In AN email dated July 27, 2009, Justin wrote, " Hi! It's raining. It's the first time that it has really rained on me in my mission. Feels like home during the wintertime. We woke up this morning and all the hills in Cochabamba are covereddd in snow. It looks like Utah right now or something. Weird. All of our appointments yesterday weren't there. That was a bummer. We got a little wet because of it. No I lied, we taught 2 people. They are the cousins of some members. They talked with the missionaries about 5 years ago but told us that they weren't able to convince them and that we wouldn't be able to either. We told them that we weren't even going to try to convince them, only explain to them and invite them to pray and find out for themselves. It is such a difference when you teach by the spirit, it all comes out sensible and clearly. By the end they were both kind of quiet and knew that it was all true. So we'll see what happens. We had 1 person church yesterday! It's an improvement from last week. Jorge Foronda. He's 19 and really wants to get baptized but the problem is that he's studying in college every night, works during the day, and Saturdays and Sundays had to go to a high school thing because he never graduated and is working to finish. But he says he will be done by the end of the year. He wasn't supposed to be able to come yesterday but by some miracle he came. Made me happy to see him. (Yea! He is being blessed for his hard work, diligence and obedience!)
Things are still going well with my companion and I. We dropped a ton of our investigators in the past couple of days, sick of trying so hard to get people to listen to us. If they don't want to listen, we won't visit and we'll find people that do. I liked what mom sent me in that letter that quote from Sister Thomas from Elder Ballard. Makes sense. (Here is what Elder Ballard said to a group of missionaries he spoke to in England: The Lord is truly prepared people to hear the gospel and directs the missionaries to them. It is as Elder Ballard stated while he was here, there is no time now to teach those who are just not interested. He told the missionaries not to waste their time trying to persuade people to come to the gospel, but to deliver their message and if it wasn't accepted to find those the Lord had prepared to hear it. Elder Ballard made the statement that we no longer have the luxury of time and can only teach those who really want to hear.) And so now comes the hard part, finding new people. I don't understand why it's been hard for us lately. If all of our appointments that we take out were there, we'd have a lot more but the problem is they never are. We have to figure something out to fix that.
We planned a mission night activity thing. We were going to have a video, message, games and stuff. Our ward never has activities so we figured we'd do one to give them and stuff. Nobody came. Our bishop came up with a new plan he wants to do. Basically he wants a member to be with us at all times. If not two. It could work. Each member has to give up a half day to go with us and do everything, knock on doors, teach, the works. The young men also want to do a day in the life of a missionary type thing, so every Friday to Saturday they are going to send two with us and they are going to sleep at the house and everything for 24 hours. Should be cool. My companion and I will be able to split up as well and get twice as much done. We finished the month with only 1 baptism (July). It's not bad, but it's not that great either. Hopefully August goes better.
On Friday, we had to go to the offices for something and ended up being there all morning. My companion ended up having to go with the finance secretary to the bank and I was left here doing a few things. Well lunch time came and the church travel lady was there so they all went to lunch at this Brazilian buffet where they come to cut the meat off the stick things at the table and they had to take me because my companion wasn't there. So I got to eat at this way nice restaurant buffet called Buffalos. Soooo good. Steak things, pastas, everything. It cost about 60 a person, or less than 10 dollars but for here that's expensive. But the best part is I didn't have to pay because my companion is cousins with the finance secretary and he took care of it for us. We had good luck that day." Good food is a big highlight in Justin's life right now. He will be in hog heaven when he gets home!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Working Hard and Praying For Success
In an email dated July 20, 2009, Justin wrote, "Things are going pretty well. This was a tiring week. ( My boy is working hard tracting all over the hills!) The people seem to be more humble and receptive there. You have to talk slower to them so that they understand. He is district leader now in Lima and is training. We just have to keep working and we'll have success if we do. We'll see how things go in August!Susan Jurado hasn't come to church in 3 weeks, but we have a plan with the ward missionaries to help her out. And Jose Rojas is way active. He is always at church and is there almost every night with his calling. He is sports president or something.
