Roof Dogs Arrive

Casas kids got to go to the show to see Kung Fu Panda today, although their hosts, the Roof Dogs, didn't get in until later. Still, we had a great reunion in the afternoon. After introductions for the new "Dogs," everyone just visited in happy confusion! Check it out here.

Weary Travelers

After a MORE than a long and "eventful" journey, our roof dogs arrived-a bit tired from having been "pinned up" so long! Nevertheless, they arrived with smiles!

Cine: Kung Fu Panda

Although they throughly missed the rest of the Roof Dogs, Casas kids went with staff and Tío Larry, Padre Ron and Tía Vicki to the movie as planned. All enjoyed the event. Giovanna was the first one to burst out laughing! Cokes and popcorn added a special touch. Thanks, Tíos!!

Planning

We have quite a line up for the Roof Dogs activities while they are here. A week of pure FUN!! Movies, model car races, treasure hunts, picnics, puppets, and, of course, Bible studies and lessons on Christian values. All that takes a good bit of planning. Here Vicki is talking with Directora María Perez and Director Pedro as they do last minute arrangements. Please pray that the team arrives safely tomorrow without further travel incidents.
María Andía is always ready to help with the business end of teams- transferring funds, writing checks and helping with keeping everyone informed of the status of things. Thanks, team for it is truly a TEAM EFFORT! Of course, this is probably the only place "going to the Dogs" has such a positive meaning!

La, La, La, La

Some of the older kids are working with Nestor on some special songs for the Tíos. I think Vicki helped with some English pronunciations.

What Are Those Steps?

Juan Diego decides to try out some of the footwork his brothers and sisters are learning for the Tíos upcoming visit. He is really excited for the Roof Dogs to arrive!

Prayers

Of course an important part of the formation of our kids concerns their relationship with God. Prayers are a regular part of the daily routine at both of the Casas. Before bedtime the older kids gather for evening prayers while at the younger house they say prayers in their rooms. In the afternoons different children at San José ask to talk with their director María Perez. Recently one of the 4 yr. olds asked to talk with her. Upon his entering her office she hugged him up and asked what was the matter and what he wanted. He said he wanted to pray with her. Boy, was SHE surprised! He then launched into a long prayer that thoroughly blessed María. Guess she has a prayer partner now! What a blessing to see that such a young life is turning to the Lord.

Go, Girls, Go!

Party

The group warms up and starts to dance.

Photo Ops

We had a bit of a lull when the kids went up to take pictures with the cake. Padre Ron did a bit of song and dance to get things started. Don´t the girls look great?

Wall Flowers

Of course the boys held back and clustered together at first. The girls had their work cut out for them to get these guys to dance.

Special Guests

Tía Toni and her goddaughter Maddie were here for the big event. I think there will be a lot of envious roof dogs back home.

The D J

Cynthia Ayala, Juan Ayala's daughter, help us select the coolest music to get the kids moving. Gracias, Cynthia.

More Punch!

María Andía was a BIG part of this celebration. And not just in pouring punch. From buying flowers to selecting "piqueos"(hor´dourves)and shopping for dresses, María was always upbeat and positive. Mil gracias, María

Behind the Scenes!

Juan and Freddy are in a panic! They can´t get the audio system to work correctly! Oh, what a challenge! They did eventually get it fixed pretty well.

First Glimpse

More will follow soon, but can you imagine that these are our girls Margot, Giovanna, and Susana?? They are in their Quinceañera dresses with their cakes. ¡Qué fiesta tuvimos!! ¡Gau!

Dance, Ballarina, Dance

Toni Brown´s goddaughter, Maddie, did some ballet for the San José kids on Sun. afternoon before heading off to Medical Ministry International for the week. Some kids thought the steps easy...at first! Then they tried to teach some Peruvian dance steps. Padre Ron and Tía Vicki REALLY need to practice!!!

Father's Day Dances

This morning there was a program at San Lucas to honor Fathers. Our Casas kids were involved in all elements of the program from flag ceremony to contemporary dances. You will see Susana in a traditional Peruvian dance, Margot in an Arabic pieces, Miguel Angel and Javier in a jungle outfit and---wait for it----Waldir in a piece from Grease! Everyone seemed to have fun and Padre got a nice hand made pencil holder from Yasmin. Fortunately the program ended just when we needed to leave for the airport to greet the St. Philip's team.

