Week in Review Nov 4th, 2014 - Nov 9th, 2014

Oh the life of a missionary... Working, Studying, Service, and more... When will I ever get to sleep in?  Oh wait.... In 21-22 months....Ok... So here we go!

November 4th, 2014 

P-Day. We didn't do much today in regards to P-DAY... And No Ice Cream... More of just a quiet day....

November 5th, 2014

So one of our many roles as missionaries is being teachers.  Actually, a main role, but in this case we also teach seminary about 1 or 2 times per week. Since the school schedule is different then ours, we are currently in Ether and the Building of the barges for the travel.  Little by little I can express more of what I would like to, which is coming in handy for seminary. [Seminary is early morning church for the high school aged kids. Each year they learn a new book of study, from the New Testament, Old Testament, Book of Mormon or Church History. Elder Holmes attended and graduated from 4 years of early morning seminary while he attended high school.]

November 6th, 2014

District meeting today, which meant another English class from yours truly for the native Spanish speaking missionaries.  I taught the phonetics of how to say English letters and words, using the sample sentence ¨The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the Wall¨Among others with Elder Whitaker.  Then it came, I put them all on the spot and began their English Tests.  Next week will be all of them, oh this will be fun.  After lunch, Elder Chapeton, Hermano Luis (Ward Mission Leader), and I Cleaned the building from Entrance to the baptismal room.  All tile.  All dirty.  I will just leave it at this.  Habits and techniques for cleaning are very different than ours.  And we also filled the font today just in case we don't have water tomorrow. [This was also the day he found out that none of our packages have arrived yet. We continue to pray. We sent his first package on September 29th. We hope that at least one of the several we have sent will arrive before Christmas.]

November 7th, 2014

Just a side note: Elder Holmes is only 5' 7" - unless he had a growth spurt, you can see how much taller he is among the Peruvian people, including his native companion.

Went on a contacting blitz today which basically meant huge Spanish practice-embarrassment for me FOR THE RECORD I actually have no fear of approaching and talking to the people, but I do have a fear of not understanding their answers to my questions.  Agh... But onto better news..: We had a baptism!  Hmas Samaritana!  I sent some photos to family for the blog, Yes this is my 1st official conversion baptism, and it was great!  Everyone felt the spirit, yup there were tears, and of course, we finished off with refreshments!  Typical Mormon Style anywhere in the world!

(Note for the photos, I will always smile despite the culture which I don't think they like to be very happy for group pictures because before and after they were totally good, laughing and having a good time.) 


November 8th, 2014

Well, we cleaned the building again today, but a different section, and it also took a while... But we had some help from the youth in the ward.  Then I bought some cookies and my companion bought soda for those who came and helped.  Inca Kola is way better here than in the states.  By Far.  I actually like it here. [Before Elder Holmes left for his mission, we both (his mom) went to a Peruvian restaurant and tried Inca Kola. It wasn't bad, tasted like Bubble Gum. The color yellow. It is their soda like we have Coke and it is safer to drink than water. Glad for his sake it tastes better in Peru than in the USA.] Also, we had the opportunity to speak with some of the local Jehovah's Witnesses, and the conversation (which was totally good and civil) got to the subject of kingdoms of glory and Celestial States.  Basically who will live with God (Cor. 15) and they believe that only 144,000 out of all the people in the worlds history will be able to live with God.. Well ok then, if that is what you think, how do I feel now?  Their lesson took a spin form them teaching us to us teaching them and one of them agreeing with us. Once that happened, the other companion decided to end the conversation and leave happily... Hmmm.... A future Contact?

November 9th, 2014

Today was Sunday, and started off with missing breakfast.  Woo hoo. But it was for a good cause, helping a family get to church.  Also worthy of mention, this is the first week I haven't been asked to pass the sacrament (Not a bunch of youth to help out)  

My most important note for today is from Matthew... Ask and ye shall receive...
Well.... I asked today who the Ward Temple Preparation Class Teacher Was... And I received... I am also the Ward Temple Class teacher for the next duration.  Woo hoo!  No I just have to translate what I don't have for materials...Ahh the life of a Gringo Missionary.  

Thank you for your continued emails and support, and as promised I will write as often as I have the chance!

Elder Holmes
Huanuco, Peru
San Luis

Week in Review Oct 27, 2014 - Nov 3, 2014

Mototaxi in Peru courtesy of
Google Images

Hello All!  As Promised, I would make a list of all the things I took for granted in the States, especially being here in Peru.

