From June 6th to 20th, our boys participated in summer camp activities, starting in Spain and later moving to Bethlehem. We were warmly welcomed by the wonderful parishioners of Boadilla del Monte and their brilliant parish priest, Padre Javier Siegrist. We really enjoyed the 2 weeks spent visiting marvelous cities such as Madrid, Ávila, Segovia, Alcalá, Toledo, and Valencia.
In Ávila, we were welcomed by Mayor Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera, visited the municipality, and explored the Walls of Avila. Most importantly, we visited the Carmel of Ávila and met a sister who has lived there her entire life. In Toledo, we were welcomed by Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves, Mayor Carlos Velázquez, and the Toledo Seminary, where they welcomed us to lunch and provided a place to rest.
In Valencia, we were warmly welcomed by the amazing people who prepared traditional paella for us and took us to the stadium and the cathedral. At the cathedral, we saw the original chalice used by Jesus during the Last Supper, and at the sanctuary of Virgen de los Desamparados, the rector provided us with an exceptional tour. In Segovia, Alcalá, Madrid, and the previously mentioned Toledo and Ávila, we were always greeted by local people and tour guides who did their best to show us the sites with great expertise.
Above all, we were embraced by over 80 members of the parish of Boadilla del Monte. They took care of us as if we were their family during those 2 weeks. Mrs. Maru Beneytez, along with many local families, who were our hosts made this the most memorable trip in the history of our home. The many friendships and kind people we met were the highlights of this journey. We will never forget their kind hearts and the initiatives that helped our boys integrate quickly into the local culture. We also met the local youth group, participated in adoration, attended masses in both Arabic and Spanish, and did so many other activities we will surely never forget.
We also want to thank Father Rashid in Amman for his hospitality during our stay. He went out of his way to make us feel welcome. We visited Mount Nebo, the Royal Automobile Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Jordan.
From August 20th to 28th, we had the second part of our camp in Bethlehem, where we visited churches in Beit Sahour, Cremisan, Catholic Action, and many other activities in our home. On August 26th, Abouna Tony Hayin, who is in charge of the Baylasan Center, did a very insightful course on counseling and understanding more about our personalities and how we are created in His image. We also visited the House of Peace lead by the Polish sisters and particulary sister Stephanie where we shared extraordinary morning with them both in mass and sports activites concluded with delicious lunch.
We really want to thank everybody that helped us financially and spirituality so that these boys could really feel welcomed wherever they went. May God really recompense the for all their good deeds.
Franciscan Boys Home 