Welcome Baby Caleb

We have a new arrival to our IMB family here in Peru. As missionaries here, we consisder ourselves a great big family. The missionary kids call each of us missionaries Aunt and Uncle. So when a new baby is born, we feel proud just like a real aunt or uncle would feel. So I must brag about our newest nephew!
Our dear friends Micheal and Kristi Rains in Arequipa just had their 3rd son. From what dad says, Caleb Micheal arrived very quickly. They arrived at the hospital a little before 11pm last night and Caleb didn't want to wait so at 11:22pm he came before dad could get scrubbed in and get into the room. Both Kristi and Caleb are doing well. They should go home sometime today.
Waiting back home were Kristi's mom and Caleb's two big brothers, Benjamin and Nathan. Micheal said that the boys were so excited to see Caleb's pictures that they were jumping on the bed this morning.
Please pray for Kristi as she recovers and for Benjamin and Nathan as they adjust to being big brothers. Please pray for Micheal to be a strong godly father to this group of little men. Pray for their Grannie Rains and Papa Rains and all their family back home as they see pictures and yearn to see and hold baby Caleb. Also pray for us as a missionary family to be supportive and loving just as a real family to this growing family.

His
Susie Austin

A Time of Testing

This week is ICSL's Standardized Achievement Testing. All of the grades up to 10th grade began testing yesterday and will finish on Wednesday. Ben and Patrick are part of this group. They only have the testing for 1/2 the day and then they get to come go with no homework, so I do believe that they like testing week. Alisha on the other hand does not have tests so the 11th and 12th graders are using thier time to do service projects around the area, focused in the park that is nearest the school that all of the gym classes run laps in. I believe yesterday they sanded and stripped paint off of a wall and today they will paint it. Also today, Ben and Patrick will be allowed to participate in the service project for the second part of their day.

The rest of the week (after Wednesday) are holidays. Thursday is Labor day and Friday Peru celebrates some battle. The High school will be taking off on a retreat tomorrow after testing and will return on Friday.

On Saturday, Alisha will be taking her SAT at a local highschool. A few weeks ago, she took her ACT. Here's a funny story, well maybe not funny for her or our pocketbook but, at Christmas, Santa brought Alisha and Ben both nice calculators. Santa knew that they would both need them for the rest of HS, college and of course for their ACTs and SATs. Well, after Alisha was done with her ACT, she came out and stated that "isn't it my luck to be the only one who got in trouble during the test." I asked what had happened, she told me that her calculator was on the "banned list" for using during the test. She said she almost cried when the lady came around and told her she couldn't use it. Luckily one of her friends had an extra calculator. So now, even though when Santa purchased their calculators it was on the ok list, it has now been moved to the "naughty list" So between today and test day, we have to rangle up an approved calculator.

Please pray for Alisha as she takes these very important tests and as she prepares for her future. Also, please keep praying for her health, she is still not feeling well. We are waiting to hear from the doctor.

As always, we appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support. Know that we love you!
His
Susie

The Worlds Highest Railroad

Arnold left this morning to go on a research trip to scout out a potential area that we will have a partner church in the states adopt. This is his first time to go into the area and has no idea about the area, conditions etc. One of our team members, Brad Borggren is acompaning him on this journey.

During their travel, I was told that they will be near the World's Highest Railroad. So, of course with the amazing world of the internet, I looked it up. It is the Ferrocarril Central Andino. "The Ferrocarril Central Andino WAS the highest railway in the world before 2006, surpassed by the recently constructed Qingzang Railway in China."

Please be in prayer for Arnold and Brad as they drive up steep one lane mountain roads and possibly have to hike. Pray that they find a hostel (hotel) or somewhere to sleep and also food to eat. They should be safely home by Saturday. Thanks for your prayers.

His
Susie

Growing Pains

Moments like these, I realize just how grown my kids are getting. Here's Alisha and Ben in a Swing Performance, raising money for a local charity.





I now feel the part of turning 40 this year.

Intelligent Design

Go see "Expelled" tomorrow and show your support of God and his marvelous handiwork of creation.