-Toilets that graciously accept toilet paper

-Laws Regarding Fires in the streets

-Paved Roads for when the rains come down, and the floods come up...

-Food that is the same texture that agrees with my stomach.

-Piano Players

-And For now.... Moto Taxis...that have 4 wheels:: All these that have 3 wheels kinda freak me out when we go over speed bumps or other obstacles....

Monday, October 27th, 2014

Elder Holmes with the monkeys

P-Day!  So it is obligatory.  Sorry! These slow computers copied with a bunch of missionaries makes it slow!  So, I will be uploading this last weeks ending on the 26th and for this week starting the 27th.  And, Monday was Multi-Zone conference which is why I am typing on Tuesday and not Monday:  This weeks photos are placed in the correct spot, but include 2 weeks.  So check the dates.  (If it works this week)  Went for some ice cream. Something which I always look forward to every week.  Shared a banana split with Elder Whitaker, which was to die for.

Later on in the day, Elder Whitaker, John, and Yhon, and I went on exchanges to a Zoo about 45 minutes away.  Fed a monkey and played a bit of tug of war with it and was able to enjoy just being in a different area with some others for a bit.  The city we traveled to was somewhat small, and for a bunch of them it was like his was the first time they have seen North Americans!  A bunch of flies, and my legs are destroyed by the carnage they ensued upon me.

All in all, it was a great day, I mean, we had ice cream twice, what is to complain about?

Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

Had our weekly district meeting, all is good.  As a side note, at the district meetings we also picked up our filtered water jugs and swap them out with our empty ones. Today was a jam packed day afterwards!  Starting today, I am part of a Trio as we have another Elder who joins our ranks (until Sunday, then he is off) so now we all do stuff together.  Yea, it is not as fun as it sounds.  Teaching with 2 is great because you can ping pong the lesson back and forth, but with 3 it becomes basically a free for all.  Also today, I taught an English Lesson for the Latins and requested an additional manual, the same manual by the way that the Locals use to prepare for the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages Opic Test and Certification. So I can more adequately teach that as well.  All in all, I don't really have a whole lot of time to do other things, so in this instance I really will see how the next 22 months will fly!

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

Forgot to mention we had the opportunity to do some exchanges this week and learn from each other... Oh yea, and I know a bit more Spanish than I thought I did... I don't know what it is, but when you exchange who you are with, even for a bit, you feel more free to talk in the other language.  So needless to say, exchanges went pretty well, and I know my large area of San Luis pretty well!

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

Not because of who, but being in a Trio, isn't very fun all the time.  One more person for everything... Showers... Eating... Walking... (If they are beyond slow) but yea... I am really learning patience here.  Our lessons with our investigators are progressing very well, and now we are teaching our investigators father, which suddenly became very interested!  Wo!  I love being able to talk and share a little bit more every day!  It is amazing.  Missionary work here is totally different focus also.  Obviously the goal is as missionaries to bring others to Christ, but down here we have a large duty to the less active members and to help and assist them in anyway possible.  Many of our appointments are these families and our goal is to strengthen their families and provide whatever assistance or support they might need.

Friday, October 31st, 2014

In case you are wondering we didn't do anything fun for Halloween.  I miss our community candy bowl [In our house, any candy we get from Trunk r Treating, all goes in a 'community bowl' in our home and we all eat from it.] and the Ward Trunk o Treat with our Cheesy Music! [Years ago I found this CD of Halloween music and weird sounds. Never replaced it, but funny, we couldn't find it this year.... maybe, just maybe Andrew took it with him. I guess we will never know. lol]  I think my body is finally as adjusted as it possibly can be to Peru.  I like the food, but some of the textures and repetition of items like rice, potatoes, bread, soup, begin to get to you. [In America we have those cookbooks, 101 ways to cook..... maybe they a series of books just like that. Andrew asked me to send him two pizza recipes because they just don't make them very good there. I sent him one with a yeast dough and one not. He is going to give them to his cook and see what they can come up with. I will let them convert the measurements.] Very Surprised, I think I have only had beans a few times here in Peru.  No Burritos or Tacos. Sad Face... I would love an Angie's California Burrito right about now... [Near our home, we have a Valero gas station. Inside that gas station is a fast food place called Angie's Mexican food. He is craving on of their burritos right now....]

Also worth of mention is our weekly planning session which I despise for one reason.  The names of everyone .  At least here in Peru, when everyone is married (if they are married) they keep their names. [Good genealogy training, don't you think?] So 2 family names for each family, to add to that it is have it down here to call the brother or sister, and then their 1st name, not their last name..: So come planning session, It looks like I do not know anybody!

