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.