As I look at the date of the last entry I realize I have been writing more in a paper journal than here. I almost forgot about this space. I recently returned from Esquipulas Nicaragua. And while there I realized I don't do well journaling while traveling. But while there I committed myself to that process. I made it a practice. My practice I hope will now include continuing my musings on this site. It will be a gift at years end for me to reflect. And I hope it is a gift to my children. On August 12th I am sitting in my room with the 4 mujeres I'm traveling with. We are sharing a small concrete space with 4 cots lovingly prepared for us. I am thinking I don’t even know where to begin writing about this day. Our morning began at 06:15 with Padre Jim on the porch. We talked about our thoughts so far. The words remain the same: Amazed, full, grateful, humbled. As Jim said, “This place makes ‘we are one body’ real. We are the sweat of the earth. Breakfast again is prepared and presented with love and care and concern for our health. Fresh fruit, yogurt, PB and crackers and a delicious fruit juice. We are dressed for church. Padre Freddy is driving. We climb into the back of his truck (skirts and all) and head to Mass at St Guillermo. We laugh as he takes the back way up rocky, bumpy roads. We joke, he wants to show us he can drive as well as Leonardo who we have watched navigate the roads of Esquipulas-always keeping us safe. Church is a beautiful reflection of the solidarity of my church in Louisville-St William and St Guillermo. We are greeted with the same hospitality we have come to know everywhere we go. When we left the church there were hugs and kisses…as if we we're old friends. We go back to our room and change before heading to visit Pablo’s mother in law in the community of El Zapotal. Pablo leads us in an activity where we form an interconnected web with yarn…then we undo the web. The message is clear; We are connected and all are needed. The women again share their stories of how the nutrition program has changed their lives and the health of their children. Alba had never eaten a carrot before the program. As we head to the orchard I am thinking about the garden of Eden. Not the Eden where all were naked and in harmony; but the Eden that consisted of people who both loved very well at their Center and who suffered very much on their surface – This is a reminder that the rest of us have to rediscover and return to the Garden by an arduous route. Richard Rohr calls this movement beyond the edges to the center - conversion, integration, or holiness. Creator God, lead us back to the radical and absolute life at the Center. Then our feast is prepared by Pablo’s wife Graciala [Grace]…..Hail Graciala, full of grace, Our God is with you…blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your labor. A young Hispanic man whose name I have lost entertains us with song. All is well within my soul as I climb into the back of the truck with my new friends and an elderly woman with her chicken. Blessed Be.