In a letter dated September 28, 2008, Justin wrote, "My companion and I are getting along a lot better. I was talking with another missionary one day in Combros and he was talking about how their mission president said people will listen to you much better if you love them. It's like what Christ said in Matthew 22:36-39. We need to love our neighbor as ourselves. So I decided to try that out for myself, apply it in my life. It took some help from the Lord, but I was able to love my companion a little more each day. I tried to support him, look for the best. And in turn he started to take my ideas and counsels to heart in how we needed to be more obedient. It has been working really well. I listen to him and he listens to me. We come to an agreement.
It has been tough though because when I got here he had absolutely no investigators. It was like opening a new area. I couldn't figure it out why at first. My companion is doing much better now and keeping most of the rules as far as I know. And we have been seeing the fruits of our labors too. We now have investigators, people coming to church, and today set a baptismal date for a dad (the rest of the family are members) who has been listening to the missionaries for years but never wanted to get baptized. It was really an answer to our prayers. I had been praying to know what more we needed to do to baptize the people here. And then the Lord just hands us a baptism. I asked him what we could do to help him prepare for baptism, and he told us nothing, he was ready and just needed to set a date. It doesn't get any easier than that. Michael (Elder Nelson) told me it's a miracle we have a person with a baptismal date, because no one in our area has been baptized for at least 6 months. It shows how much better everything goes when you are doing all you are supposed to. Elder Nelson thinks the reason we (the North American missionaries from Bolivia) are here is to help there mission learn to be more obedient. Who knows, we will all see the purpose in this eventually, though I just keep praying that things get better in Bolivia by the end of this change (end of August)."
What a great lesson for all of us!
Monday, September 29, 2008
A Little Better
Justin said in his email today that last week in Peru went a little better. He has been talking to his companion a lot and his companion (Elder Cachique) is doing better with the things he should be doing. Elder Cachique is from Lima and also has a brother serving in the same mission. Justin's new mission president is President Fierro.
He still doesn't like Lima and said, " I just keep telling myself that I am leaving Peru by the end of October, hopefully going back to Bolivia and if not, ANY other country." Being sent back there is certainly a trial.
So let's move on to the improvements of the week. When he first arrived in the area they had no one to teach because before Justin got there, his companion would never work. It was a tough couple of weeks trying to find people, but they are starting to have people to teach now. He actually has a baptismal date for a dad of a member family. He has been listening to the missionaries for years, but never wanted to be baptized. He is ready now! He also said they get to watch General Conference in the stake center in English! He was happy about that. On another positive note, Justin said he thinks he is gaining back the weight he lost in Bolivia. He says, "They give us so much food here!" A lot of the missionaries don't really like the food and have a hard time eating it, but I haven't had a single problem yet. It is amazing compared to half the stuff they would give us in Bolivia. That is probably the one and only thing that is better about here. But I would gladly sacrifice that too to go back." Well I have to admit, that made me chuckle! Maybe we all need to experience eating Bolivian food to appreciate all the food we have. It certainly worked for the pickiest eater in the world...... Justin!
Here's an update on living conditions for the moment. Justin said his house has fleas. He wakes up each morning with bites all over his body. He sprayed his bed and blankets with insect repellent hoping that works. Good thing we sent repellent with him. He also doesn't have a water heater, so it's cold showers for him. He says, "It was pretty miserable and hard to do at first, but I am getting used to it. Still not enjoyable though." Remember, the sun does not shine there and it is cold. I guess you can get used to anything after a while. Justin is SO going to appreciate all he has here when he comes home. Justin said what he misses most about home is a nice clean toilet that you can flush toilet paper down. We are all so blessed (spoiled) and should be grateful for what we have been given everyday. Even working, flushing toilets. The things we take for granted!
Justin said he sent more pictures, so I'll go back and add pictures to the past relating blogs when I receive them. So..... keep posted!
He still doesn't like Lima and said, " I just keep telling myself that I am leaving Peru by the end of October, hopefully going back to Bolivia and if not, ANY other country." Being sent back there is certainly a trial.
So let's move on to the improvements of the week. When he first arrived in the area they had no one to teach because before Justin got there, his companion would never work. It was a tough couple of weeks trying to find people, but they are starting to have people to teach now. He actually has a baptismal date for a dad of a member family. He has been listening to the missionaries for years, but never wanted to be baptized. He is ready now! He also said they get to watch General Conference in the stake center in English! He was happy about that. On another positive note, Justin said he thinks he is gaining back the weight he lost in Bolivia. He says, "They give us so much food here!" A lot of the missionaries don't really like the food and have a hard time eating it, but I haven't had a single problem yet. It is amazing compared to half the stuff they would give us in Bolivia. That is probably the one and only thing that is better about here. But I would gladly sacrifice that too to go back." Well I have to admit, that made me chuckle! Maybe we all need to experience eating Bolivian food to appreciate all the food we have. It certainly worked for the pickiest eater in the world...... Justin!
