Tormenta de lluvia in Lima (Rain Storm in Lima)

And the Big News is...

RAIN! Notice that the rooftops are wet! 

It rained on Friday! This is a big event in Lima and was on the news stations and in the papers. They do not get rain.  In fact, one person said that it was first rain they remembered in 13 years. 

"During winter, from June to September, the sky is almost always cloudy, and there is a kind of mist, the garúa, which can deposit a bit of moisture on the ground.  Rainfall is definitely scarce or completely absent: apart from the mist that falls to the ground in winter, as well as the very rare and sparse shower that occur in summer, it practically never rains. " The average precipitation in Lima is 6 millimeters or 0.2 inches. Yes, we live in a desert.

In Utah the rain we had would be considered a light shower. We walked home in the rain and yes, we sang!

After our walk in the rain! There are wet spots on my shirt.

Maybe It's Spring

We had a sunny afternoon this past week. We went for a walk to the botanical garden at the National Agriculture University of La Molina. It's not too far from our apartment. To get in to see the garden we had to register at the door--that means showing our identity cards from Peru. Then they gave us visitor badges to wear.

It is a really nice campus, with a lot of open space. There were a lot of students walking around, so that was fun to see. We saw a flock of green parrots. They seem to be having a territory war--lots of squawking and chasing each other. 

The garden was nice and we saw some interesting plants.

One of the buildings on campus

A small water feature at the garden

The garden

An unidentified plant at the garden

The hydroponics lab--nice lettuce growing

This boat was used in their fisheries department.

Something Spiritual

Sometimes life doesn't go as it has been planned. We had two meetings that we had to be to on Sunday night. Our first meeting was in Santa Clara. We were able to talk at an English Connect graduation and devotional for the next set of classes. Thor did a great job talking about self reliance. I was able to bear my testimony. That meeting went really well.

At our first training meeting with Abraham and his family. Thor knows him from Fundet.

Next we had to get transportation to our next meeting. No luck with Uber. No taxis to be seen. Thor finally asked a mototaxi driver if he would take us. Fun ride! We do get there in plenty of time before the meeting. We have a nice conversation with Miguel from Venezuela. No people and it's even past Peruvian time to start! (Peruvian time is about 15 minutes past the said starting time) Thor finally reaches someone and finds out that the meeting had been cancelled due to conflicts with another meeting.

Life goes like that. We have it all planned out and then something different happens. How do we react to the change of plans? Do we get angry or do we just smile, learn something from the experience and move on.

Plants of Peru

Random Picture of the Week

We followed this young man on our way to the office.

Yes, those are bells on his boots!

Leaving is so Hard to Do!

A Week of Trainings

We started off the week with new missionaries coming to the mission. It is a fun moment to welcome them with cheers and high fives. Then we stayed for their training. We had a lot of down time when  President and Sister Amato were interviewing each new missionary. The missionaries decided that we would play a game called "Signs".  It involves a lot of slapping your thighs and clapping. Each person chooses a "sign" which is some kind of hand movement, like crossed arms, peace sign, hang loose sign, etc. Then the leader begins. He does his sign and then does the sign of someone else. That person must receive his sign (he does his sign) and then do the sign of a another person. All this while clapping in rhythm and the clapping keeps getting faster. It was a lot of fun for all.

The next training was for the new English Specialists in each zone. We are starting a new English learning program and the specialists are the ones that will be teaching it each week. I am over the program. The missionaries are really excited about it and were excited to be in the training.

English Specialist Training

The final training of the week was for missionaries three transfers out from going home. It is the new self reliance training for the missionaries. This first training involved the missionaries taking a vocational interest test. Many of them do not know what they want to do when they get home. This is to give them ideas where their interests lie. It will also help them decide if they need a college education or vocational training. Thor is in charge of the program with the help of President Amato and Miguel Serrano.

Missionaries taking vocational interest test

Elder Lindstrom with the missionaries at the training

Something Musical

The Mayoragzo Stake put on a special musical night. They had a line up of piano numbers and one classical guitarist. There were many beautiful numbers played. One young man played two selections, one was from Japan and the other from South Korea. They were both really impressive. One of our missionaries, Hermana Lindquist played an arrangement of "If You Could Hie to Kolob". She did a great job. The highlight of the night was a nine year old boy. He started playing the piano one year ago. He doesn't read music yet. He plays by ear. He was truly amazing and played some great songs with great enthusiasm. 

The Classical Guitarist

All the musicians

We had four sister missionaries to our house after the music night. We had made cookies for the first time in Peru and wanted to share them. It was fun to have them over. The young missionaries always have questions for us.  Some of them are: What do you do for p-day? (preparation day) What is your schedule like? Do you cook?

