Full days.

Sunday was a pretty full day for us. Ron preached at both the 8:30 and 10:30 services. Vicki sang with the choir at 10:30. After church we took Hazel, an English volunteer, to lunch. Then Ron did the 6:30 p.m. service for Padre Juan Carlos at San Bernabé. Monday morning Vicki crammed for her Spanish class, and Ron took our short-term missionary intern, Joel, to IMMIGRATION. We need to get an extension for a week for him at the end of his term here. It is actually going to be pretty easy! Monday afternoon we visited Giovanna at Sagrada Familia to celebrate her 13th birthday. Next, we need to pray about the 320 meter wall needed for the mission Santiago Apostol. Much more on the agenda for tomorrow, but with our beautiful yard, we´ll sure try to stop and smell the roses! God´s Peace to you each.

Santiago Apóstol

Wow! It has corner posts! Cristo Redentor has been making progress on its mission Santiago Apóstol up in the foothills of the volcano Misti. We have the land a bit more level and we finally have the corners marked. Padre Juan Carlos was up there today checking out the posts. We had to put a little caretaker room in first. (It doubles as a storage shed where we can lock supplies.) Next, to start on the 70 meter by 90 meter sillar (white volcanic stone) wall. Great job, Juan Carlos!

Corpus Cristi

Today was a big celebration in honor of the institution of the Eucharist. Vicki had called from town and said we really should check it out so I took Maria Andia, Cornelia, and Naty and we went downtown. Different Catholic schools used dyed sawdust to make intricate designs on the pavement around the square. This evening we went back while the Archbishop celebrated a Eucharist to a packed square. I took a few pictures and will include them here. One group did a stained glass window using flower petals. Much excitment. It is nice, though, that no one is offended if the central square in town is shut off for a couple of days for a RELIGIOUS celebration. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will work mightily in the hearts of those present. Hasta Pronto, Ron+

More bookwork

Maybe this was a moment of realization for Maria who serves as Padre Juan Carlos's wife, administrator for this part of the diocese, and my secretary. The new project, called Santiago Apóstol, will mean more bookkeeping for her. Not everything about growth is easy! Her youngest, Giancarlo is with her here. Doesn't seem to bother him, though! Please pray for Maria as she tries to cope with her mushrooming jobs.

GOTTCHA !

Okay, I confess. We're normal "grandparents" so it wouldn't be unexpected to poke in an occasional picture of Sadie, our granddaughter, right? Well, here she is with her dad, Brian. Sadie loves swimming lessons and making sounds back to me over the internet when we talk. Of course she is the sweetest and brightest only equalled by YOUR grandchildren. God bless them, they are the future of Family of God. Blessings, Ron

Jeff & Gail Hunter

We are so excited that Jeff and Gail have come down. They brought a TON of stuff for the kids at the Casas Hogares, San Lucas, Sunday School - as well as goodies for us. We'll have them checking out the new Villa Ecologica property where we will be building a playground later this year. I believe we will have them do some painting, too. I want to spruce up the small classroom upstairs so that I can use it for my classes. It is cold upstairs and we can use the little electric heater on Sat. mornings. Everyone was impressed as Jeff, a Benedictine oblate, wore his habit on Sunday. Thanks, Jeff, for modeling the role of Crucifer for our young kids. Jeff & gail plan on bringing a team down next year. It's good to have them here with us and it will be fun to see the kids' eyes when Gail breaks out the puzzles.

A Winning Smile

Joel is here and getting acclimated to Peru and Arequipa. He has been a big hit with Padre Juan Carlos' family. He has begun his teaching at the Academia and has visited each of the Casas Hogares where he has been a hit, too. He'll teach English with the kids. It's great to have you, Joel!

Waiting for Workers

We are excited to be having some friends down to work in the Lord's vineyard soon. One is Joel who is arriving on the 6th of June. Joel is a Spanish Major from Tucson and will be here working with kids at the Casas Hogares, teaching some English at the Academia for the college prep students, and maybe helping out some at the San Lucas school. He'll be here for about 9 weeks, I think.

The other couple that is to come down a few days later is Jeff and Gail Hunter. They will be wisked off to all sorts of jobs as they were down here last year and have lots of contacts. We will probably get them to teach some songs, do a bit of painting, and love on the kids in their spare time. For our Peruvian friends, this visit is a witness to sharing God's love and spreading the Gospel of Christ beyond one's front porch (Their's is probably 100 degrees right now!) Hope they don't freeze down here!!