by Angel Harper, photos by Angel
Click here to view photo slideshow by Angel Harper from the MSIA travel staff trip in South America, 2009 DAY 9 - Santiago As much as we intended to exercise this morning, it's all most of us can do but get up for breakfast before heading into our full day of Services -- and setting up audio/video in the case of Vincent and his enthusiastic and able assistants, Nigel and Helio Moleker. Celia and I go to Pepi's apartment. She has a penthouse not too far from the hotel that has an amazing view almost 180 degrees of the mountains...just gorgeous. Lesley and Ani do Services at our hotel which has a great view too of the Andes mountains and a gracious and light-filled atrium. Seems like the day flies by and we're back at the hotel just in time to grab a super coffee con chocolate (think yummy) and grab our chairs for the beginning of the Timeless Wisdoms event. Paula Copeta our most lovely MC welcomes the group and introduces two beautiful ladies who lead our group in singing a song about letting the children sing and bringing in peace...we are touched by the words that speak to the truth of original innocence. Then Paula introduces John and Leigh and Nora Valenzuela accompanies them up on stage to translate for the evening. This is a lovely free-flowing evening with Leigh reading passages from J-R's book, Timeless Wisdoms, Volume One and asking John questions and John responding. The room is packed and it seems as if there are at least 40 or more new people attending of all ages. John covers quite a wide-range and the air is full of loving by the end of the evening. As a special bonus there is a drawing for tapes and there are lots of winners to complete the night and people seem to happily hug and visit even as we go on our way for a little dinner before heading to our rooms for some email and then to sleep. DAY 10 – Santiago Oooh, that special Traveler truck or some truck seems to have hit all of us during the night....it is really hard to get up. However an espresso or two or three seems to pierce through the fog, enough at least for us to get some breakfast and powwow about our day. We fan out in all directions today as Services and the BlessingsFest start at 11am. Nora, John, and Leigh go off to the BlessingsFest. Vincent, Lesley and Celia start Services at the hotel and Ani and I go to Pepi's. The BlessingsFest is a beautiful buffet brunch and the blessings overflow gloriously well into the afternoon. The blessings are also flowing throughout the day at Services in both locations. The buzz of energy just keeps building as we all meet again this time for ordinations before the start of the Ministers and Initiates Q&A. So beautiful to be in the fellowship of ministers and witness the blessings at these ordinations and a reminding of who we are as ministers and the divine line of authority of our ministry. Maria Eugenia Perez is our MC this evening. She does a loving job as she welcomes us and sets us up for a special song from the whole group to the Traveler. Before us the group dons multi-colored hats and turns to face us singing about Laughter...some of the words are...."Laugh and pass it onto others, with more and more strength. If you make a mistake that makes you suffer, ignore it and start laughing again..." We are delighted to see a whole wild and crazy side of our Chilean MSIAers come out...swaying, laughing, joy-filled. This exuberance and freedom sets an open-hearted stage for the Traveler to share with us. John Morton steps up to be with all these Ministers and Initiates and openly reveals some of his life learnings and vulnerable moments in a cleansing and healing action for all us. What a rich two days and there's still more to go, but first we have to pack up all the equipment for the official events are over. Lesley has lovingly arranged for those of us staff who want it to have a special soup waiting for us when we get back to our rooms. Though it's late, the soup tastes wonderful and gives us just enough energy to do some more emails and get to bed. DAY 11 – Santiago I love our breakfasts when the whole gang is there. We check in on one another...some of us had good night sleeps and others of us are a bit ragged but hanging in there...such is the way it goes sometimes...on the road. Still we manage to get each other to laugh a bit as we all get going. John, Leigh and Nora this morning head off to Reymi Urrich's for John to share with the Santiago MSIA youth. Vincent and Lesley go today to Pepi's and Ani, Celia, Lana and I are here at the hotel. About 40 "youth" from 7-37 (ok, the "youth" in Chile have a wide range) have a wonderful time with John and vice versa. We gather together tonight for laughter and more fellowship with the Santiago Ministers at the Bali Hai restaurant. We are decorated with leis and enjoy relaxing socially amidst the Polynesian decor and foods. At one point all are up taking pictures with one another in a picture frenzy. I can't resist catching Nigel and Pedro in front of some rendition of a Polynesian god and Veronica