according to God's will.  I am praying for you and thank you for your continued prayers as well.

Peace and blessings.

Love,

Joan

We are more the same than different

I had elaborate plans for my first blog post of the trip.   But my mind is so full already of new experiences that it is hard to organize my thoughts yet.  Alas, it's better to post something at this point than nothing at all!

My flights went well and were easy to bear.  I did pray for those of you who gave me prayer intentions.  Doah, Qatar was not scary at all.  The airport was very international and, even though I sheltered myself in a first-class lounge, I had enough time to see the terminal as well. And buy a couple of trinkets.  Qatar Airways bills themselves as "the world's five star airline" and the service was impressive and enjoyable.

I adopted each new time zone as I arrived and seem to be experiencing very little jet lag.

The ride from the Jakarta airport to the SVD house was eye-opening.  I thought of my little sister Laura whose degrees include urban planning, because there appears to be none here!  Drove by a garish-looking Mall of Indonesia, complete with  huge King Kong, while seeing tenements asking the freeway. Zillions of motorcycles wove in and out of traffic, and horns were constantly blaring. I had been warned about the bad air pollution here; I could literally see it.  And everyone was smoking.

After dinner with the SVDs, I retired to my air-conditioned room around 8:30 p.m. and was in bed by 9:30.

I awoke this morning for morning prayer at 6 a.m. followed by Mass, all in Indonesian.  I took great comfort in the familiar sights of crucifix, altar, ambo and tabernacle, and if course in the celebration of the Eucharist. 

I have been advised not to venture out into the city, so I enjoyed a quiet day of rest here at the 4-story building that houses the SVDs.  Today in the dining room I have seen a few ants, a mouse, & a small lizard on the wall near the ceiling.  In the garden off the dining room, with doors wide open, there are many birds in bird-cages as well as pet chickens running around freely.

Next door there is a Catholic church and school, and from the dining room all day I could hear the delightful sounds of children at play.  Which brings new to the title of this post.

We are more the same than different.  I have observed that we all yawn, smile, kiss babies, no matter what language, nationality or religion.  All children play, nuns and priests and brothers support Catholic schools.  We all are tied to our cell phones.  We all extend a friendly hello, even if only through a handshake or smile.  We were made to love.  And many of us succeed, perhaps more often than we realize.  At the risk of getting the insane Disney tune suck in your head, it is a small world after all.

That's it for now.  The bed calls.  I leave for my final destination on Saturday at 4 a.m.!

P.s.  At dinner tonight, Pater William, working in Guadelahara and home for a visit, taught me how to eat fish with the head still attached.  That is all!