Another nice day in Perú.....

We don't have too many nice days to go up the sand dunes. This was a nice day, so Joel and I took the kids up along with a worker's cousin for a fun time!

Rocio, Zuleica, Yamelit, Joel, and Yuli

Kristi's cousin, who visited us from Lima, jumping in the sand!

Ericka, Maria, Joel and Yamelit jumping together with Zuleica and Rocio watching....and me too I guess since I am taking the picture!

Zuleica enjoying the sand.

Edwin burying his feet....."Tia...pies? No hay!!" That is him asking where his feet are, then saying they aren't there! How cute he is!

A train of people going down the hill being pulled by Maria. Not totally sure how it started, but I think it was Joel being ornery trying to pull others down the hill, but I could be totally wrong!

Maria and Zuleica....not sure what Zuzu thinks of going down the sand dunes!

Carrying Alisson up the sand dunes!

I can't believe he carried Fernando all the way up the hill!

Joel and Yuli!

Desfile....aka Parade!!!!!

What an exciting day! Almost the whole orphanage was in Salaverry on July 27th! The kids were marching in the parade! This is VERY traditional here to have a parade around their Independence day. They have 2 full days of celebration for their Independence Day which actually was Monday, July 28th and Tuesday July 29th. We were off those days from work also. It was a neat experience. It was just the officials of Salaverry, the Marineros and the kids in the surrounding schools who marched in the parade! Here are some pictures of the parade:

A little boy who is going to march in the parade

The bleachers where people sit during the parade

Paúl waiting for the parade.

Los Marineros.....Marines/Navy


The government officials of the city carrying Perú's flag

A Kinder class in the parade, but not my class.

Kids dressed up in clothes in different parts of the country.

The kids here at the orphanage in the parade!!!

Yen and Brigette

Franklin, Elisa and Jhonatan in the parade.

Alondra and Karina marching.

Piero and Davis marching

Brady's Group!

Brady, Trish and his family brought their youth group to Perú for a week. Other than Yessenia's Quinciñero, they painted our main building here at the Albergue, pulled LOTS of weeds, played with the kids and did 2 dramas 2 different nights in Trujillo. It was a lot of fun and many came to faith in Christ those 2 nights. First our building....it was this blue and orange color, but now it is similar to the casitas! It is lighter blue (almost if not the same blue from before) with the stripes painted a darker blue! I LOVE it, and so does everyone else! They also painted 2 of our signs, which was really neat....It is so bright now and we can see it so clearly from the road! They played as much as they could with the kids and lots played with my Kinder class! They also performed 2 dramas. One only to music and dancing and the other was a form of Redeemer, but I think called Doors. I have a few pictures of the drama, but they aren't the best! They were performed at the Plaza de Armas in the middle of Trujillo and then at a small mall that their translator was the manager of. They invited me to come along and help translate if people want to talk or be prayed for! It was a great time and I could feel the Spirit moving throughout those nights! Here are some pictures, and I hope you enjoy them!

The Dancing Drama

Man being created......Drama called "The Doors

Dancing and looking at the creation that God has given man.

Man pushing away God and His love for us

Man says "NO" to what He has to offer.

She chooses 4 doors (partying/drugs, materialistic things, relationship which leads to pregnancy and abortion, then suicide)

Still nothing made man happy

Man and God reuniting. Then he shows her what He has done for her sins....gets crucified...

Christ being crucified

The end where Christ has conquered the grave and man and Christ dance!

The crowd of people that wanted to know Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives! What an awesome experience and blessed time it was!!

Brady's Group from First Baptist Church of Platte City, MO

Orphanage giving their "despedida"....going away party!

The group giving their "despedida"

Pedro singing a song for the group!

Abel and his new best friend!

Eliza and Yuli.....best of friends....and "sisters"!

Josue presenting his paintings to his US Father figure!

My first Quinciñero to attend....

On July 15, Yessenia turned 15 years old. She was adopted by Brady and Trish Testorff in 2006. A girl's 15th birthday is VERY special here......like her Sweet 16th in the States. It is where she is turns from a girl to a woman and is given a new pair of shoes for this resemblance. Brady gave a small speech and Trish changed Yessenia's shoes for her. It was a touching moment. We had cake and empañadas! It was a great time of fellowship and a great experience for Yessenia, her family (biological and adopted), and friends (from church and the albergue)!! Here are some pictures of this celebration!

Preparation with Luz and Betsy

The cake and bouquet!

The entryway where Yessenia walked down!

Brady and Trish

Now entering.....Yessenia escorted by her father, Brady!!

Her small bouquet was given by our director Liz.

Maria and Yamelit sang "Friends" by Michael W. Smith accompanied by Hugo on the guitar.

Her new shoes put on by her mother Trish but given by her friend. (Wedding shoes of a friend)

Robyn and Joel singing.

Testorff Family (Yessenia is on the left...you can't see her.) From left to right: David Fohn Jr.(translator), Paul, Brady, Bailee, Emma, Eliza and Trish.