Almost exactly five months after beginning the building, the big day has arrived.
To all those generous people back in Mildura I have just one message; you will have absolutely no idea how grateful the people of Pedregal Alto are, how happy they are and how much of a difference this centre will make to their lives. I can assure you that your efforts were not just for some far away fundraiser; you have guaranteed these people a real chance to strengthen their community and dream for the future.
All is ready for the grand event, even the banner is in place on the roof and some of the surrounding houses are decorated for the family parties that will occur after the Mass and Baptisms.
The centre looks fantastic, decorated with great care and taste. They certainly go to a lot of trouble to make sure everything is perfect and memorable for all.
Their new steel cross and the designer. I warned the builder that there is a copyright on the design. I may well have been too late in speaking to him because possibly twenty copies could already be on sale! Copyright is no problem in Peru.
These four were waiting for us when we arrived, in fact the three sisters on the right are always waiting to see Marion and Lucas whenever we visit Pedregal Alto.
The new bell and a keen bell ringer.
Some of the choir members and their brand new ponchos that Marion and the sewing ladies had organised for the group. They looked fantastic and were so proud to wear them for the occasion.
Four keen supporters of the choir – Anna, Joao, Pilar and Irma.
In the hands of the starter. The crowd has gathered and the final details are being ironed out by Mick, Martin, Rebecca and Maritza. The crowd were warned well beforehand to be there by 12.30 p.m. and that the starting time was to be 1.00 p.m. I think we were only ten minutes late starting, not bad for here!
Some of the twenty-three Baptisms that were conducted during the Mass.
The speeches after Mass. Marion’s Spanish was very well received and drew great applause.
The presentation speech by Maritza was memorable and sincere; she is a great lady and will be a tower of strength in the community.
You cannot get away without opening your presents and then donning them for all to see. Jorge, the Chilean lay missionary, seems to appreciate the gringo’s brand new poncho and scarf and Marion is very happy with her gifts.
When it was all over the ladies served a meal for everyone present. ‘Papa a la huancaína’ – boiled potato covered with a spicy cheese and yellow capsicum sauce, half a hard boiled egg, a black olive and served on lettuce leaves. This was followed by a slice of the normal massive cream cake and glasses of cola. These three young girls lend an entire new meaning to enjoying the ‘after Baptism’ meal.
The day is over and we head for home down the long dusty road for possibly the last time, tinged with a lot of sadness. It is hard to imagine that we have been visiting Pedregal Alto for five months watching the building grow and now it is complete. They have a wonderful asset and I am sure that they will utilise it to the fullest.
Would you believe it, but just down the road the band had struck up for another celebration. It looked as though it was going to be a long night!
