At this writing --June 3rd 2008-- Father Rafael, Marta, Said, Father Francisco and CPT have yet to pay another visit to Tiquisio. Pastoral teams such as these and in-the-field representatives of the Program for Peace and Development provide 99.9 percent

Tiquisio is not unique. The communities of Arenal, Rio Viejo and Regidor were similarly affected by these threats. The CPT team only averages one relatively short visit to these and other rural areas every couple of months. Lately we are also being asked

The event ended by Father Rafael (left) and Father Francisco (right) celebrating mass with those in attendance. After that CPT and Father Francisco de Ruix accompanied the pastoral trio out of the community --a trip that began in a motorized canoe, then d

Father Francisco, director of the Program for Peace and Development, did his best to reassure community members who had expressed fears that that their remote community would be completely abandoned by the Church, the Program for Peace and development, an

Each of them, some of fighting back tears, took the time to thank the community for their love, hospitality and support.

Father Rafael, Marta and Said listened to the accolades of the many speakers with humility and the sadness that comes from being forced to leave a community which they love and care about deeply.

The immense gratitude of the community was clearly evident, even on the part of those who came from neighbouring communities.

While they were sad that these much loved folks were being forced to displace, their words left no doubt that the community has every intention of continuing the community programs initiated by the pastoral team.

Speaker after speaker, many of them leaders and participants in various community programs, rose to thank Father Rafael and the pastoral team for all they had done for the community.