Here's an update on living conditions for the moment. Justin said his house has fleas. He wakes up each morning with bites all over his body. He sprayed his bed and blankets with insect repellent hoping that works. Good thing we sent repellent with him. He also doesn't have a water heater, so it's cold showers for him. He says, "It was pretty miserable and hard to do at first, but I am getting used to it. Still not enjoyable though." Remember, the sun does not shine there and it is cold. I guess you can get used to anything after a while. Justin is SO going to appreciate all he has here when he comes home. Justin said what he misses most about home is a nice clean toilet that you can flush toilet paper down. We are all so blessed (spoiled) and should be grateful for what we have been given everyday. Even working, flushing toilets. The things we take for granted!
Justin said he sent more pictures, so I'll go back and add pictures to the past relating blogs when I receive them. So..... keep posted!
Monday, September 22, 2008
New Address and New Trials
His new beautiful Latin home.
Views of his area from his beautiful balcony.
Views of his area from his beautiful balcony. As Justin says, not a lot of color in this city. Pretty bleak. I see what he means.
Here's Justin's address in South Lima:
Mision Peru Lima Sur
Av. Jorge Basadre 592 Piso 6
Oficina 604 A Torre Azul C-1
San Isidro, Lima
Peru
I'm sure he would love to receive words of support and encouragement now more than ever. In his last email that we received today, Justin expressed it has been a tough transition. Justin has sent out a big email to everyone once a week since he left, but said today he is not doing so. He says he doesn't really feel like doing it, not much to say. I think he is talking about not having much to say about missionary work and positive things. Justin is having a hard time in this mission. He says "It is the complete opposite of my last one." He also says, "I want to have hope we are going back, but a part of me keeps saying we won't." I noticed he said "we" instead of "I'm". It seems that he is just as concerned for all the elders as a whole as for himself. What a great thing.
In our email, he said that he knew the Drake's (from the last post). They are the doctors for all the missionaries in Peru and Bolivia. He says they are "really great and nice people." He is also struggling with his companion who Justin says is "very disobedient." Justin does say he is trying to find the best in him . Elder Michael Nelson ( who is from our home ward, lives in the same house as Justin now, and has served in this area since he left the CCM) told Justin (which he noticed himself) obedience is not an important thing for the missionaries there. Justin said it makes him sad. He says," I realized how important and what a difference obedience can make, and this mission doesn't much care for it." Elder Nelson also told Justin none of the missionaries there have respect for their mission president. Justin said that is the complete opposite of Cochabamba where everyone loved and adored President Tenorio and his wife. He says, "I'm trying to stay optimistic, but it is just not the best of conditions." I'm so grateful Justin is with Elder Nelson. Another positive, obedient missionary with righteous desires. He also says, " I just keep praying for the Lord's help, and that we can return to Bolivia." President Tenorio emailed him yesterday thanking him for his letter and said that he would see him soon. President Tenorio still has a great attitude that they ( the North American missionaries) will return soon. Justin hopes so! Justin feels like they don't work much there. His companion never wants too. He says, "he needs to have a talk with his companion, loving, of course." Good attitude Justin! I can see he is developing patience. Justin's dad and I tell him to remain positive, have faith and continue in obedience. It is through trials that we become stronger and learn great lessons. We are confident Justin will become a better missionary from this experience.
I read a little news today about the missionaries that were serving in Bolivia from a missionary mom website. As you know, all the North American missionaries were sent to Peru. The foreign Latino missionaries are now in Argentina. Bolivia now has only native Bolivian missionaries. Some missionaries that were due to return home in early October have already been released and sent home. A lot of changes in less than a week!
Please remember Justin in your prayers as well as the situation in Bolivia. I'm sure all the missionaries are praying hard to be able to return soon. But in the end, the Lord will make happen what is in His plan and that will ultimately be what is best.
I bet Justin wishes more than anything to be in Bolivia eating nasty food and jello!
Mision Peru Lima Sur
Av. Jorge Basadre 592 Piso 6
Oficina 604 A Torre Azul C-1
San Isidro, Lima
Peru
I'm sure he would love to receive words of support and encouragement now more than ever. In his last email that we received today, Justin expressed it has been a tough transition. Justin has sent out a big email to everyone once a week since he left, but said today he is not doing so. He says he doesn't really feel like doing it, not much to say. I think he is talking about not having much to say about missionary work and positive things. Justin is having a hard time in this mission. He says "It is the complete opposite of my last one." He also says, "I want to have hope we are going back, but a part of me keeps saying we won't." I noticed he said "we" instead of "I'm". It seems that he is just as concerned for all the elders as a whole as for himself. What a great thing.
