November Events

It's been a while since I've just written a normal ol' update-type post.  So, here we are.  We've had a lot of rain for September/October and things have gotten pretty and green fast!

A hot, sunny, green morning

Down-pour in the afternoon

Ruth & Keith, directors to the Casa J, left a few weeks ago for a hiatus in the States and may be gone up until March.  That has left me with new responsibilities in the home which came at a good time, giving me a new focus and renewed sense of purpose in being here, though it doesn't always come easy. I am thankful to a few other people who help in different aspects, so it's really not just on my shoulders. The biggest challenges for me continue to be cultural.  Different ways of looking at things, different views on child-rearing and especially behavior-management: a topic which has become #1 on my my mind in the last few months. As the children get older it is so evident how important the need for consistency is, which is largely lacking in the Casa with rotating staff doing things as they feel best. Thanks to the help from this wonderful lady Cecelia, a missionary from Ecuador, together we are revising the staff manual I wrote a few months ago, and working around this subject with the older kids especially, and with the staff.  She is doing great things with the spiritual side of things, too.

This friendly neighbor comes to help us every Monday afternoon looking after the kids, while Cecilia and I lead our staff meeting.

I took this photo only a few minutes before the staff intercepted a half-sized tarantula-looking spider crawling up the sofa beside my leg!  

The following morning, after I was back to my normal calm self, LuzMa told me that that type isn't a tarantula, but that there are tarantulas in the countryside nearby. They don't bite, though, but you do have to look out for a large black, hairless spider that does. Thankfully in just over two years, I have only seen these crazy creatures a couple of times!

On to more happy thoughts, here's a few of the staff-involved fun photos taken for Christmas recently (I think we'll find a clown to entertain the kids for next year):

I don't really enjoy parties, so it's ironic (or not?) that I am involved in planning a few at the moment.  This month is the Casa J's 5th year anniversary, so I am planning a fun to-do in less than two weeks.
Then there's the Staff Christmas party and kid's Christmas coming up and, this very Friday, Walter's birthday!  Preparations for birthdays in his family mean having homemade hot chocolate ready by 6 AM for those family and friends who will be arriving with birthday cakes in tow for breakfast- yes that's right- cake, cookies and popcorn for..... BREAKFAST... at...... 6 A.M............ in the MORNING. Walter's niece has already informed me that they will be here before 6 AM because they have to go to school after.
Feel free to pop by- we'll be up! or send an early-morning message.  (Later in the day is just fine, too).

Peruvian Birthday Breakfast