Stuff happens

Well, Ann filled you in on a few things we have done, but to top it off for the week here are a few other things that happened: Our motorcycle was stolen, along with John's, from the patio (where they were chained up) right underneath our bedroom and we never heard a thing. The lock on the gate and the chains were gone, so we don't even know how they managed to break them open. But, it's just stuff and we are happy that everyone in the house is safe. Now we have watch-parents in the house, who I hope are getting some sleep too, but those things happen. It was fun while it lasted I guess. There isn't really anyhope of ever getting them back. The police most likely were in on it too, our lawyer neigbor told us, because they didn't even bother writing anything down when they came to "file a report". It is scary knowing that we are that vulnerable, but we rest knowing that we are protected by someone much more powerful than a few robbers.

On a more cheerful note, Sunday night at church with the family was really fun. At the service we also became godparents to the cutest girl in the world (not even kidding-- pictures to follow!). Like everything at church, the pastor called up this family to dedicate their baby and then suddenly announced that I was going to come up and hold the girl and pray for her because the parents asked that we be her godparents. So we didn't have much choice, although we would not have refused anyways. She had to explain to the family and the church that evangelicals don't do godparents (why not?) but that we could be considered the girl's counselors or mentors or something like that. The family is very Quechua and didn't know evangelicals don't do that stuff, but they didn't mind the simple change of name. It is really an honor to us because in this culture the godparents really are the life mentors for the child. The child is to grow up and learn life lessons not from the parents, but from the godparents. When you are asked to be a godparent, the parents are basically saying we see you as a role model that we want our child to follow. That is an honor to us, and also kind of scary at the responsability that brings. But I don't mind since she is the cutest girl in the world. She is also facinated by my beard, which is another thing this week that is new-- people have started to ask me when I'm going to cut it, which means it must be getting bushy.

We have been taking it easy with the guests though. The stomach and altitude adjustments have been a one-two punch and we have had to slow down. We did get to go to Mosoj Yan, a center here for at-risk girls who work in the street to support their families and have had other problems that come up with young girls who have to work for a living. There Bonnie and Beth and Ann taught them how to bake brownies and sugar cookies for their cafe and I played volley ball and the longest game ever of tag with the little girls. Bonnie and Beth are supposed to do some other stuff with the girls next week since they are on winter break and on Friday we are doing a "culture night" about our country in the cafe. So between all the napping from altitude and stomach problems we are staying busy!