It's been a while since I've written, but then, who wants to hear about the life of a restaurant manager in California anyway?  Now that I’m back in Peru I figured it was time for an update on what’s happening in our lives. 

I had shared with a few of you the completion of our adoption of Cohen.  Upon my arrival in Peru I learned that it was not quite so.  While the adoption is finalized many obstacles remain.  We have yet to receive Cohen’s birth certificate, though it was promised to be delivered two weeks ago, and as it turns out, the papers finalizing Cohen’s adoption, those that state his legal name, Kayla and I as his parents, etc. . . are in the process of being corrected. 

It seems the Peruvian justice system, rather than using standardized templates or creating new documents for each case, instead uses documents from prior cases and simply replaces the specifics- names, dates, and so on.  Our paperwork just happens to include some information from a prior case, and thus must be edited.  How long this will take is anyone’s guess, as are the rest of Peruvian gov’t operations.  All in God’s time, for that is all the time we have.

In the meantime, Kayla, Meghan, Cohen, and I eagerly await the return of Alec and Chandler.  They are finishing out the school year in Colorado and will be returning to Peru mid-June.  Alec is still recovering from a recent appendectomy and the removal of several hernias.  He underwent the procedure two weeks ago, the appendectomy as a precautionary measure, and during the surgery the hernias were discovered.  We pray and believe this will bring an end to much of his ongoing pain. 

Chandler is facing his own struggle right now, one of a much more personal nature but one that I am willing to share with any of you who wish to know more and believe with us that he will make it through.  It is a time of concern, but also a time of relief as he deals with a past issue that desperately needs closure. 

Speaking of God’s time, it seems as though He has plans for us here in Peru, plans that fill my heart and soul with excitement, passion, and anticipation.  The small town of Ichupampa continues to be a burden upon our hearts.  It seems the Lord shares in this burden.  Though I have been back not quite two weeks I have already been invited to join two separate mission trips to Ichupampa and the surrounding villages. 

The first, at the end of April, will be with as part of an MMI (Medical Missions Int’l) group consisting of medical professionals from the U.S.  Though I will be nothing more than a volunteer and liaison during this trip it is an honor and opportunity to be invited.  MMI, from my understanding, is a non-evangelical group, and I was asked specifically to help impart some spirituality to the trip.  Pray for me that I am able to do so, and for the entire mission itself.

The second, tentatively planned for some time in July, involves a group of medical students from a university in Lima.  They, too, want to visit the poorest of poor in the towns of Ichupampa, Lari, and Madrigal.  They have asked to stay in our church in Ichupampa and base a medical mission from there for 5-7 days.  This trip awaits the final approval of the university, approval which will be given today, God willing, so again, please pray for His will. 

In addition to the work we wish to continue in Ichupampa Kayla and I have plenty to do right here in Arequipa.  Ronnie & Joyce’s church, Casa de Dios, was forced to find a new building.  Ronnie had to delay his return to the U.S. by two weeks in order to facilitate the move but God blessed us with an amazing opportunity to rent a building that has three times the space we had before along with what may prove to be a better location than that which we had downtown. 

Aside from being active in the church move and development during Ronnie & Joyce’s absence (they will be in the states until mid-August) the church board has also expressed a desire for Kayla and I to utilize some of the church space for endeavors which will benefit both the church and our various missions projects.  We are in the process of developing an English academy with the intent of using the profits to aid in the rent of the church as well as the maintenance of the church in Ichupampa. 

I have also been solicited to open an after church café of sorts, a place at the church where the people can congregate, have a snack, small lunch, and simply spend time together.  The church is equipped with a kitchen, which is to say it has a large room with two sinks, some counter space, and an exhaust hood (no power or fans, just an aluminum chimney).  I’ll have to figure out how to go about obtaining some meager cooking equipment if I wish to truly provide sustenance for the people.  Until then I’ll cook at home and seek help from the women of the church to do the same.  This shouldn’t be a problem, though, as many of the women have often asked me to teach them to cook “American” food. 

I have spoken of many things, mentioned many needs, and now I will ask for the most important- pray for us!!  Pray that God’s will be done in all that is happening right now, pray that the Lord imparts His wisdom to us all, and pray most fervently that our hearts, minds, and souls are open to His will!! 

As always, your prayers are the most important and substantial blessing we can receive!!  Thank you all. . .