beside what must be a fertility goddess. On behalf of all the community Pedro welcomes and thanks the Traveler and staff for coming to Santiago. We are so touched by the sweetness and warmth that is with us tonight. Though we would love to stay and play and watch the show, we must get back and pack our clothes for tomorrow we leave mid-morning for the airport and our flight to Buenos Aires. Back at the hotel I take a picture looking straight up...gives me the feeling of being in some space ship...neat effect. Well we've had a full four days here in Santiago. We are so grateful for the loving, caring, sharing and touching we've received. God bless each and everyone of you here and your families. Know we take you with us in our hearts. Light ahead to our travels too! Day 12 - Santiago to Buenos Aires Ah, 'twas a short night last night between packing and getting in emails. Our communication system this morning is a little faulty so we try our best to keep focused. Still we're excited this morning to be on our way to Buenos Aires. We have one last breakfast together looking out at the snow-covered Andes mountain tops and then Veronica, Pecki, Pepi and Jose have come to drive us to the airport. Loads of hugs and loving go round and around as we say good bye and move through immigration and security. We get a few minutes to shop around and then we board our flight to Buenos Aires. Our love and deep thanks to each and every one of the Santiago MSIA community who extended their loving, caring and assistance to make our trip there so smooth and sweet. We get a last view of the majestic Andes as we climb above the clouds...such a breath-taking reminder of God's hand at work. We barely get into our SE's when the pilot is announcing that we're descending into Buenos Aires. We literally whisk through immigration and customs. Vincent, Lesley and I dance improvised solo tango in our unique way through the duty-free area to the rock music making a fitting entrance into the baggage claim area under a bemused eye of a security man, and we're soon being greeted by Martin Arguinarena and Cate Kirby, our MSIA co-reps in Buenos Aires. What fun! They have us loaded up into vans and cars and before we can quite get that we're really here in Buenos Aires we are on our way to a new part of Buenos Aires...the Soho Palermo area of town. So interesting to take in the culture of Argentina and particularly Buenos Aires as we drive through this section of town that is new to us. We come to find out that there is Palermo, Soho Palermo and Hollywood Palermo...Soho and Hollywood are the "happening" areas. At our hotel we each start our own settling in process before walking to dinner at a nearby neighborhood dining place. Dinner has the traditional grilled provoleta (cheese grilled with herbs and olive oil--spectacular!), Argentine beef (fabulouso!) and lots of fun and laughter as we chat and catch up with Cate and Martin. Leigh and John have ventured into the Recoletta and to Porto Madero --one of our most favorite parts of town. Some of us decide to walk off dinner and go to see the nearby plazas. There's lots of action in the outdoor cafes and it's fun to get a taste of the night life around us. I could have walked more but even my most adventurous side needs a little rest and is corralled back to our hotel for more unpacking, a few emails and then to sleep. Day 13 - Buenos Aires A little "fresca", we California bunnies would call it cool this morning. I'm out scouting for a breakfast place. I catch site of Lana and Nora walking into a doorway and I jump across the street to follow them. Lesley is ahead of them having noticed this restaurant/cafe the evening before. B-Blue is an airy inviting cafe that has just opened 3 days earlier. Xavier, one of the owners, shares with us that his cafe is all organic and his specialty is organically grown blueberries which he sells all over, even to our own Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. We all have lots in common as he shares about his best friend living in my home town, Washington, D.C. They are delighted to have us explore the menu and we are delighted to find fresh juices, and organic eggs and coffee just a block from our hotel. we put out a walkie call and soon the whole gang has arrived...it's a party...fitting just perfectly into how I've come to experience our MSIA Argentina community...life is meant to be enjoyed...celebrated...and boy, do they know how to celebrate. Our inner time clock also let's us know it's time for Services so we're quickly back to the hotel touching in with Graciela and the hosts for Services. Raphael is there too helping out. Soon we gals are underway with Services and Vincent and the sound luggage gets picked up to bring him to a brightly lit gallery building offered for our use by an Insight grad. The gallery has two floors; we're up on the top floor. Looks like a perfect show place for paintings and art pieces too. Vincent and Roberto Brenlla meet the challenge of transforming this into a sweet easy to hear seminar environment. They