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Today, we visited Tacuba, a newly sponsored village of CFCA. We had Church together, and were treated with wonderful hospitality as we later visited their town center. This was many of our group members’ first town visits. There’s a lot of anticipation, for those who are experiencing their first trip. I remember my first year, last year. I wanted to help so much, and came with a mission of solving the world problem of poverty. Our visit to Tacuba marks a beautiful beginning for the town, as well as our mission this week. The visit illustrates how special what we do is, because no one can do anything single handedly. Our coordinator Henry said it best. We are representatives of everyone who sponsors a child. What does that mean? It means we, weather we deserve it or not, represent all the good that has been brought to this new CFCA sponsored community by sponsors. We are hope; we are inspiration for families to obtain all the best for their children. We bring kids to work towards their goals and great achievements because someone from a country thousands of miles away cares so much to visit them.
Some of the group’s “morning people” woke up at five thirty, my bed being an inflatable mattress in the main hallway, I was up too. Our group is wonderful. We represent a ton of different views but that just makes the conversation sweeter. So we had breakfast of pancakes and eggs after this morning’s prayer led by Lisa Marie Maher and her friend Meghan. We rode vans to the Takuba Church and were greeted by the whole community, dressed for church. There was apparent inspiration as the parishioners sang with all their hearts from the filled pews. The mass was in Spanish, but our group knew when to sign ourselves etc. I kept telling myself what Henry said the night before. I am hope for these people. It made me feel good and smile. There were curios little kids that sat on the steps near us at mass. Everyone was wary of what we did. Father Mike gave an additional homily which was very relevant to our mission. We ate and chilled at a nice garden restaurant, and then we were of to the main part of town.
We traveled on the backs of those wonderful four by fours, with bars on the sides to hold on to while our group members were standing or sitting. We were welcomed by a local school’s band, which was wonderful. They put on an incredible show with drums and improve using brass instruments. We were invited into a man’s home and as we were given bouquets by little boys and girls. We were treated with a Spanish dance __by a talented young lady. There were many speakers, in this courtyard filled with Salvadorans from Tacuba who walked miles to get there. Sponsored children spoke, which was the most touching part, I think. They spoke of how their lives were changed by their sponsorship, and how they had shoes, and meals now, and gifts. One mother spoke of how she began her own business selling chicken and rice with twenty dollars from her child’s sponsor. She managed to make more money for their future. A father spoke of his five children who are sponsored, and introduced all of them and their ages. Henry spoke and thanked all of his CFCA workers. One of which, was five months pregnant, and still took the time to visit every sponsored child’s house in the town.
The presentations, and shows of good will and love were wonderful, and we began to leave after this great experience. As we walked out Mrs. Olsen handed out bags of candy for each of us to open and distribute. I took it and walked through the crowd, giving candy to little kids at a glance, some elderly woman, saying goodbye to moms and their children. I was really happy doing that. I was More happy than I would have been last year. I’m not feeding them for a week by giving them candy. It’s not even nourishing, it doesn’t have vitamins or anything; but it tastes good. It makes the villagers of Tacuba feel good. Like they are so very appreciated and additionally loved. I understand that now. That is why we are here: To spread hope, because I just recently realized exactly what an immense impact a smile can have, or a glance, a greeting. We’re not doing everything but we did a lot and I’m proud of it. I love what we can do.
Danny Cuzzo
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