Saturday, November 1st, 2014

Today I went contacting with another Elder because my companion was holding Baptism interview with another companionship.  So, off we went.  I have never seen someone teach the Entire Restoration in complete detail in the street on a first contact... Maybe a bit to much... But that is just my opinion for the future.

Sunday, November 2nd, 2014

Fast Sunday!  Also, I was able to pay my fast offerings for the first time here in Peru.  The tithing forms are a bit different down here, but all the same.  Also, I believe that we will now be receiving digital receipts of our Tithing, as we received a notice about it down here...

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Today was Missionary Training for the 5-ish Zones in the Area from Cerro De Pasco to A bit outside of Huanuco.... Had the opportunity to chat with Elder Bell, Elder Bush, and again Elder Whitaker (In my same district here) as we were all in the same district in the CCM.  It is nice to be able to speak English and relate some of the English-Spanish Difficulties and Getting used to so many of the things here in Peru.  Also very worthy of Mention is Hermana Henderson's (President Henderson's Wife) Brownies.  They are legendary.  Their legend spans the distance of the Peru, Huancayo Mission and we have no fear of asking for them when the time is appropriate, because not only are the heavenly, but they for a moment, remind us of what it is like to be home.... [I think Sis. Henderson needs to send the recipe with our missionary when they leave from their missions to have as a great keepsake. But I have a feeling her recipe has been altered to deal with the high altitude that none of us moms will ever need to deal with. So grateful that she makes those American treats for our missionaries.]

Photos to come on my blog... [But no pictures of those brownies....]

www.andrewintheandes.blogspot.com

Elder Holmes

Huanuco, Peru
San Luis

[Just adding a few extra photos that he sent in email that we wanted to share with you also. Enjoy!]

Elder Holmes sent his mom a picture from the window of his
apartment (this is NOT the picture he sent). It was embedded with GPS
and this is what she THOUGHT was his apartment (She used
Google Street View)......lol

And this what is Elder Holmes ACTUAL Apartment.
I think mom needs to work on the software
a bit more to get it right.... lol

'Lego Guy' looking over Huanuco, Peru - what a view!

Looks like Inca Cola

Multi-Zone Conference with President & Sis Henderson

Week in Review Oct 21, 2014 - Oct 26, 2014

Click on the Photo to see this picture much bigger

Hello All!  About a bit over 2 months in and I am Wonderful Huanuco, Peru in some Internet cafe that is so slow and I only have one hour, so sorry if I cannot respond right away, but don't stop sending Emails!  I love them, and take photos of them on my camera so I can read them later.  Also, part of the slow Internet means no direct photos sent to anyone.  I upload them to my Google Email where my mom grabs them and puts them with my emails [blog] in about 1 day.

This is at www.andrewintheandes.blogspot.com which is nice because this way I can send more photos to all of the world to see missionaries here in the Huancayo Mission!

Some of you have been asking about the food.  I have a "pensio" [Like a boarding house] where I eat all of my meals at, and I just found out that my pensio owns a restaurant, so this is where all my food comes from. [Is that amazing or what? What a blessing!!] It usually isn't that easy.  I also pay someone else through my church withdrawal monthly for my laundry every week. [I guess no pounding his clothes on a rock, not yet anyway. lol]

As far as packages go, stick with the information that my family provides on the blog, *Mom, the same information on Facebook from Sister Henderson* because I truthfully cannot say what will or wont work here since the Postal system here is whack and I haven't received anything yet. [Peru is going through a postal strike and has for the past 4 weeks or so. We have now sent 2 packages, the last one just last week. We pray that he will receive them by Christmas. Continue to email him as that is only way to make contact right. I am sad that he doesn't have the ability to print them.]

The language barrier is definitely a physical wall that asserters itself at the least of convenient times. I know there are times my companion hates it too.  But slowly it is coming.

I am proud to say that it hasn't happened yet, but I can totally understand this now, because I have been very close, and it will be inevitable.  All missionaries I have talked to said that your mission won't be a true South American mission until you loose all bowel controls and are away from the bathroom.  Let's just say one night we RAN home, and I got there JUST in time...

Also, probably get about 1 earthquake per week, enough to wake me from my sleep, but it doesn't freak me out, probably because I have had them before, and always grown up with it being in my mind. [Living in California has given him this experience for sure. I did a quick search and found that there was an earthquake yesterday, October 26, about 50-100 southeast from his location, it registered a 5.6.]  I also bought Panneton for me and my companion.  This is a very rich bread/cake, and yes Mom, it is the same thing that you made homemade, but way bigger and way cheaper here.... [Okay, now I am curious which one of my recipes is similar.]

