Awoke @ 5:30 a.m. LOTS of chickens and roosters crowing and chopping wood abounds.
Had breakfast of a vegetable soup of sorts with tortillas.
Jose asked us to go with him to his computer class at the school... various students came to work on computers and typewriters. We watched him a while and talked with the teacher a while then left to meet Becky and Aaron. After gathering up an extra machete, we went with Aaron to do some deforestation (not sure it was a good idea, but it is what the rest of the men of the community were doing that Saturday morning). The upper pasture had become overgrown with trees again and it was time to cut them down so that grass would grow. We spent three hours cutting trees -- some as big as 5 inches in diameter-- with machetes... it was HARD work. 19 men and boys from the community and the three of us joined in this task. This made a BIG impression on Antonio as an act of solidarity with them.
Lunch was beans and tortillas.
Spent some time in the afternoon with Becky and Aaron looking at the tree nursery they started with the help of the kids in the school. They have lots of native trees growing that will supply wood, shade, and windbreaks. As well as some vegetables and bean plants that will increase the soil's nitrogen levels.
They have also started a rabbit farm. 2 females and 1 mail and 8 babies. The plan is to use the manure as fertilizer.. it is a great fertilizer to use because it can be used right away and does not need to be composted. It was fun to see and brought back memories of when Caroline and I used to raise rabbits when she was growing up and when I used to raise them as a kid. In fact the water bottles they are using are from our supply.
We then went back to Antonio and Maria's and saw Maria starting a weaving that will become a shoulder bag (see weaving post). Dad also bought a weaving from her... which is over her shoulder in the picture of the family. The money will help send their oldest son to High School. Spent the rest of the afternoon talking to Becky and Aaron about their dreams/learnings/ hopes for the community and some of the ways this experience has transformed them. A man stopped by to meet us and tell us his story and to THANK us for coming to visit!
We all ate supper at Maria and Antonio's... we had Aaron's favorite dish... re fried black beans with sauteed onions and a hard boiled egg. I think they skimped on portions so that we could all eat there.
After some family photos, we listened to Antonio and Maria share some of their experience. Telling stories seems to be an important part of the healing process. And to thing they are willing to tell us as we are USAmericans from the very country that has caused much of their pain!
We expressed our thanks and appreciation as did they and then we all went to bed as we planned to get up around 4:30 to leave on the 5:30 a.m. truck to Pochuta.
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