In our email, he said that he knew the Drake's (from the last post). They are the doctors for all the missionaries in Peru and Bolivia. He says they are "really great and nice people." He is also struggling with his companion who Justin says is "very disobedient." Justin does say he is trying to find the best in him . Elder Michael Nelson ( who is from our home ward, lives in the same house as Justin now, and has served in this area since he left the CCM) told Justin (which he noticed himself) obedience is not an important thing for the missionaries there. Justin said it makes him sad. He says," I realized how important and what a difference obedience can make, and this mission doesn't much care for it." Elder Nelson also told Justin none of the missionaries there have respect for their mission president. Justin said that is the complete opposite of Cochabamba where everyone loved and adored President Tenorio and his wife. He says, "I'm trying to stay optimistic, but it is just not the best of conditions." I'm so grateful Justin is with Elder Nelson. Another positive, obedient missionary with righteous desires. He also says, " I just keep praying for the Lord's help, and that we can return to Bolivia." President Tenorio emailed him yesterday thanking him for his letter and said that he would see him soon. President Tenorio still has a great attitude that they ( the North American missionaries) will return soon. Justin hopes so! Justin feels like they don't work much there. His companion never wants too. He says, "he needs to have a talk with his companion, loving, of course." Good attitude Justin! I can see he is developing patience. Justin's dad and I tell him to remain positive, have faith and continue in obedience. It is through trials that we become stronger and learn great lessons. We are confident Justin will become a better missionary from this experience.
I read a little news today about the missionaries that were serving in Bolivia from a missionary mom website. As you know, all the North American missionaries were sent to Peru. The foreign Latino missionaries are now in Argentina. Bolivia now has only native Bolivian missionaries. Some missionaries that were due to return home in early October have already been released and sent home. A lot of changes in less than a week!
Please remember Justin in your prayers as well as the situation in Bolivia. I'm sure all the missionaries are praying hard to be able to return soon. But in the end, the Lord will make happen what is in His plan and that will ultimately be what is best.
I bet Justin wishes more than anything to be in Bolivia eating nasty food and jello!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Miracles
Today I recieved an email from Annette Brennan (our stake president's wife), who belongs to a missionary mom group. The following letter was sent to her webmaster. She told me that members all over the world are praying for the missionaries in Bolivia.
Subject: More Miracles for Bolivia missionaries
Here is her intro: Below is a letter sent today from my sister in law Marvia Drake who is currently serving with her husband Terry as a mission doctor in South America. My brother in law is also a former mission president to the Bolivia-La Paz mission just a few years ago. Sadly, the political unrest is something that they are familiar with.
Miracles are continuing to happen with this evacuation. I've just included the "bullet points."Dear children and family,Yesterday we attended a meeting at the MTC with Elder Nash, Area President, and the 87 American missionaries they evacuated from Bolivia with 1 North American couple.I want to share some of the things Elder Nash said yesterday because it was really wonderful... He told them how much the brethren had been worried about them the missionaries and loved them and that this decision was not taken lightly. Much prayer went into this decision. He said a member of the Twelve would reassign them so they could be assured they were going where the Lord wanted them to go. Every single missionary called their parents on Tuesday! He also shared that many miracles occurred for this to happen... including the airline official telling him it was impossible to get them all on a plane and he telling them they would figure it out - Remember they were non-members he was talking to... They were all on the SAME plane coming out! All 87 of them.36 missionaries did not have their passports. They could not get to Santa Cruz mission headquarters. At the end of the meeting US Embassy officials (not just one!) were there to expedite duplicate passports good for 1 year and told them not to worry, they'd have passports before the end of the day! They came to us! That was also a miracle!! One doesn't get a passport in hours! We talked to one missionary. Just rounding up these missionaries to get them to the airport on time was amazing. You have to know there are blockades and fighting all over Bolivia now. Someone told us Santa Cruz looks like a war zone. The Mission President in Santa Cruz is American; the one in Cochabamba is Mexican. Pres. Maynes in Santa Cruz told us he won't leave until all his missionaries are safe. Latins from other countries like Chile and Peru are not liked either. They told us they might have to evacuate others. They are just staying inside for now. He asked the missionaries to dedicate themselves at this point to be a better missionary than they were. He recounted a story of Sis. Hinckley in Alaska. She said ... "You want me to tell you are handsome - you are. "You want me to tell you how glad we are that you are here serving - we are. "You want me to tell you that we appreciate the sacrifice you are making to be a missionary. "I will not say that..."Because of the sacrifice of others before you (the pioneers, the prophet Joseph), to serve a mission is the least you can do..." He then told how Joseph Smith couldn't believe that learned men persecuted him for telling the truth and then Elder Nash read JS His. 1:24-25. She also added this today: "We just had another 11 arrive from Brazil and I got a message that 2 more are at the MTC in Buenos Aires (They've had quite an adventure!!!)"
Justin hasn't had an opportunity to write more details about the meeting and such, so we appreciate the information sent to us. The time he has to email is very limited. We appreciate the prayers on their behalf. We are especially appreciative of the Lord's loving protection of these wonderful young men. I have cried many tears of thanks.
Subject: More Miracles for Bolivia missionaries
Here is her intro: Below is a letter sent today from my sister in law Marvia Drake who is currently serving with her husband Terry as a mission doctor in South America. My brother in law is also a former mission president to the Bolivia-La Paz mission just a few years ago. Sadly, the political unrest is something that they are familiar with.
