December 21, 2000
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Friends of the North:
"...The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death." Isaiah 9:1
On December 11 as planned the team headed out to visit the rural communities and share the news that our traditional Christmas celebrations and community dinners would not happen this year. As we reflected on why people shared that really it made no sense to share one delicious meal if the next day there would be no food, and agreed this was a good decision though a sad one. Faces changed as we asked if people would be open to the food baskets in exchange for the traditional Christmas dinner..."why that means we'll have lots of dinners, and breakfast and lunch....rice, beans and corn for a month...applause and smiles abounded."
On December 16th from 6am to 6pm the team worked to complete the arrangements for transportation and do the final purchasing of products.
On December 17th we began the day in the community of the 14th of September, sharing with them the idea and asking that for reasons of Solidarity they too accept the cancellation of the Christmas dinner. 14ce would also receive baskets, the reality of the campo is already affecting the cities...the economic situation is critical and most people in the 14ce community are without steady jobs. 14ce was more then supportive, even asked us to consider that there baskets go to the campo where there is more need!
Later that same Sunday morning Luis and Elena met the trucks at the Mayoreo Market to begin loading the first shipment. On December 17th at 11;45am we started out for San Francisco Libre to make the first deliveries!
When we arrived to Laurel Galan a dozen men from El Bijague along with most of the community from Laurel were waiting. Eager to give a hand, work together and joyful as with seat rolling down their faces they unloaded the 100 lb sacks off the truck. The women in Laurel had prepared 5 gallons of fruit fresco and lots of sweet bread, a welcomed thirst quencher especially for those who walked two hours over the mountain from El Bijague to organize and work for the benefit of the communities. The spirit of cooperation, joy and life bubbled for miles.
On Monday the 18th at 7am we met the trucks again at the market and loaded up the provisions for Teustepe...and off we went. The community was waiting at the Pastoral center with energy and hands to help. They too had spontaneously prepared drinks and snacks...and lunch for the team! There are many elders in this community, our eyes filled as they got in line to carry what they could off the trucks...the youngins saying "No no Don Chepe, we'll get it"...and the elders with pride and joy staying in the assembly line with grins from ear to ear.
We arrived back in Managua by 2pm and met the larger Mack trucks to load up for Somotillo. As you know there are 5 communities, and quite large in this region so loading took until 7:30pm. Tuesday the 19th we headed out around 4:30am...
Over 80 men plus women and children from El Ojoche, La Carreta and Jinocuao awaited us in Jinocuao organized and ready! Carlitos, a blind man from Jinocuao was one of the first to jump up on the truck and pass the sack down! A second truck moved on to Nombre de Jesus where once again the community awaited ready and happy! Once the unloading in these communities was finished the trucks headed out with 20 pairs of volunteer hands to Somotillo to load 484 100lb sacks of corn for the communities. Then back to Jinocuao, and Nombre de Jesus for the unloading...and the re-loading of goods for La Danta which we had to unload in Jinocuao in order to have room for the corn!
Once this task was finished we headed over towards La Danta, about 45 minutes away to a town called Los Limones where the products for La Danta would be stored until they could be transported the rest of the way to La Danta the next day. La Danta too was waiting (we arrived at 3:30pm and they had been waiting since 11:00am!). Women from La Danta, which is about 8 kilometers from Los Limones, had arrived twice during the day with food and drinks for the workers! All at their own initiative! La Danta will be the hardest community to get the goods to...smaller 4 wheel drives will make it to the beginning edge of the community, then it will be on the backs of the community members the rest of the way!
We arrived late night to Managua, our families sleeping, and we the team, tired and happy!
Wednesday the 20th we made our last visit to the market and delivery to the 14ce community. A few young people and the women of elder age were there to greet us...again as we watched folks like Dona Quila move into line to carry the items she could our eyes filled.
The organizing, time, energy and efforts in the communities is more then example of their gratitude and community spirit. Once again the most humble become our most great example of faith and strength, and the power of unity!
During the visits between the 11-13th when we share the news and reflected with the communities, decisions were made by the people as to how they would participate. And this is what happened:
All of this has happened and more!!!
And form the North we have with great joy and excitement received the news of your efforts, energy and giving of yourselves! Hope is rich!
"...Today a child has been born for you in the city of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord!..." Luke 2:11
All of this which has come to pass teaches us the importance of the family, where each one has given according to their capacity for the project of life which together we are moving forward.
...and in this way...it is clear..."The Reign of God is POSSIBLE!"
Peace, Elena and Luis
Webmaster : Brian C. Monsell