An amazing afternoon
We have an official license to use water for our campsites. Now a company has to use its expertise to build the catchment basin at a spring and lay the pipes. At lunchtime, I talk to engineer Samuel Gabonal and his colleague Miguel Sebastina on the site. They have come all the way from Lima to get a first-hand impression of our water situation. As agreed, we meet in my office at 4 pm.
“How much will the fun cost?” I want to know. “How much will the bill be?”
Samuel Gabonal speaks slowly: “Nothing, Diospi Suyana should only organize the flights, the food and the accommodation!” – “What do you mean, do you want to work for free?”
Gabonal nods. “Yes, that’s right!”
Now I’m a bit confused. “Do you know the history of Diospi Suyana? Have you ever heard a lecture?” – Gabonal nods again. “Yes, many years ago in Lima!”
I have already opened my database. Wow, he is right. On July 23, 2009 – almost 16 years ago – I explained Diospi Suyana’s crime story to him privately in a guest house in the capital. 16 years…. have passed and now he wants to help us without a bill.
I connect my laptop to the LED screen. “A lot has happened in the last 16 years. I have to tell you about it now!” Just under an hour flies by. The latest miracle story is about the MRI that was delivered to the hospital yesterday. “Come on, I’ll show you around the hospital!” We ask in the wards where the patients come from. Almost all of them are Quechuas, descendants of the Incas. And almost all of them are obviously quite poor.
We part ways at the cab station at the entrance to the village. Another selfie and best wishes for a safe journey to Cusco and the flight back to Lima.
Gamonal is a Christian, as he said, and Miguel believes in a higher power. If everything goes according to plan, we’ll see each other again on Monday, next to a spring on the edge of a large campsite. Incidentally, Samuel’s daughter took part in the “Gozo en los Andes” festival in 2024./KDJ
(Legend: From left to right: Miguel Sebastian, Samuel Gabonal and a missionary doctor)
