Tacna

A week ago we took a trip to Tacna to check out transportation for the kids at the Casas expecting there to be good bargains. Although it is a duty free zone, we found nothing appropriate although we looked at LOTS of vehicles.

Satisfied that there wasn't a "deal" for us there, we returned to Arequipa and found that a van Padre Juan Carlos had seen was still available at a great price!

It's a beauty and holds 15 adult passengers. Complete with SEATBELTS, no less!

As these purchases are usually cash here, and the bank didn't have many dollars on hand, we received 90% of the funds in $20 bills! As you can see, it took a while to count that out to the seller! This week we will do all the little things necessary to get it ready for service. Next, we have to find a chauffeur! The kids will be SO excited. We'll probably put "Iglesia Anglicana" on the sides as our teens don't necessarily want to be identified as being from an "orphanage." The Lord provides. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. AMEN.

"Thank You" Meal

We always try to give our teams a special outing as a “thanks you” for all their hard work. This last day, after visiting Casa Hogar San José, we took them to the “Tipika” Restaurant. Live Peruvian entertainment and hearty meals should hold them through the grueling travel challenges on the way home! Many thanks for such a wonderful testimony. Parishoners were great to turn out and help. This sows the seeds for their considering taking time to actually "do" a mission trip elsewhere, not just talk about one. Again, many thanks, friends!

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27

Still More Work!

In addition to all the work done in other areas, this CC team also spruced up some things at our house. The entrance gate, carport door, and front door were revarnished. A special treat was their painting of our water-stained rooftop guest room. Sometimes we have longer term guests for, say, 2 or 3 months. This will be a nice bright place for them to stay.

Seminary Library

We all are glad to have our seminary library repainted. Just after we moved in, plumbing leaks damaged both the ceiling and the walls. Cement had to be chipped out of the ceiling and it has been in serious need of fresh paint. I think the seminarians will really enjoy the bright red color on a couple of the the walls. We hope to put a small sofa, lamp, and table in the niche behind the door for readers to enjoy.

Gardening

While some of the team worked on painting the Ss. Agustín library a bright red, other team members and Cristo Redentor parishoners worked on improving the looks of the front patio and the back patio. Additionally, the front entrance wall got a fresh coat of paint. To get the roots of a tree out of the bed, we called in the big guy Dave who is completely obscured by onlookers.

Window panels

Always mindful of the issues of security, Padre requested window panels in the office door and the computer room door. Having brought the plexiglass from the US, the CC team did a fantastic job converting these doors to child-safe standards. Someone, apparently, must have broken Randy's stick!

Screens!

Another BIG project that the CC team worked on for us was putting up window and door screens on the dorms. It is approaching the hottest part of the the summer and the flies are terrible around Casa Hogar Sagrada Familia. We've got to open the windows! Now we can. Thanks, too, Randy and team for fixing the screen door on the kitchen. This should make a big difference.

Clouds or Smoke?

A frequent question we get here in Arequipa! Padre confesses that when they have a "temblor" or tremor, he heads up to the roof just to check it out and see if the volcano Misti is behaving herself! Yes, it is clouds!

Chips Anyone?

Vicki does a great job looking after the meals for the teams. Her sidekick is Cornelia who makes sure the lunches reach the sites on time.

Pink Rules!

Pink and Blue

Okay, Vicki and Ron surrendered! Having avoided the "little kid" colors when we first painted Sagrada Familia, they were out voted by the teens when the new paint colors were selected. The kids wanted pink and blue. Who can understand teenagers? The dorms turned out nice and bright, though. Thanks Christ Church team!!