Lindstroms in Lima: Barren to Green to Lima in 13 Hours

Something Historical

One of the many buildings at Caral

On Saturday, September 28th we took a trip with the senior missionaries. The first place that we visited was Caral. It is about 4 hours from Lima. (And yes we got up very early to catch our 5 am van.)

Caral is one of the oldest civilizations on the earth and the oldest in the Americas. They estimate that it started in 3000 BC. They think that it was a very peaceful society, because no weapons have been found.

The senior missionaries at Caral.

The city was build on the benches of the valley overlooking the fertile river bottom. They think that they farmed down by the river, and that they went to the ocean to catch fish. (The ocean isn't too far away.) They developed a counting system. They had a amphitheater where they think they had dancing and music. They have found musical instruments.

They don't know what happened to them. They left the area and they covered their buildings with rocks and earth when they left. The area that they lived in was enormous. Their buildings were made of rocks. It was a very impressive place.

Caral the oldest civilization in the Americas.

Lomas de Lachay--Look how green it is!

On the way back to Lima we stopped at Lomas de Lachay. This is a national reserve. It has many unique plants. There are also many birds. We were amazed at all the birds that we could hear. It is also unique in that there are green plants in this desert coastal region. The reason that it is so green and things grow, is that a mist covers the area. Fortunately we went on a day that wasn't too misty and were able to see all around us. It was very beautiful and so different from the mountains that we see in Lima. Those mountains have nothing growing on them.

This is a carpet of flowers. Lomas de Lachay

Posing in front of all that green! Lomas de Lachay

This is what our mountains look like in Lima. Green is definitely beautiful!

Something Spiritual

On Tuesday, September 24th we went to Cieneguilla. That is where we go to church. It is about 30 to 40 minutes away on a good traffic day. We were able to go visiting with the relief society president, Hermana Flores, and her counselor, Hermana Dorita.

The settlement in Cieneguilla

We didn't realize how big Cieneguilla really is! It is a very large area. The first area that we visited was a newer settlement. The roads are all dirt. The houses are made of plywood. There are no glass windows, only an opening in the wall that they cover with wood. We visited with some very nice families. In one family that we visited there is a single mother trying to make a living for her family. She sews clothes to sell. The next family that we saw have a small tienda (store) in the front of their home. The father also works in Lima.

Estrellita and her mother, Norma with items that she sews.

Carmen and her daughter, Lia at their tienda.

At the next home we found out that the father had just broken his leg and was scheduled for surgery on Friday. Thor was able to give a priesthood blessing to this good man. Alvaro Guevara was very touched by the blessing and started crying.

We visited more people that day. Each one was left with a message of the love that the Savior has for them. As I look back on that day, I realize that each of us can deliver that message to those around us. Our Savior loves us dearly. As we love and reach out to others, they can also feel the Love that the Savior has for them.