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Bishop Perez became our host and our guide.	Making a friend is one way to energize oneself. Our first new friend in Bolivia was Archbishop Jesus Perez of Sucre, our Sister diocese. He was returning to his diocese from meetings in the United States. Upon realizing that we were traveling in the presence of an Archbishop, the members of the CCC immediately snapped to attention. Well, as well as we could after sitting in a plane for six hours! It should be noted that Bishop Perez did not seem to be bothered by the flight. Maybe when Bishops get closer to God, jet lag does not occur. Bishop Perez became our host and our guide. He saw to our needs and comfort for the rest of the trip to Sucre.
	We, of course, took the time with the Bishop to tell him about CCC and what we hoped to accomplish in the barrios of Sucre. In an effort to show him how we could engineer a project, we took on the task of putting five full size American men, their luggage, and a driver into a Toyota taxi. Those of us in the taxi chose to believe that the Bishop marveled at our space management skills. Those in the Bishop's taxi said he laughed all the way to the airport. Either way, he knew of the CCC and what we hoped to accomplish in his diocese.
Many people have asked what we planned to build in Sucre and why it took us so long to get started.	Our first week in Sucre was one of meetings and site visits to the barrios. We did not start working on any homes in the barrios until Saturday of our first week. Many people have asked what we planned to build in Sucre and why it took us so long to get started. To answer this question we must look at the reasons why the Catholic Construction Corps was founded. As our name implies, we are to build. The obvious thing is to build some sort of structure, something that will improve a person's quality of life.
	Our Main project for this trip was to assist in the sealing of walls and floors in the homes of the barrios. We plastered walls and helped prepare floors to be tiled. The reason for sealing the interior of the homes is to prevent a nasty cricket-like bug from entering the home at night. Bites from these bugs can cause a heart condition that prevents the person from working.
	The challenges we faced were many. We found that the construction skills used at home did not apply here. The way one builds in Sucre is different than the way we build in the USA. We had to learn new ways to do things. We also learned about time in Bolivia. Everything runs on "Bolivian Time"! When it gets here, it gets here! When it's done, it's done! We are used to scheduling ourselves down to the last minute. When in Bolivia, you must learn to slow down. Another reason to slow down is that Sucre is high in the Andes Mountains. At 8,000 feet of altitude, you will slow down!
Through understanding we can work hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder.	Another item the CCC builds is relationships. Without building these, our work in Sucre would become a project that we built and left. Building a relationship with the people of Sucre allows us to learn about the people. Through our relationships we start to understand their needs. Through understanding we can work hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder. Our relationship continues long after we are gone and until we can return again.
	A major task of the CCC is building each others spirituality. This is a mission effort. It is not a vacation. We pray and work hard. Our common faith gives us the opportunity to come together and see God in each one of ourselves. Our celebration of Mass together helped cement what we were trying to achieve. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. For now, the focus for the CCC is in Sucre. It is hoped that as time goes on we will work with other dioceses. For the time being, we will continue to go to Sucre and build.
	We are starting to prepare for the next construction mission in May of 1998. This year's team agreed that it was a trip well worth taking. Our frustrations were far outweighed by the peace that we received.
	If you would be interested in joining the CCC, an informational meeting will be held on October , at 7:30 PM at the St. Charles Pastoral Center. To receive information in the mail or to arrange for a presentation about the CCC, please 815-834-4078 or write to Bruce Carlson, St. Charles Pastoral Center, 402 S. Independence Blvd. Romeoville, IL. 60446. Bruce Carlson CCC Coordinator