The Conference continued today. The Pastoral Workers and deaf representatives from various states met almost all day to do strategic planning. This process means that the group will set goals for deaf ministry throughout all of Mexico for the next few years. This is very hard work, but these people are very committed to this process. In some ways, the deaf Catholics of Mexico do a better job of planning than we do in the USA. The deaf really make the effort to work together and support each other. Many of the deaf here are young people, in the twenties, who are VERY determined to live their Catholic Faith and share it with others. The people here use many visual aids: posters, photos, drawings. They are VERY creative.
They did not need us for this work. Today our group visited the Cathedral of Puebla, a huge church built in the late 1500's. Amazing. Walking though the church we ran into a woman from France who is a speech therapist. She saw us signing to one another and got a huge smile on her face. Then, after breakfast, we drove to Cholula, a smaller city near to Puebla. Even though this city is much smaller than Chicago, it has 330 churches!!!!! We went to the site where the Spanish had built a church over the pyramids the Indians had built more than 1,000 years ago. This church is considered a special church for healing. I prayed for all of those in our families and communities who are sick and suffering. Driving in Mexico is a test of faith! I would never try it; people seem to come out of all directions, but I see very few accidents.
We returned and that afternoon Pat Graybill and I both worked on our talks to be given on Friday and Saturday. We had a nice dinner together, then we were all in bed early; the two days ahead would be busy!!!!!