Today we recieved a couple of little package from Justin. In it was a little note with the following, " These are for my siblings for Christmas. The necklaces are for Hadley and Sutton and the pens for Cole, Weston and Hanson. In the other package is a tape for Christmas morning and cards for the kids Christmas morning. Love you." The girls got beautiful shell necklaces and the boys pens with carvings of different animals near the top. We were surprised that Justin would go out of his way to buy and send gifts to this sibings. Super sweet!! Some had mentioned that they were going to miss Justin's presents because "he gives the BEST presents!"
We love you Justin!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Called To Serve With All My Heart, Might, Mind And Strength
In Justin's last letter regarding the surprise phone call with his dad, Justin said, "Sounds like dad got scared for a second when I told him I was at the police station! I knew that one would get him." Justin got a kick out of that!
He also told us about his trip up to Lima. He and his companion, Elder Gil left Sunday night to go to the next city up towards Lima to spend the night. As he says, "It sucked. I had to sleep on a tile floor, they didn't have a bed. Then at 4 am Elder Avalos and I woke up and we got on a 3 hour bus ride to Lima. Then a lady from the church offices picked us up and we went to interpol to do fingerprints and take pictures for our visas. We went with 7 or so missionaries from Bolivia, they are doing them in groups day by day." Afterwards they had a couple of hours in Lima so they hopped in a taxi and went to a food court in a mall type place. In Justin's words, " It was amazing. There was Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, and a ton of stuff. I had Pizza Hut. It was great. It was weird in the food court though. It was so clean with big TVs just like America. Elder Avalos and I literally felt like we were back in a nice mall in the states. It was weird. Everyone looked and dressed like a North American, there were actually a few white people there. It just felt weird. But good at the same time to feel like I was back at home for a second." I thought it was interesting that Justin felt it was weird to be somewhere that he normally would've thought as normal and nothing special. He goes on to say, " It's because the people here are either really rich or really poor and they don't really mix. The wealthy stay in their part town and the poor in theirs. My old pension in Lima was telling me how the people who lived in our area couldn't really go to the nicer areas because the people there considered them cholitas and they just weren't really welcomed. It's like there are class distinctions. It is weird." That is a good thing that Justin saw the class distinctions and hopefully saw how wrong it is. We are all children of God, no matter our wealth, poverty or color. We should not look at each other with judgement. I'm glad Justin thought it was weird. We all should! Living in such humble circumstances has taught him something nothing else could have. I hope it sticks!
Justin is also done with trying to contact 100 people every week. The whole zone was not having success with their investigators because they did not have time for them. They had to constantly try to meet their goal of contacting 100 people. It was not working. As he said, "I was not called to baptize a specific number of people, but just to serve with all my heart, mind and strength and if I do that and have zero baptisms at the end, I have still 100% completed what I was called to do. We just have to do all that we can, ask the Lord to do his part, and have the patience to accept his timing and will."
Well said Justin.
He also told us about his trip up to Lima. He and his companion, Elder Gil left Sunday night to go to the next city up towards Lima to spend the night. As he says, "It sucked. I had to sleep on a tile floor, they didn't have a bed. Then at 4 am Elder Avalos and I woke up and we got on a 3 hour bus ride to Lima. Then a lady from the church offices picked us up and we went to interpol to do fingerprints and take pictures for our visas. We went with 7 or so missionaries from Bolivia, they are doing them in groups day by day." Afterwards they had a couple of hours in Lima so they hopped in a taxi and went to a food court in a mall type place. In Justin's words, " It was amazing. There was Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, and a ton of stuff. I had Pizza Hut. It was great. It was weird in the food court though. It was so clean with big TVs just like America. Elder Avalos and I literally felt like we were back in a nice mall in the states. It was weird. Everyone looked and dressed like a North American, there were actually a few white people there. It just felt weird. But good at the same time to feel like I was back at home for a second." I thought it was interesting that Justin felt it was weird to be somewhere that he normally would've thought as normal and nothing special. He goes on to say, " It's because the people here are either really rich or really poor and they don't really mix. The wealthy stay in their part town and the poor in theirs. My old pension in Lima was telling me how the people who lived in our area couldn't really go to the nicer areas because the people there considered them cholitas and they just weren't really welcomed. It's like there are class distinctions. It is weird." That is a good thing that Justin saw the class distinctions and hopefully saw how wrong it is. We are all children of God, no matter our wealth, poverty or color. We should not look at each other with judgement. I'm glad Justin thought it was weird. We all should! Living in such humble circumstances has taught him something nothing else could have. I hope it sticks!
Justin is also done with trying to contact 100 people every week. The whole zone was not having success with their investigators because they did not have time for them. They had to constantly try to meet their goal of contacting 100 people. It was not working. As he said, "I was not called to baptize a specific number of people, but just to serve with all my heart, mind and strength and if I do that and have zero baptisms at the end, I have still 100% completed what I was called to do. We just have to do all that we can, ask the Lord to do his part, and have the patience to accept his timing and will."
Well said Justin.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
P day pictures
P day, for those of you that are not familiar with that term, stands for preparation day. It is the day the missionaries have to prepare ( clean, wash, shop, relax, play sports, or do some sightseeing if allowed). Justin has had the opportunity to see the area he is serving in with the other missionaries in his area. He has been able to go to Pisco and eat lunch by the beach, visit rural areas, and explore a bit. Here are some of the photos he sent from his p days.
Here Justin is with his companion, Elder Gil down by the beach in Pisco having lunch.
Cool camera mode Justin!
Justin seems to be enjoying his p days and seeing his new area......... a.k.a. home!
Here Justin is with his companion, Elder Gil down by the beach in Pisco having lunch.
Cool camera mode Justin!
Love this picture!
Happy to be going somewhere.........