Miracles are continuing to happen with this evacuation. I've just included the "bullet points."Dear children and family,Yesterday we attended a meeting at the MTC with Elder Nash, Area President, and the 87 American missionaries they evacuated from Bolivia with 1 North American couple.I want to share some of the things Elder Nash said yesterday because it was really wonderful... He told them how much the brethren had been worried about them the missionaries and loved them and that this decision was not taken lightly. Much prayer went into this decision. He said a member of the Twelve would reassign them so they could be assured they were going where the Lord wanted them to go. Every single missionary called their parents on Tuesday! He also shared that many miracles occurred for this to happen... including the airline official telling him it was impossible to get them all on a plane and he telling them they would figure it out - Remember they were non-members he was talking to... They were all on the SAME plane coming out! All 87 of them.36 missionaries did not have their passports. They could not get to Santa Cruz mission headquarters. At the end of the meeting US Embassy officials (not just one!) were there to expedite duplicate passports good for 1 year and told them not to worry, they'd have passports before the end of the day! They came to us! That was also a miracle!! One doesn't get a passport in hours! We talked to one missionary. Just rounding up these missionaries to get them to the airport on time was amazing. You have to know there are blockades and fighting all over Bolivia now. Someone told us Santa Cruz looks like a war zone. The Mission President in Santa Cruz is American; the one in Cochabamba is Mexican. Pres. Maynes in Santa Cruz told us he won't leave until all his missionaries are safe. Latins from other countries like Chile and Peru are not liked either. They told us they might have to evacuate others. They are just staying inside for now. He asked the missionaries to dedicate themselves at this point to be a better missionary than they were. He recounted a story of Sis. Hinckley in Alaska. She said ... "You want me to tell you are handsome - you are. "You want me to tell you how glad we are that you are here serving - we are. "You want me to tell you that we appreciate the sacrifice you are making to be a missionary. "I will not say that..."Because of the sacrifice of others before you (the pioneers, the prophet Joseph), to serve a mission is the least you can do..." He then told how Joseph Smith couldn't believe that learned men persecuted him for telling the truth and then Elder Nash read JS His. 1:24-25. She also added this today: "We just had another 11 arrive from Brazil and I got a message that 2 more are at the MTC in Buenos Aires (They've had quite an adventure!!!)"
Justin hasn't had an opportunity to write more details about the meeting and such, so we appreciate the information sent to us. The time he has to email is very limited. We appreciate the prayers on their behalf. We are especially appreciative of the Lord's loving protection of these wonderful young men. I have cried many tears of thanks.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
In Lima Again!
The Lima Peru temple. They went there their first morning back. A great way to start back!
Back at the CCM! Who would have thought?!
Back at the CCM! Who would have thought?!
Well.... here's the latest update. We got an email from Justin today. Let me post it:
Hey everyone..
I got to Peru a couple of days ago about 4 am in the morning. Our last day in Cochabamba was fun going out and exploring. It was a bummer to leave though, the plane came in about midnight with all the missionaries from the Santa Cruz mission to pick us up. Then we went straight to Lima from Cochabamba even though it wasn’t an international airport. There were also about 15 missionaries who didn’t have passports either because they got burnt down in buildings in Santa Cruz, and president said it was a miracle that he even got ours. The us consulate just came and knocked on his door one day and brought them to him. But the church pulled a lot of strings, got us all out of the country, out of a non international airport and got all those other missionaries brand new passports in just a day. Once we got to Lima we stayed in the ccm again, it was pretty weird to be back. It almost felt like we had never left. We had a meeting yesterday with all of the 4 mission presidents of the Lima mission and with the area presidency. President Nash spoke to us and gave a really great motivating speech about how we should make this an acceleration point in our missions. Anyways I am in the Lima Sur (south) mission now. My companion is Latin, and we seem to be able to communicate fine. Ohh and guess who also lives in the house I am living in. elder Michael nelson. What a coincidence huh? Anyways Lima is really different. Everything is gray and bleek and cold. It is really dirty ad not nice at all. The people aren’t as nice either. Its probably going to be hard few weeks, I just hope we can go back to Bolivia after 6 weeks. President Tenorio in Bolivia talked about it like it was a sure thing, that he would see us in 6 weeks. When I went to say bye to him at the airport he told me no this isn’t a goodbye, ill see you in 6 weeks here again. The president Nash sounded confident that we would return at some point. But the mission president here was talking to us like this was more of a permanent thing. I hope not. So we will have to see how everything goes. I have the address for this mission but I forgot to bring it, so I will email it this Saturday. This will just take a little getting used to. Hopefully it will only be for a short while. Talk to you all on Monday ,that will be my normal day for emailing here too.
