Parrilla

The luggage rack is now on the vehicle. That took several trips across town, but we have an eleven foot, custom made rack. Today we are to go back for what we hope is the "final" trip to get seat cushions. This will be trip #5 for them, I believe. Please pray that we can hire a good driver within the week!

Getting Ready

We spent another whole day (they kinda run together now) doing some more of the necessary fixes on the van. First, we paid fees and then JCarlos and Maria got the insurance. At 8:30 a.m. we headed down for the emissions test. Then, we were off to buy a fire extinguisher and get it installed. Next, we looked for window locks as 4 were broken so we can't park the vehicle on the street-no luck. Some hours later we finally had some electrical work done, windshield washer pump fixed, new window locks MADE/RIGGED, rear defroster fixed and finally headed for home at 5:00p.m. (We had about 5 hours of technical work done for S/40 or $13-including parts! Whew, I’m pooped. Oh, yes, Padre Ron had to drive the van home for his first drive in Peru! He'll never get used to the blind intersections with no signage! THAT was the nerve-wracking part! We made it! Tomorrow Padre has a visit with Director Pedro so he will drive to the Casa for that. We now need seatcovers that can be washed as the ones installed are nice and we'd like to keep them so! Also a luggage rack. That will be custom made with a ladder. That should just about cover everything after we have the brake pads checked. While Padre doesn't intend to drive much, he does want to be able to drive as needed so he will have to get a "combi" license when we get back from the States. Now, to hire a driver for the kids. We need one who will be safe and a responsible maintenance person, too. Keep that in your prayers!

Combi

A "combi" here is a van or small bus. We have just acquired one for the use of the Casas. We are thrilled! This has been a dream for some time as we have had constant headaches with providing transportation for the kids. As you can see, it is in good shape and was a good deal, too. It will take the kids to and from school, the directors to do shopping and buy supplies, and, if it is convenient to the kids' schedules, it will pick up and deliver teams at the airport to help offset operational costs. God richly provides what is needed. Blesséd be the Name of the Lord.

Shade Screen

While we have been blessed with the patch of grass we put in last year, the sun is usually too intense for the kids to enjoy it. The team sunk holes and poured cement so that a "malla" or screen could be put up to give some shade. Up until now the kids have clustered under the six square feet of shade our one "big" tree provides.

CC Plano

The Christ Church Plano team arrived "fit and fiddle" as oldtimers would have said. These six came to share the Gospel and show the practical side of a conversion of the heart. While here they worked at Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia, Iglesia Cristo Redentor, the seminary Ss. Agustín, and the Robertson´s house! Quite an accomplishment for a week!! Padre Ron (second from the left in back row) looks pretty energetic now. Let´s see how he looks at the end of a week of hard work! What a blessing this team is for us.

Christ Church Visits

The kids at Casa Hogar San José were delighted to have a quick visit from the Plano team that did SO much work with us here in Arequipa. Always ready for fun, our kids enjoyed presenting a couple of musical selections for the visitors.

Fiestas Familiares

The Educational Center that Edgar and Giovanna attend are now enjoying their "Family Days" celebrations. Costumes are most important for the dances and everyone is required to participate. Often costumes such as these cost 15 to 18 Soles. Considering a laborer's daily wage is 20 Soles, that is pretty expensive. (Currently there are 3 Soles to the Dollar.) Edgar got to portray the Inca in this elaborate dance and Giovana one of the "guys" in her dance. It all evened out as Giovanna won in her volleyball tournament while Edgar bombed out in "futbol."

Antorchas

As a part of the San Lucas anniversary celebration, students enjoyed a nighttime parade with "antorchas." Many fanciful designs are included. They range from airplanes to doves to stars to condors. Our kids really enjoy the impressive parade in the dark! Here is Margot's contribution- a crocodile eating a dove!! Director Pedro, Tutora Carmen, and Giovana got a kick out of it, too.

New Buildings!

A recent event was the laying of the first stone for San Lucas School. We are excited to see San Lucas building additional classroom. They are certainly needed! As we have kids in 8th grade, we are eager to see the school keep ahead of our kids. I laid the first stone and Margot added a shovel load of cement. Go San Lucas! Hip, hip, hurrah!

Gold Medalist

In our recent celebration of athletic prowess, José (Pepe to his friends) won a "gold" medal for his speed in the city. In racing competition against numerous other schools and much larger boys, Pepe had the fastest time of any 6th grader. He has the honor of carrying the torch at the city-wide field day. Good job, Pepe!

The sun is unusually hot this spring so the water we brought to the park was eagerly downed by all-kids and adults. After the event, I gave out photos from last year´s Roof Dog Team and all the kids were excited to see the team members. They were somewhat shocked, too, to see how they themselves have grown this year! White balloons are available at this time of year as peace marches are popular in the schools so we brought some along to make the event more festive. Those peace balloons are great, too, for smacking your neighbor! OOPS! PEACE! The white hats helped with the sun as well.

Director Pedro has met his match!

Julio Cesar has his own starting position and NOTHING is going to change it! Get over it, Tío Pedro.

Peros Techeros!

Yes, indeed, it is "Roof Dog Run" time again. We "ran" in appreciation of the efforts of our supporters. We sped, ambled, moseyed, strolled, and ran pell mell to the park for races (or for the accompanying ice cream- I'm not sure the real motivation!). It was fun with everyone getting into the act. Tía Rosa trying to compete in high heels. Luciano blowing away the other guy tutors. Vicki bring up the rear. And Padre? Well, let´s just say he was "outdistanced" by José, Edgar, and Diego.

You´ll notice we had an honorary runner in Lima. It was great to see the bishop standing up. Continue to pray for him. His first hurdle will be getting home. We hope that will be this week.

