Weather and Wages

We were tempted to grumble after 24 hours of rain here, from mist to downpours. Hanging out the clothes, taking them down, three times. But when we read about 8 inches of snow in the Detroit, NW Ohio region, we had to rethink grumbling. Gleeful grinning didn't seem very charitable either.

The drive up past Tlilapan to San Andres for Mass this morning was a dreamy passage through mist covered hills, towering cliffs, deep jungle with tiny little homes perched here and there. We passed men taking loads of charcoal to town to sell, on horses, mules or burros. When we got to the village, people recognized us, and vice versa since some had been to the retreats in Tlilapan.

After making sure Dick's alb and stole were on straight, I found a place with a family in the small, packed church. The ceiling was painted in hearts and scrollwork, punctuated with cherubs here and there. There were typical, rather primitive statues on the walls, head level, about every three feet. One is very conscious of the Communion of Saints there, living and dead, since you have to walk through the crowded and colorful cemetery to reach the front door. Again, towering cliffs covered with all manner of growing things stand all around the church and village.

Mass was a treat! When the procession entered from the back, it was led by 8 small boys in dark pants, white shirts, black hair shining with a recent bath. They carried candles, other things needed for the Liturgy, and the smallest of all carried the Book, with great solemnity. Behind came the lectors, three equally serious young women, quite beautiful. The bones and features are ancient, indigenous, the manner is more modern. Then came two seminarians, there to thanks folks for their prayers and material support. (We're talking Widow's Mite here.) Then came the Deacon (guess who) and Father Enrique. A man of the village played a very simple electric organ.

When the singing began, it sounded like one great united voice. Living in the same village, knowing everyone for generations and having a simple, living faith, will produce a sound like that sometimes. Father had asked Dick to preach at the last minute. This could be Panic Time for some, but he's used to it and has learned to prepare "just in case".

After Mass we learned that there had been good quality oil paintings in the church years ago, but all were stolen. There is still some very fine wood candle stands and two well done statues, in gold painted wood. St. Augustine and st. Joseph.

When we left home this morning, the youth at this parish were putting up a tarp so they could stay out in the rain and sell things for raising funds. When we returned, another group of 40 or so youth were having a lively retreat here. The leader is one of the young missionaries who go way up into the hills to evangelize and teach. Several of the youth came over just to meet us. As usual, our door is wide open except at night, or if it's raining too hard.

The minimum wage here is $4.00 US. That's PER DAY, not per hour, and it's customary to pay about twice that for a day's hard work. Some make far less. Most people work until they are too elderly to move. A collection is taken at every Mass, every day, and almost all put in a few small coins.

I bid you adieu for now. I'm going to labor over figuring out how to include pictures on this Site. Be sure to leave a comment if you check in.