Week in Review - 4 May 2015 - 10 May 2015

So, a bunch of stuff happened this week, some that was in Skype, and some that wasn't...

We had transfers!  The two sisters went their separate ways, Hna. Pulice went to Cerro de Pasco, while Hna. Goyzueta went to Ambo, in Huanuco.  There are no more sisters here in Satipo, and we received 2 more Elders, so we are staying at 6 missionaries here in Satipo, in this ward.  I'm still here, which means that if there isn't any emergency transfers, I will be here for 6 months, and pass my birthday here!  

Cinco de Mayo food party with tacos - notice the Inca Kola

We had a 5 de Mayo Mexican food party here, but we had it on the 4th of May, because of transfers, so that was all goofed up. Taco Bell Seasoning mix from Hna. Goyzueta, and a few tortillas later and we had tacos!  Love it!  And yes, there is lettuce in these photos, but it is OK!  I spoke with Hna. Henderson, and she taught us how to prepare Lettuce and clean it, as long as WE do it, and the Pensionistas don't.  So, we did, because tacos aren't tacos without lettuce. 

Elder Holmes taco. Doesn't that homemade tortilla look good?

Then, we come to the fun part.  We didn't have P-Day on this last Monday because out P-Day was scheduled to be after transfers to go to La Merced for our Multi Zone P-Day and also Stake Conference conveniently there at the same weekend. So, on Friday, off we went... La Merced in the morning, but in route, the Taxi Driver told us he couldn't take us, that the Government was holding the Bridge Ipoki hostage, and that if anybody wanted to pass they would need 4000 soles.  Well that only is the fact if they don't have identification. 

Zone Conference in La Merced

Well, its nice to know that none of the businesses that are here as a taxi service have this identification that the government wants because nobody wanted to take us!  So, after a nice little trip to a convee [We asked Elder Holmes what a convee is. He told us if a MotoTaxi is not available, they take the convee. It is like a van that carries about 15-20 people. But they shove in about 40 people. He also told us that it smells of 40 people. He said it is pretty bad.], terminal, we had an hour trip in a convee... Nuff said there, until we got to Pichinaki. 

Then we went from there to La Merced using a Taxi. Ahhh.. We could breath again!  I think there were about 40 people in this machine that should've only had like 15 or 20 max.  But this trip wouldn't be complete without a landslide!  The same landslide that happened on the last transfer, they were still cleaning it up, and we had to wait for them to make a passage for us to come through.... Anyways... we get to La Merced... Check into our Hotel, then we meet the other missionaries and they say that our P-Day is in Pichinaki.. So, off we go again to return to Pichinaki!  Ahhh!!!   Then after that, we go back to La Merced. Stay the Night, and have our conference in the Morning...  The conference was great, and I have attached some photos of all the missionaries there in this area, there are 3 zones of missionaries here so, we got together, had our conference, and then watched Meet the Mormons, which was awesome, as it was the first time I had seen it. 

Zone Conference in La Merced

Zone Conference in La Merced

Now... We finished our time in La Merced right? Off to Satipo again!  But on Sunday morning, bright and early, we travel back to La Merced (A 2 hour travel) to do our Stake Conference!  Then we have stake Conference (with Elder Godoy of the 70) and have to travel back home again! I'm pooped!  No More traveling!  I'm done!

All in all, this was a jam packed week.. Also, had the opportunity to call home which was great, and I'm sure that my mom will fill everyone in on that...

Hope all is great at home!  Love you all!

Elder Holmes
Satipo, Peru

[Hello all, this is Elder Holmes mom... I am going to post some fun pictures that Elder Holmes sent the family. We hope you enjoy them.

Peruvian Pancake Maker

One thing you need to know about Elder Holmes, he loves to cook. At home, he has a donut machine, looks like the one above, but for donuts. So he couldn't resist this pancake maker. How funny. He also loves SYRUP. That is an understatement. But they don't have syrup in Peru. So they top it with butter and jam. 

The end result of the pancake maker

Peruvian Twinkie... Filled with Manjar.  It is SO DELICIOUS.  Like a cinnamon roll.

Pepe Lucho... Its like the Rodents of Unusual
Size from Princess Bride.
They do exist!

Pepe Lucho, on his throne.. Its a real animal. 

Photos of us as a zone and district... there are a few photo 

bombers in the ones in front of the waterfall...

On Mother's Day we were able to talk to Elder Holmes with Skype for about 1 hour. It was a great call. He spoke to us in Spanish (which he did very well) and Quechuan, which is a Inca tribal language. He just knows phrases. He is also staying in Satipo, Peru, the jungle for another 6 weeks. One of his main responsibilities is that he teaches English classes. His mission president is so impressed by the attendance of his classes, (about 20-25 show up) that each time he is transfered to a new area, he is going to start up English classes which will continue to serve the area. He uses his solar panels each day and only drinks the water when he visits a waterfall and fills up his UV filters. 

Elder Holmes on Skype

He also told us how in Peru, they really don't have laws and if they do, they aren't enforced at all. The people in Peru do not pay taxes, so if a bridge needs repair, it can take several years to have that completed. He also mentioned that the food in Peru is not spicy at all, which is surprising. 

Enjoy!!

Jill Holmes - Elder Holmes mom