Once I woke everyone up around 12:30am, we headed off for the 15 minute canoe ride to Kapawi community. Here we are drinking Wayusa (a tea made from a tree) at 1:15 am with one of my students in his family's house. You drink this and then you throw up (Achuars do it every morning and then tell their dreams to start their day around 4 am)... it was my first experience with this beverage... not too bad.
Cristobal's family (mother) cooking the tea on the fire.
Beginning of mass, lighting of the Christ candle from the "bonfire" outside the chapel.
Start of the service with candlelight and singing in Achuar.
At the very end of the mass, the nuns threw candy and here's all the kids rushing for it!
Employees nearly asleep on the canoe ride back around 4:30am... :)
Easter day in the community... yes it was no exception to the endless Chicha drinking... more of an excuse for more of it!
Martha's (my friend and the housekeeper at the lodge) mother serving chicha to Kuji from, one of my students and an adminstrator at the lodge.
So, this little girl stole my sandals while I was walking around in the mud and then it became the game for the next hour or so to steal my sandals, make me chase them, etc etc.
After I finally put an end to the sandal game. Do I look tired? It's because I was EXHAUSTED! After only an hour and a half of sleep the night before, midnight mass, working all morning, being in a photo shoot (literally there were photographers here from some famous newspaper asking for the "gringa" to be in the photos with the Achuar...), returning to Kapawi community, playing volleyball, and then this game of keep the sandals away from the teacher... was starting to take it's toll. I was invited to join one of the families whose daughter had been baptized for a celebratory dinner and directly after made my way to the house where I was being hosted (becuase I taught in the community the next morning) and went straight to bed at 8:15!!! hahaha! Well, almost straight to bed... after I almost fell down a huge drop off in the midst of a kind of mudslide while trying to urinate in the pitch black pouring down rain of the night... let's just say it was hugely entertaining and more so when I returned to the house and my hosts laughed their butts off at my muddy, drowned rat, scared pale appearance in the doorway! :) Let's just say it was a close call!I was blessed with one of the most unique Easter Sundays that I couldn't even have imagined. I hope you all find yourselves just as blessed on your individual life paths. God is good wherever we find ourselves!
Below you can hopefully find a video of the Achuar singing at mass.
Peace and Blessings,
Kate
A different Easter and the light from the bonfire was unique carried into the church. There voices raised in praise to God was tremendous. I keep praying for your safety and I think that God had his gaurdian angels around you to keep you going down with the mudslide. We might see you in the newspaper since they were taking so many pictures of you. Becky is taking good care of me and we are anxiously awaiting your return. Wish I could sneak into see you with your mom and dad. I had a special Easter with your mom and dad Jess and Ben. Going to volunteer meeting at Zilbur tuesday and also Jodi's school. I am going to visit a new church Sunday. When is the date for your arrival back because I want to plan a reunion and aunt Jodi and Uncle Bill will be gone mose of July. Big Hug Love you - Gma
ReplyDeleteThanks Grandma and Becky! Y'all are the best! Miss you and I'm glad to hear you had a good Easter too! Way to go Grandma with volunteering and visiting a new church... get out there and go for it Grams! I'm looking at being around sometime after the middle of July. Love you! KK
ReplyDeleteYou truly had a blessed Easter. However, I think you could had done without the potty break at the end of the day. :)
ReplyDeleteHave to show you what the Youth did for Sonrise Worship when you return - awesome!
You should have fun with your folks in a week. I already heard about your plans to take your Dad sand surfing. Very interesting.
Blessings,
Audrey
Kate, sorry so late for a reply,I've been intensely working on preparing for teaching. Loved the Achuar singing at the Easter Mass, so spritually uplifting, I bet it was for you even more! Your experience will be forever remembered in the people's lives you touched, as well as how it reached your most inner being!
ReplyDeleteI visited the new church-Epikos by myself last Sunday, how I have looked forward to this for a long time, and it reached my heighten expectations; now to bring the family... Wish I could've been there for some of your adventures! LOVE YOU KIDDO, Your Aunt Lynn