Living In The "Red Zone"

In our email today, June 08, 2009, Justin wrote, "Hey everyone- This week went pretty well. Nothing too much happened. We have been finding a lot of new people to teach and had 6 people at church on Sunday and have a baptism for June 20th. Aliana Pimienta, she is 20 and lives with a member family. I have only met her once but seems like a really good person. She studies all week. Leaves her house at 6 am every morning and gets home around 10 pm. The only day she is around is Saturday, so we have a lot to teach her. Apparently our area is a "red zone" and is supposed to be really dangerous. Drug dealers, prostitutes, tons of bars, drunks, the works. But I guess compared to Peru, it all feels safe to me." Greattttttt.... I guess we never realized just how dangerous the area was in Peru.

"We had our interviews with President Tenorio this week. Haha, it's so much different than with President Fierro, it's more like chatting with a good friend, relaxed and friendly. He told me one of his best friends lives in Coto. He's never gone but has gone to Laguna Niguel. Pretty cool. He said that when he found out that Grandpa Hong was a mission president, he researched him on the internet haha and found out he was one of the first members in Korea and everything. I am excited for him to come and see me. I think President Tenorio will probably want to meet him.

Well what else. I bought a bunch of Quaker oatmeal packets and I like eating those for breakfast. And green apples. (Those two things have always been some of Justin's favorites.) And kiwi. The exchange rate here is great. 7 to 1. All of the stuff from America seems really expensive, but when you do the conversion, it's the same as what we'd pay in the states if not cheaper. Like my box of 55 oatmeal packets was 150 bolivianos, which is only about 20 dollars.

My companion and I are still getting along really well. Really cool kid.

There is an orthodontist/ dentist in our ward and I went to her place the other day and it actually looks pretty American. I think I am going to get my teeth cleaned today and might get a permanent retainer put in on my bottom teeth because she can do it for only 10 dollars. Pretty good deal.

Well, that's all I can think of. Love you. Bye. Justin"

Great, our son is getting Bolivian orthodontist work being done! Justin wrote in our email that it is winter there when it is summer here. They still have pretty nice weather in the winter as well. Nice!