"Hermanamiento in Action"

9:20 am-Delegates arrive on Northwest flight #123 from Chicago. This is a last minute change to save on airfare. Join in welcoming them. Aft-To be determined Evening-Delegates meet their 1st host families and orient themselves to American homes. The Sister Parish Committees of SJA and TNII hope you can attend as many events during the delegation as possible.

At 9:24 this morning a group of parishioners, staff, and host families met the 7 delegates from Tierra Nueva Dos and the Sister Parish coordinator, Jackie Arreaza. St. Joan's Sunday School students presented the delegates with an "American Dictionary" they made to help with translation. The delegates flew from Guatemala City to Chicago during the night, eating an omelet breakfast at 4 in the morning. They looked fresh and excited to be visiting their hermanamiento, but undoubtedly will need some sleep today. They met their host families, who will escort them today. Pictured to the right is the husband/wife team of Paul and Aura with their host, Susan Sell. Don and Marion Hall, also hosts, will take 6 of the delegates to a used clothes store today. Clothes are much cheaper in American than in Guatemala. Hosts brought jackets for the delegates to wear in the "frio" Minnesota weather. The delegates also had expressed some concern about tornados in Minnesota. The news of the recent storm in Southern Minnesota had made the headlines in Guatemala and their loved ones were concerned for their safety, much like we would be if our loved ones traveled to Guatemala.

Everyone was glad to see old friends and meet new ones. Tierra Nueva Dos also brought some candles they made like the ones which sold out quickly before Christmas. The profits from the sale of those candles were used to pay for the airline tickets of the delegates. Included in the delegation are 3 youth who are active in both the church and with the Sister Parish committee. Pictured with Mindy Ahler-Olmstead(SJA Co-chair) are Sandra and Carlos.There will be many activities in the next 12 days and it is exciting to have the first representatives of our Sister Parish visit Minnesota and St. Joan of Arc. The delegates will be introduced at both masses on Sunday and will be available to greet SJA parishioners after the 11 o'clock mass.

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