Something Spiritual

Our friend, Sister Lilly Rosario left for home this past week. She is a single senior missionary in her early 40's. She is a convert of just four years. She has done an amazing job here in Peru. She learned Spanish, she got the EnglishConnect program going, she has been involved with the Pathways program, and many other things. She is a very talented and dedicated woman.

When Sister Rosario got to the airport on Monday night, she thought she would be home in Durango, Colorado the next day. She didn't realize that the Lord had other plans for her!

That night there were also eight young missionaries going home. The plane had mechanical difficulties and couldn't take off. The missionaries were all delivered to a hotel in the early morning hours. Sister Rosario was the only one with a phone. She began making calls to mission presidents and families. 

The next day she took them all to the zoo! Then that night is was back to the airport for the second attempt to go home. It didn't work, they couldn't get the plane door to close. So back to the hotel they all went. More phone calls and parents getting a little frantic. 

Sister Rosario with the missionaries at the zoo

The next afternoon Sister Rosario took all the missionaries to the Lima Temple! Then it was back to the airport. The plane actually left that night. There were more delays and those going to Utah didn't get in until Thursday night! What an adventure!

Sister Rosario with the missionaries at the Temple

What a blessing Sister Rosario was to those young missionaries. She was in the right place at the right time. The Lord knew that those missionaries would need someone to look out for them and it was Sister Rosario.

Hopefully we are in the right place at the right time to look out for those that the Lord would have us watch over.

Plants of Peru

Taken on September 11 and then the same tree down below

Close up of the blossoms

Taken on September 15

Random Photo of the Week

Taking my first moto-taxi ride!

What Is Your Medical Training?

Something Medical

Thursday we traveled to Cieneguilla with Sister Lilly Rosario (a senior missionary sister) and Elder Hixson (Area Medical Doctor). We went to Hogar Cima. This is a place for the rehabilitation of boys and young men who have had significant emotional/behavioral issues in their homes. When their rehabilitation is complete they return to their families.  The founder lives there. They go to school, either on site or in the town. They also teach them different skills so they will be able to work when they leave. It is an NGO that is funded by Europeans and others. They also have volunteers that come from Europe and live at the facility and help out. We met a young man from Germany. One of his duties was to teach basic English to the boys.

We went out with Elder Hixson to see any of the boys that had health problems. Since Elder Hixson doesn't speak a lot of Spanish, Elder Lindstrom became his translator and medical transcriber. They were able to see about 20 boys in the 2 hours that we were there. Most of the complaints were not too serious, which was a blessing. Sister Rosario and I were the receptionists, asking their names and getting their files out.  Thor (Elder Lindstrom) was quite touched as he interviewed each of these boys; realizing the trauma that each one had likely experienced.  He mentioned also that more often than not, Elder (Dr.) Hixon wanted Elder Lindstrom to reassure each young man that they would be fine.  

I was able to go on a short tour of the farm that they have there.  They raise pigs, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs. They also have some milk cows. Their latest project is turning dung into natural gas. They are able to fuel their kitchen for 2 hours a day with the fuel they make.

I didn't get a picture of the boys, but I did get a picture of the goat!

Something From the Office

Elder Pardo (one of the office elders) lost his keys to the office this week. Unfortuately the key to the mail box was on the key ring. We have been waiting for a letter from our cute grandchildren. We saw letters in the box and thought "their letter must be in the box". Elder Pardo tried some other keys to see if he had a spare--no luck. He did the next best thing. He took a hammer and screw driver and broke into the mailbox! Our letter was not in the box, but there were a lot of other letters.

"The Office Elders" Armstrong, Wilcox, Tenney, White, and Pardo 

Elder Armstrong and Elder Wilcox (other office elders) decided that they wanted to burn the old baptism registries. They had personal information on them and are not needed any longer and shredding them didn't sound like much fun. They asked me if they could burn them on the roof. Our roof is made of cement, but I told them they could not do that. We have a fireplace in the back, so I suggested that instead. They started the fire and then piled a whole lot of rolled up papers on the fire. (These elders are both Eagle Scouts.) It didn't burn very well. Then we heard a whole bunch of knocking--it was the neighbor wondering if the building was on fire! It took a long time that night to get the papers all burned and the fire out. They told me that they burned some more papers the next day--the right way this time, adding only a few at a time. Another neighbor came and complained about it. So the burning has ended and the shredding has begun.

Baptism (records) by fire!

Something Spiritual

We had a really nice training for the missionaries that have been in the mission for 12 weeks. It started with a spaghetti lunch at President Amato's home. (Where the elders all got sauce on their white shirts.) Then we moved to the church. We only had two sisters, one elder and their companions. It was a very small group.

Hermanas Gordon and Mayta, The Amatos, Elder Carvalho

We listened to part of a talk by Elder Holland where he says: "What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me."

