Christmas Devotionals

Emergency Backpacks!

Since we live in a place that has earthquakes frequently, we have emergency backpacks.  Each missionary is assigned a backpack, which they are to place in their apartments. The backpack then travels to new apartments each time the missionary moves. That's what is suppose to happen in theory, but often it just stays in the first apartment.

Elders Recalde and Gonzabay cleaning off backpacks.

When a missionary finishes their mission the backpack is supposed to come to the office. We then repack it with new water bottles, crackers, and tuna. (Those items get outdated as they sit around the apartments.) On Thursday, December 12th, Thor recruited some cute elders to help me clean off and fill the backpacks with new items. They were a big help. 

Elder Lopez getting ready to add water bottles to the backpacks.

Devotional 1

The Senior missionaries were asked to sing at two devotionals this week! We sang "What Child is This?" We sang the first verse in English and the rest in Spanish.

Sister Pratt leading us in a practice of the song at FHE.

 Our first devotional was on Tuesday, December 10th. We sang at the South America North West Area devotional. This was held at the CCM (mission training center for Peru) and was broadcast in the five countries that comprise the area. (Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador) 

Elder Falabella of the Seventy presided and spoke at the devotional. I was really impressed by a talk given by Elder Zeballos. He spoke on the three levels of Christmas. Level 1 is the commercial level of Christmas. We think about the lights, the presents, the tree, etc. Level 2 is the Night of Baby Jesus. At this level we worship the babe born in Bethlehem. Level 3 is the Living Christ. At this level we try to become more like Jesus Christ. He asked us to think about where we spend our time at Christmas. Which level do we worship at this time of year and throughout the rest of the year?

After the devotional, they had a really nice buffet luncheon for all the area employees and service missionaries. They had live music and some really great Peruvian folk dancers that entertained us.

This was a very fancy buffet luncheon!

With the service missionaries from Chosica. Our friend, Patricia is on the right.

Devotional 2

Our second devotional was held at the Mission Training Center (CCM) on Friday, December 13th. This was a wonderful night and we were outside for this devotional. 

At the CCM for the devotional.

We first saw a video that explained what they do at the CCM. There were many people there that did not belong to the church. After that we went through the Savior's birth with Christmas songs. The young missionaries sang two numbers, we sang one, and the teachers at the CCM sang another. The rest of the songs the entire group sang together. It was very magical. At the end of the singing we saw the movie "The CHRIST CHILD: A Nativity Story.  I would encourage you all to watch it this Christmas. It is wonderful!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXWoKi5x3lw

After the closing prayer, they turned on the Christmas lights for the CCM. They served the traditional Christmas dessert for refreshments--Panaton (a Christmas bread with raisins and candied fruits in it) and hot chocolate.

Christmas Lights at the CCM

It was a wonderful night. Thor was able to talk with a mother and her daughter about the gospel. The granddaughter had brought them (her grandma and aunt) to this special night hoping they would feel the spirit of Christ. 

Thor talked with the mother and daughter that are between us.
The granddaughter's other grandparents are to the left. They are members of the Church.

Plants of Peru

Random Photo of the Week

Valentina Guevara is teaching me to read Spanish! She is nine.