I am growing my hair out again. (YEA!!) I don't think President Tenorio liked it buzzed too much. Right before changes I did a number one and when I went up to get my change he asked me in front of everyone if I had lost a bet or something. Jokester. Haha but it's longer now. The other night I tried trimming it up but I think I did a little too much. Haha it had holes all over the place. Everyone got a laugh out of it. I took a picture but my camera is dead so I'll send it this week. Luckily one of the elders that lives with me fixed it up and it looks fine now. I don't ever want to go to these hack job haircutter places. They basically shave the sides and leave the rest long, doesn't matter what you tell them. Worse than the ladies that mom always says we shouldn't go to at Super Cuts or whatever.
My companion and I are getting along really well.He understands English and used to be able to speak it better. We read in English every morning for half an hour. I should speak more to him in English but I am lazy and it's easier to do it in Spanish. (Interesting that it is now easier for Justin in Spanish than English now.) Last night someone told me my Spanish sucks. That always makes you feel good after 13 months of trying to learn in. But then on Monday someone else told me it's great. Guess you just always need those humbling experiences. I don't worry about it, I'll try my best and if the Lord wants me to speak it, I will and if not, not my problem. The older sister of my companion is in Provo studying and is actually getting married there to an American. His whole family is going up to the wedding and sealing. He has already gotten accepted to BYU for after as well and is planning on going.
I bought some sweet grandpa button up sweaters to wear at night when it's cold. And the shower is still working (he means the heated shower head). Love scalding hot water.
Oh, I think we are switching pensions again as well. The old lady has to go to some medical witch doctor to get cured or something and so she told us that she wasn't going to be able to do it anymore, which my companion was happy about because he didn't like her either (her food that is) and was looking for an excuse to change. But the assistant's old pension lives in our ward now and has been giving us dinner Thursdays so we are going to her. She used to live in a mansion in front of the temple and now lives in a small two bedroom apartment in this part of town. We don't know what happened, but we are happy she is here. Her daughter knows English. She served her mission in Temple Square and worked as a movie producer in California with a ton of movie stars. Interesting family.
Apparently my vocabulary in Spanish is rather vulgar now. A bunch of missionaries taught me a bunch of bad, bad words but convinced me that here in Bolivia they aren't bad but normal. So I started using them and the general public didn't react well. I am trying to clean it up haha. Have a great week. Love you all. Write me. Here is my address:
Elder Justin Evans
Mision Bolivia Cochabamba
Av. Villarroel 1132 Edificio Confort 7c
Casilla de Correo 1375
Cochabamba, Bolivia
I am growing my hair out again. (YEA!!) I don't think President Tenorio liked it buzzed too much. Right before changes I did a number one and when I went up to get my change he asked me in front of everyone if I had lost a bet or something. Jokester. Haha but it's longer now. The other night I tried trimming it up but I think I did a little too much. Haha it had holes all over the place. Everyone got a laugh out of it. I took a picture but my camera is dead so I'll send it this week. Luckily one of the elders that lives with me fixed it up and it looks fine now. I don't ever want to go to these hack job haircutter places. They basically shave the sides and leave the rest long, doesn't matter what you tell them. Worse than the ladies that mom always says we shouldn't go to at Super Cuts or whatever.
My companion and I are getting along really well.He understands English and used to be able to speak it better. We read in English every morning for half an hour. I should speak more to him in English but I am lazy and it's easier to do it in Spanish. (Interesting that it is now easier for Justin in Spanish than English now.) Last night someone told me my Spanish sucks. That always makes you feel good after 13 months of trying to learn in. But then on Monday someone else told me it's great. Guess you just always need those humbling experiences. I don't worry about it, I'll try my best and if the Lord wants me to speak it, I will and if not, not my problem. The older sister of my companion is in Provo studying and is actually getting married there to an American. His whole family is going up to the wedding and sealing. He has already gotten accepted to BYU for after as well and is planning on going.
I bought some sweet grandpa button up sweaters to wear at night when it's cold. And the shower is still working (he means the heated shower head). Love scalding hot water.