Justin seems to be enjoying his p days and seeing his new area......... a.k.a. home!
Joke On Dad
Early this morning the phone rang and Justin's dad answered an unexpected call. Yes, it was Justin on the line! ( Mom was very bummed to still be at the gym!) He immediately told his dad that he was at the police station. ( "What trouble did he get into???" His dad thought with a panic!) Actually, he was okay and not in trouble (Whew!). He was in Lima to get his permanant visa and needed his social security number. Dad had no clue. Justin was using their phone so he had to hang up and call back in five minutes. Dad called mom at the gym and found where the social security number was. Justin called right back, got the number and had to hang up right away again. Dad was stoked to talk with his son. Even if it was for a hurried minute! And he was not in jail! Even better!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Justin, Justin, Justin........
Today Justin and his zone went to see some Indian ruins. He was expecting to see what was supposed to be a big palace where the king lived with all his wives and where they sacrificed humans. Apparently, there was not a lot to see because there was not a lot left of the place. So they went to the other side of the hill to an old Incan cemetery. He was expecting to see an old cemetery, but instead there were big old pits filled with human bones. Justin said, "It was sweet." I (mom) told him earlier this month to find a Peruvian Christmas ornament for our tree when he came home. My crazy son got the idea that he would get a skull and have me make that his ornament. In Justin's words, "Would have been perfect." ( I DON'T THINK SO!) Luckily, the Peruvians and archaeologists that were down below were watching them. Justin remembered his dad joking with him telling him to not end up in jail somewhere! So he decided against it. (Thank goodness!)
But the guy that was their guide told him he could take one next time. So he thinks he is coming home with an Indian head. Of course, after reading this, I emailed him and told him under no circumstance is he to take a single bone or thing from the site! What is up with 19 year olds? He is a bright one too, usually.
But the guy that was their guide told him he could take one next time. So he thinks he is coming home with an Indian head. Of course, after reading this, I emailed him and told him under no circumstance is he to take a single bone or thing from the site! What is up with 19 year olds? He is a bright one too, usually.
Here are photo's Justin took of his day there.
Justin's companion, Elder Gil.
I think his face is saying, "Gross, I'm touching a real human bone."
I guess he's used to it now. 
Having fun now!
His new thing he likes to do is light fireworks. A vendor comes by the house selling fireworks and you bet Justin buys them. He and the little kids in his house play with them every night. Apparently the land is barren and there is not anything that could catch on fire there. All I can say is Justin, Justin, Justin...........
Some of Justin's firework buddies.
The Huamani family is going to be baptized this Saturday. He is happy about that. That is awesome.
Every week he and his companion have to make a hundred contacts and invite 100 people to church . He says he ends up making a lot of amigos from that. Justin said he now knows all the gangs that rob everyone, so he isn't too worried about getting robbed now (Knock on wood). Justin also said, " And I have two old ladies who are now my friends that speak Quetchuwa (a language that a lot of the people in Peru speak) and give me a little lesson all the time. The way to ask what is your name and what is your butts name are really similar and I always seem to mix them up." (Very funny, Justin, Justin, Justin........) He taught a couple of people last night whose family speaks a lot of it (Quetchuwa) and they couldn't understand a single word that he was saying. He said, "It was like they were in a different world, completely lost. It gets real frustrating when certain people can't understand anything. I ended up talking to them like they were small children, in a loud, slow voice. Which is actually pretty dumb if you think about it. It's probably me not them. They should be talking to me like I'm the slow one. I probably get it from my mom though. She always seems to speak to people who speaks English as their second language a little slower. I must have inherited it."
He likes having a refrigerator, microwave and stove. He can now have a cold drink when he wants. He also likes eating his Trix cereal, and making pancakes or bacon and eggs. Nice!
Justin found out that in Peru, they celebrate Christmas on the 24th. He said, " It's because they lack patience to celebrate on the real day." (There's the sarcasm again!) He said he will be celebrating solo Christmas morning. (Like I said, he likes traditions!)
Justin's language is coming along so well that he says he is starting to be able to express his sarcasm in Spanish without even noticing it (That is not a good thing). He said, "The funny thing is sarcasm isn't really part of their culture, so they don't really get it and think you are being sincere." (definitely not a good thing if you know Justin)
Justin, Justin, Justin.................
Monday, December 8, 2008
He Has Access People!
In Justin's last email, he asked for me to invite him on to his blog. So, please share your comments with him! He loves to hear from all of you!
Staying Put
Today, (December 8, 2008) is changes for the mission and for the first time, Justin is is not moving to a new area. He will stay in La Villa with Elder Gil for at least 3 more months. He is pretty happy about that because he likes his area and because "we have a lot of people we are helping and teaching and need more time to get stuff done."
He says things are still going well with his investigators. They are still working with a family of four that was originally scheduled to get baptized in November. Then there is the Meza family. They are teaching the mom, Lili and her two children Abigail and Kevin. He says they attend church each week and read the Book of Mormon as a family everyday. The mom really wants her kids to learn, read and pray. They are waiting for their dad/ husband to come home on December 15th. He only comes home 4 times a year from his work in northern Peru. Another family they are teaching is one they stumbled upon when lost in the hills. Roberto and Marta Huamani are the parents, and Jair is one of their sons. They used to go to church all the time and had a baptismal date before the earthquake, but stopped going after. He says they are really excited for their baptism. The last family he wrote about is Sonia Pisarro and her 2 kids. He said they live up the hill in a little hut type thing. Her husband died a few years ago and she now walks the streets selling ice cream from her cart everyday. How sad! Justin usually buys ice cream when he sees her. She needs the hope and joy the gospel will bring into her life as well as the family the ward will be to her and her children.
As Justin always says, "There is never enough time. You are always thinking about who you need to visit, what you need to teach them and a ton of other things."
