It is such an honor to be asked into the home of a friend and be treated with respect and admiration. It is even more amazing to be welcomed into the home of a person you hardly know and become the guest of honor. Such was the case for our team in Lima at the recent Baptismal services for one of the special people to HBI.
As is the tradition in Peru, when a child is to begin an important phase of their
life or accept an important transition – two people are jointly selected to act as the “Padrino’s” for that child. The Padrino (Godfather and Godmother) is a special person in a child’s life – as they act as a confidant, a mentor and a supportive influence . . . not too mention they provide the financial support that is a customary responsibility (as many people who request Padrino’s for their children are without the financial means to be able to put on the parties or the events that are customary for the occasions).
Reverend Patricia Blanchard and I were asked to be the Padrino’s for a beautiful young girl who is part of a special program operated in collaboration with HBI and the Anglican Church of Peru. Ines is a four year-old child with a debilitating skin condition that leaves her in near constant pain. Pain that often left her unable to walk and writhing with every bite full of food. We all knew this sad truth, and our goal for this special day with Ines was to shower her with love and affection.
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Ines was fully in her element all decked out in her new Baptismal outfit. The pink bows in her hair made her look like a little doll that had been pulled right off the shelf. The service was a full mass and involved a group of about 30 neighbors and well wishers who had all come on this Saturday afternoon to honor a young lady whose life has been anything but simple or easy.
Standing in the thatched roof church with its uneven dirt floor – made the experience even more impacting. Here, in one of the poorest Pueblo Jovenes in Lima, was a true expression of the power of love. We collectively were united in our hope for this beautiful little girl – and the promise of a future that was relinquished of suffering.
Following the ceremony our team was invited to the home of the Ines’ family. There, we were treated to an amazing meal straight from the earth. The meal was an ancient tradition from the Sierra called “Pachamanca,” or offering to the earth god. The banquet, a bounty of yuca, corn, legumes, potatoes and every type of sweet potato you could ever think of – was extracted from an open pit dug into the earth and covered with rocks that had been heated in a searing fire.
As is the tradition in Peru, when a child is to begin an important phase of their
life or accept an important transition – two people are jointly selected to act as the “Padrino’s” for that child. The Padrino (Godfather and Godmother) is a special person in a child’s life – as they act as a confidant, a mentor and a supportive influence . . . not too mention they provide the financial support that is a customary responsibility (as many people who request Padrino’s for their children are without the financial means to be able to put on the parties or the events that are customary for the occasions).Reverend Patricia Blanchard and I were asked to be the Padrino’s for a beautiful young girl who is part of a special program operated in collaboration with HBI and the Anglican Church of Peru. Ines is a four year-old child with a debilitating skin condition that leaves her in near constant pain. Pain that often left her unable to walk and writhing with every bite full of food. We all knew this sad truth, and our goal for this special day with Ines was to shower her with love and affection.
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Ines was fully in her element all decked out in her new Baptismal outfit. The pink bows in her hair made her look like a little doll that had been pulled right off the shelf. The service was a full mass and involved a group of about 30 neighbors and well wishers who had all come on this Saturday afternoon to honor a young lady whose life has been anything but simple or easy.
Standing in the thatched roof church with its uneven dirt floor – made the experience even more impacting. Here, in one of the poorest Pueblo Jovenes in Lima, was a true expression of the power of love. We collectively were united in our hope for this beautiful little girl – and the promise of a future that was relinquished of suffering.
Following the ceremony our team was invited to the home of the Ines’ family. There, we were treated to an amazing meal straight from the earth. The meal was an ancient tradition from the Sierra called “Pachamanca,” or offering to the earth god. The banquet, a bounty of yuca, corn, legumes, potatoes and every type of sweet potato you could ever think of – was extracted from an open pit dug into the earth and covered with rocks that had been heated in a searing fire.
Buried in the center of the pit was a large pot filled with chicken and herbs. This was a meal like no other. The food was carefully removed from its terrestrial oven and lovingly served to our “team of honor” plate by plate –
no, make that . . . heaping plate by heaping plate. We were humbled by the generosity and care that this extremely impoverished family put into creating a truly memorable celebration for their cherished daughter.
It is an amazing experience and a great honor to be a part of the life of such a beautiful little child. By the end of our incredible meal we all felt a collective sense of tremendous gratitude for a family that sacrificed so much.
It is an amazing experience and a great honor to be a part of the life of such a beautiful little child. By the end of our incredible meal we all felt a collective sense of tremendous gratitude for a family that sacrificed so much.
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