DESPEDIDA

THURSDAY, JULY 22nd WAS XAVIER, ANGELA, AND LIZET'S

 LAST DAY LIVING AT THE CASA HOGAR SAN JOSE

In true Peruvian custom, the children at the younger
 home gave them a "despedida,"or official farewell.
 It was a time of great emotion, for the Director, Maria Perez,

the children being adopted, the adoptive parents,
 and the rest of the youngsters, as well as those who came as guests.
 The casas here are truly like family, and this was very

 obvious as many gave a tearful good-bye to their beloved friends.

Maria Perez gives gracious words of parting.

All the children perform the song

 "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord" in English.

Wow!  What an awesome cake!

The three pose with Maria Perez,
and then with their new parents, David and Emily Nelson

The kids display a lot of mixed emotions naturally.

Angela with her special friends,
Rosa, Yasmin, and Daniela.
All these girls are in the 5th grade,
except for Daniela.

Daniela hates to say good-bye to Lizet.

Just when emotions were feeling very heavy,
Padre Juan Carlos helps liven things up
as the kids gather round the keyboard.

Yasmin, Lizet, and Rosa

Tio Alejandro and Pamela

Tia Gloria and Daniel

Tia Kym and Tamara

Wilber, Daniel, Juan Diego, and Diego Armando

Lizet snuggles in with her new mom, Emily.

The kids with Juan Ayala,
who has been given oversight of the casas.


Afterwards, the adults and the three adopted children
go out for dinner at Brunno's Pizzeria

Xavier and Angela think this is pretty cool.

Happy new parents!
May the Lord bless them abundantly...