MissionPeru

This week fourteen representatives from the Iona Prep community are in Peru to take part in a mission service trip. This is the blog for our Mission Team. While there, the group helps local families, experiences their lives, and does some sightseeing.

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Yes, they mostly all came down the slide

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Group in Cuzco

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On an Inca slide at Sacsaywaman

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Ollaytantambo procession: the image of Jesus is prepped for the procession. These long spears of flowers are being used to gather flower petals to place in the lap of Jesus. It seems to be some link with the pre-Christian past of the region.

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Ollaytantambo church procession. The images of the Sorrowful Mother and Jesus were carried out of the church for a Holy Week procession. The men followed the image of Jesus and the women that of Mary. They went off in different directions through the town presumably to meet somewhere.

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Ollaytantambo church. A Holy Week procession was underway so we got a look at the church.

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Chinchero has some major Inca ruins which we visited. The guys were also able to practice their negotiation skills in the market. Lastly we visited a textile cooperative where they learned about the ancient techniques of textile production like spinning, coloring, and weaving.

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Moray: the Inca agricultural experimental site.

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Ollaytantambo tour

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Our visit to the archeological site at Ollaytantambo. This video will give you a sense of its magnificence.

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Off to our adventure in the Sacred Valley. Today we went to see the Pisac fortress above the approach to Cusco. It wasn’t easy climbing with the altitude and after so little sleep but the guys were troopers. They had their first shot at the artesanal market off the Pisac town square and they might have bought a few items. Hopefully they’re saving some money for gifts for the family!

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Brotherhood

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While Miraflores is still Lima, it is worlds away from Jicamarca. It is a beautiful stretch of the city that looks down on the Pacific Ocean from a high cliff. Lovely

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Goodbyes in Jicamarca

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Our hosts Jose and Maribel share with us the ancient tradition of the Pachamanca. It refers to the earth associated with the Mother Goddess and the meal being cooked in it. Their version is from Cajamarca, one of the distant provinces.

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Uphill pilgrimage for the view and a reflection.

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Having some fun with the local kids. Many have few joys in their lives so that these visits take on a special character. Thanks to all who donated items and 300lbs of local potatoes!