Oh, I think we are switching pensions again as well. The old lady has to go to some medical witch doctor to get cured or something and so she told us that she wasn't going to be able to do it anymore, which my companion was happy about because he didn't like her either (her food that is) and was looking for an excuse to change. But the assistant's old pension lives in our ward now and has been giving us dinner Thursdays so we are going to her. She used to live in a mansion in front of the temple and now lives in a small two bedroom apartment in this part of town. We don't know what happened, but we are happy she is here. Her daughter knows English. She served her mission in Temple Square and worked as a movie producer in California with a ton of movie stars. Interesting family.
Apparently my vocabulary in Spanish is rather vulgar now. A bunch of missionaries taught me a bunch of bad, bad words but convinced me that here in Bolivia they aren't bad but normal. So I started using them and the general public didn't react well. I am trying to clean it up haha. Have a great week. Love you all. Write me. Here is my address:
Elder Justin Evans
Mision Bolivia Cochabamba
Av. Villarroel 1132 Edificio Confort 7c
Casilla de Correo 1375
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Trying Time
In a letter to our family dated July 16, 2009, Justin writes, "I'm tired. We worked a lot today. We went up to the big hill on our area and went looking for new investigators. By our house in the more urbanized part of our ward the people haven't really been listening much to us when we go knock on their doors, but further out the people seem to be a bit more humbler. We found a guy today that finally let us come into his house, Gumarcindo or something like that. It seems like he'll be able to progress. We also had an appointment with the Jurado family. Tomasa, the wife, has finally made the decision to get baptized although it seems like her husband Jose has since got a little less excited. He hasn't been there for the last appointments, but we are hoping to get a hold of him soon. The goal is that they get baptized this next week on the 25th. We have to work a lot to get them there."
July 17, 2009
"Sunday night. Just finished another week. It was a tiring one. We walked and worked a lot. Sunday is always kind of the make or breaker, to see if all of your work pays off, to see if the investigators go to church. We had 0. It's only been 2 or 3 times in my mission that I've only had 0 in the chapel. It can get frustrating. But I've learned that getting upset about it doesn't help much. We just have to do all of our part and we can't control the results. We can't control the decisions of others, although it makes you feel a lot better when they complete with the commitments. We also finally got a hold of Jose, the husband of Tomasa. Unfortunately he told us that he no longer wants to get baptized and of course Tomasa doesn't either. But we talked about it with my companion and we figure it's all just a test that the Lord has given us and we have to pass it. So we'll just keep on going and hopefully things go well." Way to go Justin!Persevere and keep the faith.
Justin wrote that their zone leader moved in with them and he is apparently not the most likeable person. Justin wrote, "I'll try to be more Christlike." Good move son.
"We're finally coming out of winter. It's not quite as cold at night or in the mornings. I didn't mind the cold much though. I think I've forgotten how much hotter it is in Peru. I used to always get home soaked in sweat, never here which is nice. Not complaining about that."
Wade Buxton. You. Are. The. Man. Justin wrote that apart from mom and dad, you are the only one who writes him. The rest of you repent and write him!
July 17, 2009
"Sunday night. Just finished another week. It was a tiring one. We walked and worked a lot. Sunday is always kind of the make or breaker, to see if all of your work pays off, to see if the investigators go to church. We had 0. It's only been 2 or 3 times in my mission that I've only had 0 in the chapel. It can get frustrating. But I've learned that getting upset about it doesn't help much. We just have to do all of our part and we can't control the results. We can't control the decisions of others, although it makes you feel a lot better when they complete with the commitments. We also finally got a hold of Jose, the husband of Tomasa. Unfortunately he told us that he no longer wants to get baptized and of course Tomasa doesn't either. But we talked about it with my companion and we figure it's all just a test that the Lord has given us and we have to pass it. So we'll just keep on going and hopefully things go well." Way to go Justin!Persevere and keep the faith.
Justin wrote that their zone leader moved in with them and he is apparently not the most likeable person. Justin wrote, "I'll try to be more Christlike." Good move son.
