CHRISTMAS 2009 WITH LAURA

What a blessing to have our daughter, Laura,

with us for the Christmas holidays! After 22

hours of travel from Kalispell, Montana, she

arrived early on the morning of Christmas Eve.

In the U.S. we usually display a Nativity set,

but what an experience to see a "naciemiento"

in Peru! Every church, home, and even business

puts together an elaborate depiction of Christ's

birth, similar to that seen here at our church.

During the Christmas Eve service,

two of Gloria's students played "Silent

Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High."

The children from the younger orphanage

also sang "villancicos" (Christmas carols)

and played some on their recorders.

Christmas Day the three of us prepared a big turkey dinner
for Padre Salvador (pastor at another Anglican church in
town), and our helper and good friend Naty and her son, Rogelio.

After Christmas we took Laura downtown to the Plaza
de Armas for shopping and a nice dinner out. This is a
typical "tico" taxi we use almost daily as we travel
around Arequipa. Most rides cost us between $1-2!

The Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Plaza.

The Plaza is beautiful all lit up at night.

We took several neighborhood walks at sunset.

And during the day it was balmy weather, not too hot.