October 1^st, the day Stan and I had been looking forward to for a long time. Denver along with 5 others arrived from the states. It was great having a bunch of youth around. Everyone did so well with pitching in and helping wherever they could.

After they were here a few days we all went to Cusco for 3 days to visit one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, Machu Picchu. It was amazing! Nothing could have prepared us for this experience. We toured various Inca ruins, learned how to shop for alpaca clothing and ate at some great restaurants. It was the beginning of rainy season in Cusco so it rained some every day. I think everyone was glad to get back to Arequipa.

Besides touring, they helped out with cleaning the Jose Olaya church and getting it ready to open, painting the roof of our house to waterproof it for the rainy season, etc. The church that meets in our garage, Esperanza de Vida, also enjoyed the teaching they gave both Sundays that they were here. David, Denver and Caleb all shared during the 2 Sundays that they were here. The church is asking for
Bible teachers to come and share. (Maybe that is something that you would be interested in doing.) Anyway, their time here went way too fast.

The Sunday the group went back to the states, the church at Jose Olaya opened its doors. What a joy it has been to reconnect with people. For some of them it was the first time we had seen them in person for 18 months! The attendance has been very good with more and more young people coming as well.

My plan has been to teach some baking skills. One day Nancy, a friend and neighbor, asked if I would teach her to bake. So one afternoon we got together to bake cookies and cupcakes. We really enjoyed our time together and it was rewarding to see her sample her own results with great pleasure! She had no idea she could freeze cookies so she was delighted that she could keep them in her fridge freezer ans share them as the opportunity arose.

Another thing we accomplished in October was that the brothers form the church helped move Stan’s tools from the old small location to our place. He has been arranging things, wiring lights and getting things ready to teach woodworking.

Prayer Request

• Pray for the churches as they continue to open for worship
• Pray for the workshops and the people we reach through them
• Pray for the marriage class that we are teaching

Blessings, Stan and Ruth