July 4 in Puno

We have had several days of very cold weather in Puno.  Cloudy, windy, a little snow, rain- weather that the locals told us is out of the ordinary.  Back home, this weather would have been a bummer- but here, without heat in the house, and with our teams working outside all day- this weather is a BIG downer.  Yesterday, the sun came back- so that in itself was a great way to celebrate the 4th!

I bought some red, white and blue balloons (several of which popped after about 10 minutes thanks to the dog) and a big poster board for the kids to make a flag with.

Time to eat!

We made potato salad, hamburgers, jello and had chips.  Chad and Garren found a recipe for buffalo wings, and made several sauces to go with them.  I made a peach cobbler and Trevor made an apple pie.  We had intended to buy some fireworks, but no one really wanted to make the trek down to the market to buy them.  We talked about making S'mores, but ended up with just marshmallows that the kids roasted over the stove.

Thomas said, "We're having a camp-out!"

Our Peruvians were watching a soccer game, so they come down for food- and headed back up stairs to watch the game.  Franci got scolded for eating her wings with a fork- ha!  

Big burgers!!

WINGS.  We had four different sauces to choose from- they were great!

Chad and I had met a Mormon missionary Friday night.  We invited him to join us for our 4th of July dinner.  He was excited and said he would bring another American friend.  We told them we would eat at six.  Six rolled around and they weren't here so we figured they wouldn't come, but at seven they knocked on the door!  They were so grateful for the invitation and for American food.  It was interesting to talk with them about what they do.  We didn't get into any major religious discussion.  We had prayed ahead of time for discernment.  It was sad to me.  They are very isolated during their mission time and serving (for them anyway) was very much about obligation.  Their schedules are very regimented.  Thomas warmed up to them instantly and I think having an evening with our American 40/40's was a good thing for them.  Maybe we will see them again but  they are moved from location to location with very little notice and it is about time for both of them to be getting a call to move.  I told the 40/40's that if we every have a chance to talk to any others in the future, that we should invite them over.  

Happy Birthday America- we miss you!!