Today (a little bit sooner than midnight!) updates mainly from our Pontau and Belem crews. (If you’re just tuning in now and need the dramatis personae, check out our Day 1 update here.
Jason Welle, SJ writes in that while the day 2 experience was made a little more interesting by the water not working from last night to this morning, and by a presenter for this morning running late, the pilgrims in Pontau solved those problems by dancing. Admittedly, not particular good-smelling dancers, since no showers were available, but quite joyful.
In Belem, MAGIS circles (small group reflections) meeting in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth
The main experience of day 2 in Pontau was a presentation from the Rio power company about a recycling company that provides discounts to residents in pacified favelas. Jason writes:
Now, if you think that sounds boring, worry not, because the subject was lifted up by the famous and by now well-used Latin American powerpoint strategy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a run-of-the-mill powerpoint rescued by the two fold exposition of Latin American powerpoint pedagogy: justification and methodology, which surely appears in every powerpoint presentation I’ve seen south of the Rio Grande.
If you’re not familiar with the two-fold LAPPP, here it is in summary.
- The first point is a slide (several if needed) on the justification of the project. This provides all the important reasons why this project will be important.
- The second point is a slide (several if needed) on the methodology of the project. This elucidates for all parties each step of how the project will proceed.
I’m pretty sure that it’s stipulated in NAFTA that powerpoints must all contain sections of justification and methodology.
Day 2 in Pontau wrapped up, as all MAGIS days do, with small group sharing and reflection (the MAGIS circle) — and of course, a chance for the pilgrims to check the Internet. Hey Pontau pilgrims: since you’ve got internet, let us know what’s going on by tweeting at @TJPOnTour and @Magis2013USA — and check out what all the other pilgrims are up to at the same time.
In Belem, Brendan Busse, SJ reports that most of their days are being spent on tasks related to the production of their musical — yes, you read that right. We’ll have fuller details coming in later.
After a morning presentation on the history of the Jesuits in the Amazon, they spent the rest of the day practicing, or working on set and costume design. As Brendan puts it, “it’s kind of a monastic routine, if monks liked flash-mobs and drum-circles.”
They also visited a gorgeous church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth, and then wrapped up dinner with the host families, the ubiquitous MAGIS circle, and an end-of-day prayer for the whole group together.
More news tomorrow … stay tuned!
