TIA GLORIA'S BIRTHDAY

 When Tia Gloria arrived at Casa Hogar 

San Jose on January 18th, she was in

for a surprise.....a party for her birthday!

 Diego Armando, Wilber, and Juan Diego love the treats!

So many presents!

ALL the kids gave something they valued or made...

And one of the biggest surprises were hand embroidered gifts by Rosa...

 and Yasmin....all those cross stitch lessons paid off!

Tia Gloria was very touched by all the love shown her on her special day :)

YOUTH CAMP!

On January 14-16, all the teens from Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia 

participated in a youth camp for adolescents from Southern Peru...

What a beautiful drive to the camp between

the pueblos of La Joya and Vitor

Members of the Directorio, Deacon Juan Ayala,

Alejandro and Gloria, Ricardo, and Freddy (not pictured)

are joined by Naty, Deacon Luis, Nestor, and Pedro

What an awesome location for a retreat!

And a swimming pool!  Now THIS is luxury!

(Remember this is summer here in Peru)

The dormitory and dining hall sit above the camp

Shall we gather at the river?

 With Katiuska...

Lizbeth...

and Susana

 Giovanna is having fun in the sun!

As is Victoria...

Group fun

After drying off and a change of clothes,

everyone gathers in the auditorium for praise

and worship to the Lord, led by John and Daniel

Cool shades!!

 helped out by Paul Tester (youth worker from Lima)

Giovanna, and Nicole from San Lucas Church

followed by an inspiring

 "charla" (talk) from Nestor

And interesting games with balloons!

Waldir

Manuel

Construction marches on --- January 10

When a Global Alpha Training team from Christ Church, Denver visited Arequipa, they toured the construction site at Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia.  The concrete roof was poured just before Christmas and at this point, they were preparing to stucco the walls inside.

Much sand and gravel is needed for the floors yet to be poured.

The casa will feature beautiful arches.

Seen here are Alba, Gloria, Rhonda, Bunnie, and Jamie.

The covered walkway between the arches and the rooms.

Bunnie and Penny lead the way.

Here you can more easily see the future bedrooms

from the covered walkway.

The inside of a large bedroom.

This area will become the dining hall and the computer area.

View from above of the construction site.

HELPING AT THE MISSION SANTIAGO APOSTOL

One of the things we in the Directorio are hoping

to instill in the teens is the realization of how much

God has given them by living in the Casas Hogares...

to that end, we ask them to help out at the small

mission above Arequipa, in a very poor area.

"Freely, freely, you have received...

freely, freely, give!"

Some of the more regular helpers are Margot,Victoria, 

and Manuel, pictured here with Deacon Luis

 Margot helps Ricardo with clothes distribution after the service

And Victoria enjoys the children

Katiuska is another faithful attendee, helping with child care

 Manuel is Deacon Juan's acolyte, 

assisting him throughout the service

Victoria and Arelis

After each service, sandwiches and drink

are provided for those who come,

and the teens help pass it out

NOCHEBUENA (CHRISTMAS EVE!)

Waiting for Baby Jesus to arrive....

 The children from San Jose sing in honor of 

the occasion at Cristo Redentor Church

 and are invited to provide the closing exit song, too!

After the service, kids and adults from both 

Casas Hogares are invited to go to the

 house of one of the members of the

 Directorio, Ricardo, for a "family" gathering ...

a fun fiesta in honor of Jesus' birth!

 The teens especially are into the dancing

Margot is having a great time

Sisters Tamara and Katiuska really enjoy being together

But Katiuska and Miguel Angel also love to dance!  

As of course does Manuel

Jimena likes to snuggle with Tio Alejandro 

 Yasmin and Tia Gloria enjoy each other's company

Estrella likes the Christmas tree

Rosa Maria, Hermelinda, and Margot

Diego Armando and Deacon Juan Ayala share a laugh :)

Serbando, tutor at Sagrada Familia,
 with Estrella and Pamela

Lizbeth and Jimena

Siblings Martha and Juan Diego

Waldir and Ronald

 San Jose tutora, Carmen

Cousins Yasmin and Lizbeth with Tio Alejandro

 The treat of the evening....an entire roasted pig!

Deacon Juan and Ricardo do the carving,
but alas it needed more baking time....
so off to a nearby bakery they went

Meanwhile, some of the younger
kids, like Isela here, took the opportunity for a nap :)

Until all the younger ones were
asked to do a special dance

At midnight, the skies exploded with fireworks
and Ricardo's neighborhood came alive!
We all went out into the street to watch the display...

 But then back inside, where each child was given a
sparkler, and we all gathered around the nacimiento,
where the baby Jesus has now appeared.

and we had a special time of prayer,
 thanking the Lord for sending His Son,
 Jesus Christ, into the world for us.

GIFT TIME!  How exciting for each
of the kids to receive a box loaded with
gifts just for them from their friends from
Christ Church Plano!  The new additions
this year were amazed and overwhelmed!

 Wilber

Pamela and Yasmin (with
Nestor looking on)

Martha and Lizbeth

Giovanna and Susana read the enclosed notes with joy

 Diego Armando

 Tamara

 The littlest angel, Jimena

Cool shades for Miguel Angel

 Arelis

Victoria

AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!