As for trivial things, Justin found a store in Pisco that had a few things from the US. He found peanut butter, Trix cereal and soda. He says this stuff is easier to find and cheaper in Bolivia but maybe because he was in Cochabamba (a big city). He is now used to their eating schedule. A huge breakfast and lunch and something quick and small for dinner. He says he usually doesn't eat dinner. He is never hungry for it. One dish he really likes is called Lomo Saltado. It is french fries with beef, onions, tomatoes and seasoning all together. He also misses his deodorant and toothpaste from home. He sent us pictures of them so we can send it to him. Little simple pleasures!
Justin got a letter from Elder Cachique, "my last rabid companion. He ended up staying in his last area to finish his rabies shots and it sounds like everything is okay." Good to hear that!
As to how hot it is, he can't tell us because he doesn't understand temperatures in Celsius. He guesses it is in the 90's and very humid. They tell him it gets worse in January and February. Bummer for him.
Justin says it does not feel much like Christmas with hot weather and lack of Christmas decorations . He did say the home he lives in has an 8 foot Christmas tree. I'm sure that makes him happy. I sent him a little Christmas tree from dearelder.com (I mean little.... 5 inches!) and a couple of stockings for him and his companion. Justin likes enjoying our family's traditions right down to the food, family and decorations. But as we all know, that is not what Christmas is really all about. Justin will have a more meaningful Christmas than most of us here.
He ends by saying, "I just do the same great thing everyday!"
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Say What?!
Buenas dias
Comó estan. Espero que todo is muy bien. Este semana tuvimos un servicio bautismal con todo de la estaca, 8 personas se bautisaron. President Fierro estuvo alla tambien. Fue bonita, y bastantes personas lo asistieron. Nuestro vecino y investiagador carlos se bautisó por elder gil, y domingo se confirmó. Tambien tuvimos nuestros entrevistas con preisdent viernes en la capilla de La Villa. Le pregunté si sabá algo sobre la situación en Bolivia. Me dijo que las oficinas de la iglesia le llamó y le dijo que puede mandar los misioneros de Bolivia afuera de Lima ahora. Por esto, cree que vamos a estar aquí en Peru por un tiemp mas, pero no me dijo que no vamos a volver, entonces vamos a ver!
El Dia de Gracias fue bien, no hicimos nada. Fue un dia normal nada mas, comimos arros con pollo por almuerzo y papas para la cena. Pero esta bien, no me importa. Espero que la navidad es un poco mejor. Ayer recibí mis paquetes de mi madre para la navidad, y ahora tengo que esperar 24 dias mas para abrirlos. Espero que no tengo un cambio en la aproxima semana por que no hay espacio en mis molletas para todos de mis paquetes. Pero presidente me dijo que elder gil y yo vamos a quedarnos aca por lo menos un camnio mas.
En 3 dias cumplo 6 meses! El tiempo va rapido. Un cuarto de mi misión. Voy a enfocarme hasta el fin. Tenemos bastantes personas aquí para bautisar y enseñar.
Verano está empezando aquí y hace un color horrible! Yo quiero morirme mientra estoy caminando en el desierto vestido en mi corbata, camisa, y pantalones. Qué horrible. Pero todavía es mejor que Lima.
El otro dia encontré una pulga en mi pierna en la manaña. Otro vez! Voy a ubicar los demas y matarlas.
Este domingo no tenemos la reunion sacramental porque hay elecciones o algo y es contra la ley para tener fiesta o reuniones en estas dias. No podemos salir la casa tampoco para trabajar. Vamos a descansar por un dia, como mi primer fin de mes en Bolivia. No sé que vamos hacer.
Espero que todos pudieron entender todo o tranducirlo. Vamos a hablar en una semana. NO puedo esperar para ver lo que me enviaron para la navidad!
Con amor,
Justin
Today's email arrived all in Spanish! Very funny Justin. Good thing we have a niece (thank you Lisa!) who is proficient in Spanish and translated it for us all.
This past week they had a stake baptismal service and his mission president attended. He said, "It was beautiful and enough people attended." He had an interview with President Fierro and asked him if he knew anything about the situation in Bolivia. President Fierro said the Church offices called and said they can send the missionaries that were evacuated from Bolivia out of Lima now. They were keeping them in the city in case they were able to go back. As Justin said, "For this reason, we believe we are going to be here in Peru for a while longer, but he didn't tell me we wouldn't return, so we'll see."
Comó estan. Espero que todo is muy bien. Este semana tuvimos un servicio bautismal con todo de la estaca, 8 personas se bautisaron. President Fierro estuvo alla tambien. Fue bonita, y bastantes personas lo asistieron. Nuestro vecino y investiagador carlos se bautisó por elder gil, y domingo se confirmó. Tambien tuvimos nuestros entrevistas con preisdent viernes en la capilla de La Villa. Le pregunté si sabá algo sobre la situación en Bolivia. Me dijo que las oficinas de la iglesia le llamó y le dijo que puede mandar los misioneros de Bolivia afuera de Lima ahora. Por esto, cree que vamos a estar aquí en Peru por un tiemp mas, pero no me dijo que no vamos a volver, entonces vamos a ver!
El Dia de Gracias fue bien, no hicimos nada. Fue un dia normal nada mas, comimos arros con pollo por almuerzo y papas para la cena. Pero esta bien, no me importa. Espero que la navidad es un poco mejor. Ayer recibí mis paquetes de mi madre para la navidad, y ahora tengo que esperar 24 dias mas para abrirlos. Espero que no tengo un cambio en la aproxima semana por que no hay espacio en mis molletas para todos de mis paquetes. Pero presidente me dijo que elder gil y yo vamos a quedarnos aca por lo menos un camnio mas.
