Important Updates from Fr. Jack

Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

      Here is another message from Fr. Jack as he ministers to the people who live along the Napo River in Peru. I have edited and explained a few things between [brackets].

      Tomorrow I will go up the river with our administrator, passing 23 villages stretched out over approx. 300 km, to get to Angoteros, the Kichwa capital [indigenous people of Amazon Basin] of the Alto [upper] Napo. We will have a community meeting to talk about a new ambulance and the need for someone to take seriously the role of motorist [pilot] and mechanic. The community will have to build a raft to shelter the boat when not in use. The motorist will have to go to Iquitos and work in the repair shop of the SUZUKI dealer for a couple of weeks. The new motors are 4-stroke, high performance, 60 hp. They won’t take abuse. [River is rough, and sometimes pilots, too!]. The governor is making a big deal of announcing in front of tv cameras in Iquitos that he is “giving” this ambulance to the Kichwa people.[The problem is that he is doing it] without having consulted the Kichwa about their desires and needs, without ever telling us what the boat actually cost, what he was reporting it cost, or where the money is coming from! Politicians learn those skills and get away with it!

      Busy clinic day. We'll come down river from Angoteros on Wednesday bringing an 18 y/o boy with newly diagnosed HIV disease. We already have a young family: Mom, Dad, two boys, 2 y/o and 4 y/o – all with resistant HIV! What a terrible disease! When traditional family structures break down, everyone suffers.

      My body finally feels like it is adjusting to the T° [temperature] and humidity. Big rain yesterday! Hope weather is better tomorrow.

Hope all are well. Fr. Jack

      Messages from Fr. Jack from Peru are written quickly, without much attention to grammar, syntax, and punctuation. He wants to send us news about what he is doing and experiencing. Quick and easy is best.

      Let us continue to pray for Fr. Jack in this important ministry. We pray he stays in good health and returns to us ready to be himself – attentive, caring and compassionate.

Peace Fr. Andy