2011 Mission Trip
We had 5 missionaries go to Guayaquil Ecuador July – August 2011. We went to a new community of San Francisco Dos with a Society of St. James the Apostle priest, Father PJ Hughe, known as Padre Patrcio.
The parish, Jesu Christo Pan De Vida, has five Chapels built of cane or concrete blocks, or only in the planning stages, or being rebuilt because the original cane fell down. One Sunday Mass is held at the outdoor chapel of a Country Club.
There is a school for 200 students, Julio Montevello, on the parish property. Father PJ has the second building almost complete with new classrooms and computer lab and they will add grade 6 next year. There is major construction on the playgrounds, security fencing, and concrete walls with footings already built for the roof of the Outdoor Sanctuary Chapel.
With the generosity of many, we gave:
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funds for 2 new computers for the computer lab
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full scholarships for 10 of the poorest students-$100 each
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one teacher's salary for 8 months
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200 T-shirts for a painting art project-and each student received the new shirt
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sunscreen hats for each student
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funds to purchase PE sport uniforms for 95 students
Two of us spent a week at Damien House in Guayaquil as well. Damien House is a care facility for those affected with Hansen’s Disease started by Sr Annie Credidio, BVM. The 40 full time residents receive medical care and three nutritious meals daily, clean and bright environment, and loving care (all at not cost to the resident). We were privileged to help in the kitchen preparing food, be witnesses to resident Trinidad, walking on two new prostheses (she had not walked in years). Spending time with the residents of Damien House was the most important thing we did-- treating them with respect and dignity. At the despidida for us, Trinidad said “these ladies have come for four years to be with us.” Nothing else to say!
Our generous donors provided t-shirts, hats, scarves, medical supplies, socks, shoes and over $2,000 to help purchase the wheelchair ramp for the van.
Sr Annie was here in San Diego as our guest while she did two Mission Appeals through the Mission Office. We also sponsored a fundraiser for Damien House while she was here.