Justin
We also got an email to just "mom and dad". In it he mentioned that the area he is in is the second most dangerous area in the mission. He can't wear a watch or anything. So I suppose we won't be getting many pictures while he is there. Apparently there are gangs there that don't like the missionaries. He said he never once worried about safety while in Bolivia. You could go anywhere, anytime and feel safe. Justin told us it has been really hard for him since the meeting he had with President Nash. Up until that point, he was in a state of denial about the whole situation, none of it felt real yet. Now it does. He was told by his new mission president ( he forgot his name) to serve with his whole heart. He said that is hard to do as his heart is still in Bolivia with the people there. He is trying to pull his thoughts away from where he would much rather be, to where he was originally called. It will take time for the adjustment, to be sure. But we are confident that Justin will learn to serve with his heart and soul in the new area he has been called to. It is where the Lord would have him be for now. He is there for a purpose. We will pray for his heavy heart, that it will be light and he will feel love for the Peruvians as he does the Bolivians. I'm appreciative of these wonderful mission presidents as well. Justin obviously already has great love for President Tenorio already. As he said of President Tenorio," President Tenorio just likes to smile and engulf you in his arms." What a wonderful compliment of a loving man. We wonder what is in store for the rest of Justin's mission. Whatever it is, it will be all good.
Hey everyone..
I got to Peru a couple of days ago about 4 am in the morning. Our last day in Cochabamba was fun going out and exploring. It was a bummer to leave though, the plane came in about midnight with all the missionaries from the Santa Cruz mission to pick us up. Then we went straight to Lima from Cochabamba even though it wasn’t an international airport. There were also about 15 missionaries who didn’t have passports either because they got burnt down in buildings in Santa Cruz, and president said it was a miracle that he even got ours. The us consulate just came and knocked on his door one day and brought them to him. But the church pulled a lot of strings, got us all out of the country, out of a non international airport and got all those other missionaries brand new passports in just a day. Once we got to Lima we stayed in the ccm again, it was pretty weird to be back. It almost felt like we had never left. We had a meeting yesterday with all of the 4 mission presidents of the Lima mission and with the area presidency. President Nash spoke to us and gave a really great motivating speech about how we should make this an acceleration point in our missions. Anyways I am in the Lima Sur (south) mission now. My companion is Latin, and we seem to be able to communicate fine. Ohh and guess who also lives in the house I am living in. elder Michael nelson. What a coincidence huh? Anyways Lima is really different. Everything is gray and bleek and cold. It is really dirty ad not nice at all. The people aren’t as nice either. Its probably going to be hard few weeks, I just hope we can go back to Bolivia after 6 weeks. President Tenorio in Bolivia talked about it like it was a sure thing, that he would see us in 6 weeks. When I went to say bye to him at the airport he told me no this isn’t a goodbye, ill see you in 6 weeks here again. The president Nash sounded confident that we would return at some point. But the mission president here was talking to us like this was more of a permanent thing. I hope not. So we will have to see how everything goes. I have the address for this mission but I forgot to bring it, so I will email it this Saturday. This will just take a little getting used to. Hopefully it will only be for a short while. Talk to you all on Monday ,that will be my normal day for emailing here too.
Justin
We also got an email to just "mom and dad". In it he mentioned that the area he is in is the second most dangerous area in the mission. He can't wear a watch or anything. So I suppose we won't be getting many pictures while he is there. Apparently there are gangs there that don't like the missionaries. He said he never once worried about safety while in Bolivia. You could go anywhere, anytime and feel safe. Justin told us it has been really hard for him since the meeting he had with President Nash. Up until that point, he was in a state of denial about the whole situation, none of it felt real yet. Now it does. He was told by his new mission president ( he forgot his name) to serve with his whole heart. He said that is hard to do as his heart is still in Bolivia with the people there. He is trying to pull his thoughts away from where he would much rather be, to where he was originally called. It will take time for the adjustment, to be sure. But we are confident that Justin will learn to serve with his heart and soul in the new area he has been called to. It is where the Lord would have him be for now. He is there for a purpose. We will pray for his heavy heart, that it will be light and he will feel love for the Peruvians as he does the Bolivians. I'm appreciative of these wonderful mission presidents as well. Justin obviously already has great love for President Tenorio already. As he said of President Tenorio," President Tenorio just likes to smile and engulf you in his arms." What a wonderful compliment of a loving man. We wonder what is in store for the rest of Justin's mission. Whatever it is, it will be all good.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Back In Lima!
Justin called home today! We have been able to talk to him more than expected with traveling and this crisis. It was so good to hear his voice! He sounds happy and well. He really wants to go back to Bolivia as soon as it is safe. We are thrilled to hear that. It tells us that his heart is there and with the Bolivian people . I always end all my letters and emails with "love the Bolivian people." As I know that if he can develop that sincere love, he will serve as the Savior would have him serve. Well, it appears that in only a month's time, that has happened and that warms my heart. While in the CCM a couple of months back, he wrote saying that if someone offered him a mission in the states speaking English, he would take it in a second. Now, he does not want to go to the states or anywhere else but Bolivia.
His last Saturday in Bolivia, September 13, 2008, Justin was able to baptize the investigator he mentioned a couple of blogs ago. It was a happy day in spite of all the chaos going on.
