Baptism and First Communions

On Dec 19, four of the children from Casa Hogar San Jose were baptized --

Estrella, Rosa Maria, Pamela, and Gimena.

These four plus Wilber and Isela received first communion.

Lined up the baptismal font

 With candles lit before first communion.

After the service with their "padrinos".

Construction Update Dec 16, 2010

Construction is going VERY WELL --  just ahead of schedule.

As of Dec 16, they are preparing for a big day

of "techando" or pouring the concrete for the roof of the 1st floor.

The dividing walls between the rooms are up

Roofing bricks are stacked to go on top.  

Wooden poles go in to support the roof as it's poured soon.

Towards the previous dining area

poles support the new roof structure.

Round cement columns will bear the weight.

The view from above for the new study area.

The new wall will reinforce an area which was a bit questionable.

A view from above showing the progress of placing the roofing bricks.

They hope to pour the roof on December 19. 

MINNEAPOLIS TEAM VISITS THE CASAS

From November 12 to 22

St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis,

sends a short-term team to work on

landscaping at San Lucas School...

And they bring a craft to share with the children at San Jose

Deacon Deb explains where they are from in the United States...

 Canon Richard Norman explains how to make some unusual crosses

 The kids really get into creatively individualizing them

 Deacon Juan and Juan Diego are having a great time together!

Finished products by Estrella and Diego Armando!!!

The team also visits the site of the new dorm

going up for the teens at Sagrada Familia

VISITORS FROM CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, IRVING,TEXAS

From November 6-13, the short-term team

from Church of the Redeemer, Irving, TX

comes to Arequipa to work at San Lucas School.

On the 9th they visit Casa Hogar San Jose.

Fr. Steve Danzey, Juan Diego, and Diego Armando listen to the introductions

Nola Schrum gives instructions to the children on the craft....

 Which the children enter into with excitement

Wilber gets a little help...

As does Pamela

 Gloria with Yasmin

Deacon Joann gets hugs from the girls

Visit from Tias Susan Kerr and Cinde Rawn

Susan Kerr and Cinde Rawn came for 2 day visit Nov 3-5 

to meet with  the board of the Casas Hogares, 

the Anglican children's homes in Arequipa.

Shown here with the board  members are:

Sandy Johnson, Ricardo Vergara, Padre Juan Carlos Revilla, 

Deacon Juan Ayala, Freddy Ortega,

Susan Kerr, Cinde Rawn,and Gloria Johnson.

 A close-up look at the new retaining wall for Sagrada Familia

Susan Kerr listens as Ricardo Vergara

explains the current status of construction. 

Progress is being made quickly.

Juan Diego, Yasmin, and Isela

enjoy the new puzzles that Tias Cinde and Susan brought.

Pamela and Gimena put the puzzles together as

Tio Alejandro and Tia Cinde look on.

 Gimena give her full concentration.

The kids sing a few songs for their visitors.

Juan Diego turns 8 years old

Juan Diego opens a gift with 

Isela, Tamara, Wilber, and Pamela looking on.

Later Juan Diego and Tio Alejandro sit down 

to read the Curious George book in Spanish

he received for his birthday.

Finishing their part of the work

On Friday, October 29, the Christ Church team
from Plano, Texas finished their part of the work.

There were more rocks needed before they could pour concrete
for the remaining 10 columns.  The bucket brigade works best.

Here, Deacon Juan and Freddy get into the act as well.

Brent stands by "his" column.
Each team member has one named after him.

Here's a shot of the whole gang - Americans and Peruvians.

The aerial view from the roof shows off the whole project.
20 columns were erected and set in concrete.

==============================================
On Saturday morning, October 30, the team took the time
to tour the historic Santa Catalina Convent
in downtown Arequipa,


 with its characteristic blue and red coloring.

This is the laundry area from the 1600s.

We really appreciate the generous spirit and hard work
of all these men.  Their work has certainly gotten this
project off to a great start.
Hopefully the kids will move in February.

THANKS GUYS!