July 25th, 2003
A day at the farm with the TNII delegation was another step in my journey at St. Joan of Arc. I am bilingual in English and American Sign Language and in my work life I am the one who knows both languages. People depend on me to interpret. The tables were turned on this non-Spanish speaker. It put me in the role of depending on interpreters and feeling lost listening to the Spanish and trying to figure out what it meant. This perspective re-frames some of my linguistic competence perspective. It was a great experience and journey of bridging language and making new spiritual connections. The spirit and hope of the group was astounding.
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| Clarence and Virginia |
The group was fortunate to have several Spanish speakers who served as interpreters for our day on the Malecha farm. Modern dairy farm operations are amazing to see. The 500-gallon bulk tank is directly connected to the milking barn. The bulk tank keeps the milk the proper temperature and stirs it at intervals. Hormone free dairy products are an issue with the public and this farm produces hormone free milk. The Holstein’s are vaccinated against disease annually.
Family farming advantages were clear here. Greg and his family run a hands on farm, obviously the only way to do it, and they administer all the vaccinations, control operations and know the bottom line. He highlighted how large dairy operations with employees can have a difficult time tracking information about animals and operations. Close family operations are a tradition at many Midwest dairy farms.
Questions were thrown at Greg in both Spanish and English and the group was curious about the strange looking milking equipment. Greg has four milking machines, which he explained are flushed eight times daily, at the 280-acre farm. The state inspects dairy farms twice annually. Greg’s one hundred Holstein cows, including young stock, roam this beautiful farm. In looking out at the sunny fields on the perfect day one could see the blessing of nature and the promise of our day.
Next stop was the milking barn. Only a few cows were kept in for us so we could easily view the other half of the milking system. Cow’s milk runs from the milking machines through the pipes to the bulk tank. Cameras were flashing as the daily routine, beginning at 4:30 am, was explained to the group. Wide eyes perused the gentle looking animals. One cow seemed to be adding mooing comments to Greg’s explanation. A pregnant cow, this is her ninth calf, eyed us now and then but returned to eating as if it was normal to have a crowd of people asking questions about her daily routine. The average weight of a newborn calf is 90 pounds and, unless there are complications, the experienced cow has the calf on her own. This fact was amazing to those of us who have witnessed birth or had a baby.
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| Ride 'em Jaunito | The Malecha family |
Curious cows gathered around the end of the barn door and a few of us went to chat with them. Renee told us that they were more afraid of us than we of them. They were interested in us despite being leery. The herd mentality was prevalent here! One moved and then they all moved. We discussed how this applies to our peace and justice work. As we strive to make things better in Guatemala and in Minnesota the herd mentality, in a positive and informative way, could have some value. Opening up new experiences to people; such as TNII, the bus trip to Washington DC, South African HIV outreach and Middle East trips has the power to introduce new perspectives. We can hope that the “herd” follows (with understanding of course!). Understanding the past and present political issues in Guatemala makes one acutely aware of the lack of media attention in that area of the world. Perhaps it is apathy to the hundreds of years of local political upheaval. Knowing the life experiences of the TNII Delegation and the struggles they have had economically and politically makes the sister parish connection so very important. Individuals expression of hope, survival spirit, community giving was deeply rooted in making life better through large and small acts of kindness and intent. This is the spirit of St. Joan of Arc as well.
We spent more time at the farm shooting pictures near the cavorting young cows. We received a primer on the complicated feed combination process. Did you know that a cow eats 115 pounds of feed per day? An average day feed total is 7000 pounds. Virginia and Clarence provided some background on how the mechanized farm has made a difference. Cows receive aspirin the same way people do and we were amazed at the huge size of the pills! Talk about horse pills, these were “cow size” pills. The hay raker(right) looked like a work of art and many had photos by it.
The remaining time on the farm was spent eating ice cream, playing on the slide and enjoying the beautiful day we had been given. Greg’s daughter Tiffany was celebrating a birthday and we sang to her in both English and Spanish. We were grateful for the hospitality at the Dundas farm. Virginia was open and welcoming to the TNII delegates and, despite her lack of Spanish (like many of us!) she formed quick connections.
The caravan left for our Guatemalan lunch in Northfield. We were served a traditional Guatemalan tamale made of corn, rice and served on a banana leaf. Ruth told us that this was a very typical Saturday meal and is cooked or can be purchased all over Guatemala. A brief shopping spree on the main street of Northfield was next on the agenda. Then we were off back to SJA.
The spirit and zest of this group of people felt like an incredible bounty to me. Before we left on Friday a SJA member gave us a copy of some e-mail communication on the state of affairs in Guatemala City. The stark reality of what they are going back to, a city shut down due to political riots, is alarming. TNII is outside of the capital city, but many TNII delegates have family that routinely travel back and forth in order to earn a living. The city is rife with civil unrest. The constitutional courts have rescinded a decision regarding Efrain Rios Montt’s candidacy. Montt, a former dictator, was initially allowed to run for election. The chaos that TNII delegates will be flying back into is a reality of their lives. Their efforts to believe in and continue to strive for government equality, despite the inequity that the country’s people has endured for hundreds of years, is a testament to the strength of their souls. It is this testament that is the seed of what seems to take root in people who suffer injustices.
The eyes are the windows to the soul and fortunate are those who have the opportunity to meet with these TNII eyes! To have met and connected with a group who will be going back to danger is difficult to realize. The riots against the Montt decision involve hooded protesters lurking everywhere, overturning vehicles with opposing political party bumper stickers and media reporter deaths. The US media has barely noted the event. It only rated a photo of a dead journalist on page 6 of the New York Times without any accompanying story. In expressing hopes of safety and safe travel to one of the delegates she said “he is only a man (referring to Montt) and I have hope that my God will keep me safe and that the right decision will happen”. Such hope and spirit is a gifted blessing.
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A little bit of my soul with go with them back to Guatemala and I will believe in “hasta luego”.