First version of our itinerary for the states

As many of you know, Alisha and I (Susie) will be heading to the US to check out some colleges. Alisha will be able to stay her whole summer (June 20 -Aug 3) but I will only be there for 2 weeks (July 7 - 23). We have been making appointments at colleges and setting up our schedule so here it is for those who may be interested in seeing us. This will better give you an idea of where we will be and when.

7-Jul Leave Lima, Peru
8-Jul Arrive Baton Rouge, Louisiana
9-Jul Visit Family/Friends Baton Rouge. Attend Church.
10-Jul Tour LSU Campus in Baton Rouge.
11-Jul Tour LA College Campus in Alexandria.
11-Jul Drive to Shreveport.
12-Jul Visit Family Shreveport.
13-Jul Drive to Nashville, Arkansas to visit Dad.
14-Jul Tour Ouachita Campus in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
15-Jul Drive to Shreveport. Visit Family.
16-Jul Drive to Baton Rouge. Visit Family. Attend Church
17-Jul Visit Family/Friends Baton Rouge.
18-Jul Tour William Carey Campus in Hattesburg, Mississippi.
19-Jul Visit Family/Friends Baton Rouge.
20-Jul Attend Church.
21-Jul Tour NOBTS and Leavell College in New Orleans, Louisiana.
22-Jul Visit Family/Friends Baton Rouge.
23-Jul Leave Baton Rouge and go back home.

Of course this schedule is bound to change but I wanted to give you all a heads up of where and when we will be places. Once again, Alisha will be in the BTR area all summer at her grandmas house. If you want contact info on how to get in touch with her or me while we are in the states, just email me or comment.

The time is creeping up on us and we are getting excited!

His
Susie

And the winners are....drumroll please!

We have just gotten through science fair. (Praise God!) Patrick did his experiment with Guinea pigs (they call them cuy here) He raised 3 guinea pigs together in a community and then raised one by itself in isolation. Their names were Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Midnight Snack (You know they eat guinea pigs here right?) Anyway, for 6 weeks, he raised them to see if there was a difference in raising them either together or alone. He found that they seemed happier in a group but grew better and healthier when they were by themselves. He is donating his guinea pigs to the Ica cuy project that is helping to revitalize the community after the Earth Quake.

Ben did his project on energy. He constructed 2 generators; a wind turbine and a solar panel to see which would produce the most energy. In the end, he found that the solar panel produces more and actually stores it for a while, but the wind turbine only produces a small amount and does not store any.

We are pleased to tell you that Patrick won First Place in the 6th grade and recieved a Blue Ribbon. This is his second year winning first place. Ben won First Place in the 9th grade and recieved a blue ribbon but also won First Place in the whole High School and recieved a trophy. Way to go guys! They must take after their dad!

Love Susie

Update on Alisha

I just wanted to update you on Alisha’s health this morning. Susie went to the lab to pick up Alisha’s tests results from her biopsy (from the endoscopy). The doctor said everything was fine. Yesterday she stated that the pain was less but that the nausea had increased. The doctor said that she should stay on this round of medicine for another 10 days to 2 weeks before they do anything else. He stated that the next thing would be to look again at her gallbladder.

I am so pleased and excited to announce that this morning; Alisha woke up pain and nausea free!!!! She was even able to eat and not experience the piercing pain that she has had for over a week and 1/2 now. Thank you so much for your prayers. We know that the Lord is in control through all of this. We give God all the glory!!!

No Magazines Here

Walk into many a bathroom in the USA and besides finding pretty towels, candles, and assortments of soaps (usually shell shaped), you can probably find some sort of reading material on the toilet tank.

Fly 3000 miles south and with the change of language and culture, you also find a change in bathroom paraphernalia. Here's what ours looks like: extra toilet paper and a sterilized feces sampling jar.

Such is life in Peru. Alisha has gone through yet another round of tests to determine what is ailing her. Today's adventure was an endoscopy. The doctors have yet to find out what is causing her extreme pain she has, especially when eating.

Please pray that her pain ends and that she recovers quickly.