"We're finally coming out of winter. It's not quite as cold at night or in the mornings. I didn't mind the cold much though. I think I've forgotten how much hotter it is in Peru. I used to always get home soaked in sweat, never here which is nice. Not complaining about that."
Wade Buxton. You. Are. The. Man. Justin wrote that apart from mom and dad, you are the only one who writes him. The rest of you repent and write him!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Coca Cola Debate
I (mom) sent Justin an article from an Ensign about drinking caffeinated drinks like Coke a while ago after he mentioned how he has taken a liking to the nasty stuff since being on his mission. Apparently they sell it in the vending machines in the temple there. If anyone knows me well, you know I am against the stuff or any caffeinated beverages. I have never had the stuff in our home. Ever. After sending it to Justin, I was waiting for a response in Justin fashion. My boy loves to debate. It finally came. In a letter dated June 30, 2009, Justin wrote, "Hi Family! I got your letters and package today! Thanks for those. I really like the photos. I forgot to respond to mom's article she sent me. I totally agree with her, although I find that mom and the article are talking about 2 different points. Really it has strengthened my testimony that drinking Coke is okay. (can't you all just hear him now?) A few points I'd like to share:
1. "The Energy Drink Epidemic" - the article is about the "recent explosion...... of highly caffeinated drinks" and not cokes. (It does talk about caffeinated drinks without mentioning names. Isn't that what Coke is???Yes!)
2. Yes, it talks about a "Mrs. Jones" (name has been changed) with many saddening health problems due to a "cola consumption" (paragraph 2). But might I point out the word that precedes.... "excessive." My friend Brother Thomas Boud goes on to explain,
3. "One must keep in mind,of course (Justin highlights those two words)....there are certain appropriate uses for caffeine.... used in moderation, caffeine may not pose significant health risks." The problem at hand is "high (or excessive) caffeine intake. From what I understand Brother Boud defines high caffeine caffeine intake as "6-7 colas a day" or as the main subject of discourse clearly states, the energy drinks. I completely agree with the man. Energy drinks or 6-7 colas a day isn't good for you. Luckily for all of us I probably only drink 1 0r 2 here. Still not bordering the description of the problems caused by this excessive" intake.
4. Let's go to the part "caffeine abuse and the Word of Wisdom" where we really get to the message of the article. The last sentence in paragraph 1 calls my attention. "Had my patient Mrs. Jones avoided caffeine or at least used in moderation (highlighted again), she would of fared much better." "Of course (highlighted), not everyone who drinks caffeine will have a negative health consequence."
After reading this article, and carefully reviewing section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants I've come to the conclusion that the Lord gives us principles. And he goes on and on and on. He ends his debate by saying "I have been able to decide that the moderate (highlighted) consumption of cola products is in harmony with the restored gospel. I will forever be grateful for parents who were able to teach me such great principles and how to live according to them." Did I raise a perfect future attorney or what?? He clearly needs and wants his coke and so can only see what he wants to see and believe what he wants to believe. Well my friends and his, this debate is not over. Ball is now in my court.
1. "The Energy Drink Epidemic" - the article is about the "recent explosion...... of highly caffeinated drinks" and not cokes. (It does talk about caffeinated drinks without mentioning names. Isn't that what Coke is???Yes!)
2. Yes, it talks about a "Mrs. Jones" (name has been changed) with many saddening health problems due to a "cola consumption" (paragraph 2). But might I point out the word that precedes.... "excessive." My friend Brother Thomas Boud goes on to explain,
3. "One must keep in mind,of course (Justin highlights those two words)....there are certain appropriate uses for caffeine.... used in moderation, caffeine may not pose significant health risks." The problem at hand is "high (or excessive) caffeine intake. From what I understand Brother Boud defines high caffeine caffeine intake as "6-7 colas a day" or as the main subject of discourse clearly states, the energy drinks. I completely agree with the man. Energy drinks or 6-7 colas a day isn't good for you. Luckily for all of us I probably only drink 1 0r 2 here. Still not bordering the description of the problems caused by this excessive" intake.
