Urgent Need

Baby I waiting to have surgery to repair his cleft lip this coming week (we think).

We have an urgent need of $20,000 by the end of July!  The summer has been a little slow with funds coming in and we need money for salaries and 2 surgeries that are coming up soon.  We will keep you updated on how this is going with a thermometer like this one on the webpage (www.casadeamor.org).  Thank you so much for any help you can give.  To donate, click Here.

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Mt. Tunari Hike

One of the best things about living in Cochabamba is the MOUNTAINS! Our valley sits at about 8,400 feet above sea level, but the highest peak in the Andes that surround us is fully twice as high (a little over 5,000 meters above sea level).

I've gone with others to Tunari several times, but September 1 was only the second time I've finished the challenging hike to make it to the top. Here are some pictures of the beauty of that day!

Leaving the car and starting our walk...

Our little group!

L-R: Jake (Washington), Jen (Texas), Anne (Missouri), Jessica (Germany), Stefanie (Germany)

We all live here in Bolivia and everyone but me teaches at Cochabamba's Calvert school

This particular mountain ridge with snow was one of the best views during the hike


There were SO many llamas this time, they were our constant companions during the hike. Took me back to Texas, of all places, remembering when my sister and I each had a llama.

I was rather shocked at this picture - I know that's me, but I didn't realize I was so far ahead! I was making the push (and believe me, you have to be motivated at this altitude) to get to the view at the other side of the crest - all of Cochabamba flung out below us!

Jake, nearing the top. Yep, he got there first and might like me saying it. ;-)

The twin peaks of Mt. Tunari are right behind us

Pretty amazing day! :)

First Baptist Church McKinney, Texas

Last week we had the joy of welcoming a 16 member team from the Mitchell Family's home church!

For those not aware, the Mitchell family runs our Casa de Amor III, currently with 5 children ages 2 to 6. This team came specifically to encourage and bless them in the work that they do here in Cochabamba, Bolivia, with some days spent at our other homes.

Here are some pics from their busy 5 1/2 days here!

In the bus (Jenn, far right, is a member of the same church but has been serving with us all year as a long-term volunteer)

Feeding the babies lunch...

...before diving in themselves! I asked if the chicken store shut down after they came through. :)

Tackling the Baby Home's deposito (storage room), not a task for the faint-of-heart!!

Modeling Time! :)
(At far left is Rene, another current volunteer)

They also worked hard at Casa de Amor II on Saturday, playing with the kids...

...painting both inside...

...and outside (even though this is our house most "in the country", it was awash in graffiti)...

...and doing craft projects and acting out Bible stories! The kids loved all the visitors and extra attention.

Thank you guys, for your continued support of Casa de Amor's ministry in Bolivia!

Casa de Amor Christmas, Part I

Some pictures from our lovely Christmas celebration in the Baby Home on December 23. Looking at the pictures again, I'm ready for it to be Christmas again. :)

The prep before the pictures and gifts...

A few of the "santas" present on this day

Preparing the dining room...

Changing clothes!

Hair done!

Bottle time BEFORE pictures and gifts...a lesson learned from years past ;)

Baby A striking a pose

Ah-HA! Caught in the act. Little O loves stealing bottles.

The shuffle before one of the better pictures...

All part of the picture torture fun...!

Baby E went straight for the gifts!

Anxious anticipation... (the twin boys came back to join us for the special day, as well as Esteban, now Tia Maria's son)

With some of us tias

Gift time!! This is the 3rd year that we are so blessed at Casa de Amor by individual, local sponsors of our kids who really go above and beyond to make Christmas special for our kids. (Doctors, lawyers, pastors, friends from church, CDA adoptive parents, etc.) This year there were even lots of sweet notes attached to the wrapped packages.

Ready to go!

Baby G checking out his gifts

J. was very happy (and protective of) his army truck

M. N. on a new riding toy, yay!

Babies checking out all the new toys...

Frog attack?! Baby C's gift was an impressively large FROG...

!!!

Baby G enjoying his first Christmas! (also known as Baby Jesus/Santa Claus)

Little boy J. enjoying a "salta salta" (jumping toy) from a local church!

At this point, houses 2 & 3 descended upon us, as well as yet MORE gifts and special visitors... Another Christmas post soon!

Our British Friends

When you live in Cochabamba, you meet people from all over the world.

And when you're in my line of work, you meet some really, really neat people.

Through the years we have been blessed by a lovely friendship Gordon & Evelyn Hutchinson, from Manchester, England. Originally from Scotland, they have enchanting accents.

Every year this couple with 3 children and 7 grandchildren makes the long trip to their second home (Bolivia!) where they give 2-3 months of their time ministering to children-at-risk.

They volunteer at two homes in particular, one for girls and one for boys, and also visit several Compassion projects.

When the Hutchinsons are in England, they champion their favorite causes amongst friends, churches, and at missions conferences. We have been blessed multiple times by the funds they raise!

They send me encouraging e-cards and emails throughout the year, and their Christmas letter which talks about their friends in Bolivia just as much as their own family.

Every year on their annual visit, they take out directors of homes/projects to a meal at their favorite restaurant in Cochabamba (a very nice one) just to be a blessing and to catch up a bit.

Last week it was our turn, and the Alseths (CDA III) and I had a lovely lunch with the Hutchinsons and Jade, here volunteering in Cochabamba thanks to their influence.

Thank you for EVERYTHING, and may God bless you abundantly in return!!

Keepers

My sister Emma (now 11) is part of a group of mothers and daughters called "Keepers". Every couple of weeks they get together to sing songs, listen to a story about a missionary, and do a craft.

While I was there in Tennessee, I was invited to speak about Bolivia and Casa de Amor as a "live" missionary presentation. It was fun!


Then their craft for this evening was beading wire to wrap around crosses - gifts for the staff!

What concentration!

My sister Emma informed me she was making Tia Silvia's cross, no exceptions (the Baby Home cook, ha!)

Afterwards, the girls had another surprise.

Hand decorated bags for all of the kids at CDA II and a few of the girls at CDA I & III!

Then came the fun of handing everything out in Bolivia...

There were enough crosses to give one to each volunteer, too.

And then the bags... So practical for outings, storing their things, going to church, etc.!

Thank you mothers and daughters, for all of your hard work to bless the Hogares de Amor!!