Anyone wanna race with a GIANT??

Picnic!

Friday was a really fun time for the kids from both Casa Hogar San Jose and Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia. After school they were treated to a picnic at a local park area. It was great! After running and playing for about an hour, we all had roast chicken and French fries. Some played "futbol," others did races, the littler ones played on slides, some hit baseballs. Something new and different for them were the frizbees! Padre Ron still throws a pretty good one- MOST OF THE TIME! Giovanna ran up and down the field a dozen times before collapsing from exhuastion trying to get the "cometa" or kite up. We sat down nicely on the grass by the blankets to be served, but the shade had brought the big worms to the surface. Of course the girls screamed and ran away madly! Much to do. Tio Joel leaves at the end of the week so we'll lose our BIGGEST playmate. Anyway, we REALLY had a lot of fun. Hope Tia Vicki can still move after all that exercise!

Lookin Good....!

The kids at Casas Hogares have had a few days off. It was a good opportunity to get to see a movie and help out with a project here at Sagrada Familia. A friend of ours has contracted Christian Revilla, Padre Juan Carlos' son, to paint our exterior walls. He has been doing the basecoat in white and now is beginning to put pictures on them along with scriptures. It let's everyone know who we are!

New School Photos-Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia

Edgar, Margot, Susana, Giovana, José (Pepe)

New Photos-Casa Hogar San Jose

Back Row: Marta, Katiuska, Manuel, Waldir, Hermelinda
Front Row: Armando, MariCruz, Tamara, Victoria, Jonathan

SPLISH, SPLASH I WAS TAKIN' A BATH......

Yes indeedy! We FINALLY have hot water for the kids at Sagrada Familia. Many thanks to our supporters who have helped us so much. We have fine solar panels with back up electricity. The kids are pleased (probably CLEANER, too!) We have been so blessed by the love and support of our Tios who live so far away.

Not only do we have hot water, we have a BIG new washing machine! Still, our houseparents insist we wash our undies and socks by hand every day. Well, I guess we can do that! Little by little we are settling in more and feel really "at home" now. But, boy, do the kids that are going to join us here next year look LITTLE! Hope the sprout up some!

We are asking the Bishop to allow us to add 7 to 10 new kids at San Jose at the beginning of next year. That will only bring us up to 17 and we can accomodate 24 at each location. Pray that the Lord will enable us to reach out in this way next year.

Blessing of Sagrada Familia

The Blessing was indeed a success! The picture in the kitchen has the Directora and the "tutors" or house parents. Some had to stand outside the cabanas as there was not room for all inside. We opened the windows so those outside could hear.

Before and After

You can see we cleaned up a lot of our sight yesterday trying to get ready for today! You'll notice in the "before" picture a sign that says, "No dumping trash" but it hasn't worked yet. Maybe now! Pray that the little seedling trees we planted won't be all ripped up!

Bendición de la Casa

Sunday, July 2, at 3:00 p.m. keep us in your prayers as we will do a house blessing for the new home. The house parents were exhausted from getting the place ready. Thank you, Tíos and Tías!!

GOOOOLLLLL!!!!!!

You didn´t think YOU were the only one interested in the world cup, do you?

Busy Day!

As the kids at Sagrada Familia had a holiday, they loaded up and headed with parishoners for Santiago Apóstol, our mission project up towards the base of Misti. Ron didn´t go as he was giving final exams, but Vicki, Joel, the psychologist Pedro, and tutor Luis went along.

Starting.......

Yesterday I went out to have a final talk to the "gasfitero" (plumber) who will install the thermal hot water tank. It looks like it will be in by the middle of next week. FINALLY!!!! We will have hot water in the showers, sinks, kitchen, and for the new washing machine soon to be installed thanks to our Tios in the US. We are installing an extra 1100 liter holding tank as the water is occasionally turned off in this area and we want to have PLENTY. No excuses for skipping a bath now! Chao for now! Ron

Happy Birthday to me!