En 3 dias cumplo 6 meses! El tiempo va rapido. Un cuarto de mi misión. Voy a enfocarme hasta el fin. Tenemos bastantes personas aquí para bautisar y enseñar.
Verano está empezando aquí y hace un color horrible! Yo quiero morirme mientra estoy caminando en el desierto vestido en mi corbata, camisa, y pantalones. Qué horrible. Pero todavía es mejor que Lima.
El otro dia encontré una pulga en mi pierna en la manaña. Otro vez! Voy a ubicar los demas y matarlas.
Este domingo no tenemos la reunion sacramental porque hay elecciones o algo y es contra la ley para tener fiesta o reuniones en estas dias. No podemos salir la casa tampoco para trabajar. Vamos a descansar por un dia, como mi primer fin de mes en Bolivia. No sé que vamos hacer.
Espero que todos pudieron entender todo o tranducirlo. Vamos a hablar en una semana. NO puedo esperar para ver lo que me enviaron para la navidad!
Con amor,
Justin
Today's email arrived all in Spanish! Very funny Justin. Good thing we have a niece (thank you Lisa!) who is proficient in Spanish and translated it for us all.
This past week they had a stake baptismal service and his mission president attended. He said, "It was beautiful and enough people attended." He had an interview with President Fierro and asked him if he knew anything about the situation in Bolivia. President Fierro said the Church offices called and said they can send the missionaries that were evacuated from Bolivia out of Lima now. They were keeping them in the city in case they were able to go back. As Justin said, "For this reason, we believe we are going to be here in Peru for a while longer, but he didn't tell me we wouldn't return, so we'll see."
Baptism of Carlos Ramos. A 14 year old boy that is a neighbor and always comes to church.
President Fierro with Carlos and his family.
Justin with his mission president, President Fierro.
He said Thanksgiving was just a normal day. Same food ......... chicken and rice, and potatoes for dinner. He says it didn't matter to him, but he hopes Christmas is a little better. He says his pension is a really nice lady and a great cook. That is saying A LOT for Justin!
Yesterday he recieved 12 (out of the 14 I sent) packages for Christmas. "Now I have to wait 24 days to open them!" (They made it there in record time!) He says he can't wait to see what we sent him for Christmas. I hope we don't disappoint!
In three days Justin will hit his six month mark! "The time went fast. One quarter of my mission fulfilled. I am going to focus until the end. We have enough people here to baptize and teach." Time is flying by!! For Justin, mom and dad. It is an amazing and wonderful journey!
Summer has officially started in Peru. "......... and the heat is horrible! I want to die while we are walking in the desert in my tie, shirt and pants. How horrible. But it is better that Lima." Poor boy! And no a/c anywhere! Welcome to your new world Justin. Actually, he told us he is surviving it just fine. It cools down at night so he able to sleep comfortably.
Still having problems with fleas. I should send him a flea collar to wrap around his ankle!
It is election time on Sunday and it is against the law to have parties or meetings on that day. So once again, Justin is confined to the house all day that day. " We are going to rest for a day, like my last month in Bolivia. I don't know what we are going to do." Justin no longer knows what to do when he has time to "do nothing." That is a good thing. Maybe...... write us letters!
Speaking of letters........ calling all cousins........ where are you???? Justin just wants to know if you are all still alive. Wade and Kali, you two are stellar!
Here are some pictures from the stake baptism Justin was talking about. This Carlos Ramos, he is 14 years old and is a neighbor where Justin lives.
Justin and President Fierro
Adios for now!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy!
Justin said this past week was a long one and a lot of work. He has so many people to visit and teach and not enough time to do it. ( I know... a missionaries dream!) It is frustrating as the people aren't home when Justin and his companion arrive at their homes for their appointments. He had 10 -15 appointments the past two days and no one was home when he arrived! Oh the laid back mentality of South America. It is stressing him out! As he puts it, "I think it's because of them (his investigators), just thinking about all we need to do, all the people we still need to get a hold of, teach, talk to, the people who weren't there when we went to visit them, and how we are going to get everything done we need to." My responsible, reliable, perfectionist one!
He says the members there are great and really want to be involved. Most of their investigators are from member referrals.
President Bush and his wife, Laura were in Peru this past week. Laura was in San Clemente (ten minutes away from La Villa) and Justin was there on the same day. He said the missionary he was with that day has a fear of crowds so they walked the other way.
Justin gets a real kitchen installed in his home complete with a microwave, oven, refrigerator and blender. He will be cooking his own breakfast and dinner now. He will only be going to his pension for lunch. Justin would have been thrilled if he was still in Bolivia, as he couldn't stomach the food the pension forced him to eat. But now he loves the food his pension makes and he does not have the time to cook and eat. Oh well! He had it good for a while! I wonder what he'll cook? He says there isn't a big grocery store with American things. He thinks he'll lose weight again. He probably will because he is not one to make his own food. He'll just eat what he needs to survive.
The good news is he thinks his pension has something up her sleeve for Thanksgiving! She will be inviting all the gringos in the area for an American dinner. I'm so happy to hear that! American food is just heaven for the missionaries from the U.S.. Justin said besides the Latins, there is a Canadian, a Utahn, and another Californian from Fresno or somewhere like that.
As he was emailing us in the Internet cafe, (I finally know where he goes to email!) the High School Musical soundtrack was playing and he said it reminded him of his little siblings.
He is going to the beach about one hour away for his pday. He is so happy to be near the ocean and have sunshine again.
Justin still hopes and prays to be able to return to his beloved Bolivia, but he says for now he is happy in Pisco!
He says the members there are great and really want to be involved. Most of their investigators are from member referrals.
President Bush and his wife, Laura were in Peru this past week. Laura was in San Clemente (ten minutes away from La Villa) and Justin was there on the same day. He said the missionary he was with that day has a fear of crowds so they walked the other way.
