Since 2004 Trinity and Casa de Zinc have been in partnership. It's been an evolving partnership. It's been a partnership dictated by the personality of the community itself.
Trinity is also in a partnership with Casa de Zacate a neighboring community to Casa de Zinc. The two are strikingly different. Zacate is outgoing, organized and extroverted. Zinc is reserved, introverted and much less organized.
Zinc is similar in nature to rural farming communities in Iowa that found its center as the rural school. I grew up on the site of the former Round Grove Community School. All the surrounding farms were known as being in the Round Grove Community. So it is for the folks of Casa de Zinc. Spread out over an area these independent farmers are isolated from one another.
In fact, as we made house to house visits delivering gifts to each home our delegation drove to each house. In Zacate we would be able to walk to each house in the community. The distance between each house in Zinc seemingly contributes to a different attitude. The organization of the community is much less defined than Zacate.
As a result of this different attitude Trinity's relationship has been challenging. However, and this is a rather big however, this year seemingly changed. We were greeted more warmly than in past visits. We were met with more smiles. We were invited into people's homes as we delivered gifts. There was a community decision and a promise to be more regular in attendance at community meetings held at the pastoral house.
This change was more noticeable after we completed our door to door visits. As the final preparations were being made, a long line of children formed as Dave Endriss started making balloon animals. Assisted by Larry Lepper and Linda O'Connell. While Dave truly created animals like hummingbirds and dogs and bears climbing trees Larry's creations consisted of a snake, simply a balloon that was blown up. Larry also had his own animal making kit which consisted of a blown up balloon where the recipient made his or her own animal. The children loved the balloons as much as they loved breaking the piñatas, one each for the girls and one for the boys.
It was remarkable to see the change from the last visit Trinity made to Casa de Zinc. There was no change, however, in one aspect. There was universal gratitude for the support that has been offered and received from members of Trinity, Dexter-Greenfield, Allerton, and the churches in the South Central Partnership. Thanks to all who have contributed monies I and prayers in support of our brothers and sisters in Casa de Zinc. You have truly made a difference.
Maurice
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