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."