Justin gets a real kitchen installed in his home complete with a microwave, oven, refrigerator and blender. He will be cooking his own breakfast and dinner now. He will only be going to his pension for lunch. Justin would have been thrilled if he was still in Bolivia, as he couldn't stomach the food the pension forced him to eat. But now he loves the food his pension makes and he does not have the time to cook and eat. Oh well! He had it good for a while! I wonder what he'll cook? He says there isn't a big grocery store with American things. He thinks he'll lose weight again. He probably will because he is not one to make his own food. He'll just eat what he needs to survive.
The good news is he thinks his pension has something up her sleeve for Thanksgiving! She will be inviting all the gringos in the area for an American dinner. I'm so happy to hear that! American food is just heaven for the missionaries from the U.S.. Justin said besides the Latins, there is a Canadian, a Utahn, and another Californian from Fresno or somewhere like that.
As he was emailing us in the Internet cafe, (I finally know where he goes to email!) the High School Musical soundtrack was playing and he said it reminded him of his little siblings.
He is going to the beach about one hour away for his pday. He is so happy to be near the ocean and have sunshine again.
Justin still hopes and prays to be able to return to his beloved Bolivia, but he says for now he is happy in Pisco!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Another Week
Justin's emails are so short these days. His dad and I came to the conclusion that that is probably a good thing. When things are going well, he doesn't have a lot to say.
One of the highlights of his week was when he found a lady 3 blocks from his house that sells Snicker bars for about one dollar. He told her he would be visiting her regularly! (Justin will be thrilled when he receives the NINE packages I sent him for Christmas with his favorite cookies and candies! My boy who never was that into food now LOVES food (especially candy) that he got here in the good ole U.S.A.. I think his mission has been a cure for his picky eating habits. Hooray!
His new area sounds amazing. He is kept busy everyday as there are so many people to teach and they keep finding more. At the end of this month they have 4 people getting baptized and in December they have about 7 more. He says his area is huge (we thought it was small when we google earthed it) and he keeps finding little towns that are in his area too. Justin says that they have only been working in 1/4 of his area and still hasn't been to most of it. The good news he is very busy and he says the days pass really fast that way. It is good to be busy. Or shall I say "anxiously engaged in a good cause."
One of the highlights of his week was when he found a lady 3 blocks from his house that sells Snicker bars for about one dollar. He told her he would be visiting her regularly! (Justin will be thrilled when he receives the NINE packages I sent him for Christmas with his favorite cookies and candies! My boy who never was that into food now LOVES food (especially candy) that he got here in the good ole U.S.A.. I think his mission has been a cure for his picky eating habits. Hooray!
His new area sounds amazing. He is kept busy everyday as there are so many people to teach and they keep finding more. At the end of this month they have 4 people getting baptized and in December they have about 7 more. He says his area is huge (we thought it was small when we google earthed it) and he keeps finding little towns that are in his area too. Justin says that they have only been working in 1/4 of his area and still hasn't been to most of it. The good news he is very busy and he says the days pass really fast that way. It is good to be busy. Or shall I say "anxiously engaged in a good cause."
Monday, November 10, 2008
Things In Peru Are Just Fine
Justin with his new companion, Elder Gil.
As the title of this blog says, Justin writes,"things in Peru are just fine." He had a good week. He says it was hot, but still nice to see the sun. Justin always preferred being hot over cold. There are a lot of sand dunes in his area and so you can picture him as he says in his last email, " We are always hiking around in the desert through a bunch of sand trying to find the people that we have appointments with." The great news is that he is always busy. He says, "We have so many people to teach here it is amazing. We are busy all day every day. On Saturday we had a baptism of a nine year old (Miguel Monroy) whose parents are inactive. His aunt got back from a mission in Peru a few months ago and helped us teach him. .... We also have four people that are going to be baptized in a few weeks and probably more to come."
Justin says his new companion is doing good and likes being there. His email was short, but he sounds happy. He was off to play some volleyball on his day off. Thanks for the pictures Justin!
Baptism of Miguel Monroy, a nine year old boy whose parents are inactive but has an aunt that returned from her mission a few months ago and helped teach him. How cute is this little boy?!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Out Of Lima! (smiles)
We got our email today and found out where Justin is! It actually sounds like a quiet vacation beach town. He is so happy to be there. It is a little town 4 hours south of Lima called La Villa, outside of Pisco. He says he wakes up to sunshine everyday (finally, the sun!) and can see views of the ocean from his whole area. As most of you know, Justin LOVES the beach and the ocean. It makes him happy. The roads that are not paved are all sand and seashells. Sounds idyllic.
To every good, there is some bad. The town of Pisco is where the center of the big earthquake happened last year! He says the people are still recovering. He also said that there already has been two small earthquakes in the short week he has been there. The area is not very safe either. ( Maybe NOT such a good vacation spot after all!) The other two elders he lives with were robbed with guns to their heads last week a couple of blocks from their home. Sheeesh!
He says his home is nice. He lives up above his pension (cook). She cooks wonderful American food! Pancakes for breakfast, spaghetti for dinner.... he is in heaven! Apparently she was the cook for former mission presidents and their wives taught her how to cook food from the U.S..
He is hoping to stay there while waiting to go back to Bolivia.
They even have Halloween there. I was surprised to hear that. He said there were kids in the streets trick or treating. It made him think of his little brothers and sister back home and the fun they must be having.
He still doesn't have hot water and the water only trickles out of the sink and shower. He says he can't complain. The area is so nice and he is SO happy to be out of the dirty, smelly city of Lima.
