New Missionaries and Old Missionaries

Something New

This week we received new missionaries. We have four new hermanas and nine new elders. It is always fun to see the new ones come. They are nervous and a little worried. We give them a big mission hello and hugs and handshakes to welcome them to the Peru Lima East Mission. That first day they are introduced to their "trainer" companions.  They get to play a fun little game--like speed dating-- to see who their trainer is. We then have a very traditional meal of Lomo Saltado with papas fritas and arroz. Translation: Lomo Saltado is like a beef stir fry with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a sauce. It is served on top of french fries and rice.

New Sister missionaries speed dating to find their companions!

Finally it is time to pack up all their stuff and head off in a taxi. This is also quite a feat, since they have two large suitcases, usually a large backpack, then they received an emergency backpack, a pillow, blanket and sheets. Finally they make it to their apartment. They put they belongings inside and then they head right back out on the streets to start working.

New Missionaries with President and Sister Amato

Something Old

This week Thor and Miguel Serrano did a training for the missionaries that will be leaving in three cambios (transfers).  Miguel Serrano is an local psychologist, who is passionate about youth and career orientation.  Thor has often thought that if he was to have chosen an 'office job', that it would have been something like being a guidance counselor.  So now he gets to do that, and he loves it.  The missionaries learn about study habits, and how personality and natural and acquired abilities and interests can influence their career choices.  They then take a vocational aptitude test to identify career areas in which they would most likely succeed.  Many of them have no idea what they want to do when they return home. This training provides them a good starting point. Thor and Miguel designed the training from the ground up.  They are also provided resources to determine where in their home countries they could study for their chosen fields, what the labor market looks like in those fields, etc.  This is very important for our Latino missionaries, since many of them don't know what they will do when they return home. They have two more trainings to help them with job interviews and resumes, and being realistic and prepared for the challenges they will likely face when they return to their homes.

Missionaries working on their vocational aptitude test

Something Really Old

We went to the Larco Museum in downtown Lima. 

"The Museo Larco is housed in an 18th century viceroyalty mansion. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Museo Larco permanent exhibition invites visitors to explore the more than 5000 year history of ancient Peru, through a fascinating collection of pre-Columbian art."

They had a marvelous collection. They were so many different kinds of pottery from the different eras and different societies that lived in the area. There was the silver room and the gold room. Many of the items at the museum came from grave sites. These items would not be used everyday. They were made to help the dead in their new place. 

Something Silver with really big ear plugs and a nose cover!

If you prefer it in Gold, you can have a huge collar necklace!

There was a beautiful garden at the museum.

We are still alive! And doing great.

Plants of Peru

Random Picture and Event of the Week

There was an earthquake on Thursday, October 24 at 9:35 pm. It was really weird. We heard the earthquake first and then we felt it. It was a 4.5 earthquake and located out in the ocean.

Birthday Ice Cream--it is high in sugar and in saturated fats. Warning on carton--Avoid excessive consumption.