RAIN!!!

Yep, things are a changing...and the weather is just one of them.  Today we had the first rain since May, but the weather is still quite warm.  Quite a novelty to use the windscreen wipers again. Kids are back at school, routine comes into being, new folk arrive in town, there's life to live again.  Following what I felt was almost a summer hibernation, this is all good news!  Other great things to celebrate today are:

FRESH FIGS....there is nothing quite like the taste of a soft, fresh, succulent fig.  That will be one sad part about the passing of summer.  That and copious quantities of ice cream.

CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER...I took a nice long Mediterranean swim this morning on my own.  I arrived at the beach with hardly a soul there (a fine contrast to peak summer conditions).  After last night's rain, there was a freshness in the air.  All the dust had disappeared.  The sun glistened on the sea, the mountains rose majestically above in the background and, woah Mama, the water beckoned.  The swimming was divine; water temperature, visibility, no people, no boats.  Just sunny ripples of sand beneath me, a crab all  on his own, a few schools of small fish and, with every breath, a panoramic vista to take that very breath away.

FOUR HEALTHY KIDS...something to never take for granted.  I am so thankful for their good health this  past year.  With all the many changes they have adapted so well.  Although they still talk about Australia and the things they remember or miss, this has not stopped them embracing life here in Cyprus.

JESSIE (9yrs now) has two new things in her life: pierced ears and learning gymnastics.  Although we could have done with a bit less 'minutiae' about the piercings, the backward walk-overs and splits have kept her busy and flexible and proud of her new-found abilities.  She has also resumed the flute and has a very likeable male teacher named Jackovos (at least I think that's how I pronounce it).  School is off to a flying start and she's also loving Brownies each Wednesday.

The day finally arrived! Jessie's 9th B'day present.

ANGUS (7 and a half) is now officially, since about July, chocolate brown.  Not all over of course; his bottom seems almost fluorescent in contrast!  Fearless, action man, Angus is all about extreme.  Anything less than that is dead boring.  Pity about the reading...unless it's about killer crocs.  Over the holidays it was insane water-slides and 'Crazy Shark' rides behind speed boats, now that we're back at school he's got to settle for breakdancing, basketball, soccer, guitar and scouts.  He'll be glad to return to the surf and skate ramps back in Australia one day but for now, it's all still pretty good for a 7yr old.  Did anybody say the word 'over-scheduled'?  Believe me, we have to keep this kid BUSY.

The boys at St Hilarion Castle

SAM (4yrs with only 150 days until "I'll be five!").  How to describe Sam?  Just take a listen:
- "Mum, is God a GIANT?"
- "Mum, how BIG is God really? Is he as big as Daddy?"

- "When we get to heaven, will we be able to SEE God or will he be TOO BIG?"

Oh, and how can I forget the toilet scene?

- "Mum" (whilst pushing very hard to get his No. 2 out, red faced & all) "is Spiderman real?"

- "Mum" (still pushing hard) "is Superman real?"

- "Mum" (now exasperated, looking desperate on both fronts) "what IS real?"

And then there are the 2011 Eurovision songs that still live on for him.  Looking forward to next year's fresh batch of songs....

For Sam, we have been fortunate to find a 14yr old piano teacher.  Lessons are a blast with pictures, colouring in, stickers and chatting.  No actual tinkling of the ivories as yet; she seems to be building up to it.  Anna Piana we call her - just to distinguish her from our Anna.

ANNA (2yrs) can only be described as super cute and super stubborn.  Fortunately, being gorgeous always wins out!  Everywhere we go, particularly in the supermarket, everyone wants to squish her cheek or give her food.  It's an endless source of entertainment for her, making my trolley pushing much more interesting, despite my poor Greek.  The other kids take full advantage of "The Anna Factor" and love to take her into bakeries hoping they'll score some free sausage rolls.

Anna in a medieval castle with her best friend "Gubby"

Friday night Desert night: chocolate pudding.

Anna's day begins with staying at home with Monica whilst I do school drop-off and take some time for myself or get some exercise.  After that, Monica goes home and Anna comes with me to playgroup or Tiny Beats singing group or grocery shopping or morning tea with some Mummy & toddler friends.  Lunch and a day sleep follow, after which time it's 2pm and time for the other 3 to get off the bus.  Every afternoon has a different activity schedule so Monica arrives mid-afternoon to help mind the kids and prepare dinner.  I still haven't stopped appreciating the domestic help!


Other news from the Piper household includes a great visit from Heather Robinson; our very dedicated children's church worker from our church in Mona Vale.

Also, a little bit of planning & logistics to celebrate Sarah's 40th in November....Barcelona here we come!  (Sarah's first trip off the island since we arrived, Ross' twentieth!!)

View of Kyrenia from St Hilarion Castle

Peru

I've been in Peru this week for some meetings, and have been fortunate to visit a number of World Vision projects as part of the meeting agenda.  The project visits centred around Cusco, which is the high altitude city closest to Machu Picchu.  Located at 3500m above sea level in the middle of the Andes, Cusco is a fascinating and beautiful city with a remarkable history.  The altitude affects many visitors to Cusco, and all of us experienced some symptoms and effects of the altitude during our time there.

Looking down on Cusco, high in the Andes at 3500m

Over the past 15 years, World Vision has been partnering with a number of village communities around Cusco in the implementation of long-term development projects.  On one day we travelled up to the village of Lamay and had the chance to sit with the village leaders and children and hear them explain the journey of the community.  Villages in the extended community have undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 15 years, from alcoholism, abject poverty and terrible statistics of infant mortality and child malnutrition, to a situation today where the communities are completely changed. All aspects of community life have signficantly improved, including education, nutrition, economic opportunity, social cohesion, agricultural productivity and sustainability, and maternal child health.  The most remarkable thing about these changes is the extent of ownership and drive from within the community itself.  World Vision and other partners have played a role, but the fundamental ownership and drive has come from the community.  

Community members explaining their journey

I'm still on a steep learning curve about community development, and there are a number of key principles that have contributed to the success, impact and sustainability of the development work World Vision is engaged with in Peru.  One of the key lessons for me is to understand that good development is both art and science, and that lasting transformation of communities can only come about when there is a holistic approach taken, not just a focus on one sector such as water, health or education.  Also to recognise that good development takes time.  A two or three year project may address some of the physical needs in a community, but a much longer timeframe is needed to actually see sustainable community transformation occur.  

Young entrepreneurs in Cusco

Back in Cusco, we spent a second day meeting with children who are leading an urban development program in partnership with World Vision.  These children shared their stories of the community, and the work they're actively engaged in.  I have to say that I've not heard wisdom such as what came out of the mouths of these kids for a long time.

One comment that will stay with me came from an 11 year old boy, who said that his dream was to grow up in a society based on clear principles, morality and grace.  What a perceptive vision of the elements needed for a functional and healthy society.  Other children expressed similar sentiments, and we were deeply moved by what we heard.

Youth meeting in Cusco

Community leader explaining maternal health monitoring process

Main cathedral in Cusco