His companion is brand new. He is from Guatemala and his name is Elder Gil. Justin was surprised to find out that he will be his trainer. ( He said he was freaking out when he found out about that. He became a trainer 1 day after finishing his training.) He went to having two trainers to being one. We are not surprised after his great patience with his last companion and the positive outcome as a result. The Lord blessed both him and the area.
He didn't mention how the area is going with missionary work. I know he will get it going if it isn't already. Justin has proved to be a very diligent and obedient missionary thus far. We continue to pray for him and his success.
Justin also said the language is coming along better. He feels much better about that. He feels his accent is improving as well. One man he was speaking to thought he was from Brazil. He was happy they at least thought he was from South America. The Latins used to think he was speaking English when he was in fact speaking Spanish! He would get so mad when they thought that! Probably more like frustrated.
He just received a bunch of letters. That makes him SO happy!! So please keep the letters coming! He said that letters get to Peru pretty quick. Justin's dad and I are so happy that he is so happy in his new area! Enjoy the ocean views while it lasts!
To every good, there is some bad. The town of Pisco is where the center of the big earthquake happened last year! He says the people are still recovering. He also said that there already has been two small earthquakes in the short week he has been there. The area is not very safe either. ( Maybe NOT such a good vacation spot after all!) The other two elders he lives with were robbed with guns to their heads last week a couple of blocks from their home. Sheeesh!
He says his home is nice. He lives up above his pension (cook). She cooks wonderful American food! Pancakes for breakfast, spaghetti for dinner.... he is in heaven! Apparently she was the cook for former mission presidents and their wives taught her how to cook food from the U.S..
He is hoping to stay there while waiting to go back to Bolivia.
They even have Halloween there. I was surprised to hear that. He said there were kids in the streets trick or treating. It made him think of his little brothers and sister back home and the fun they must be having.
He still doesn't have hot water and the water only trickles out of the sink and shower. He says he can't complain. The area is so nice and he is SO happy to be out of the dirty, smelly city of Lima.
His companion is brand new. He is from Guatemala and his name is Elder Gil. Justin was surprised to find out that he will be his trainer. ( He said he was freaking out when he found out about that. He became a trainer 1 day after finishing his training.) He went to having two trainers to being one. We are not surprised after his great patience with his last companion and the positive outcome as a result. The Lord blessed both him and the area.
He didn't mention how the area is going with missionary work. I know he will get it going if it isn't already. Justin has proved to be a very diligent and obedient missionary thus far. We continue to pray for him and his success.
Justin also said the language is coming along better. He feels much better about that. He feels his accent is improving as well. One man he was speaking to thought he was from Brazil. He was happy they at least thought he was from South America. The Latins used to think he was speaking English when he was in fact speaking Spanish! He would get so mad when they thought that! Probably more like frustrated.
He just received a bunch of letters. That makes him SO happy!! So please keep the letters coming! He said that letters get to Peru pretty quick. Justin's dad and I are so happy that he is so happy in his new area! Enjoy the ocean views while it lasts!
Here are some photos Justin sent of the city of Lima.
Lima ......................... it's goodbye (again!) for now.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Video Update
Check back on Justin's video post (Relax, Pop some Popcorn and Let's Watch Some Videos) often as I will be adding to it everyday. There are a lot of them to post and they take SO long to upload! Justin even documented his whole "fleeing the country" experience. It's fun to see and hear him again. (sigh!)
Monday, October 27, 2008
My Companion Has Rabies and Moving On......
Here is the email we received today, October27, 2008. Pray for his companion!
Hello everyone
What a week. first off my companion has rabies. And is currently receiving shots in his stomach. Wouldn't want to be him. What happened is on Wednesday morning we were walking down a street and these two boxers came and started to bark at us. I walked up over onto the sidewalk but Cachique stayed in the street and they started to jump on him so he started to kick them to get them off. Then they started to try to bite him. One got his sweater and the other got his hand. I saw it all from the sidewalk. I threw some rocks at them ,but i wasn't about to hop in there and try to get the dogs off and risk getting rabies. Anyways a neighbor came out with a broom and got the dogs off. The next day we went back and we tried to talk with he owners, but the only person home was the grandma who only spoke quetchuwa or whatever, but the neighbor told us the dogs both died the day before. but of course my comp didn't believe them and he tried to find every excuse that the dogs were still alive. He ended up waiting 3 days before going to the clinic to get the shots. And when he went they got real mad at him and told him that it is almost impossible that it will have any effect now, and that it would take a miracle if he really does have rabies. But at any rate he is in quite a bit of pain now, and no one is really doing much. If i was him id probably be on a flight home to spend my last days in somewhere other in Lima, and to try to save my life. But what can you do. Guess well know in a few days if he is still alive or not.
Anyways, on Wednesday Elder Christofferson of the quorum of the 12 came here and we have a conference in the CCM and listened to a talk from him. All the missionaries from the 4 Lima missions who were in Lima were there, so i got to see everyone from Cochabamba which was great. My trainer elder Brinton was real happy to see me. The best part of the whole day was that about a half hour before it was going to start President and Sister Tenorio walked in! Everyone was so happy to see them. We all got a chance to give them a hug and say hi. They brought two suitcases full of letters and packages too for all of us and i just got handed about 15 letters this morning that got sent int hose suitcases. So thanks for all those. They didn't say when wed be going back or anything, but hopefully soon. But i think we all have a new hope that we will be going back and are all a lot happier after seeing them. It was just what everyone needed. The president of the Santa Cruz mission and his wife were there too.
Today is changes, and both Elder Cachique and i are going to another area. We will find out this afternoon in the meeting, but all my stuff is packed up and ready to go. Until now I've been in a different country every 6 weeks. That would happen to me. Its kind of a bummer we have to leave bc we are teaching a few really great people including a family, but what can you do.
anyways got to go. love you all. thanks for all your letters and love.
justin
How great for Justin to see the missionaries from the Cochabamba mission. Especially his last companion, Elder Brinton and President and Sister Tenorio. Sounds like it really lifted his spirits! Continue to pray that they will be able to return to Bolivia. As Justin said, with the whole church praying for countries like Bolivia, miracles can happen.
