Site Transfer

Praise God! Our SAMS missionaries in Arequipa have graciously agreed to continue the Casas blog so you can see what is happening with our kids. Thank you Gloria and Sandy! The new blog address is: http://casashogaresaqp.blogspot.com/

Padre Ron and Tia Vicki

Due to medical evaluations in Peru, Padre made an emergency trip to the US for further evaluation. When he left in Nov., it was assumed he would be returning by Christmas to be with the kids. However, it was not to be. Padre and Vicki remain in the US where they covet your prayers for Ron's pancreatic cancer treatments. Give thanks, too, for the wonderful Christian medical personal that have been treating him. Pray as well for Vicki who ministers tirelessly to keep him as well and comfortable as possible.

Needless, to say, the change is the weather has been a shock for them! Brrrr!

Our prayer is that God's Gracious Hand will be over the Casas as the batton of leadership changes and that His Will be done in all things.

Psalm 95
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

End of Academic Year

At the end of December the Academic School Year ends in Peru and vacation time sets in. This always brings changes with it. Some of our kids may be finishing their time at San Lucas, or finishing their various vocational courses- chef, electrician, seamstress, etc. Vacation time is time to practice piano, learn embroidery, practice English, etc. Also, it is a time when the Peruvian courts often re-evaluate the home situation of various kids. We always pray that God will reunite families where possible. Still, when the courts decide to return a child to a family where the child was removed because of "extreme poverty", we worry about parental motives and what is REALLY best for the child. Please join us in praying for God's guiding hand to be over each one that we hold so dear in our hearts and will miss so much that He will keep them in the palm of His hand. Surrendering loved ones to His Will and His Plan is still tough to do!

Tío Luís Visits

The kids are always excited to have friends visit and former houseparent Luis stopped by when in town from Juliaca where he is now serving as Lay Minister in the church.

TWEET TWEET

Padre Ron and Tia Vicki decided the kids might enjoy the birds and so gave them to the two Casas.

Christmas Visitor

Much to the Johnson's delight, their daughter Laura was able to visit them at Christmas. Of course this provided more fun for the San Jose kids! Thanks to Sandy for sending these photos. In addition to piano, Gloria is inviting them over to learn embroidery. It is a fun time for all. Needless to say, new teddy bears are a hit!

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Thanks to Sandy Johnson's help, we have been able to SKYPE both Casa San Jose and Casa Sagrada Familia. That was a true blessing. Both Tio Bob and Tia Susan Kerr were able to be present for the event. Here are some pics of the kids that the Johnsons were able to take on the Peru end. As you see, everyone looks hale and hearty.

MY! TIME FLIES!!!!

First, an apology for the long delay in postings from the Casas. Things continue to move forward whether I keep you up to date or not!

Unfortunately, Ron became ill in October as the St. Philip's team visited. They did a great job of digging the foundation for the second-story stairs for more classrooms at San Lucas School. Additionally, they were able to visit with each of the Casas one afternoon and spend some good time with the kids. What a great and flexible group they are! It was good to have them actually stay in town rather than just pass by on their way to Cabanaconde. Thanks, guys and gals. Sorry I wasn't up to getting picture together before leaving Peru. We thought it might be a gall bladder surgery and back to Peru before Christmas.

After several more weeks of tests to discover the source of pain, we were advised to return to the US for additional tests which we did on Nov.9. We thought it might be a gall bladder surgery and back to Peru before Christmas. Next, out of His Providence, God provided fantastic medical assitance through Christian doctors in the US.

Finally, after a hospital stay, it was determined Nov.29th that Ron has pancreatic cancer and will not be returning to Peru. Praise God for the wonderful medical attention he has received and all the wonder prayers and support!

Get to know José, Manuel, Margot, and Susana

Click on this link to see the latest interviews with four of our older kids.

More Pics

You can see more pics here.

PRIMERA PIEDRA/GROUND BREAKING

What a delight to have Project Hope getting off the ground! This construction will allow us to receive more teens at Sagrada Familia. First phase is a much-needed retaining wall and first floor dorms. We had our celebration on Oct.3 and were excited to have our distinguished visitors here!

Friends

Of course, it was great to have friends here to visit with us as well as visit with the kids.

