Off to the Market(s)!

Today was the last full day of what has been a memorable 2 weeks. So how did we finish our time here?

In the morning, clinic duties resumed for Aubrey, Tim and their beautiful assistants Gwen and Marcos for those patients who could not be seen on friday.

A couple waiting to be seen in the clinic.

Pepe made a return with a full class of kids.

Pepe

Gwen also went to get the new song books printed that Rory had produced. For the rest of the team it was the good ole tidy and clean up job!

The morning ended with the team adding their leaf-hands to the La Corona tree in the entrance area as a sign of the work we have completed here. Only part of the tree has leaves, this is to allow room for future visitors and teams who help the Quinteros’ and Iglesia La Corona to leave their mark.

Kerry adding her "leaf".

Once again we travelled into Cochabamba for lunch, though this time the transport was by bus, something new to try here. The bus probably holds 25 people on an average day but with our whole team on board some poor Bolivians ended up hanging out the door. Portions of food here are excellent and it was a standard feast.

So now to the afternoon and a shopping spree Bolivan market style. Under strict orders to keep valuables and money safe, we first worked our way through narrow alleyways in the Silver market. Amazing number of stalls and small shops all next to each other and selling the same things. Bartering was rife among some of the team members, El Capitano and Terry seemingly to be experts at this. Others preferred to take goods at first price, or were they just to tired to haggle with the sellers? Heat and illness took it’s baring on some of us so when we finished at the Silver market the team split.

Half of us returned to the Quinteros ranch and relaxed.

Three Generations - Same Fun!

The other half ‘s adventure had only begun and they spent a few more hours in the next market. When they returned their hands were laden with bags and stories. A successful shopping day at the markets had ended.

This evening we had our last devotions lead by Marcos. Just prior to this, two families called by to say goodbye to the team and passed on gifts to us. Everyone was moved, especially after Marcos gave background knowledge of the hardships these families faced and we understood how much it was for them to give those gifts.

Team photo with the two families.

As we spend the last evening together there has been many laughs and tears too. It has been such a time here and we really do thank you for all your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for the Quinteros’ and the work within this Barro particularly through Iglesia La Corona and also for safety of the team as they travel home (and John who heads to New Zealand!). There is not more to say but Goodnight from Cochabamba!

Advertisement