OH HAPPY DAY!

On Saturday, October 3rd, the teen orphanage hosted

a very special occasion...instead of the typical American

"groundbreaking," here in Peru when a new building

project is about to be undertaken, they celebrate

"La Primera Piedra" or "The First Stone."

Most of the funds have been raised for the construction of

a new dormitory, primarily by Christ Church in Plano, Texas.

This was quite a big event, with Bishop Godfrey and his wife

Judith coming from Lima, as well as several folks from Texas.

Here are all the children from both orphanages,

in front of the current buildings which house the

teenagers, eight girls and five boys. Before the

start of the next school year in March, three more

girls and two more boys will move up to the teen

orphanage, and there is simply no extra space at the

present time. The new dormitory will be built just in time!

Everything is ready in preparation for the festivities.

This is the courtyard of the teen orphanage.

Two of the tutors and our good friend

Naty and her son, Luis, help decorate.

Many folks show up in support of this special event!

Our wonderful cook, Cornelia, and her
three girls. Esther, in the red jacket,
is a diligent music student of mine.

Susan Kerr, from Texas, tells the children of the love the
people from her church have for each of the children.

The Director of the teen orphanage, Pedro, shovels
concrete into the hole which holds the foundation stone.

Ron Robertson, the Administrator of the Casas Hogares,
accepts a box containing a Bible to be lowered into the hole.
and each of the children drop in flowers, too.

Ron is very happy that this day has finally come to pass! Padre Juan Carlos and wife Maria
Padre Salvador's family: wife Denisse and daughter
Macarena, another one of my budding pianists.

Bishop Godfrey shows the plans for the

new dormitory to some of the visitors.

Daniela and Lizet, two real sweethearts

from the younger orphanage.

Gloria with Judith Godfrey

and Phil, a seminarian from England

who is staying with us for a few weeks.

Phil, Denisse, and Sandy

Susana has rhythm!

(She is also one of Gloria's students)

The older girls entertain us all with a

dance they choreographed themselves.

Juan Ayala and Padre Salvador get into the act!

The boys are not to be outdone!

Manuel, Miguel Angel, Waldir, and

the van driver Alvaro entertain us.

Manuel is an incredible dancer with lots of tricky moves!

Manuel and Miguel Angel are also

two of Gloria's music students.

Night falls over Arequipa after

a wonderful celebration.