Plano dogs- all the "pups" here send big hugs and thanks for all your support.

Comida Arequipeña

Comida típica, or typical dishes, is one of the themes dealt with in the annual celebration of Arequipan culture and tradition. Dishes with exotic names such as "white soup", "ocopa", "fried guinea pig", "potato pie", and "Easter soup" are prepared by each class at San Lucas School where our Casas kids attend. Not only do the children study the ingredients, but they study the history of the dish and restaurant, prepare recipes, decorate their booth, and explain the preparation of the dishes offered. All are served with "chicha," any one of the various fermented drinks of red corn. Great excitement abounds as kids and their parents try to outdo one another to be the winning class. Here in the first picture you can see our Hermelinda (in the big hat on the left) just glowing with a huge smile. This is a tough job for the judges. Victoria, on the left edge of the picture look on critcally evaluating the judges!

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Padre!

Bright and early (before 7 a.m.) Padre Ron was greet over the phone by the Casas Kids from San José singing all three versions of happy birthday! Then calls from Casas Sagrada Familia- each espressing in that awkward teenage way they best wishes for a happy birthday.Then other phone calls began. Next, a short visit by a passing parishoner and her dad. Finally, an email from Mom, and another one from Vicki. The day is underway! In this afternoon´s meeting with the Casas folks there may be a time of cake with the kids. Also, a bus load will show up for a celebration about 7:30p.m. - or 8:30p.m. There will be many sincere expressions of love and bestwishes. Peruvians don´t hide their feelings. For one who doesn´t like to be fussed over, it will be a little embarassing to be in the limelight so much!

In addition, I got a phone call from Padre Juan Carlos. They were only two hours from Ica, where the earthquake was, and are helping out at one of the soup kitchens set up by the Anglican church.

Please Continue to Pray

Please continue to pray for the earthquake victims in the Ica and Pisco areas. The weather has been inclement. Drinking water has been a continuing problem and, as many people were just barely eeking out a living before, they are left with nothing now and no employment.

The Anglican Diocese of Peru has been prominent in its aid activity and in feeding people.

Visitors Lose!

The kids at the Casas are always entertained by having visitors stop by. On this visit there was a hot competition of jacks being played. Padre Ron, Cinde, and Kim all made pathetic attempts to compete against the Masters such as Waldir and Maricruz.

Major Earthquake Hits Peru

On Wednesday evening, August 15, a major earthquake hit Peru. The epicenter was south of Lima and was 7 on the Richter scale and 7.9 on another scale. News reports to this date have estimated as many as 440 fatalities. We here in Arequipa felt it as did Father Ron and some US friends who were visiting Padre Alejandro in Cabanaconde. We all are fine. The only major highway connecting the southern part of Peru to the capital was badly damaged in at least 2 locations. This has effectively cut off land transportation on this commercial life-line. Our Lima churches and congregants are okay and immediately joined in the rescue and relief efforts.


While we in the South are cut off from the Lima area, we do have access to Pisco, a town severely affected. In response to local appeals, both Cristo Redentor and San Lucas are collecting food items to send to Pisco. There has been a huge flat-bed truck on the Plaza-de- Armas square receiving items for the affected area. And, yesterday evening the central police station had dozens of cadets boarding buses about to leave town to help in the devastated areas. You may keep up with our Anglican efforts by visiting Bishop Godfrey's special blog at : http://anglicanbishopperu.blogspot.com/ .


Please pray for families, businesses, the economy of Peru , and especially the poor who seem to always suffer the most in this time of crisis.


Romans 8:37-40

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PRONOE Celebration

The school that Edgar and Giovana attend held a special competition in volleyball and soccer along with indigenous dances. Various other PRONOE´s participated, too. Edgar, Giovana and a houseparent attended the all day event. Padre Ron and Tía Vicki went out to cheer them on after church. It was good to see them in another setting. Edgar, of course, was cool while Giovana spent a great deal of energy practicing "voli" with her friends. To see more pics check out http://sagradafamiliacasahogar.blogspot.com/

Fiestas Patrias!

"Fiestas Patrias" is the Peruvian equivalent of the 4th of July. Parades, celebrations, speeches, etc. Diego and José were part of the honor guard that carried the San Lucas banner in an early morning parade on Sunday.

PARO!!!

"Paro" means strike! We are having a 2 day one now. This is a general strike involving businesses and transportation. Unlike a business or office, the Casas cannot simply be shut down for two days and still need staff and supplies. The directors have laid in 2 weeks work of dry goods, but fresh milk and veggies won't keep that long. We hope this strike doesn't turn into an "indefindo," or unlimited time strike. Those workers who live closest to Casa San José will take turns until transportation is operative again for the cook and other workers. Casa Sagrada Familia is a different situation as it is more remote and no one lives near it. Whoever is on duty will just be on until things clear up. The kids may learn more about cooking in the next few days than they care to know! Needless to say, schools and training institutes will be closed. Pray for a lowering of fuel costs and food prices. These strikes alway hurt the most needy the hardest.

Saturday Chores While the Older Girls are Away

José still had to help clean up inside, and Diego and Manuel outside. I think Martha enjoyed the extra quiet most of all!

Where have all the Sisters Gone?

Sounds like a song title, doesn´t it? That was the feeling around Sagrada Familia this past weekend-where are they? Margot, Susana, and Giovana got to go to Lima for a Happening. Needless to say, things were pretty tame here at home without them! Still, regular chores such as laundry had to be done and stuff picked up, etc.

Coats

Arelis sports one of the new San José jackets. All our kids got winter duds- long underwear, scarves and gloves and coats or jackets. At San José they all match. Not so at Sagrada Familia. They each chose their own style.