a few days in Guadalupe

Kate has returned to Tacoma and we very much miss her.    The routine of school, playing and church helps, though.     The week started with a bang.   On Monday evening, two extremely loud firecrackers went off very close to our apartment.    We've grown accustomed to how different life is here from home and while the firecrackers were startling, I was not surprised.    Walking to the river the next day,  Emmett and Annalise's eleven year old friend, Salome, answered my question about the loud noise from the night before.    The firecrackers are part of the celebration of St. Teresita.   St. Teresita is the patron saint of the Hermanas Teresita, the order of nuns living and working at the Catholic mission.      We are in the midst of a nine days of Novena prayers.     On Tuesday night, Annalise and I went to the service at the smaller church located in the center of Guadalupe.    Emmett played soccer with his buddies in the "concha", or enclosed athletic court, also located in the center of town.    During the service  Annalise sat with Salome and some girlfriends and I sat nearby.   Of course, there were prayers and music.   A Sister (nun) spoke about the challenges for girls and young women living in Africa, where she also served as a missionary.    I am grateful that Annalise has the opportunity to live and feel welcomed among devout women who are committed to their community, family and service.   The church was filled with mostly women and Sister Julia presided over the service.    Salome was among many who recited prayers during the service.    The church was filled with many familiar faces and women whom we interact with regularly: two shopkeepers, Angelita (who cooks lunch for us) sang in the choir and the women who Kate works with at the mission clinic.   Before the service church music on loudspeakers which could be heard throughout the center of town  (this music can be heard during the first video of Emmett playing soccer).     On the next night the choir guitarist played some music at the concha while socializing and watching the local boys play soccer.    I am grateful that the community of Guadalupe warmly accepts us