New Cubbies

Some of you probably remember the two rickety wooden boxes that held the kids´ book bags. Remember the tops were loose and you had to sit CAREFULLY not to fall in? Well, one of our new pieces of furniture is this cool set of cubbies to hold the bags. Ángela, Lizbeth, and Yasmin are all smiles.

Keeping Everything Straight

Over the years we have seen growth and expansion with the Casas. This year it was time to have an audit to help us keep everything accounted for in an orderly manner. I have to give an "aplauso" (applause) to Maria Andia for handling so many different financial pieces in this part of Peru. Many thanks, Maria for the wonderful job you do juggling diocesan requirements, Amigos del Peru requirements and Padre Ron requirements! To our auditor, Toni Brown, it was "business as usual." Padre would be a quivering mass of jelly on the floor if he had to keep up with all the details they deal with! Thanks again Maria and Toni.

Ready, Set, Go! WOOF!!!

October is a big month for the Casas. On the 24th is the big run. This has been a great fund raiser and will be especially important this year with our Project Hope construction plans at Sagrada Familia. If you'd like to support all the two-legged and four-legged runners, check out this webpage

New Acolyte

Katiuska seems to be doing really well in her new school along with Lizbeth and Xavier. But Katiuska has been asking Padre Ron about becoming an acolyte. Yesterday Padre went over with a communion set and they practiced setting up the credence table and how to present the wine and water, and how to do the lavabo. Both enjoyed the practice. Sunday Katiuska will shadow Giovana and get out some of the butterflies so she can do it on her own the next time. Go girl!

Project Hope Takes Off!

Wow! GOD IS GOOD!...all the time! ALL THE TIME...God is good! Well, we are about to do the "first stone" ceremony at Sagrada Familia on Oct. 3 at 3:30 p.m. This is the ground breaking ceremony for the dormitory unit so needed there. Who do we thank?
ALL our supporting churches and those wonderful individuals who have had a burden for our Casas Hogares kids. Christ Church, Plano, got the ball rolling when it seemed too overwhelming for us to attempt, and it has been awesome to see how many friends and churches have taken up the banner from as far away as England. We planned it in phases to be completed as funds are available: Phase 1-a much needed retaining wall and dorm unit for 12 girls. Phase 2-a similar upstairs unit for 12 boys. Phase 3-an expanded kitchen and dining room with computer room and library. Phase 4- a possible set of 4 bedrooms for "transitional" living before launch to fully independent living. Pray that this construction will be finished by Feb. 2010 so we can move over the next set of teenagers from Casa Hogar San Jose when the "Roof Dog" team comes down.

You can see the plans at http://ronandvicki.net/first_stone.htm

Questions- - -

Susana officially turns 17 on Oct. 28. Unlike most teens, she went through a phase when she consistently said she was YOUNGER! She didn't want to come to grips with how close she was getting to being 18 years old- the age of adulthood here. Her fear was that she would have to move out and had nowhere to go, no job, and no way to support herself. She finally voiced that to Director Pedro. As many of you know, we are at the point of ground breaking for a construction project to build more adequate dorm space here at Sagrada Familia. Without the additional space, we cannot receive any more teens into our Home. Pedro showed her the plans.

As Pedro talked, the lightbulb came on and Susana realized that her courses in cosmetology really had a purpose! When she realized that we are making provisions for a period of transition, she began to see she wouldn't be out on the street. The possible "apartments" we might build sounded great to her. Finally, she asked Pedro,"So, we'll live independently upstairs here and then go down to the dining room for all our meals?" Pedro smiled and said, "Not quite, Susana. You all will be COOKING your OWN meals upstairs..Oh, and CLEANING UP afterwards as well."

Growing up is a gradual process, isn't it??

KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like it is time to consider replacement of some lost glasses, new prescriptions of others, and an eye exam for another one! Margot will be the first as SHE has raised part of the cost of her glasses with her chocolate sales! Hmm.., what will Susana, Giovana, and Miguel Ángel do to keep up and help with the cost of their glasses?

On The Job Training

Soon Edgar and Jose will begin some practicums in cooking. José, by the way will be starting the equivalent of 9th grade.Good luck, boys!