"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!