"We had a special event last week for the 14- and 15-year olds: a village play. Four groups, each with one leader, set off to accomplish a number of tasks together, such as, jumping into the air simultaneously, climbing a tree, sitting on a wall or building a human pyramid. All events were captured by a digital camera. Another set of tasks consisted of finding designated people in the streets of Curahuasi: a person reading a newspaper, a person with a calculator or the owner of a black chicken.

The teenager were extremely creative and we had lots of fun. Next week, we will meet to look at the photos together."

That evening, Mr. John spoke in front of 90 book sellers from 17 Latin-American countries, sharing the story of the missionary hospital. The Spanish-language version of the book about Diopsi Suyana, called " Dios es visible," will hit markets in Juli.

On April 23, the dental staff treated patient # 5000 - Celestina from Limatambo, a town about 45 minutes from Curahuasi.

We want to say "Thank You" to our colleagues at the dental clinic for all their hard work.

Yesterday, Dr. John told them about the many miracles and answers to prayer. This message was news to many of his young colleagues.

Olaf Böttger, who was the afternoon's second speaker, pointed out that the Kids Clubs are in people's hearts even abroad. His speech was followed by two local politicians, who praised Diospi Suyana's work both in terms of solving medical problems as well as working with children. 

Next on the afternoon's agenda was the play about the "Three Little Pigs", which most likely was the highlight  for all the young kids in the audience. Alexandra Kopp, Tibor Minge and Sabine Oswald built houses made from different materials. The big bad wolf, a convincing Dominik Hütter, was able to blow them all down. Only the house built on rock remained standing.

In his short sermon, Dr. Brady  drew parallels to the words of Jesus: Only people who build their house on rock have a firm foundation, only if God is our foundation can we withstand the storms of life.

Four guest of honor, the district's governor Sr. Franzisco Cahuan Valdeiglesias, assistant mayor Sr. Mario Valenza Alarcón, and Olaf and Annette Böttger from Germany, cut the red ribbon to officially open the Children's House.

Then, sandwiches and drinks were served, while the children were able to use up their energy by visiting the various play stations. At about 6:30pm the party ended. It was an event that will be remembered for a long time.

We praise God for blessing the Children's House, from the mere idea all the way to the inauguration.

Since the Easter holidays start with Holy Thursday here in Peru, I am sending this report early. To celebrate the end of the Children's House construction, I took all of our construction workers on a field trip. We rented a bus and went to Cconoc, which is located in a valley on the Apurímac river and features natural thermal baths. We had a lovely time, playing water volleyball, fishing and eating together.

Today, we are sending most of the crew home until our next construction project starts: the school building.

We spent most of this week, finishing up some painting and carpentry jobs, tidying and cleaning.

On Monday, we will hand over the building to the Kids Club staffers, who will then start preparing for the official inauguration, scheduled for April 16.

I want to wish you all a Blessed Easter, sending the old Easter greeting: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Halleluia!

Udo.

Life can be so unfair. One person is well off, healthy and has no worries, another is poor, sick and suffers from pain. When we think of our patients' misery, we could all fall into a deep depression. A better reaction however is to get up and help wherever possible. And that's exactly what happened in regards to Alberto.

Dr. Heike Lindacher met Albeto when his dad carried the boy, who had a bad cold, to the hospital. She wanted to help, and so did the Minge family, who  organized three kids wheelchairs via facebook. Alberto received one of these valuable devices. Oebele de Haan went to work immediately and ensured that the chair fit Alberto perfectly. This was a big step forward for a child who can't use his legs.

What does his father say about the suffering in his family? He is thankful to God for being able to experience His help even in the most difficult situations. To him, the wheelchair is another one of God's gifts.

And what do I think? I am looking forward to a world, in which Alberto will be able to walk. Where neither he nor his parents will have to cry. It is the place where God will wipe away all of our tears. Where no baby will get a harmful shot and where suffering will be conquered. The bible calls this place Heaven. And John Lennon sang: "Imagine there is no heaven!" That's a horrible thought. /KDJ

The other day, a patient from Abancay received an eight-teeth ceramic bridge. Dr. Ursula Lozano prepped the teeth meticulously, while Tibor Minge took care of the prosthesis. Now, our patient has a contagious smile and we are all happy for her.

Then he hears the story of a 42-year-old patient, who has been in a wheelchair since a car accident left him a quadriplegic. Unfortunately, his wheelchair is no longer a chair but rather a metal frame. The seat is completely worn. And it doesn't come as a surprise that the patient has deep sores. 

At dusk, when everyone has gone home leaving the hospital deserted, Michael Friedemann sets out to find a new wheelchair. He adjusts the chair so it fits the patient and finally puts air in the chair's tires. 

He arrives at home to meet his family two hours later than planned. But he can be assured to have made the right decision.