One of Justin's pension's and her family came to say goodbye to the missionaries at the airport when they left. She probably wonders if they will see them again. Hopefully.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2008, Justin's first day back in Lima, he and the missionaries (he said there are about 100 North American missionaries serving in Bolivia) met with Elder Nash, the area president. By the way, some of the missionaries that were serving in the Santa Cruz Mission could not get to the airport and were bused to Argentina and Brazil. Santa Cruz is where it was the most violent and dangerous. It sounded like they had a good and encouraging meeting. He said that the names of all the missionaries were sent to Salt Lake for the Quorum of the Twelve to pray about to reassign them to their new areas. They will be finding out where they will be serving by tomorrow. We should get an email from Justin as soon as he knows. In Peru, you can stay for six weeks without a visa. Justin said he actually got permission to stay for ninety days. We will see what happens. For now, we can only email him as we now don't have an address to send him a letter or anything. He did say he got two packages we sent him full of beef jerky and candy. He loved the one full of candy. He was glad he got them in the nick of time! He took them on the plane and shared with the other missionaries, he said they told him to tell us they love us.
Justin said this time in Lima is a lot better than last time. He is able to come and go from the CCM. That has made a big difference. He also said he appreciates the food ALOT better now. He used to think it was awful, but that was before he had the food in Bolivia. He didn't know he had it so good until now, now that he is back eating it again!
We are grateful for the protection of our son and all other missionaries there. We will keep you posted as we hear more.
His last Saturday in Bolivia, September 13, 2008, Justin was able to baptize the investigator he mentioned a couple of blogs ago. It was a happy day in spite of all the chaos going on.
One of Justin's pension's and her family came to say goodbye to the missionaries at the airport when they left. She probably wonders if they will see them again. Hopefully.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2008, Justin's first day back in Lima, he and the missionaries (he said there are about 100 North American missionaries serving in Bolivia) met with Elder Nash, the area president. By the way, some of the missionaries that were serving in the Santa Cruz Mission could not get to the airport and were bused to Argentina and Brazil. Santa Cruz is where it was the most violent and dangerous. It sounded like they had a good and encouraging meeting. He said that the names of all the missionaries were sent to Salt Lake for the Quorum of the Twelve to pray about to reassign them to their new areas. They will be finding out where they will be serving by tomorrow. We should get an email from Justin as soon as he knows. In Peru, you can stay for six weeks without a visa. Justin said he actually got permission to stay for ninety days. We will see what happens. For now, we can only email him as we now don't have an address to send him a letter or anything. He did say he got two packages we sent him full of beef jerky and candy. He loved the one full of candy. He was glad he got them in the nick of time! He took them on the plane and shared with the other missionaries, he said they told him to tell us they love us.
Justin said this time in Lima is a lot better than last time. He is able to come and go from the CCM. That has made a big difference. He also said he appreciates the food ALOT better now. He used to think it was awful, but that was before he had the food in Bolivia. He didn't know he had it so good until now, now that he is back eating it again!
We are grateful for the protection of our son and all other missionaries there. We will keep you posted as we hear more.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Fleeing The Country!
Yes, you read that right! On Saturday, September 13, 2008 around 11:00 a.m. I received a call from the church mission department in Salt Lake City from Brother Rick Call. He called to tell me that the missionaries in Bolivia are all fine, but they (the North Americans only) will be evacuated from the country within 72 hours. He said he didn't know when Justin would be leaving, but they will all be going to Peru, Argentina or Brazil. He said Justin would call us when he got to his new area. Wow, big news!
For those of you who aren't aware, there is a lot of civil unrest in the country since the re-election of their president, President Evo Morales. It is not safe for North Americans to be in Bolivia right now.
