Trekking

From Cabanaconde Anglicans trek to pueblos and hamlets to bring the Good News of Jesus. Here is a look down at the road back to Chivay- the last "big" pueblo with road access before arriving in Cabanaconde.

Cabanaconde in in Cholca Canyon

Views are incredible in the Canyon, but life there is very tough. Ministry there involves lots of patience. Padre Alejandro has worked there dilligently for four years now. Teams coming through Arequipa bring him a much appreciated boost. You can find Sandy and Gloria's blog at: http://johnsonsinarequipa.blogspot.com/. Here they are in the mission church built by St. Philip's, Frisco, TX.

SAMS Missionaries in Arequipa

We are so thrilled to have Sandy and Gloria present in Arequipa continuing the missionary work and establishing even more international contacts for the ministries there. Recently they accompanied visitors to the mission post in Cabanaconde. The high point on the road is at 16,000. Great job, friends!

¡SOLIDARIDAD!

In solidarity with the big ROOF DOG RUN in Plano, the kids at the Casas did their own games. This run in Plano had more than 700 participants this year! WOW!

THE RUN

It came off without a hitch. All of Susan's hard work organizing the event paid off-big time! Almost all of our family participated- I say "almost" because our dog Sierra just isn't dog friendly yet! Kimi, Brian,Sadie, Vicki, and Whistler all walked while I sat at the table to sign-up sponsors for the Casas kids. We had about 6 new sponsors and someone even asked about adoption! The rain didn't happen and the bagels were great! We got to see the three newly adopted kids for the first time in the US as they came down from Oklahoma. Praise God for all his blessings.

And the Beat Goes On....

Yep,
Padre Marvin is back in Arequipa and teaching classes. Seminarians are excited to be able to pick up some missing courses. Great job, Padre Marvin! Also, Padre is helping Deacon Juan with services up at Santiago Apóstol,too. Bendiciones, hermanos.

"TOPLESS BAR"

For Ron's birthday the family went to downtown Dallas to celebrate. We have had a running joke about the restaurant we have visited for years. Everyone's eyes pop out when we say we are going to a "topless bar." Actually, we say we are going to a TAPAS BAR. "Tapas" are what the Spanish call appetizers. Cafe Madrid was perfect. The weather was perfect and we loved the gazpacho, tortilla española, Manchego cheese, garlic shrimp, beef on a skewer, paella valenciana,bread and flan. Also, it is amazing what one can do with bright colored pipe cleaners, too!

St.Basil the Great writes in the fourth century:

'Our ancestors did not think it right to accept the blessing of the lamplight in the evening in silence. The moment it appeared, they would thank God for it. Who the author of this hymn of thanksgiving was we cannot say, but it is very old and the people still sing it.'

Likewise, I cannot light the lamp this evening without praising God for His Merciful Hand in my life. (Remember, for the early Jewish believers the new day began at sundown.) I never expected to be so honored as to be here to praise Him for another birthday. I join my praise to that of the saints of the second century who proclaimed the PHOS HILARON:

Now,as the sun sets in the west,
soft lamplight glows as evening starts;
thus,light from light, God's Son all blest
comes from the immortal Father's heart;

We therefore sing our joyful songs
to Father, Holy Spirit, Son,
to whom in every age belongs
by right all praise from every tongue.

Lord Jesus, Son of God, from you
all life,all joy come forth this night;
the world, and each soft glowing hue,
reflect the glory of your light.

The marvelous photo is by Paul Wittreich.