And then I think of sweet Hermana Gordon from Australia. She was not planning on serving a mission. She is 27 years old, had finished her degree and was working professionally. Then last October she got a really strong impression that she should go on a mission. She put in her papers and here she is. She is feeding our Father's sheep and saving His lambs. She truly, truly loves her Savior.

May we all feed our Father's sheep and save His lambs where ever we are in the world.

Plants of Peru

Random Pictures

Those learning air conditioning at Fundet. Thor helps facilitate a small business self-reliance class there.

Elder Armstrong getting a haircut!

A White Week

Something White

It costs quite a bit to get a wedding license in Peru.  It is 320 soles, which is about $112. Many people just live together instead of getting married. To be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints you need to follow certain commandments, like living the law of chastity. So you need to get married or separate before you can be baptized.

The elders in our district have been teaching Juan Pablo, Carmen and their 17 year old son the gospel.  Their son was baptized several weeks ago. Juan Pablo and Carmen decided that they would get married and get baptized!

We were invited to the wedding last Thursday. Our ward, the Covima Barrio, helped put on the wedding. It was suppose to start at 8:00 pm, but we are on Peruvian time. It started quite a bit later.

Juan Pablo and Carmen were escorted into the cultural hall by their parents. They sat in front of a big table. Then the two witnesses came in and sat on each side of them. The gentleman that was doing the wedding preformed the ceremony. At the end they signed the papers and then added their fingerprints to the document. Then there was the ring ceremony. They each exchanged rings saying they would love and cherish, in sickness and health, until death do we part.

Carmen & Juan Pablo

Pictures, lots and lots of pictures came next! A toast to the new couple followed. After that the couple danced. Then the bride and groom danced with different people in the hall. We were even invited to dance with them. All the while there were pictures being taken. 

We left just after 10 pm. Everyone in the hall was dancing. And they still had a wedding dinner to eat!

With their little daughter and the Lindstroms

Something Whiter

Saturday was a special night. We were able to witness the baptism of four people in the Covima Barrio. Juan Pablo and Carmen were baptized.  Also a mother and daughter were baptized.

What a special priviledge to watch these people make their first covenants with the Lord. It was a wonderful night.

Mother, daughter, Juan Pablo, Carmen

With our missionaries. What a beautiful sight!

After they were baptized, they were each able to bear their testimonies. It was very special.
On Sunday they were all confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost to help guide them through this life.

Something Spiritual

It was multizone conferences this past week. I just wanted to share two quotes from some sweet sister missionaries that bore their testimonies.

"Because of Him, I can feel love for the stranger on the street." Hermana Pacheco

"Charity is not something we have, it is what we are." Hermana Lindquist

Enough said!

Plants of Peru

Random Photo of the Week

We couldn't figure out what this road sign means. I thought it looked like an Inca warrior!

Did You Say Quidditch?

Something Magical

Last night I saw something truly magical! We were on our way to a training in Las Flores. I am looking out the window and there are a lot of people in a group. I look closer and they have colored sticks between they legs that they are holding on to. They are playing some kind of game. At each end of the playing area there are three large rings up on stands. There are different sizes of balls that they are using. I realize that they are playing Quidditch. "Look they're playing quidditch!" Our driver asks what? And we explain that it is the game in the Harry Potter books.

I wish I had gotten a picture. It's nice to know that Harry Potter is alive and well in Peru.

PS I had to look up how they do the snitch. Here is the information from Wikipedia. "The ultimate goal is to have more points than the other team by the time the snitch, a tennis ball inside a long sock hanging from the shorts of an impartial official dressed in yellow, is caught."

These are not the brooms they used. These are used by the workers who clean the sidewalks.

Something Comical

I was out in Campoy. The missionaries out there actually call it Campolvo, because of all the dust. (Polvo is dust in Spanish.) They were all so very nervous to come and talk with me. It was pretty comical. I tried having them do yoga breathing as we walked down the hall to my room. The other funny thing is that they made sure that everyone of them talked with me. One of the zone leaders, Elder Paez had been there and then had left to an appointment. When he returned there was a group of elders that escorted him down the hall to my room. They all try so hard!

Hermanas Pozo and Royal showing off their clean room to Elders Lindstrom and Pardo

Something Spiritual

I had several sweet experiences as I have been interviewing the missionaries.  This week I had two missionaries ask if they could share their testimony with me in English.  What a priviledge it was for me to listen to Elder Vazques and Hermana Suarez testify of truths in English.

I just loved this experience that Hermana Black shared with me. In our mission we look for the escogidos or the elect. In Doctrine and Covenants 29:7 it states: "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts." The missionaries are taught some questions that they may ask to see if the people will hear the Savior's voice.  She and her companion decided that they would fast and prayer that the people would recognize them as representatives of our Savior, Jesus Christ. She related that one lady that they meet, recognized something different about them. They were then able to teach her.