4. Let's go to the part "caffeine abuse and the Word of Wisdom" where we really get to the message of the article. The last sentence in paragraph 1 calls my attention. "Had my patient Mrs. Jones avoided caffeine or at least used in moderation (highlighted again), she would of fared much better." "Of course (highlighted), not everyone who drinks caffeine will have a negative health consequence."
After reading this article, and carefully reviewing section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants I've come to the conclusion that the Lord gives us principles. And he goes on and on and on. He ends his debate by saying "I have been able to decide that the moderate (highlighted) consumption of cola products is in harmony with the restored gospel. I will forever be grateful for parents who were able to teach me such great principles and how to live according to them." Did I raise a perfect future attorney or what?? He clearly needs and wants his coke and so can only see what he wants to see and believe what he wants to believe. Well my friends and his, this debate is not over. Ball is now in my court.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A New Companion, Swine Flu And Missing Letters
In an email dated July 13, 2009, Justin wrote "Well changes were this week and I have a new companion. Elder Guerrero from Ecuador. He was in the offices for 5 months as the personal secretary to the president before, so walking around all day is taking a bit of getting used to for him again haha. That would be a tough transition. My last companion. Elder Viloria went to Potosi, one of the highest cities in Bolivia and is freezing his tush off. Bummer. I think we are coming out of winter here in Coch, it's not quite as cold in the mornings and night.
What else. Oh I bought a new shower heater head for the bathroom. The bathroom actually stems up when I shower now and it's quite enjoyable. One of the finer things in Bolivia, hot showers. I've been enjoying the Mexican food mom sent. I made the bean dip the other night and breakfasted (his own word?) on tortillas.
I guess grandpa got back well, at least I hope so. It was great to see him, and even though everyone thought it, I am not homesick or anything, but just fine. (Good. That tells us his heart is in the right place.) Last Monday with him was great. After internet and everything we went to go pick him up at the hotel and went to hang out with Jesus (the statue) for a while to take pictures. Then we went down to a Japanese/ Korean restaurant and had lunch with President and Sister Tenorio there. We had kalbi (marinated short ribs) and bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated beef) and some noodle dish and kimchi (hot pickled cabbage). It was pretty good. Grandpa was the judge of that. I think everyone seemed to like it a lot. (Grandpa did not really care for Bolivian food. He said it is all too salty!) After that we took him to go buy a bunch of gifts and tourist stuff. He got a kick out of that. Then we went to go visit some Korean minister here in Coch and hung out there for about an hour. We didn't understand anything. But we got a full tour of their church/ college. It was weird to see Koreans here. They spoke Korean, English and Spanish. Afterwards we went to go eat at Tuesdays. It's a knock off of Fridays in the states. It was great, the first steak I have had all my mission. What more could I ask for?
We found a lot of new people to teach this week, kind of. (Kind of??) Elder Viloria hated going to look for new people, but my new companion is pretty go with the flow so we have tried. No one really wants to listen to us. Knocking on doors isn't too efficient. So we have been visiting the members a lot and asking for references. Hopefully it works. Our area is sooo big, it's impossible to work in all of it. We are mostly just in 2 little areas of it. I guess there used to be 4 missionaries in our ward, but now there is just us two.
This week Tomasa, who just had her baby, accepted a date for the 25th. By then her health should be good. We still haven't talked with Jose the husband but I suppose that he will want to as well since she was the only reason he didn't want to anymore. But I guess the members helped them a lot this week. It's tough to get a hold of him though. He has two jobs. Oh Tomasa and Jose really liked the clothing. Thanks mom.
Elder Parker emailed me this week. He said that right after I left they baptized about 8 of our investigators. Too bad I missed that. Sometimes I kind of miss Peru. But what can you do. My investigators from there always email me which is cool.
This pig flu thing is supposedly getting bigger. Grandpa says it's all just a big crock. The mission wants us to wear those doctor face masks all day and gave us all hand sanitizer gel to carry around. But every thing's good.
Well I haven't really been getting too many letters. Don't know if you are all just being lazy or if mail just sucks here." Write him people, please write!
