Posts From Perú

          Missionary health is always a primary concern for us.  

 With 200 missionaries you can imagine there are a few tummy aches,

 runny noses and in-grown toe nails.

On occasion more serious things happen. When these occasions

occur we have to drop everything that is planned and

make their health our priority.   

Elder Heath had to be hospitalized for a week with

  with a very high fever.  We are glad he is much better. 



Elders love good food!
Elder Jenson and Elder Xicara enjoy a treat from Chili's.
Elder Jenson's father has been very helpful in bringing much
needed white shirts, ties, and  pants to Peru.  We can't thank him enough.
Recently we had a new missionary arrive with only 5 white shirts and ties for his
whole mission. That is all him family could afford. 



Elder Riveros, Elder Tax,  Elder Emett and Elder Lazo
at zone leader counsel.  In our mission we have 15 zones
(or areas where we have missionaries)
Two zone leaders work in each area and are responsible for
10-20 missionaries.  They are learning great leadership
skills at a very young age. 



Elder Castillo and Elder Clouse  are great missionaries.
Each missionary has a different story.  Before his mission Elder Clouse's
mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  He gave up his work,
his social life and friends to take care of his mom while she
was undergoing chemotherapy.  Her only desire was for him to
serve and complete his mission.  He left on his mission not knowing
if she would survive her battle with cancer. 

Probably one of the hardest things a mission President has to
do is deliver sad news to one of his missionaries. 

The cycle of receiving new missionaries into the mission
continues.  This is the latest group to enter the mission. We
received our first missionary from Honduras and El Salvador.

Elder Ojeda and Elder Frost enjoy a ride in
a moto taxi in Tarapoto Peru.

This is the mode of transportation in all the jungle cities.
By US standards these would be declared unsafe and outlawed
The greatest danger comes when you mix motos
with autos on the same road. 
 



Our sisters are great sports about participating.
Recently in Tarapoto, to have a bit of fun we had all the
missionaries put an oreo cookie on their forehead
and try and move it to their mouth by moving their face.
Hermana Arias, Hermana Grow and Hermana Gee
give it a try.



Way to go Hermana Gee!!!

Each missionary comes to us from different countries and with

different backgrounds.  Many of them have come to the mission from

broken families. Often times my heart just cries for them when I hear of 

their circumstances.  There are times when I think no child should have ever  

been raised like that.  It is so important that we protect the family so children can be raised in a home with both a father and a mother. 

These young people come to the mission with a hope and desire to 

serve the Lord.  As they serve and learn about the atonement of Jesus Christ 

their lives begin to change.  The hurt and anger they have carried with them is swallowed up in the atonement of Jesus Christ. He takes away their pain and they have hope of having a better life for themselves through the gospel of Jesus Christ.   It is an amazing thing to see, it a a miracle! 

It is a priviledge and a blessing to see this process in

the lives of so many young people. 

It is only Christ that can lift our burdens,  take away our pains 

 and heal our hearts.