A lot of little miracles happen around us all the time. Tender mercies from the Lord is a good way to describe these miracles. Perhaps, you receive a phone call when you are feeling blue, or somebody does a kind act of service for you. The Lord uses others to accomplish His work here upon the earth. Elder Dallin H Oaks has said the greatest miracle of our day is that of conversion. This is when a person embraces the gospel of Jesus Christ and changes their lives to live a Christ centered life. That is what missionary work is all about. Inviting others to come unto Christ.


One of our missionaries, Elder Riveros, recently experienced a mighty miracle in his life. He is celebrating his 21st birthday on Sept. 15th and was so excited to receive his weekly email from his family. When the email arrived he was disappointed because it was a short note that only said Happy Birthday. He was extremely disappointed they didn't have more time to write. Then he saw that there was an attachment that he hadn't opened. When he opened the attachment there stood his mom and dad dressed in baptismal clothing. He just started to cry as he had no idea they had been meeting with the missionaries back home in Chile. No greater present could this young man have received than to know that his parents had accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives. Miracles still happen. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!

We do a lot of training with the missionaries and we always take them to the source of all knowledge, the scriptures, the word of God. Each day they have one hour set aside to personally study the scriptures. Here Elder Whiteside is participating in training.

Elder Silva is making some notes during a training session.

Many of the eldrs are very musically talented. Music has a wonderful way of inviting the spirit. Recently many of these elders sang at a special musical number at a devotional with Elder Oaks.

Here is Presidente Blunck in action. He loves teaching and training these young missionaries. He realizes he is not just training them while they are missionaries but he is helping to teach them life long principles. Part of his calling is to help them realize and reach their potential.

What a privilege it is have received a calling to serve the Lord in this capacity.

This group of missionaries are finishing their mission and returning to the US to continue their education. Their mission has helped to shape and change their lives. From the left; Elder Anderson, Elder Gomez, Elder Crum., Elder Finch, and Elder Schreyer.
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We have 6 sister missionaries in Pucallpa Peru. They are fabulous!

They walk down dirt roads, eat a lot of rice and aren't too afraid of big bugs anymore.

Every missionary needs a preparation day, to relax and take care of personal items. Here the office elders enjoy having some fun after lunch in the mission home. From the top Elder Angerbauer, Elder Whiteside, Elder Sandaval, Elder Tunnel, Elder Garcia.

Recently we received our largest group of missionaries. Here we are outside the mission office.

We also sent home our largest group of missionaries. It is a privilege to hear their departing thoughts and testimonies pertaining to how the mission has helped them in their lives. Their own conversion to the gospel is the a mighty miracle.

Larry just celebrated this 55th birthday in the mission with his favorite desert, pound cake.

Feliz Cumpleanos!!!! Each month every missionary who has a birthday receives a small a loaf of banana bread. They love it!

Shara, our daughter in law had her mom collect skirts for the new church members in Nauta. All of these sisters are new members or investigators of the church. They were thrilled to receive a new piece of clothing.
The sisters had so much fun sorting through the suitcase full of skirts.

This new branch out grew their casa capilla (house chapel) they moved to a new location to accomodate their growing numbers. This group of saints are pioneers in the church. Ten months is the longest time any of them have been members. They have great faith!


Here is a boat load of bananas going down the river to market.

Recently we were given permission to make a trip down river from Nauta, to a jungle city named San Regis. The only avenue of transportation was by river. We were looking for some church members who were baptized four years ago. In the jungle regions of Peru we see some of the most beautiful cloud formations.

River transportation is the primary mode of transportation in the jungle regions of Peru.

When we arrived in San Regis we were met by curious little children. They each gladly accepted an article of faith card. They were our tour guides through out the city.

This man is the mayor of San Regis. He made this fishing net by hand and is doing some repairs on it. He invited us into his home where we taught him a lesson about the importance of families and marriage.

Four years ago these people had traveled to Nauta to be baptized. It took them all day by paddle boat to get to Nauta. After they were baptized they returned to their pueblo. President Blunck hopes to set up a family group so they can receive church materials and meet together.

These misssionaries had the unique opportunity to scout out a new pueblo.

When we arrived in San Regis these woman greeting our boat with all the goods they were trying to sell that day to make a few soles.

Here is the group that traveled to San Regis. It took us about 1.5 hours to travel by jet boat south of Nauta.

You can see the excitement on these missionaries faces as they put on their life jackets to make a river trip to San Regis. We were given special permission to make this trip to find some members that had been baptized It was a fabulous experience!

In Peru many people do not have refrigerators so they go to market everyday to buy fresh meat and produce.

In Nauta since we do not have a church building we use a portable baptismal font to perform baptisms in.

This baptismal service was for two neices that are living with a family that was already baptized.

Our senior couple, the Nelsons look on as this Elder baptizes.

Our daugter in law Shara's dream when she visited the jungle of Peru was to hold a monkey. While out doing apartment checks one afternoon the owners showed us their tiny monkey. Not only did she get to hold her first monkey she also got introduced to their pet parrot.

Stephen, our son acts like he is thrilled to have this bird on his shoulder but he is wondering if his ear will stay intact. Stephen and Shara got to travel with us when we did apartment checks and interviews this last month. They were thrilled to meet our missionaries.

These next several pictures depict some of the animals you find in the jungles of Peru.Karl ( my grandson) this picture is for you. I know you like dragons.

Alligators come in varying sizes.

As well as the bugs.

This jaguar is a magnificent animal. I would not want to meet him in the wild.

Pumas.

McCaw parrots are beautiful but noisy.

Always looking for adventure.

This is a planning meeting with zone leaders and the assistants in Pucallpa. The mission is set up so the assistants help the president with training the missionaries. Zone leaders are in charge of about twenty missionaries. These young men learn great leadership skills while on their missions.

Fresh alligator anyone? Hot off the grill.!

While in Pucallpa we visited a native village called San Fransisco. They are known for their unique ceramic work. This litte girl is holding a piggy bank she wanted us to buy for 5 soles. In US dollors that is about $1.50.

This man is holding a couple of pieces of the pottery he fires in his home made oven.

These three little boys from the village wanted to sing us a song for a sole. When we said yes they belted out a song. How surprised they were when we gave them each a sole for singing us a song.

This native woman has hand stitched this table runner. They do beautiful work.

Here is a native women making a bracelet. She is holding the strings with her toes to make it tight.

Elder Borquez, Elder Lopez and Elder Smith enjoying a moment together at their farewell dinner.

Elder Tunnel and Elder Sandaval. Elder Sandaval is working hard to learn English during his mission. They are great missionaries.

Outside of Tarapoto Peru lives another group of native people. Here this native woman has just harvested a crop of corn which she put in the bag on the horse. Most native people do not wear any shoes.

Here these men are building a casa out of large adobe bricks. They fill this foundation with clay and they stomp it down with their bare feet until it is compacted. The foundation is lifted and the sun dries the clay.

We were passing through this town on a festival day and found these children in their native costumes.

While Stephen and Shara were visiting us we held a FHE for all the elders who serve in Lima. Here we are visiting with a few of the elders after the FHE.

We had a great FHE with these elders and sisters that are serving in Lima. About 100 missionaries serve in Lima and another 100 serve in jungle cities.

Stephen and Larry enjoying their first moto taxi ride in Tarapoto Peru. The ride is always refreshing.

Stephen and Shara wanted to experience the jungles of Peru with us, what better way to start the excursion than by being picked up at the airport in this jungle buggy.