December 8, 2004

Hi,

Thanks for your letters.  Sorry to be so long in responding.  I don't have much of an excuse except that by the time I finish a day, it is very late and I just can't make myself stay on the computer and correspond!  I should try to do better!

Sheridan and I are fine.  Just a couple of days and he will find himself on the other side of 50!!  He is still playing tennis four times a week and exercises every morning.  He is determined not to be overweight when he turns 50.  I have to give him credit for really working hard!

We were in Lima between November 17th and the 24th.  The first four days we were with the church that we helped to start while living in Lima.  November 18th was their 14th anniversary and they asked Sheridan to speak.  The Peruvians are big on celebrating anniversaries and birthdays!!  It was a really good time for us and we got to spend time with a lot of friends and catch up on all the news.  The church has grown a lot and we are in the process of helping them purchase a three-story building adjacent to their property.  They will be able to expand and Elvira, the pastor's wife and my wonderful friend, will have a home on second floor. I have to admire her for coping with the close quarters that they have had to live in for twelve years.  They started living there with two daughters and since then, now share the space with three more daughters!!  The space is tiny and I am sure the girls and their mother will especially enjoy the extra room.

As for Huanuco, the construction of the second building behind the church is almost finished.  We have also been able to pave the entire "yard" area.  This is a huge help because when the rains come, it stays muddy all the time.  It will be nice to walk out there without getting so dirty.  We are slowly using the fellowship hall on the first floor.  The second floor is the new apartment of Pastor Eli and his wife and baby.  They are excited about their new home.  They were able to move in this week and are about settled.

I continue to work on the Sunday School material development.  We now have two years of materials for the two to three year olds, and are about three-fourths the way through with the two year program for the four to six year olds.  The next phase will be a two year program for the seven to nine year olds.  The teachers themselves are good help.  They are seeing the value of organizing the materials so we do not teach the same things over and over.  They have their goals and are satisfied when they can work toward and complete them.

The ladies are still my joy!  We have a wonderful group and they are so willing to work and be of help.  We are entering one of the favorite times of the year for us as women.  Christmas brings a lot of opportunities to share with others and put our talents to work.

This week will begin the annual Christmas decoration work.  Sheridan and I use most of our decorations in the large room outside our apartment.  Since it is just the two of us in the house and we spend most of our time in our offices, we do very little decorating in the house.  By decorating the large room outside, we can share the decorations with a lot more people.  Sheridan is good to put up the tree and string the lights.  At that point, he turns it over to me!!!  Each year I have been able to get some new decorations typical of Peru.  They are my favorites!  The people enjoy them also.  Most of them cannot afford a tree and decorations, so we just all share the holiday season together here.

Just last night, we put the tree up and I invited the children of the church from five to eight years of age to come and help decorate the tree.  What fun!!!  I asked them if they had ever decorated a tree and they all said that this was the first time they had ever decorated!  After decorating, we turned on the lights to enjoy our work.  We played games and then had hot chocolate and Paneton, the traditional Christmas bread.  They were delighted and I was very tired by the end of the evening!

The ladies are already talking about a Christmas party.  They look forward to that every year.  We are planning a party for the children also.

Huanuco is the poorest province (state) in Peru.  During the year we help countless people with food, clothing, and medicines.  For many, Christmas is a difficult time because they want their children to have something, but there may not even be food for the table.  I think this is probably the hardest thing for me to deal with on a daily basis.  There are so many children who need help.  I am learning that I cannot help them all and to do what I can with those that God puts in my path.  Every American should experience life in a third world country.

As for our children and their spouses, Leah and John and Josh and Cheri, they are all doing well.

If you have not heard the big news yet, Josh and Cheri are expecting their first baby next June!!!!!  I tell you, it is hard not to buy all the precious baby things in Lima!!!  We are so happy for them and I know they will make great parents.  I am just not sure how it could be that my son is old enough to be a father and I continue to stay so young!!!  Maybe it is those mind games I play with myself!

Leah and John are both happy in their work.  John is in the process of applying for graduate school, so they are in a period of not knowing where they will move.  One thing I do know for sure, they plan to come to Peru the first of May.  We are excited about their visit.  Leah is especially excited that John will get to see many of the places where she grew up.  Hurry May!!!

All the works here are doing well.  Sheridan baptized three adults here in the church in Huanuco just a week ago.  We continue to have many opportunities to witness and share our faith.

The first of the year will bring Vacation Bible School and camps.  Remember, our seasons are the opposite of yours.  It is summer in Peru!

Of these projects, youth camp will be the largest project.  It is scheduled for the first part of February.  We are planning for 200 campers.  The members of the church here will do all of the planning and work.  This is the first year that youth camp has been totally the responsibility of this church.  I am sure we will have plenty of things to do, but anticipate wonderful spiritual blessings for the youth who attend and also for the adults who work.

Sheridan and I want to thank each of you for your love, support, and prayers.  Much has been done, and is being accomplished, because of loving people as you.  We praise God for working through you to accomplish His work in Peru.  What joy awaits you when you one day personally meet all the Saints from Peru that you have had a part to win to the Lord.

May God richly bless each of you and your families during the coming holiday season.

In His love and care,

Anita