Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 7

Today our group was tested physically and emotionally. We traveled to the Zona Sur, a barrio in southern Cochabamba. We scaled the slopes of the Andean Mountains--a journey the school children of the barrio travel everyday--to visit these children and their families. After nearly an hour of hiking unpaved roads, cliffs, and gorges in the blazing desert sun, we arrived at our first family's casa. We were greeted with great hospitality from the mother...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): New Orleans Day 5

Today, the NOLA team finished the brick walkway into Trinity Lutheran Church. This project took three days to complete and everyone on the team was able to help out a bit. It is because of this walkway and our fine painting job that we were asked to return for a third day. We were all divided into sub groups with mini projects and we were able to see them through to completion.At the end of the day we all sat in the grass to absorb some sun and...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Zone Azur Bolivia Day 6

   Sandy, Bianca and Jacqui take in Zone Azur   ...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 6

Jaqui Keeley '12, Sandy Hunter '13 and Bianca Diaz '13 in the Zone Az...

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Iona in Mission Bolivia: Day 6

Bianca with a student at the daycare in Zona A...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 6 Centro Hogar

Katie Herman '12 Sarah Lonergan-Rothschild ...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 6

Enjoying recess at Colegio San Francisco Sandy Hunter '12 Entrance to School ...

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Another successful day for the NOLA team!

Tyler Conroy and Jessica Mora...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): New Orleans Day 4

Today the team returned to the historical and newly renovated Trinity Church. The NOLA team returned with excitement, as their tasks from the day before had been completed and new ones were to be assigned! Once again the team was separated into smaller groups scattered throughout the church to help get it finished by Friday. Some of the team was inside doing tasks like: painting, priming, grouting... more grouting, installing door handles and stoppers,...

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Getting ready to head back to Camp Restore

Jaime Marroquin '14, PJ Kokias '13 and Jessica Velasco ...

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NOLA team and the Brothers getting ready for the game-Go Gaels!

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Iona Basketball Game

"When the Gaels make the tournament you call the Christian Brothers and they set you up in local parish center to watch it while you are in New Orleans!" -Luke Gregory, IIM Moderator, Residential Hall Direc...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 6

Colegio San Francisco  Today the first and sixth graders became our newest amigas today! We spent time assisting the young children of Cochabamba with their math homework, spelling and writing assignments.  We assisted the overworked profesoras with all that we possibly could.  We simultaneously learned Quechua and taught English to a packed classroom of sixth graders who were eager to learn everything they possibly could about...

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Recess at Colegio San Francisco

Bianca is flooded with children looking for help with their math homework! She was incredibly popular with the studen...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 6

Later on we made dinner for the team and had a fantastic time shopping and cooking for a group of 20! We made a delicious stir fry with fresh vegetables and meat from the market. Bianca shared her expertise and made fried plantains (platanos), which were delicious!   A desert of fresh mango and pineapple rounded out the meal. The experience of shopping for ingredients and preparing the meal was amazing, as Jackie says ‘The meat market...

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Preparing dinner for 20 Bolivia style!

Bianca Diaz '14, Jacqui Keeley '12 and Sandy Hunter '13 Brother Juan Casey, Sandy Hunter '12 and Jaqui Keeley '12 Today, Group B,Bianca, Jacquie and Sandy, went to the Brothers' office in the middle of the 'Cancha' the local market. The Brothers' mission in the market is focused on providing a secure location for working children to do their homework and escape from the chaos of the street. We spent the morning working with those children, helping...

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Marykate, Devon and Sara with their new amigas!

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 6

In the morning we went to a day care center for young children ages 2-8 years old. We were able to spend time with several of the children. As we began to learn more about the children we are working with, we learned the hardships that the students endure. It brought to life the vicious cycle that poverty provokes and the ways in which everyone suffers whether through neglect or abuse. This heartbreaking reality brought tears to ours because of the...

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Sara, Marykate and Devon at the center

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Working hard to rebuild Trinity Lutheran Church

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The whole team at Trinity Lutheran Church

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Iona in Mission (IIM) New Orleans Day 3

Today was our official first day at work on our mission. We had the gratifying opportunity to help restore The Trinity Lutheran Church located in the Lower 9th Ward which was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Camp Restore set us up with Steve and his team to work this project that his team has been working on for two years. What is truly significant about our experience is that this is the final week that Steve and his team will be working on the church because it is opening on Easter for all the community to see.   How special that...

