Dinner with Ginet

Ginet leads the family to family program in Piura with over 1,300 families. She had dinner at our house near the end of her vacation in Italy. She sends her greetings to the many people she has met as well as all sponsors. She assured me that the staff at Santísimo will take good care of me in January: "like a baby." The photo shows Ginet and me with my wife, Karen.

St. Monica Mission Trip in 2008

We had our first mission trip meeting this week and have 21 people planning to go to Piura from June 13-22. Three of the missionaries are from nearby parishes and 19 are from St. Monica. Most missionaries have sponsored families. All of us are excited to meet our families, especially those 11 who are going the first time.

My Peruvian Godchildren

Today I was very fortunate to have Marlit, St. Monica's liaison on the Santísimo Sacramento staff e-mail me a photo of my two godchildren. They are the children of the family that Karen and I began sponsoring over seven years ago. I baptized Mileny on my first trip to Peru in 2003. She will be nine years old in two weeks. Cristopher, named after my son, was born just before my trip this June and I also baptized him along with 12 other beautiful children. I look forward to spending time with them in January.

Piura Family Needs a Sponsor

The parents José Santos and Gisela Guerrero are in their mid-20s. They have a daughter 2 and Gisela is seven months pregnant. They have one bedroom and two beds. Only their bedroom and kitchen area have roof. They do not have water and electricity. They cook with charcoal on their dirt floor. They just have one little table and two chairs. José works as a farmer and at odd jobs. Can you afford $25 per month?
Family photos

Reality is closer for a month trip

Actually going to Piura for a month in January became more real as I paid for my plane tickets. I did this far enough in advance to get the lowest rate possible. With this more solid commitment, I have stepped up trying to learn Spanish. Fewer people are talking to me in Spanish at St. Monica because of the success of our ESL classes -- many want to practice their new English phrases.

I am now writing my e-mails in Spanish to Marlit, our liaison at Santísimo Sacramento. I am preparing to lead a staff retreat and weekly lectio divina. I am also praying a lot for divine intervention.