Giovanna turned 13 today. Everyone was a stir as they were getting ready her cake. The cook, the directora, as well as two off-duty tutoras were there to help her celebrate. We took a gift by and visited awhile. We went nearly an hour after the supposed time. When we left preparations were still underway!

School Celebration for Father's Day

We were pleased to be with the kids at San Lucas for the Father's day celebrations. Manuel was the doctor in a skit, Margot was dressed for her role as crowd control, Jonathan was a part of a family of ducks in a gimnastic routine. Fun for all, and, of course, we had boiled potatoes with Ocopa sauce for the adults. Big day! Afterwards all the kids played in the playground together as they waited for the bus.

COMPUTERS!!!!

We are SO excited!! Thanks to our tios at St. Nicholas' , Flower Mound, we now have two computers on which to do our research for school. We bugged Padre Ron about "chat" and "email." He was TOTALLY against "chat," but when we talked about emailing our "Tios" he softened up! We'll see how this all turns out! We are blessed by your caring for us who are so far away from you.

P.S. We already know how to get to the games!!! Bye for now, Chao.

Days Off

Can you tell which school kids are from Casas Hogares? Of course you can't! That's the idea. Being on vacation this week has been great for our kids. They have been able to go to parks and on "paseos" (walks) and break the routine. Yesterday was a big get-together of both casas for a fun time together- both teenagers and little ones. Fortunately the transportation strike was called off and we didn't have to postpone it. Father Ron was in Lima for a diocesan meeting so he wasn't able to come over. Next time!

Right now we are awaiting word from a Rotary Club in the US. They may be able to help us out. We do seem to always have needs. Currently we need to install a hot water system at Sagrada Familia. Cold showers in the winter bring the risk of colds and runny noses. Not to mention they're no fun!

Also, we need "camarotes" in San Jose. Those are the rails on the bunk beds. That is something that has been long overlooked!

We do give thanks for all our wonderful sponsors whom we call "tio" and "tia" (uncle and aunt). We've heard that a number of friends remembered us especially with Mothers' Day offerings since they couldn't be here tu hug us themselves. Besos a todos from your "other" kids!!

Sagrada Familia kids with St,. Matthew's Team

The older kids got into the swing of things with the St. Matthew's team visiting here. You can see the girls attracted to Betty like bees to honey. Edgar enjoyed being the movie-maker part of the time. The fellow in the picture with Edgar is Fernando. I found his documents at an ATM machine and managed to return them to him. Juan Carlos told him God must have wanted us to meet. He has been back twice to help paint! God works in mysterious ways!

Hazel has arrived

Hazel Crossley has been with us since Tuesday. She is from England and will be teaching English at San Lucas for about 6 to 8 mo. We have spent LOTS of time trying to find her an apartment and just settled on one today. It is really nice . Grima, the Principal at San Lucas, is really thrilled to have someone helping teach English. Welcome to Arequipa!

Today we started marking the boundaries for our property in Via Ecologica. It was hard work in the sun. But, we are really excited about it! I'll try to put bright markers in the picture around the property so you can see how large it is. The well has been started and should be done in a week. I'm not sure when we will start the wall.

San Jose kids ready for their chocolate Easter eggs!

A Growing Family!

We just added 26 to our number at Sagrada Familia! 26 baby chicks, that is! (We're hoping they are ONLY for eggs when they grow up!) And, since we're older, we are getting to go to school on Saturday mornings for fun classes: Edgar and José for soccer; Margot for Public Speaking; and Susana and Geovana for volley ball. We´re really excited.

Also, our new psychologist, Pedro Huamani, will get to take us. Padre Ron is hoping in the future to work out a rotation so that Cecilia, the psychologist for the San José can chat with the girls at both locations, and Pedro can visit with the boys at both locations. Pedro has a lot of experience and is really nice, too.

A blessed Easter to you

We want to wish a blessed Eastertide to all our "Tio's" and "Tias's". From Casa Hogar "San José" and Casa Hogar "Sagrada Familia".
¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Movie Day!