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Trinity Lutheran Church

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Iona in Mission (IIM): New Orleans Day 2

Today was a more relaxing day in New Orleans. This morning, we all gathered in the dining hall for breakfast, cereal was the top (and only) choice for all. At 12:30am we visited the large campus of Xavier University for mass. We were pretty much the first ones there, but once the crowds came in the church filled with life and culture. The priest gave mass and introduced our Iona in Mission team to all who attended. Our entire team is really into music so it was no surprise when many of us were clapping along to the chorus. When we ventured...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 5

Today we separated into our groups at 6:30am in the morning! Our group went to Centro de Hermano Manolo which is an office that the Brothers started up two years ago for young boys who are in school and need help with homework and a support group. We assisted a few students with their homework, in particular one boy named Raul who was very vigilant and excited about school, considering he works as a construction worker. We helped him with some homework and memorizing the Our Father in English. We also were able to learn a lot about his life. It...

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Iona in Mission: Bolivia Day 5

Today we spent our morning at Colegio San Francisco; this is a local school in the Southern part of Cochabamba which is also the poorer end of the city. The morning session is from 8am to 1130am for children in grades kindergarten-fifth. We first arrived and the whole school was in a formation outside in the recess yard. The teachers began the day talking to all of them in a big group along with making announcements, singing songs and sayingthe national anthem while raising the flag. My self, Sandy and Bianca then split up into three separate...

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The Christian Brothers' House in Bolivia

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 5

Hogar Maria Auxiliadora Today, our lives changed forever. We entered into a home where 45 abandoned and orphaned girls of the city of Cochabamba live together, have made a family out of strangers and finally have a safe place to come back to at the end of the day. We learned today that the mere presence of compassion, love and kindness do more for tortured souls than any amount of money or toys. We saw five year old children wash their own clothes...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Day 2 Xavier University Mass

This morning we went to mass at Xavier University. It was wonderful to celebrate mass with other college studen...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): New Orleans trip day 1

We made our way to the French Quarter later that day. There, we got to walk around and explore one of the most beautiful and festive cities in the world with such famous restaurants and shops. Cafe Du Monde was one among those where we stopped to get a traditional New Orleans treat, beignets (fried dough with powdered sugar) and cafe au lait (famous french coffee with steamed milk)—yummy!   We watched an Italian parade go through the...

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IIM NOLA Moderators Luke Gregory and Jessica Morales

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Hurricane Katrina Water Level Monument

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Iona in Mission (IIM): New Orleans Trip Day 1

Today was, to say the least, amazing! Our first stop in New Orleans was Parkway Bakery for Po' Boys, a delicious, well-known Po' Boy (sandwich) shop. This restaurant started in 1911 and is still serving delicious fried catfish and grilled chicken Po' Boys. Most of us tried to get sandwiches that were out of our comfort zone-alligator! Everyone enjoyed their sandwich! The next stop was Camp Restore, the organization we are partnering with this...

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What a beautiful view-que lindo!

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Ioan in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 4

Today we had the chance to sleep in since mass started at 10:30, and even that was on ¨Bolivian Time,¨ meaning anywhere from 20 minutes to a half hour after the stated time of commencement. As people straggled from bed, we enjoyed a breakfast of fresh fruit from the market, bread and avocado.      We went to mass and as a large group of ¨gringos¨ we quickly became the center of attention!  Then, we returned for lunch—again delicious!   Shortly after our almuerzo Father Steve Judd, from Butte, Montana, who works...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Trip Day 3

Today was a day of complete cultural immersion—and a little culture shock too!   It was a long day full of surprises and incredible sights. We started the day off early, with morning prayers and traditional South American Mate tea, followed by a breakfast of bread with avocado—delicioso!   Our group went into the market in town and was captivated by the sights, smells and sounds of the market and all the unique vendors.  Brother...

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Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Trip Day 2

  We have finally arrived in Cochabamba! Our trip ended up being an incredible journey spanning from New York to Bolivia a total of 27 hours, three flights and changes in elevation of 12,000 feet—a unique trip to say the least.  Now, that we are here the journey was worth every second!   It is amazing how the team has bonded during the time we spent traveling.  We are already great amigos!  Although we are just getting...

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Bolivia Day 1

IIM Bolivia Team at the airport--just the ladies!  We are all so excited to be on our way to Bolivia! Waiting in the airport seems like an eternity—as if Bolivia is incredibly close and yet so far away. No one really believes yet that we are finally on our way to our destination. We can’t contain our excitement! -Sara Gonzalez, 13'...

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IIM New Orleans 2012 at the airport!

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Llegamos a Cochambamba! We arrived to the Brother house! Will post more tomorrow-stay tuned!

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37 Seconds of Silence for China

Thursday, March 8th the Iona in Mission committee held a 37 seconds prayer service.  China's One-Child Policy is leading to the gendercide of girls.  37 million girls have been lost, but the policy continues...Lead your school, church or other group in 37 Seconds of Silence to remember the girls who will never have a voice. Your silence promotes awareness and increases support for All Girls Allowed.Read more: http://www.allgirlsal...

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