Roof! Roof! Roof!

Or "¡Gau, gau, gau!" as we would say here in Peru. Big event this Sat.- the second annual "Roof Dog Run." Our special friends in Plano at Christ Church use this event to raise funds for our 2 orphanages here in Arequipa. We did our part here as you can see. Of course our course was a bit shorter! While the Plano dogs ran a more rugged event, we did races and paraded the three blocks with our roof-dog shirts and white balloons. It was a hot day so water was a must. In the kids opinions so was the nice cold ice cream, too! When everyone got back to San José, Father Ron passed out (no he didn´t "PASS OUT,") he passed out pictures to all the kids from the last visit of the Roof Dog Team in February. The kids enjoyed seeing the team members and how they themselves were growing. Thanks to our friends from abroad, we have just been able to get 18 pair of glasses recently, and are close to getting a van (PRAISE GOD!) for transportation. We look forward to getting a security system in place at Sagrada Familia, and we have hired a "watchiman"(security guard) for San José.

Danny's Birthday

Up next to our property site for "Santiago Apóstol" live Naty and Justo, a young couple trying to get ahead. They have build their sillar block two-room house now, and their first child, Danny, has just completed his first birthday. A big decision for them was whether to have a ritual hair-cutting ceremony (Quechua tradition) or a more urban "birthday party." City culture won out!

María Andia, Vicki, and I headed up for the fiesta. I couldn´t help but note that even here, in the dry, dry neighborhood, Naty had a nice little flower bed beside her doorway. The human spirit strives for beauty, hope, and peace- even here. Justo, judging this a momentous occasion, had bought a piñata bigger than Danny and eventually the party got going with guests arriving and eyeing the gringos in the room. Popcorn and toasted corn nuts were passed around. This was followed by chicha morada, a purple corn drink. Nervously Naty kept asking, "When do we do the cake?" as she was wanting everything to be just so. As it was getting dark, I blessed Danny and we said our goodbyes to everyone around the little room. It cost an incredible $1.20 or so for Justo and his family to get to church, but they show up frequently at church with big smiles for everyone. I think the Lord has plans for them and they are certainly in our hearts, too. Happy birthday, Danny!

Judge, please!

Annually there is a big celebration of Arequipa and Arequipan culture. No, it isn´t a centennial celebration. That was 4 centuries ago! Arequipa celebrated its 467 years of existence this year. The guitar festival earlier was a part of the celebration. Likewise, our school San Lucas celebrates with various activities, including a food fair of traditional dishes. The kids learn the preparation of the dishes, setup a display, and explain the history to the judges. There was "Friday soup", "Arequipan stew," cow´s breast," "stuffed hot peppers," "fried guinea pig," "escabeche" (like sushi) and a miriad of forms of the fermented red corn drink called "chicha." Padre Ron was called in to be judge. Vicki was off hosting visitors around town. You can see two of our kids, Armando and Ángela, watching solemnly as the judging takes place.

¡FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS, PADRE!

Yes, that is what they said when the kids from Casa Hogar San José called me before 7 a.m. Mercifully they waited so late to call! They sang happily over the phone. Very sweet. Next, the kids from Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia called and each greeted me. Already someone has come by the house and left a present. For someone who doesn´t like a fuss made over him, I have a lot of well-wishing yet to come! The Peruvians are very demonstrative in their fellowship! In the middle of this , I received a phone call from Nazca where Padre Juan Carlos, Deacon Justo, and Seminarian Lus are heading out to the earthquake victims in Ica. May God guard and protect them from robbery or harm on the road.

As you can see, I was glad the kids only CALLED and didn´t come to the door!