Peruvian Labor Day

The FH office in Pucallpa celebrated their Peruvian Labor Day by having a cookout in the office.  It was a great time to sit and visit with the office staff.  Here are a couple of pictures.

Cael and Siana-el, our co-worker, Monica's daughter who is 7 1/2 months old.

Paul and our co-worker, Cesar in their usually position of discussion

Cael giving Herlin a high five

Several of our co-workers laughing and visiting during lunch

Our Week in Lima

This past week Paul, Cael, and I flew to Lima to look for an apt., a car, have Cael's 1 year checkup, attend a wedding, meet with friends, and continue to work on our plans for the next year.  Here are a few pictures from the week.

Cael and Joshua coloring together.  We were able to meet our friends Chris and Jess Rose and their son Joshua, who live in Lima, for dinner.  Cael and Joshua played so well together.

Cael and Joshua

Cael trying Chicha morada, a purple corn drink commonly offered in Peru.  He finished his glass, so we assumed he liked it.

Cael was able to use crayons to color at the restaurant which he loved.

We were able to attend our friends, Karina and Luis' wedding.

Cael had fun playing on the kneeling posts

Cael and Mom

A Trip to La Merced

We were fortunate enough to take a trip out to the community of La Merced to visit and spend time with the members of the savings group.  A fellow co-worker of ours, Mesha Smith, visited Pucallpa this past week to do some filming of the savings groups and to interview several members to talk about the impact each group has had on the participants and the community.  We just wanted to share a few pictures of our time spent in one of these communities and look forward to sharing with you the video in the future.

Palm Oil - grown in the community of La Merced and is used as a cooking oil or some even use it as a motor oil for their vehicles.

The muddy one lane road we took to a neighboring community to see their water well project.  This community was very remote!

Mesha Smith, a fellow co-worker, came over to Pucallpa to do some filming for a video she is putting together on the savings groups in Pucallpa.  She was trying to stay cool in the truck while we waited for the men to help push out the truck that was stuck in a muddy hole in the road.

Cael playing in the back of the truck while the men work to push the truck out of the middle of the road. 

The men working to help push the truck out of the hole.  They were successful about an hour later.

Paul and I in front of the truck in the middle of nowhere in the jungle.

Paul and Cael with the savings group members in the community of La Merced.

Paul and Cael

 

Cael being corralled on Dad's shoulders.

Cael playing at the FH house in La Merced.

The savings group put together a great meal and brought out a cake for Paul, Cael, and I with candles to blow out.

Cael had a great time playing with the kids of the group members during out get together.

The kids love Paul...especially since he is a good foot taller than anyone else in their community.

Rainy Day

Here is a short video of our time in the rain!

8 Days of Rain

It has been raining in Pucallpa for the last 8 days without stopping.  Some effects of this have been cooler weather (high 70's low 80's), wet/damp clothes that won't dry, muddy roads, and our personal favorite standing water around the yard!  It poured this afternoon, so Paul and Cael decided to take advantage and have some fun in the rain.  Cael was so excited to play in the water!

Cael before taking the plunge

He also enjoyed falling in the puddles

Our co-workers stopped by the house to pick up our house guest and co-worker from Lima, Mesha

Cael saying hi to Luis Chamorro, the FH director in Pucallpa

Paul and Cael after taking the plunge

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!  Praise the Lord for He has risen today!

After returning from church this morning, we decided to do your traditional American Easter egg hunt.  I believe Cael ended up enjoying himself once he got the hang of hunting for the eggs.  Paul was a little tricky in hiding some of the eggs, so Cael required a little extra help! Here are a few pics from the afternoon.

Wheelbarrow Ride with Dad

Paul borrowed a wheelbarrow from our friend Poncho (Vileta's husband) to take Cael out for a ride.  He enjoyed it as long as Paul was moving, but as soon as he stopped Cael was trying to climb out.

Cael's 1st Birthday Contd... Dinner at Orlando's

My camera battery died just before I was able to take a few pictures of Cael eating his piece of birthday cake.  Thankfully Rachel was there and was able to take several pictures.  I will post them as soon as I am able to get them off of her camera.  I hope you enjoyed the photos.  We enjoyed celebrating our precious son's 1st birthday and feel blessed to have him in our lives.

Cael in front of his birthday decorations

Rachel was able to join us for the birthday celebration!

Cael playing with his pencil and monkey

The owner of Orlando's wanted to give Cael a gift as well...a little monkey.  Her granddaughter is one month, to the day, older than Cael.

Cael opening one of his presents