Once a teacher, always a teacher. I love to help the kids with their homework, especially math and English.
Nancy's son, Daniel (the first Pat's Place residents), came to visit us with his aunt. Nancy and Daniel still speak fondly and often of the many things they learned during their time here.
There's always a lot of laughs with Pastor Bruce in town!
Our kids learn the importance of helping out and being responsible. Sayra,7, is sewing her purse.
We've had frequent visits from our friend and sister in Christ, Dr. Rebeca, this month as a nasty flu bug made it's way through all the residents.
Luis and I enjoyed the benefits of our church fund raiser. Once a month we cook and sell food to help purchase the building.
My mom and I took Veronica and her children on a walk to the market. Outings almost always have a little benefit!
Yarayda, along with all the women in Pat's Place, learn to cook nutritious and economic food. It's delicious!
Lina is in her last days of pregnancy and boy has she grown!
We received many precious gifts this month from very generous people.
All children received fuzzy blankets from my sister and aunt.
One play pen was bought by a member of my mom's church, and Blanca's son donated his so we are now able to easily keep the little ones on the second and third floors.
My parents bought new shoes so Piero can now fill the uniform requirements.
The best gift we received were visits of encouragement and the knowledge that there are so many wonderful people out there praying for us!
April is a big month of celebrations.
Angela turned 9
Angie turned 3
Luis turned 7
We were able to visit Lina and her newborn baby girl. Mom and daughter are both doing very well.
A lot of good friends have been coming by to visit and encourage Blanca. These are some of my best friends, Jessica and Chacha.
To celebrate Yarayda's birthday, we brought the tables downstairs to have a picnic so that Blanca could join us. It was a very enjoyable time.
Happy birthday, Yarayda! She's enjoying her donated tennis shoes very much.
All the kids at Pat's Place love my Peruvian nephew, Mattias, especially Angie and Nico.
I was able to spend a few days with my family in Ohio while we celebrated my cousin's graduation. Almost all the cousins were together.
Katty played a protective mom in the Mother's Day skit at church to thank the mothers for their tender care.
We all visited Blanca in the hospital to wish her a happy Mother's Day. It was good for them all to see her, as she was dearly missed during her four day stay.
Yarayda was able to see her mom for the first time in eight years. Unfortunately the circumstances were not great, as she was in town for Yarayda's sister's funeral, but it was a wonderful heartfelt reunion.
Yarayda's mom met her other three grandchildren for the first time, and we were able to send a care package for Yarayda's oldest son. That's the next family reunion we are praying for.
Angie and Melani hug goodbye as Melanie leaves Pat's Place with her family after two months. They will continue to play together and visit, as we counsel and pray with Veronica.
Happy 13th birthday Katty! She was inaugurated into her teen years with a frosting facial, thanks Blanca!
Happy 8th birthday Betzy! Angela, Sayra and I went to bring her a little party. Betzy is a sweet girl with CP, whose dad has worked as a team bus driver for years.
Happy 2nd birthday Nico! I've never seen someone so young open present with so much gusto!
We're learning to make boxes to store the jewelry they are making. Anna is the star student!
