Marcona

We spent Sunday and Monday in Marcona and were able to visit about 10 families.  It is really a humbling experience to be sitting on the only chair in the room and know they feel rich because of the joy the gospel brings in their lives.

Field Trip

The field across from us is growing potatoes.  They really grow fast!  They get water from aqueducts somewhere above us.  You can see the dams and ditches.  The children in the background were on a field trip!

The school near us - the one with the older people who marched in the parade with them - serves breakfast and lunch to the homeless and poor everyday.

Preparing for winter

Even the dogs are getting ready for winter.  This is in a store where we are teaching a mom and daughter.

They sell really good chocolate cake!

Time flies

5 months in the mission!  Yesterday we helped a family preparing to send their daughter to Bolivia on a mission.  She is the only member in the family and it's amazing how supportive these families are to send their sons and daughters on missions when they don't understand the gospel.  These people are so sweet and humble and accepting.  Her mom and I both shed a few tears.

Sunday was a good day.   There were over 80 in attendance at two of the branches.  Night Sacrament Meeting was interesting as we had it in the dark with two flashlights and people's cell phone lights.  The power was off for repairs all day until almost 9 pm. 

For emergencies

Usually someone sits in front of the public bathrooms and sells squares of toilet paper.  With all of our water problems I am glad we didn't have to shower(ducha) here.jk

Although I have to admit I have had to take advantage of the bano.

Preocupado

Our neighbor painted the garden fence while we were gone and we didn't even notice.  After a couple of days and we didn't say anything, he finally pointed it out.  The top of the picture has our new "basura" or garbage holder so the dogs and rats don't get in our garbage.

More Construction

Almost every street is now torn up to put in the new water pipes. 

Uninvited guest

We were catching up on our chores in the backyard when Elder Jones discovered our "new pet".  After a

"batalla a la muerte" Elder Jones came out the winner.  I was glad I didn't have to have a new companion!

(Yes, it is a rat and measured a little over a foot long-not counting the tail.)

This was our choice for first in the secundario division (age 12-17)

The parade started at 8:30 and went to 2:00.  There are a lot or schools here!

We enjoyed the parade while having our favorite pizza.

This was our pick for the primaria winner.(age 5-11)

The children march down the boulevard and are judged at the end of the street.  That's why they practice so much.  The younger children are first.(age 2-4) 

Desfile

We got back in time for the parade of schools.  That is what everyone has been practising for we found out.  The little school by us honored the elderly as they marched with them.  Two of the hermanos are in our branch. 

Quick trip home

The death of a loved one really puts the gospel of Jesus Christ to work in our lives.  The Plan of Salvation is a reality that makes death bearable.  What a comfort to know this life is not all there is.