Ocobamba visit

I was really pleased to arrange this visit, as not many happen in January.  We went just for one day, to lead a service at the village church and visit people in the afternoon. The church there is quite small and a bit discouraged, but the hope is that they can be strengthened and become a blessing in the surrounding villages.

We visited a couple who live close to the church. They were both widowed and have now married each other - they are quite elderly and life is pretty basic for them as they can’t do much.  They have a flushing toilet but it’s not plumbed in so use the field behind their house instead (perhaps something I could return and help with).  We also did some sweeping for them and I disturbed a rat - so then I learned how to set a rat trap! They were so generous to us, inviting us for dinner and supper, and giving us a place to sleep.

We met the pastor and walked with him and his nephew and granddaughter to his chakra (the closest translation I can get is “smallholding” - every family has one) to pick “tuna” (prickly pear) and oranges.  The tuna is picked with a forked stick and then rolled on the ground to get rid of the thorns.  And I have never seen so many oranges!