What a powerful idea! To be recognized as representatives of Jesus Christ. Isn't that what we try to do as we love our neighbors and minister to those around us. As we treat others with the love and compassion that the Savior had for everyone, we too will be recognized as His disciples.

One last thought, I would encourage you to read this article. It is about a young man that lives in our mission. He and his twin brother were baptized 6 months ago and are now planning on going on missions.  https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-08-14/peru-paulo-gallardo-soccer-mission-157321

Plants of Peru

This one smells divine!

Random Photos of the Week

Thor went for a ride in a mototaxi with Elders Pardo, Binford and Moreno.
I don't know how they got four elders in one!

The first course at lunch! 

Is This Real Missionary Work?

Something about English

This was a week of learning about English. All Latino missionaries are strongly encouraged to learn English while they are on their mission. This will help them when they return home. They can earn more money in jobs, if they can speak English. They can do the Pathways program and then move on to BYU-I if they can speak English. It gives them a way up in the world.

On Monday I traveled into the downtown Lima to the Lima Central Mission. Sister Strong (mission president's wife of Lima Central) had invited me and Sister Packard and Sister Glazier (two new mission president's wives) to learn about the program that she does in her mission. She was very kind and fixed a lunch for us and had a lot of materials ready. It's a great program and we will be doing it in our mission. I will also be in charge of it.

The view from Sister Strong's 19th floor apartment in downtown Lima

We travel with the mission president to zone interviews and while the missionaries wait for their interview with the president they get to talk with me! We talk about where they are in their English learning. I ask them some pretty basic English questions, such as: where they are from, what's their favorite food, how many brothers and sisters in their family, etc.  

I know just how they feel when they can't understand a question or when they can't find the words to answer it. I'm the same way with my Spanish.

On Wednesday I had four cute hermanas sitting on the couch in the mission office teaching them basic English. They want to learn, but they have no American in their apartment. It makes it very difficult.

Elder Garcia--one of my English victims

Something Clean or is it Dirty?

Thor has been busy checking out missionary apartments. Apparently there are a lot of back problems in the mission, so the mattresses need to be checked. When he and Elder Pardo go out, they are also looking for safety issues and how clean the place is.  Nothing like a surprise check up!

A study area

A kitchen

The inside of the Sisters fridge

The inside of the Elders fridge--Yes there is a difference!

Something Shared

We surprised our zone on Thursday. We have never gone to a zone meeting before. We walked in and had them put us on the agenda. We then related the story of the lady that felt impressed to make President Kimball a new tie. When she arrived at the door with the tie in hand, she wondered why she was there. Sister Kimball opened the door and stopped her from going and said, "Never suppress a generous thought."

We then shared rolls, jam, cheese, and oranges with them. We have found that many of them don't take time to eat breakfast.

Here's the link to the story:  https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bonnie-d-parkin/personal-ministry-sacred-precious/

Our zone

Something Spiritual

Thor had the opportunity to do a training at Fundet this week. These are his thoughts on it.

Time for my presentation at the Fundet trade school.  So 87 present, 86 men and 1 lady. All of them starting this week a 4-8 week training program that will guarantee them a job in a trade when they complete the training.  The current classes are: Refrigeration, Motor Repair, Accounting Assistant and Micro Finance). I had them show by a raise of hands how many were converts (about a third of them); and how many of them were returned missionaries (about ⅔ of them).  

    The presentation on Self Reliance went very well.  They are an incredible audience. And I felt very blessed and sustained during the presentation.  Judging by their response to the question at the beginning: “What is Self Reliance?”, I knew we were starting from the ground level.  I’ve learned that principle from listening to Elder David A. Bednar speak to groups of missionaries. (ask questions and listen carefully to the answers to determine what the group is ready to receive)  At one point in the presentation, it was so clear to me the message: STOP, let them write down what the spirit is telling them. So I gave them 2-3 minutes to write down the thoughts that had come to their minds.  And many of them were deep in thought and writing many things down. It felt like and the content was that of a church meeting. Their participation critical. I felt a little awkward receiving a loud round of applause when we finished.   And many wanted their picture taken with me. And no, I did not let this get to my head. At times during my presentation specific things came to my mind that were then shared. I did appreciate the several who shared that they had felt the spirit throughout the presentation, and that they learned so much.  As did I-we were all edified, and the Holy Ghost was the teacher. If Fundet will have me back, this will be something I cherish the opportunity to do. Teach them the basics of Self Reliance. Encourage them and share with them my love and my confidence that they will be successful. There are three older men (late 40s or early 50s) in the group, and they shared some incredible stories. I was blessed through the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to do things this morning that I could not do without His sustaining power and influence.

Plants of Peru

Random Photo of the Week

These are the moto taxis waiting outside of a school to take kids home.
They are 3 wheeled vehicles.