The first flood relief project was completed for the Family of Hermano Milo. Since the floods there family has been living in the makeshift shelter seen below.

Javier was able to organize individuals from his Elders Quorum to provide the labor. The project started with a trip to the store to buy supplies

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With supplies in hand they were able to construct the shelter you see below.

It may not look like much to us but it will be a roof over their head and a place to call home until they have the means to construct a new home. Thank you for your help! We will continue to post project pictures as they are available.

In December of 2009 Ben, Natasha and their children Spencer, Sterling and Grace made a visit to the village a few days after Christmas. They shared plenty of the traditional Peruvian Christmas cake and hot chocolate with the people.

They had come to Pirca to work and Javier had helped plan the construction of a community oven. As is always the case when we do a project in Pirca, Javier had rallied the people to help build the base for the oven before Ben and Natasha arrived.

Even Felix and Alcira got into the act by helping to haul bricks down to the construction site. For those of you who have been to Pirca you know this is not an easy task. They start from the campsite and hauled them all the way to the location of the model home at the back of the village.

Natasha and Grace prepare the cactus goop to add to the mud.

Ben and Spencer  help bring dirt and rocks to fill the base of the oven.

Grace and Felipe's wife doing the mud dance.

Sterling hauling materials.

Sergio finishing the oven floor while Javier and Ben survey the work in preparation to go verticle with the bricks.

   Spencer and Grace help with more mud. It takes a large quantity to finish a project like this.

Ben and Javier discuss best methods for building the opening to the oven.

The opening is up. Ben and Spencer start laying out bricks.

The first course of bricks! Sergio provided a lot of expertise in helping this project.

Making progress. Grace smoothing the sides with mud.

Almost there. These are the kind of people that don't mind getting their feet and hands dirty.

Topping out the mud.

Thank you Ben, Natasha and family for your hard work. What an incredible addition to the community. We will send pictures of the first loaf of bread after the oven is cured and ready to fire up.

Simeona, Ben,Zacarias, Grace, Felix (feet in head out), Sterling, Alex, Felipe, and Spencer   

The village of Pirca Peru.

Drew and his family came all the way from Southlake Texas to build a stove for this widow.

Drew, Sadie, Katelyn, Joanna and Paige

Marc and his family

This is a before picture of her kitchen prior to Drew and his family getting a hold of it.

Sadie making mud!

Marc working on a the stove.

Vicentina, Drew and her new stove.

Katelyn's new friends Felix (7)and Alex (11)

American kids making fast friendhips with the little girls of Pirca.

Paige and Alcira

Drew's family with their new found friends.

Paige with Alex and Felix.

Saying goodbye.

Alex

Thanks to the generosity of Drew and his family the villagers from Pirca who wanted stoves now have them. Here are some pictures of some very proud and thankful folks. Thank you Drew and Joanna!!