A Dedicatory to Peruvian Friends -- OUTSTANDING QUALITIES!!

Another book we read to our kids while in Peru was Trent & Smalley's The Treasure Tree. It explains several personality types: Lion, Beaver, Otter, and Golden Retriever among others. We laughed lots when we read this because we could recognize these qualities in all of us and in our friends as well. Let me explain.

CELEBRATORY OTTER - This character loves to play and party every chance he/she gets to. My oldest son is the quint-essential otter, as am I!

HARD-WORKING BEAVER - Whether or not everyone is finished and all the jobs are officially done, the "beaver" still has "just one more task to do; just one more chore to complete," often past bedtime. My wife is always 'on task' 24-7, especially as she serves her family or clients in energy-healing.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER - This faithful character will defend you even when you're not around, and will never divulge any of your secrets... to the bitter end.

Right now I desire to express appreciation and to openly honour four of our Peruvian friends, whose pictures are included, and each of whom reflect ALL THREE OF THESE CHARACTERISTICS!

We were the padrinos for Reyna's and Lucho's wedding, as well as for the baptisms of their children, Flor, Linda Marleny, and Jairo (Jossmel Jairo). Always there when their family, extended family, and community needed them, this couple represented for us the future aspirations of their Quechua communities. I still remember her indefatigable energy in sponsoring the Pastorcillos dance troups in the Cajay District of Huari-- their songs and voices still ring in my ears!

Eduardo Mendoza Diaz and his brother Tobías worked with us intimately in the literacy projects and Quechua literature development we supervised. He was quickly put into demanding positions of teaching and leadership and he adapted and grew to be a leader at an early age. His brother Tobías has become an accomplished artist and figure illustrator and his work has been published in many of SIL's publications in Peru. Their giftedness, perseverence, energy, and maturation into adulthood were clearly inspiring to me and kept me going in the projects until their completion.

Finally, Leonel Alexander Menacho López. During times of long walks over mountain summits Prof. Leonel and I would support one another as friends-- He challenged me to 'leave behind' my dependency on my English speaking and cultural ways, to more completely embrace his mountain culture. I was the one "in need of a heart" and he gave it to me. I was in need of a friend and he opened himself, his home and his very life to me and my family. I was therefore so proud to recently see that he was honoured to travel throughout Europe, speaking on behalf of the Quechua people and culture.

Thank you to all of you!