By the way, when I asked Justin if he ate the chicken foot in the soup, he said "heck no, you couldn't make me! But other than that, the soup was good."
And WHAT ELSE can happen to his poor companion! He obviously is doing well enough to be transferred today. That is a good sign I hope.
Hello everyone
What a week. first off my companion has rabies. And is currently receiving shots in his stomach. Wouldn't want to be him. What happened is on Wednesday morning we were walking down a street and these two boxers came and started to bark at us. I walked up over onto the sidewalk but Cachique stayed in the street and they started to jump on him so he started to kick them to get them off. Then they started to try to bite him. One got his sweater and the other got his hand. I saw it all from the sidewalk. I threw some rocks at them ,but i wasn't about to hop in there and try to get the dogs off and risk getting rabies. Anyways a neighbor came out with a broom and got the dogs off. The next day we went back and we tried to talk with he owners, but the only person home was the grandma who only spoke quetchuwa or whatever, but the neighbor told us the dogs both died the day before. but of course my comp didn't believe them and he tried to find every excuse that the dogs were still alive. He ended up waiting 3 days before going to the clinic to get the shots. And when he went they got real mad at him and told him that it is almost impossible that it will have any effect now, and that it would take a miracle if he really does have rabies. But at any rate he is in quite a bit of pain now, and no one is really doing much. If i was him id probably be on a flight home to spend my last days in somewhere other in Lima, and to try to save my life. But what can you do. Guess well know in a few days if he is still alive or not.
Anyways, on Wednesday Elder Christofferson of the quorum of the 12 came here and we have a conference in the CCM and listened to a talk from him. All the missionaries from the 4 Lima missions who were in Lima were there, so i got to see everyone from Cochabamba which was great. My trainer elder Brinton was real happy to see me. The best part of the whole day was that about a half hour before it was going to start President and Sister Tenorio walked in! Everyone was so happy to see them. We all got a chance to give them a hug and say hi. They brought two suitcases full of letters and packages too for all of us and i just got handed about 15 letters this morning that got sent int hose suitcases. So thanks for all those. They didn't say when wed be going back or anything, but hopefully soon. But i think we all have a new hope that we will be going back and are all a lot happier after seeing them. It was just what everyone needed. The president of the Santa Cruz mission and his wife were there too.
Today is changes, and both Elder Cachique and i are going to another area. We will find out this afternoon in the meeting, but all my stuff is packed up and ready to go. Until now I've been in a different country every 6 weeks. That would happen to me. Its kind of a bummer we have to leave bc we are teaching a few really great people including a family, but what can you do.
anyways got to go. love you all. thanks for all your letters and love.
justin
How great for Justin to see the missionaries from the Cochabamba mission. Especially his last companion, Elder Brinton and President and Sister Tenorio. Sounds like it really lifted his spirits! Continue to pray that they will be able to return to Bolivia. As Justin said, with the whole church praying for countries like Bolivia, miracles can happen.
By the way, when I asked Justin if he ate the chicken foot in the soup, he said "heck no, you couldn't make me! But other than that, the soup was good."
And WHAT ELSE can happen to his poor companion! He obviously is doing well enough to be transferred today. That is a good sign I hope.
Relax, Pop Some Popcorn and Let's Watch Some Videos!
There are SERIOUSLY 32 of these babies. So please be patient as I upload a few a day as they take FOREVER to do!
Going Back To The Provo MTC
A Farewell Song As They Embark On Their Missions Throughout The World (still the Provo MTC)
A Day Out In Lima, Peru
Enjoying The Peruvian Beach Scene
Here's The Lima, Peru CCM (Missionary Training Center)
Packing Up!
Leaving the CCM (Missionary Training Center) Finally!
On The Bus Going To The Lima Airport
Good Bye Lima, Peru..... Bolivia Here I Come!
First Stop, La Paz Bolivia
I'm Here!!! Cochabamba, Bolivia!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Picture Mania!
Justin sent some pictures of life in Lima. Here you go.....
Justin and Michael Nelson.
Chicken feet soup anyone??? Justin looks thrilled and ready to dig in!
Here is a picture of Justin's pension (cook). He never told me her name.
Justin and Michael Nelson.
A missionary bonfire complete with a white shirt to burn on their roof.
Justin with his "roommates." Elder Michael Nelson (from Coto de Caza) and his companion Elder Rincan (from San Salvador), Justin and his companion Elder Cachique (from Lima).
Justin with his Bolivian flag, where his heart still is.
Huh?? Well, we get to see more of the neighbor"hood!" ( I got the info. on what this picture is all about. They were playing soccer on their pday at the stake center and the soccer ball got kicked up over that wall. Despite the other elders saying NOT to go up there, Elder Nelson's companion went up to get the ball. Must have been scarier coming down!!)
A far cry from the hair salon he goes to at home! I sent this to Danny, his stylist ,who I knew would get a kick out of this. He still looks pretty good to me, just a little apprehensive.
Go back to older posts as I went back and put the other pictures where they belonged. Thanks Justin for the pictures... we love it!
My Companion Got Jumped!
I personally found this kind of funny. (Please don't leave me any comments that I shouldn't have). In Justin's words:
" This week my companion got jumped when a guy tried to rob him. We were walking and some guy came in between us and put his arm around my companion Elder Cachique. I thought it was some friend of his or something so I just kept walking but when I looked back they were holding each other and trying to fight. A little crowd started to gather. I went up behind the guy and had my arm around his neck choking him trying to pull him off of my companion. Little did I know my companion was just using me to hold him still so he could try to hit him. A third guy came in between them and we finally pulled them apart. He was trying to steal Elder Cachique's little money pouch on his belt. He was pretty mad after, his tie all undone. He was a mess, he tried to go back and find him after lunch but we didn't. Probably a good thing."