Well, this morning Justin sent us this email:
Hey everyone
Well you will probably all be happy to hear that i am still alive, but just fleeing the country tonight! But in all seriousness don't worry too much about me, things really are not too bad at all in Cochabamaba right now, the problems are more in Santa Cruz. I really don't know how much you have Heard but the president who got reelected, Evo, kicked the United States ambassabor out of the country, so it is really not too safe for Americans here right now. And he also let the military out loose on a couple cities up near Santa Cruz and they were allowed to shoot anyone who was trying to riot, protest or anything. And when that happens the violence can spread pretty easily from city to city here. President told us this morning in a meeting we had with him in the temple that the CIA notified the church and suggested that they pull out all the north Americans in Bolivia too, so that’s what they are doing. We really only found out most of this in the past couple of days. On Tuesday my leaders called me and said to go through my emergency food and medicine to make sure I had everything, but nothing else. On Tuesday my companion elder Brinton also left to go be a zone leader in a different area in Cochabamba (still hasn’t left the city), so I was with a missionary, elder Sanchez, who went home yesterday, he was really great, the kind of missionary I would like to be. Then I went to be with elder west, he has six months, bc his comp went home too. Then on Saturday morning the zone leaders walked into elder wests and mine room (they live in the same house) one of them was crying and said he got a call from president. At first I thought someone in his family died, then someone in mine, but he said all the north Americans had to leave and that we had to pack our bags and be ready to leave as soon as that afternoon but they knew nothing more. Elder west packed his bags, we went to my house packed mine, then went out to work as normal. We had a baptism in my area, that 21 year old Pablo, so we went to the chapel to fill up the font. The water was completely brown! It was gross. I put some bleach in it though to kill anything that might have been in it. We kept working the rest of the day normally, it was a little crazy though bc of all the commotion in the country they were not able to get gas down here so there were only half the buses, all of which were full, and the taxis were charging insane amounts. All the gas stations had hugeeee lines and people we blockading roads with rocks (that’s what they do when they are angry here). So it was a little hard to get around that day. The baptism went really well though, he was way happy which was good. Afterwards we heard gunshots going off and gas bombs, so we had to get back to the house real quick. We went to my house grabbed all my bags, cleaned out the fridge and food, gave the keys to the owners, and then went to elder Wests place with all my stuff, still not knowing exactly when we were going to leave. Yesterday Sunday, we went to my ward in the morning for the confirmation of Pablo. But when we got there the door was open and there was water flowing out of the chapel! i felt horrible, bc I accidentally flooded the church. 2 inches of water in the entire first floor. Sometimes the water here stops working, like at the baptism the night before, so when I tried to turn on the sink and no watter came out I forgot to turn it off. Well it turned on at sometime during the night and flooded the whole place. I was just standing there in shock, didn’t know what to do. We all got mops and stuff and starts shoveling all the water out of the chapel. after about an hour we got it all out, the bishop was really nice about it though kept telling me not to worry about it. I couldn’t believe I flooded a chapel. but we had sacrament still, the stake president ended up coming, and the bishop announced that the missionaries were going to be taken out of the country, and we each had a chance to speak. I actually got pretty sad, realized I don’t want to leave. Especially to go to Lima. I cant stand that city. But anyway the members were all pretty sad. After church I gave our binder about all the information of the area to the bishop and explained it to him so they can keep working with the investigators. We went to lunch, had a couple appointments then went to elder west´s pension for diner in his area on top of this mountain. When we got there they asked us what we were doing there, that we were supposed to be at the temple at 8, in 15 minutes, with all our stuff. We sprinted down he hill, found a taxi, had them wait at the house, packed our bags in 5 minutes, and got in the taxi to go to the the temple to stay in the hotel thing. It was pretty hectic, luckily the member we live with had a truck to drive all the bags. When we got there all the north American missionaries from the entire mission, 49, were there to spend the night. A lot of the from the far areas had taken a 24 hour or more bus ride the day before bc many of the other airports were closed. So we spent the night all together there, went to the temple this morning, and in our meeting this morning president explained what was going to happen. We have the entire day to go out into Cochabamba today until 630 pm to eat, shop, whatever, in street clothes too! Then the church is sending down a private jet to get us all out of Bolivia. First they are stopping in Santa Cruz to pick up all the north Americans there, then coming here to get us, then we are flying to Lima. In the morning we have a meeting with the 4 mission presidents there and the area presidency. We will be split up between the missions there for one change (6 weeks) and if things are better by then we are coming back, if not we may be going to the states, but I am not sure on that point. So hopefully it all gets better, bc I don’t want to have to stay in Lima or go back to the us after all the work I have put into learning this language. I never thought id be one of those missionaries that would have to flee from the country because of problems. I really hope everything all gets better. So yeahh wish me luck. Don’t worry too much though, I am going to be just fine. Things really aren’t bad here in coch, especially now that they have gas again. We will see how it all goes! Pretty eventful week huh?
love Justin
My oh my! Are mom and dad worried? No. We know he is in good hands, the Lord's hands. He will be taken care of. The spirit has sent peace to our hearts and minds and we are grateful for that.
Well.... the pictures have arrived! Here are some from his last days in Bolivia.
This is Pablo ( The 21 year old Justin says was a druggy and has a lot of tattooes). Looks like the first Justin has baptized himself.
Here Justin is with his first companion Elder Brinton. His trainer.
What's with the cow's Justin???
Lovely picture. Apparently this stuff is everywhere and Justin is always stepping in it!
Very funny.... not! Ewwwwww!! ( Justin hasn't lost his sense of humor!)
Justin with the biggest Jesus statue in the world. In Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Justin with Elder Carpenter. ( One of his companions in the CCM)
Views of Cochabamba.
The Cochabamba temple
Justin is always carrying this pouch. Must be his scripture holder/backpack thingy. SO Bolivian I guess.
The Bolivia, Cochabamba mission is number one!
A road in Bolivia.
These pictures were taken on his very last day in Cochabamba. Things he wanted to see, do and remember. ( The missionaries were allowed to go about the city and see the sights and what not on their last day there. They were even allowed to wear street clothes.)