work through the whole day. Meanwhile the ladies are joined by Leigh and John for lunch. It's fun to listen to how our mornings have been. After Service, Cate has arranged for taxis to take us to the workshop location. Loads of hugs and besos greet us as we walk through the crowd that are here for the You Are the Blessings workshop. As soon as John and Leigh arrive, the booksigning starts. New and old friends line up to get a few minutes with John as their books are signed. Then Martin and Graciela welcome the group. Miguel Mitre and his two children lead us in a special song with a box drum and guitar, that warms up the group. John and translator Nora take the stage and then bring up Leigh to participate in identifying, accepting and receiving the blessings that are all around us, including in the challenges that come up for us in our lives. Afterwards, there's a bit more booksigning, then off some of us go with Leigh and John to experience Palermo. We dine Italian and I have one of the best ever pizzas.. ever...watching Madonna put on quite a show on the TV overhead in the back of the restaurant. What a full day of Light and love, and yes, even emails bring some joy and news from home to cap our evening. More tomorrow! Day 14 - Buenos Aires There's time for a little walk before breakfast this morning as the maid is at my door earlier than usual. Oh well, a high state of cooperation makes things seem easy. The sun feels great and the people hanging out in the neighborhood are delightful as I ask around for where to get some batteries for my camera. Then it's breakfast at my new found dining cafe. Looks for awhile like I'm on my own when John and Leigh show up and then Celia. We laugh as we work on our communications in Spanish on how to get a variation on what is in the menu. The berry juice with coconut milk is delicious and the espresso with chocolate is a great "hello it's morning" wake up. Then we're all off and running to Services or whatever is on our agendas. Cate, Rosemarie, Graciela and friends are manning the tables making sure that Services keep flowing. Again I'm loving the hugs and tender greetings "Querida", Mi amor, Mi Cielo, Mi Corizon, " and one my favorites, "Bonita". Everyone gathers for a quick lunch and huddle about logistics for this evening which include doing some ordinations before the Discourse subscriber seminar. Seems like everyone and everything is buzzing as more and more Services and initiations are done. As we gather later for the seminar it is a packed house with new and long-time Discourse subscribers eager for the presence of the Traveler. Our MC's Salvador and Edda are especially gentle, humorous and loving as they welcome the group. Miguel and friends sing a Spanish version of You Raise Me Up as a tribute and love song to the Traveler. The place is prepared deeply as John and Nora take the stage and John gives both a seminar and Q&A. Love and wisdoms of the spiritual heart flow throughout the evening and we're all given the opportunity to let go of hurts and attachments to receive of greater love and gifts. Well at some point I find myself just sailing out there somewhere, but with Baruch Bashan, I'm brought back and Celia, Ani and I move into bodyguard mode to make sure John and Nora take care of themselves and clear what they need to. Then it's visit with some of the beloveds that are around us and then we're off for a quickie dinner back in our hotel neighborhood. Afterwards there are lots of emails that need attention and finally the sweet release of sleep...I love the quiet when it's late night in the hotel...seems like the angels stay close to assist and guard us. Day 15 - Buenos Aires It's another beautiful Spring morning. I'm up and out eager to get some pictures of interesting architecture...at least it's interesting to me. I'm joined at the cafe this morning by Vincent and Lesley...Lesley good-naturedly plays the model as she steps onto the antique stairway in the garden. Nice to have a moment of peace as we head full on into our very busy and full day of Services before the BlessingsFest. The BlessingsFest is made up of tea goodies and asking for and receiving the blessings. The buffet is open throughout and there's nothing so lovely as basking in the flow of blessings coming from the Traveler as we drink of coffee, tea, juices, and dine on warm tapas and dulces. We are so grateful to all who've supported this event as the proceeds support our work being done here in South America, particularly our traveling. Plus listening to the blessings is such a gift as the perfect blessings seem to be present for each of us. Afterwards it's pack up time for all the equipment and later for ourselves. Tomorrow we'll head to Brasilia, Brasil. Thank you to each and everyone of our friends here in Buenos Aires who have held for this visit, and prepared the place for the Traveler to come. Your dedication, joy and loving care has embraced us each step of the way. Our thanks goes beyond words. God bless you! |
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