Hello from Santa Rosa in Ayacucho. Santa Rosa is in the Selva where there are small rivers crossing through, rain, jungle, forest, insects and snakes, and, of course, it is a very hot place. There is one fixed line telephone for the whole town and often you will hear this lady calling a name on the public address system because he or she has a call.

Roads are all dirt and rocks except for the four surrounding the main square. Stray dogs are everywhere and pigs and chickens roam the roads. Today was my first experience at the Sunday market and going through this narrow lane where they were selling meat and fish, I could not help but feel I was in the movie of Oliver Twist, with the soggy, slippery, rocky roads, flies and insects, and smells! But I was brought here for a reason. And I am Maltese for a reason too! God knows that I can easily build this much-needed church in Santa Rosa with Maltese support. Malta has never turned down a missionary plea and I feel very confident that readers will also support me. The estimated cost is of about Lm233,000, thus if at least 200 generous people from Malta and Gozo donate €1,000 each I will be able to build this church in four to five months.

People are very eager to help. This building has been pending for years and some even have given up entirely. They look to me as their last hope and I look to you as my great hope. I know that €1,000 is a lot of money but it is for a very good cause and these people deserve a temple to praise the Lord in.

I will inscribe the donor's name on a silver plate for €1,000, or a golden one for over €2,000. Workers can do a collection and present their donation as a group. Nearly each week someone in Malta wins the Super 5 and other games. Can't they be kind to us and share some of the winnings?

Donations can be deposited in account: Oħloq Dinja Aħjar HSBC Bank 056-165954-050, Fr Anthony Zammit. One can also call Victor Grech on 9944 6254 and he can come and collect the donation. Please, please, please. God bless.