We arrived mid day on Friday so we could spend some time cleaning the orphanage; the thirty children really took their toll on the home. Our builder, Remerto, and his wife Vic and their daughter; played host to our family and our new partner Ted. Bonnie purchased a 10 pound Surubi river fish and she and Vic prepared a feast for us. We slept well that night in the orphanage and woke early, about 4am, to a chorus of roosters. The village has known for the past few months that President Evo would be visiting; however, we were amazed at the scurry of activity that morning and even minutes before his arrival. The school construction team was still painting the roof and front wall as Evo’s helicopter circled the village.
He landed directly in front of the orphanage on the football field. Remberto and Vic had met the president before when he visited the village one Christmas morning and asked Remberto about the orphanage construction project; he was very grateful on that day and must have been extremely pleased seeing it finished now. We were amazed at the casual atmosphere as he walked among the people he still considers his neighbors. Evo walked thru the crowd with very little security and we were allowed to be in the front row as the program began. After a traditional dedication of the school to Pachimama (mother earth) Evo was invited to a traditional folk dance with some of the teachers. He worked up quite a sweat as they passed him around like a party favor. After a few comments about the school and a lengthy commentary about party responsibilities the speeches were over. However, the festivities were just beginning. In a surprising turn of events; Evo disappeared into a room with some of his staff and emerged in Bolivian National Soccer uniforms. They then began a one hour futbal game with the local team. Although they lost 5-4 I was amazed at the casual atmosphere. We truly felt like we could have stayed and spoke with the president if we wanted, yet we chose to leave and allow him to spend the remaining time with some of his strongest supporters and closest friends.
As Bonnie was leaving the stadium she walked past Evo’s helicopter on the way to the orphanage and one of the pilots asked her if she’d like to sit in Evo’s seat. Bonnie kind of chuckled as he helped her up; when he looked at her curiously she said would you do me a favor? Tell Evo that a gringo sat in his seat this morning. He laughed hard and said “Yeah, I’ll be sure to tell him” and the other pilot said a bit more serious “No, we will not be telling him you sat in his seat.”
The relationship between IOU and the sindicatos are very important but also a delicate balance because we want to be blessing to them but not only be seen as a source of resources. The villa 21 group had asked us to help pay for the Evo party; however, that’s not our reason for being here. We did; however, have some extra office equipment we donated to the school. We have also committed to a life long partnership with the sindicato, school and neighborhood church as they help us raise the orphans God sends to the home we’ve built in their village. Please join us in praying for Villa 21 (San Francisco) and these vital relationships.