This afternoon we all went to see "Nanny McPhee" and had a great time! Would you believe little Tamara (just a month past 4 yrs.) ate a WHOLE box of popcorn and drank an ENTIRE medium sized coke! It was good to have both Casas kids together. It's fun to get out from time to time. Thanks, "Roof Dogs," for providing this opportunity for us!

Still settling in

We're still settling in to our new location. During the recent Synod in Lima Maria Andia went with Padre Jaime to get us some new bedspreads. However, they couldn't resist the temptation to try on some of the beautiful dance costume pieces sold at that location. Aren't they cool? Stay tuned for our pictures when we do the dance contest at school later this year.

Guys and Goofy Gals!

Smiles

Well, the new place seems to be agreeing with the kids. Vicki and Maria A, in front of the new paint job the tutors just completed out front. Also, Jose, Maria A., and Edgar are seen here in front of the new curtains. Each cottage now has curtains thanks to the AMAs of Lima. The last picture is self-explanatory..GOOFY TEENAGE GIRLS!

BUMMER!!!

Well, Beethoven, the dog that wandered in and was loved by the kids, wandered out on Sunday. The girls, especially, were crushed. However, in transit to school the kids have seen Beethoven at home with his original family. After mopping about a couple of days, the kids have decided to set their sights on getting another puppy. To be continued......

OH! OH!

Well, the kids are indeed settling in. Today Vicki and I will be going by to pick them up for church in two taxis. Last night, at a teen's meeting at the church, Giovanna came to ask if SUSANA could have a dog. I said we might be able to do that, and we knew someone who had puppies now. Giovanna said there was a puppy THERE that wouldn't go away and they want to keep it! Guess we'll have to deal with that today. The idea of a stray isn't very cool.......more later.............PRAY for the right decision!!

Daily Chores

Yes, indeed. We've moved, but daily chores still need to be done! We've got to wash out our school clothes, iron tomorrow's uniform, and help wash dishes. Susana (in the purple) does her laundry while Margot finishes up in the kitchen. We have to get the clothes line up soon! Right now we're hanging our laundry over the volleyball net.

Edgar

Edgar turned 12 on Christmas Eve. He has been with us about a year now. Loaned out by an alcholic father to work for a baker, Edgar was taken into care by the court as he was being extremely overworked. Solemn and serious, Edgar is beginning to loosen up. He is a sharp kid.

Houseparents

I thought you'd like to see our houseparents at Sagrada Familia. Left to right: Ricardo is a young lawyer needing any kind of work experience before he can move up; Nestor is the church music director. In back is Luis, a recent graduate as a teacher and agronomist. In front is Zoila, an English teacher needing more hours than school can offer. Next is Ruth, another teacher and administrator of the church COLLEGE PREP school called the "Academia."

By the way, all of these are Sts. Augustin seminary students.

In the other picture is Sonia, our last houseparent. She has been helping at San Jose and now has to say goodbye to the younger kids- always hard.

Move in day

Casa Hogar "Sagrada Familia" opens

Yesterday at 4 p.m. there was the sound of an engine revving up outside the gate. Yes, it was Tio Jose with the whole Casa Hogar "San Jose ' family. Of course the top of his combi was covered with bags and packages. Within minutes Jose, Edgar, Susana, Margot, and Giovana were busily carrying things in to their respective cabañas. Susana asked if they had to ride the combi to school in the morning with the little ones. When I replied, "Yes, for now," she rolled her eyes and sighed. I think she is ready to experience a little more independence! After sharing some cake and some very warm words from Maria Perez, the younger kids loaded up and rumbled out the gate to return home for the night. Already there was radio music blaring from each of the cabins. The teenagers were establishing their new turf!

Meet Our New Directora!

MEET OUR NEW DIRECTORA!!! Yes, we now have a new director for Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia. On the left is the director of Casa Hogar San Jose, María Perez. On the right is our brand new director, Jackie Aurora Urquizo Torres, who has experience directing a facility for girls age 5 to 17. Jackie seems a sincere, sensitive person eager to work with youth. We praise God for his provision! The two directors are sure we can actually get the kids transferred for the first day of school on Monday! MANY PRAYERS NEEDED!!!