I thought it was so funny that Justin thought the guy was his companion's friend so he just kept walking ahead while his companion was actually being robbed! Good thing no one was hurt. I wouldn't find it funny if he was, I promise.
Justin had another baptism last Saturday. It was a boyfriend of a member. His companion was teaching him a few months before but he never wanted to get baptized. But they went to talk with him on Monday and he said he ws ready. He says it went well. His girlfriend's father baptized him. Justin says they also have a lot of other people they are teaching right now.
Justin hasn't heard much about Bolivia but wants to hear any updates. We haven't heard much either. He feels that the thought of going back is wishful thinking. He says that's a "bummer."
He says to everyone...."write me."
" This week my companion got jumped when a guy tried to rob him. We were walking and some guy came in between us and put his arm around my companion Elder Cachique. I thought it was some friend of his or something so I just kept walking but when I looked back they were holding each other and trying to fight. A little crowd started to gather. I went up behind the guy and had my arm around his neck choking him trying to pull him off of my companion. Little did I know my companion was just using me to hold him still so he could try to hit him. A third guy came in between them and we finally pulled them apart. He was trying to steal Elder Cachique's little money pouch on his belt. He was pretty mad after, his tie all undone. He was a mess, he tried to go back and find him after lunch but we didn't. Probably a good thing."
I thought it was so funny that Justin thought the guy was his companion's friend so he just kept walking ahead while his companion was actually being robbed! Good thing no one was hurt. I wouldn't find it funny if he was, I promise.
Justin had another baptism last Saturday. It was a boyfriend of a member. His companion was teaching him a few months before but he never wanted to get baptized. But they went to talk with him on Monday and he said he ws ready. He says it went well. His girlfriend's father baptized him. Justin says they also have a lot of other people they are teaching right now.
Justin hasn't heard much about Bolivia but wants to hear any updates. We haven't heard much either. He feels that the thought of going back is wishful thinking. He says that's a "bummer."
He says to everyone...."write me."
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Keep Bolivia In Your Prayers
In a letter dated October 9, 2008:
"I was talking to President Fierro at zone conference last week about Bolivia. He said on October 15, Evo Morales is going to have a meeting with all of the Perfectos or governors in Bolivia to try to come to a compromise. He said that after that meeting the church will have a much better idea about what is going to happen with us. But either way we will be in the Lima Sur Mission at least until December for the minimum. So one more change after this one. And all the Latins are still in Bolivia, Bolivians and non Bolivians. They just aren't sending any new ones in right now unless they are Bolivian.
I liked how President Monson asked the church to pray for the areas of the world that are closed to missionary work now, and that we will see miracles happen. I'm sure that includes countries in situations like Bolivia too. And with the entire church praying for us we will see miracles happen.
Yesterday was service day for the branch, like when our ward has that day once a year where we do a service activity. We went and swept and picked up trash around a school. A lot of members actually came, and after the branch president bought us all lunch. I have blisters on my right hand from sweeping for 3 hours.
Today at church the branch president got released. He had been serving for 12 years! His son got called to be the new branch president. When the stake president was talking afterwards he said everything is ready to make the branch a ward, the only thing stopping it is that the members aren't paying their tithing. So Elder Cachique and I are going to start teaching about tithing at the family home evenings we have with the members.
On Saturday, we have that baptism of the dad of the member family. We talked with is wife yesterday and she said he is still really excited. We should hopefully have 2-3 more people with baptismal dates by the end of the week. "
Amazing..... first, no investigators a few weeks ago, now, a baptism this Saturday with possibly 2-3 more! Way to go!! The Lord does bless the obedient. The field is ripe and ready to harvest!
Here is a baptism of a man (Justin did not mention his name) who has been listening to the missionaries for years but never wanted to get baptized. Until.... the right missionaries came along!
"I was talking to President Fierro at zone conference last week about Bolivia. He said on October 15, Evo Morales is going to have a meeting with all of the Perfectos or governors in Bolivia to try to come to a compromise. He said that after that meeting the church will have a much better idea about what is going to happen with us. But either way we will be in the Lima Sur Mission at least until December for the minimum. So one more change after this one. And all the Latins are still in Bolivia, Bolivians and non Bolivians. They just aren't sending any new ones in right now unless they are Bolivian.
I liked how President Monson asked the church to pray for the areas of the world that are closed to missionary work now, and that we will see miracles happen. I'm sure that includes countries in situations like Bolivia too. And with the entire church praying for us we will see miracles happen.
Yesterday was service day for the branch, like when our ward has that day once a year where we do a service activity. We went and swept and picked up trash around a school. A lot of members actually came, and after the branch president bought us all lunch. I have blisters on my right hand from sweeping for 3 hours.
Today at church the branch president got released. He had been serving for 12 years! His son got called to be the new branch president. When the stake president was talking afterwards he said everything is ready to make the branch a ward, the only thing stopping it is that the members aren't paying their tithing. So Elder Cachique and I are going to start teaching about tithing at the family home evenings we have with the members.
On Saturday, we have that baptism of the dad of the member family. We talked with is wife yesterday and she said he is still really excited. We should hopefully have 2-3 more people with baptismal dates by the end of the week. "
Amazing..... first, no investigators a few weeks ago, now, a baptism this Saturday with possibly 2-3 more! Way to go!! The Lord does bless the obedient. The field is ripe and ready to harvest!
Here is a baptism of a man (Justin did not mention his name) who has been listening to the missionaries for years but never wanted to get baptized. Until.... the right missionaries came along!
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