The best meal he had in Bolivia in a restaurant called Dumbos. Justin's giving it a thumbs up!
Justin went to a national favorite .......... a soccer game!
All the North American missionaries were to meet at the temple that night before leaving for the airport. Despite the smiles in the picture, they were very sad to leave Bolivia.
At the airport in Bolivia before their departure.
Justin's dinner pension (cook) and her family came to say "goodbye." Justin was so happy to see them as he did not get a chance to say goodbye to anyone.
A sad "adios" Bolivia.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Food/ Eating Issues and an Aha! moment
Well, I decided that this part of his mission is a trial and part of his experience there, so I'm posting about it. Justin has had a serious problem eating the food there. He told of one morning in particular that when he just couldn't get the food down. He especially has trouble with the jello that he says they just love down there. He has always strongly disliked jello his whole life. To put it lightly, he hates it. ( We discourage the word "hate" in our home) In Justin's words, "Every time I try to eat it I start gagging and can't get it down. My companion told me I need to try harder to eat the food and get it down because the people get mad. And this was after he sat across the table from me and watched me gag while eating for half an hour. I can't wait to get back to America and reject and refuse to eat anything I don't like. It's going to be like heaven."
Justin has also been throwing up with diarrhea a couple of times a week. He still is expected to eat even when he is sick. So, our family has been concerned about his health a bit. We have been praying that he will be able to better tolerate the food and feel better. Our prayers were answered right away as the next email told. "We started eating dinner at our pension's house this week instead of breakfast. It is amazinggggg. My companion and I couldn't describe in words how happy we were after our first meal there. It was this Alfredo pasta thing with chicken on the side. We walked out of there probably the happiest we have ever been. It gave us a completely new outlook on Bolivia, this place has hope now. We now know that it is possible to cook good food here, the people just don't know how. We told our lunch pension, whose food you couldn't get me to eat in the states if you paid me, how incredible dinner was. Luckily she didn't take it the wrong way and asked our dinner pension for the recipes and cooking lessons. Hopefully she gives them to her, that would be a life saver. Dinner has been a blessing if I have ever seen one."
Now the aha moment. In Justin's words," I definitely have a new outlook on people learning a new language now that I am doing it. It is tough. I think a lot of the time we look at foreign people, especially when they are trying to talk English, and we think, consciously or unconsciously, that they are a little dumber than us. But really I realized, that they are actually probably smarter because they are speaking their second language. It is tough, so just always have patience when you are talking to someone trying to learn English. I am grateful for all the people who are patient with me here. I wonder all the time what I sound like to them, how bad my accent is and how broken my Spanish is. Sometimes when I talk to little kids it is frustrating to think that they can understand and can speak this language better than I can. I am sure it will improve though." What a great and true realization that is!
Justin said he should have a baptism this Saturday. A 21 year old guy that used to be a drug addict, has tattoos everywhere, and a child. Justin says he has made a huge change in his life and really, really wants to get baptized. They are excited for him. They also had their first baptism last week. He was the nine year old nephew of the taxi driver Justin spoke of. Pretty exciting!
Justin has also been throwing up with diarrhea a couple of times a week. He still is expected to eat even when he is sick. So, our family has been concerned about his health a bit. We have been praying that he will be able to better tolerate the food and feel better. Our prayers were answered right away as the next email told. "We started eating dinner at our pension's house this week instead of breakfast. It is amazinggggg. My companion and I couldn't describe in words how happy we were after our first meal there. It was this Alfredo pasta thing with chicken on the side. We walked out of there probably the happiest we have ever been. It gave us a completely new outlook on Bolivia, this place has hope now. We now know that it is possible to cook good food here, the people just don't know how. We told our lunch pension, whose food you couldn't get me to eat in the states if you paid me, how incredible dinner was. Luckily she didn't take it the wrong way and asked our dinner pension for the recipes and cooking lessons. Hopefully she gives them to her, that would be a life saver. Dinner has been a blessing if I have ever seen one."
Now the aha moment. In Justin's words," I definitely have a new outlook on people learning a new language now that I am doing it. It is tough. I think a lot of the time we look at foreign people, especially when they are trying to talk English, and we think, consciously or unconsciously, that they are a little dumber than us. But really I realized, that they are actually probably smarter because they are speaking their second language. It is tough, so just always have patience when you are talking to someone trying to learn English. I am grateful for all the people who are patient with me here. I wonder all the time what I sound like to them, how bad my accent is and how broken my Spanish is. Sometimes when I talk to little kids it is frustrating to think that they can understand and can speak this language better than I can. I am sure it will improve though." What a great and true realization that is!
Justin said he should have a baptism this Saturday. A 21 year old guy that used to be a drug addict, has tattoos everywhere, and a child. Justin says he has made a huge change in his life and really, really wants to get baptized. They are excited for him. They also had their first baptism last week. He was the nine year old nephew of the taxi driver Justin spoke of. Pretty exciting!
Justin also said," I hit my three month mark a couple of days ago. See you all in 21 months."
I love that boy!
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