Rich on the Road

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Let me get right to the "chilling" stuff.  Predicted highs in Lima, Peru over the next two weeks  -- in the 60s!  Lord, I cannot wait.  Predicted lows -- the low 60s!  Even better.  For those of you reading this anywhere but North Texas, we have a streak of 100 degree plus weather going here and it shows no sign of ending anytime soon.  Eighteen of us leave very early Thursday for South America and I think everybody on the mission team from Prince of Peace Lutheran is looking forward to jacket weather.

The "fun stuf" includes some pictures from last summer's mission trip to Peru.  The trip is structured differently this year.  We won't be going to the northern city of Chimbote.  We will be going to Cuzco, Machu Picchu and other destinations in the central highlands -- where temperatures at night will dip near freezing!  Winter in August -- gotta love it.

Mission Director Beth Daugherty in Chimbote, Peru

But, as always we will be spending a lot of time at an orphanage on the outskirts of Lima -- a little construction work, VBS, street evangelism, lot of huggin' on kids.

One of the Original "Llama Mamas" Rosaline Hyslop in Las Delicias, Peru

Rich, Tim Meyer and Matt Marshall lifting and lugging at the orphanage

Watcing Mimes at the orphanage in Huaycan

And, I have to add one final picture -- one of my all time favorites.  Peru has a lot of labor trouble and the occasional clash between strikers and police.  On our first visit (the purely vacational one in 2004) we experienced a rail strike that left us stranded for a day in Cuzco, a mass march by striking workers that led to some rock-throwing and car burning outside our hotel.  It was actually kind of fun because after the rally and riot the whole city engaged in what amounted to an outdoor picnic.  When we got back to Lima there were riot police all over the historic district.  But, no one seemed too worried about an actual riot occuring and so, when I asked if I could take a picture, the police officers were more than willing to oblige.  What resulted is the photograph below -- Catherine and the cops, hamming it up.

Catherine and Lima's Finest

I'm hoping to get to bed early tonight.  We have a long day of travel ahead of us tomorrow.  I will blog again from our layover in Miami.  By then, I should have a suitable picture of the 2008 team as it embarks on its own Christian adventure.

Dios se bendice!

Rich