What else. Oh I bought a new shower heater head for the bathroom. The bathroom actually stems up when I shower now and it's quite enjoyable. One of the finer things in Bolivia, hot showers. I've been enjoying the Mexican food mom sent. I made the bean dip the other night and breakfasted (his own word?) on tortillas.
I guess grandpa got back well, at least I hope so. It was great to see him, and even though everyone thought it, I am not homesick or anything, but just fine. (Good. That tells us his heart is in the right place.) Last Monday with him was great. After internet and everything we went to go pick him up at the hotel and went to hang out with Jesus (the statue) for a while to take pictures. Then we went down to a Japanese/ Korean restaurant and had lunch with President and Sister Tenorio there. We had kalbi (marinated short ribs) and bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated beef) and some noodle dish and kimchi (hot pickled cabbage). It was pretty good. Grandpa was the judge of that. I think everyone seemed to like it a lot. (Grandpa did not really care for Bolivian food. He said it is all too salty!) After that we took him to go buy a bunch of gifts and tourist stuff. He got a kick out of that. Then we went to go visit some Korean minister here in Coch and hung out there for about an hour. We didn't understand anything. But we got a full tour of their church/ college. It was weird to see Koreans here. They spoke Korean, English and Spanish. Afterwards we went to go eat at Tuesdays. It's a knock off of Fridays in the states. It was great, the first steak I have had all my mission. What more could I ask for?
We found a lot of new people to teach this week, kind of. (Kind of??) Elder Viloria hated going to look for new people, but my new companion is pretty go with the flow so we have tried. No one really wants to listen to us. Knocking on doors isn't too efficient. So we have been visiting the members a lot and asking for references. Hopefully it works. Our area is sooo big, it's impossible to work in all of it. We are mostly just in 2 little areas of it. I guess there used to be 4 missionaries in our ward, but now there is just us two.
This week Tomasa, who just had her baby, accepted a date for the 25th. By then her health should be good. We still haven't talked with Jose the husband but I suppose that he will want to as well since she was the only reason he didn't want to anymore. But I guess the members helped them a lot this week. It's tough to get a hold of him though. He has two jobs. Oh Tomasa and Jose really liked the clothing. Thanks mom.
Elder Parker emailed me this week. He said that right after I left they baptized about 8 of our investigators. Too bad I missed that. Sometimes I kind of miss Peru. But what can you do. My investigators from there always email me which is cool.
This pig flu thing is supposedly getting bigger. Grandpa says it's all just a big crock. The mission wants us to wear those doctor face masks all day and gave us all hand sanitizer gel to carry around. But every thing's good.
Well I haven't really been getting too many letters. Don't know if you are all just being lazy or if mail just sucks here." Write him people, please write!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
"Faith Is The Reward Of Obedience"
In a letter dated July 12, 2009, Justin shared with us a wonderful lesson on obedience. He said, "Yesterday we had our interviews with President. Went pretty well. He said something kind of interesting. That President McKay, or someone said that faith is the reward of obedience. That just trying to be obedient isn't good enough, but that we have to do it completely. But if we do, we can ask for things in prayer that we normally wouldn't be able to and we'll receive them." Justin is learning a lot of great lessons about obedience on his mission. He knows how important obedience is. We love when he shares these lessons with us.
He also writes, "Sounds like Hanson's baptism went well. That's good. Glad my video made it (he made a DVD of him that we played at Hanson's baptism) and that it was such a hit. Knew it would be." Humility at it's best.....
He also writes, "Sounds like Hanson's baptism went well. That's good. Glad my video made it (he made a DVD of him that we played at Hanson's baptism) and that it was such a hit. Knew it would be." Humility at it's best.....
Monday, July 6, 2009
"Grandpa Is Here!"
Justin was there to welcome him! Don't they look handsome?
An aerial of Bolivia.
With excitement, Justin wrote in his email today (that he titled,"Two Koreans in Bolivia") that "Grandpa (Hong) is here! I went to go get him from the airport yesterday. He looks good. I called president Friday night to ask him if I could go get him off at the hotel so that I'd know how to contact him for Monday. Haha, I could kind of tell he kind of regretted his decision. He was kind of hesitant about it all. He told me he didn't want me spending much time with him. But he told me to go get him from the airport and that he was going to send Godo (a returned missionary who works with the mission and has a car) to be his chauffeur for his stay. So he met us here and we took him to the hotel.
