Day 20

We returned to Salta this morning after finishing the patio in La Caldera last night. We worked really hard to get it done, for much of the day we thought we'd not manage it. In the afternoon Katy and I met with the Diocesan leaders and shared some good ideas for keeping up the contact between the dioceses - it's been very positive for them and us. Also last night Katy was just finishing an excellent video of the trip when the Mac crashed and wiped all her hard work. Such a sickener. She'll do it again when we're home.

Later we had a debrief together which was really positive, everyone has really enjoyed the trip and God has moved in people's lives. I have been so encouraged by this team, they really have been one of the best groups of people I have ever spent time with. I will miss them. I've also really missed Eileen and the kids, it will be good to see them on Friday.

About midnight some of us prayed with each other till 2am, we're totally wiped out this morning.

Today we're treating ourselves to a nice lunch and then this evening there is a despedia - a leaving party - for us and the people from San Andres church. Tomorrow morning it's an early start to airport in Salta, then 10 hours wait in BA before onward flight to Madrid and Dublin.

Day 17

We're back in Salta to take two church services. There is so much talent on this team we are dividing into two groups to take a service each. Afterwards we head back up to La Caldera where internet access is unavailable. Next update will be on Tuesday or Wednesday. Lots of photos and some video have been uploaded, look through the older posts for video, or view our slideshow. More photos will be added to this when we can get internet access.

Day 16

After breakfast we drove down from Humawacha to JuyJuy to see a day care centre for single mothers. This provides care for children during the week to enable mothers to work. They had invited the mothers for a special day, but few turned up. We decided instead to go to the plaza and gave out balloons, played parachute games and did face painting. It was a good afternoon's evangelism.

This evening we are in the diocesan office, where there is wireless interent, and we can update the web site. Look for new photos in the slideshow.

Tomorrow We split into two groups and are taking two church services in Salta.

Day 15

We had a day's tour today leaving La Caldera at 7am and heading north. Heading though Purmamarca, with the magnificent hill of seven colours, we crossed to the Altiplano. The Altiplano is a high desert plane in the Andes around 3000m. We passed over 4170m and drove on to Las Salinas Grandes – the large Salt Flats – that are amazingly white. We drove on intending to stay in San Salvador, but discovered no accommodation had been arranged. Our amazing driver David had a contact in Humahuaca, and we found a hostel that could take us in. We finished the evening with traditional Locolo stew, Andean folk music and Quechua dancing – absolutely fantastic.


Folk dancing

Day 14

Today was a day to relax and watch the concrete dry. The morning was spent doing quiet times and reading. Although we discovered someone had stolen some of our washing during the night. In the afternoon we rode on the back of Jose Luis's pickup to part of Salta called Grandor for a children's club. The kids loved the games and puppet show and there was a bilingual Latin Link girls there called Jo who was really helpful and translated for us.

Day 13

Our builder Joe Luis had his birthday today. To celebrate he decided to talk us up a nearby hill for a 2 hour walk. We seemed to take a wrong turn somewhere and it turned into a 5 hour tramp in the hills with little water and midday sun. We kept climbing higher and higher until we were at the highest point for miles around, but all the slopes down were dangerously steep. Eventually we scrambled down through some trees and were able to get back to the village gasping for water.


Walking in the hills near La Caldera

Day 12

Today we put the concrete down on the patio ready for new tiles, We swept the earth floor clear of dust and stones before lunch. Lunches here are amazing, lovely home cooked food. Today it was home made pasta with chicken. After that it was time to mix concrete. We must have mixed 250 wheel barrows full. It was a long tiring day and we worked well into the dark finishing at 8:30 in the evening. We were really pleased to get it all compete. Jose Luis, the builder, was delighted and said at one point he thought we'd not make it.

We finished with a devotion time which again was powerful. The worship is really good testimonies are powerful. We are now half way though.


Susie dropping the cement!


Mixing concrete