Farewell to Bonnie & Padre Marvin

The San José kids said farewell to Bonnie thanking her for all her art work with them. After a dance or two, tamales and flan, everyone was well content. Juan Diego took every opportunity to touch Padre Marvin who was most patient with him.

New Toys Arrive

At Christmas our granddaughter, Miss Sadie Shorter, gathered up a bunch of her toys to send down to Arequipa. I was shagrined that I didn't have the camera when I took out some balls, dolls, and nerf things earlier. Tomorrow we will put in batteries and take some wiggly, talkie toys out to San José. Thanks, Sweetie. The kids will love these. (The houseparents will love them, too-probably when the batteries run down!! :=)

Who's Having the Most Fun?

There was a bit of "one up's man ship" between Julio Cesar and Juan Diego in the last art project. One decided two suns were better than one. Thus it started...Padre Marvin seems to be enjoying himself!!

Our Prayer for You, Our Family in Christ

I would like to share with you a wonderful Irish blessing (You know my passion for all things Irish!) that we would hope would bless and strengthen you. Please look under links: Irish Blessing

Art Projects Continue

The kids have really enjoyed the art projects. Bonnie with her helper(Padre Marvin) have been very faithful in visiting the kids. Again, thanks Bonnie and Marvin.

English Classes

Vicki has been doing English classes with the kids while Bonnie Bower has been doing art projects. Some of the kids do really well!

Bishop Godfrey and Judith

Today at noon Bishop Godfrey and Judith arrived from Lima. The Bishop's health continues to improve. Welcome, Obispo!

Susana and Ester

Susan and her friend Ester(Cornelia's daughter)after their interpretive dance and song piece. Susan has suddenly become teenage bashful!

Visiting with Friends

Angela and Jonathan enjoyed a moment of leisure visiting with school friends during our grand celebration.

Manuel

Manuel is always an eager dancer. He really enjoys these opportunties to participate with his classmates.

Tamara is in First Grade

Our little Tamara is growing up so quickly. This year she is in first grade at San Lucas. She did a fine job in her class´s dance although her top kept coming untied and distracting her. Quite a cutie.

More Mothers´ Day

Vicki has been accompanying Bonnie to the Casas and working on English with one group of kids as Bonnnie works with another group. After the Mothers´Day event, off they went to San José.

Bonnie Continues Art Classes

Bonnie continues to visit both Casas and work on art projects with the kids. Padre Marvin accompanies her and help out with materials. I know the kids are enjoying the classes.

Honor Guard

Here are our older students at San Lucas with the school banner. Our José from Sagrada Familia did a great job with the flag. He is REALLY into sports and would love to be a professional athlete.

Mothers' Day at Colegio Anglicano San Lucas

Our kids participated in the Mothers´ Day festivities at San Lucas yesterday. We made sure that all the Casas kids participated in the "parillada" or plate lunch that the parents´club sold to help raise money for the new buildings. Nati told me this morning that they had sold all that they prepared and had raised $254 for the project. A lot of hard work, but it paid off! Of course the festivities began with a eucharist celebrated by Padre Juan Carlos assisted by Deacon Justo.

Bonnie Helps with Art

Bonnie has been visiting the Casas and doing art projects. We'll show you some of them in the near future. P. Marvin and Vicki have been accompanying her to both Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia and Casa Hogar San José. It will be fun to see the self-portraits that the Sag Fam kids are working on! Bright butterflies were in process at San José.

Please keep our kids in your prayers as we will have six kids to move up next year from San José to Sagrada Familia. We are asking the Lord how to reconfigure our space to accommodate this change. They will be Maricruz, Waldir, Hermelinda, Xavier,Margooth, and Miguel Angel.

Tercero de Secundario

Yippee! Edgar and Giovanna just started 9th grade this week. Their school year ends in December, and they will then enter 10th grade. Eleventh grade is as far as high school goes here. I think Susana and Margot are a little envious,to tell the truth! We're pressing Edgar to find himself and clarify what area he is interested in. We'll need to get him into some trade school soon. Giovanna is doing cosmotology right now and seems to like it. She is eager, too, to have a Quinceñera or 15th birthday party. We´ll start planning it soon.