In the hotel room.
The view from the hotel room.
Godo and grandpa
Grandpa treated Justin, Elder Viloria and a new convert and his family to dinner at a nicer restaurant in town.
Thanks for the two suitcases full of stuff for me! That was great. The pants fit really well. I guess they were too short for my companion, but they ended up fitting me so it worked out.
President had us over to his house for dinner Saturday night. We had roast and potatoes and everything. Very American. (I love how Justin tells us about the meals he eats. He does not take good tasting food for granted anymore. At least for the time being.)Grandpa had a good time chatting with president.
Dinner at the president's home. Sorry the picture is blurry. It was all there was.
I guess during the day he went to go eat at Dumbo's with Godo and then he went to the temple. There weren't any sessions, but president Tenorio had called the temple president to receive him and he gave him a tour of the whole temple. Grandpa said he liked it. Godo was telling me that he saw grandpa in a video about President Hinckley's life that they played in his funeral that shows his picture and him translating and talks about how he went to California to study and everything. Me or grandpa haven't seen it. Have you? Yesterday he came to church and bore his testimony. I had to translate it. Then I took him to our pension's to eat and he went back to the hotel.
At the temple.
Elder Viloria in their apartment window.
In Justin's apartment
Hanging on the wall. Sweet!
Photos Justin put on his wall. Along with a coto pass.
Justin and his companion's bed. Justin had us send him his down comforter and brown duvet cover. He said it is freezing at night! Hopefully he is nice and cozy now.
The church building in his area.
Grandpa wanted to sit by a chollita.
The chapel.
Grandpa took a liking to this little one.
Justin's pension.
Ready to eat after a day of fasting!
Justin and Elder Viloria.
Today we are going to the Jesus statue to take a pictures and then I guess there is a Korean restaurant here in town. Grandpa invited President and Sister Tenorio. My companion doesn't want to go, he's going to play soccer. It has been great seeing him though. I don't think I'll be too sad when he leaves. I haven't been with him the whole time which I think is good. Still been working.
Grandpa with the Jesus statue having fun.
A happy Justin!
Loving his grandpa!
View of Cochabamba.
Group photo.
At the Korean restaurant in Bolivia. Who would have guessed there would be such a thing?
Ladies in the back preparing some food.
An example of food the missionaries are forbidden to eat. Anything that is washed in water and not cooked. Justin should be relieved for many reasons!
At a Bolivian street market.
We found out changes today. My companion is leaving. I am staying. There were a few rumors that I was going to be zone leader, but I am happy that I am not. I am more than content doing the district leader thing for a long time. Better that way.
Friday we had a great wedding, baptism and party. Of course it all started two hours late. The bride didn't want to show up. We got them married, then he got baptized, then the had a big old party. Dancing, food, cake, the works. He had to get baptized Friday and not Saturday because they wanted a party. Sunday is fast Sunday and they all start fasting her Saturday and stuff so we had to change it. Bummer, grandpa would have liked it. We are planning on going to the temple with them Wednesday before Elder Viloria goes. Jose Pedros was who got baptized.
Fourth of July was alright. I bought a bunch of fireworks to light off at night but when we were at presidents I got really sick. Came down with one of those 24 hour flu fever things and was knocked out in bed. I feel a lot better now. I also have some sort of fungus on my hands and the skin is falling off. I had to buy some cream to fix it. Thanks for all the sour candy. They give me a lot of gas, but that's okay. (For him or his companion? It is nice he keeps me updated on his gas and his bowel movements.)
Well president said that they have told him that the rest of the gringos should all be back by the end of the month. So we will see."
We are happy to hear he had such a nice time seeing his grandpa Hong. It was nice of his grandpa to fly so far to visit and for President Tenorio to allow the visit. Sounds like life in Bolivia is pretty good. Oh, and thanks for the photos grandpa!
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