Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Day 4: Gonna Take On The World Some Day

Our first glimpse of La Gota de Leche
by Mike Flood ‘15

We spent most of the day outside the main center. First we traveled to another of the CMT centers, La Gota de Leche (The Drop of Milk). This center provides free medical testing and consultation for new mothers and children. They also have an elementary school on site for grades 2-7. Each of the classes we visited performed songs or jokes for us, and when we reached the 7th grade classroom the kids asked us to return the favor. Accordingly, Elliot Sanchez led us in an earth-shattering rendition of “We Will Rock You,” among more song and dance.

Regians rocking out.
We then traveled to La Iglesia de la Compañia, a Jesuit church with a gilded interior and icons claiming many miracles. An unassuming attic to its side may claim the site of a greater miracle, however, because it was here that Padre Juan first found the space to bring his working boys food and shelter. A woman named Marcia led us here, and the sound of her voice certainly showed she felt this was true. Hanging from the moldy rafters were amazing photos of the young Padre and Madre in the Center’s first days, when everything was new. You would never guess that such a meaningful program started here, which could have been entirely forgotten if not for its role in so many lives.

Where It All Began.
Finally, we spent the rest of our day in Center #1, known as La Marin. On the tour we got acquainted with the very vibrant people who are members of this center. Many of them are little girls who are smart, sassy, and street-wise -- they showed us a thing or two!

In the states he's mild-mannered Brandon Baldovin, but here he's Superhombre.
We served dinner there then returned home. Although JQ banned the internet, we still had an amazing day, and barely thought about the world we left behind for this mission trip.


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