I continue to hope and pray all is well with you and your families, and I know that this sounds cheesy, but try for a day and make a list of all the dumb little things in your life you are grateful for, and I will share mine with you next week, and I can tell you that being here in Peru, that has definitely changed my list! [A great challenge!]

Elder Holmes
Huanuco, Peru

October 20th 2014

Monday!  Preparation Day!

Today we traveled up to the Cross which overlooks all of Huanuco, Peru.  Took some awesome photos which should be uploaded by the end of this email.  And don't forget, my Lego Figurine goes with me wherever I go, so he made it to the top too!  We did this trip with other missionaries in the area, and it took about 2 hours give or take for all to make it up.  Wonderful view, reminds me of the view of San Bernardino, only Huanuco is smaller.  Also, bought Ice Cream with a small piece of cake.  Yum...,.,

21st Tuesday

District Meeting Today.  Painful English class from a Latin today.  That's it.  I bought teaching materials and my companion and I are talking of me doing a Free English Class for the City and Area we are in on a weekly basis.  Definitely is fueling my desire to be a teacher when I return.

22nd Wednesday

Taught someone how to use Music.Lds.Org today and how the church has wonderful resources for learning music, especially with the interactive music player.  Also, had some real chocolate cake tonight in return.  Beyond loving this cake.  And it wasn't small, even better.  Oh, a dog died in the park near our apartment....Looks like it was scared to death, because it is petrified facing the sun. [I have to add, Andrew said that there are dogs everywhere. See it mentioned in a previous blog post. When I was doing Google Street View, there were so many dogs in the street view. He is so totally right, they are everywhere. I think in one view, we saw about 3-4 dogs. It was crazy.]

23rd Thursday

View of Huanuco, Peru with the Rio Huallaga
River in the foreground

Ugh... SO contacting today was basically just my job.  Oh, how I miss English.  When people say things that I don't prepare for in my head, it gets messy.  All in all today was a good contacting day. Also taught a lesson with an investigator where I was able to talk semi decently and carry a conversation.  Woo hoo!!!

24th Friday

Well, the dog in the park is still there.  Later in the day somebody put some dirt on it, more like an above ground grave.  Ummm.... Ok.... Also, had some BBQ Chicken today loved it.  Later in the day though, I passed a vendor who put her hand in a bag, and then threw about 100 chicken feet *only feet* on the fryer grill.  And then cooked them up.  Yum.  According to my Peruvian Companion, it is kinda difficult to eat *Well duh!  Its feet!* [I bet chicken feet is similar to pork rinds in the U.S.A.] but good.  Yea, I will wait on that one....


25th Saturday

Bunch of rain today!  Some lighting, but when it rains here the roads are all just so nice and beautiful... Said no one ever.  Glad my shoes are waterproof and I didn't sink too deep in the dirt/mud stuff here in San Luis.  Oh, the Dog is still there but the rain took away all the dirt.  I wonder how long this dog will be here? [That was one thing we didn't purchase for him before he left, BOOTS. We just didn't have the room. The mission packet made it clear he can purchase them in Peru. I hope he does it soon.]

26th Sunday

Help, gave my testimony 3 minute talk in Spanish today in Sacrament meeting.  It is also our first sacrament meeting because of voting, General Conference, and Stake conference...One of the great things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that it is the exact same gospel all over the world, same as it was hundreds of years ago with all the other prophets in the bible all the way back to Adam.  The only difference now is this is in more languages!

*By the way, I'm starting to not like fish.  Just kidding. Not starting, I've been every Sunday for the same 2 meals.

Until we meet again--
Elder Holmes
Huanuco, Peru

Week in Review Oct 14, 2014 - Oct 20, 2014

[Holy Cow! You can't imagine how bad Andrew's typo's have increased since he has been in Peru. I know part of that is a foreign keyboard and the other is his language is becoming Spanish more and more each day. But that is why I am here, to clean it up before you read it. lol Andrew will mention in some spots of the blog about going to the blog. This was originally written for a mass emailing to friends and family. But it is getting difficult to do that, so when the email is sent to his family, mom will edit and post in the blog with pictures. Enjoy!]

First off, All photos form now on will be sent to family only because of limited bandwidth,

and because I want to be able to send more than the computers in the Peru with Internet will allow.  They will be inserted into my blog within about 1 or 2 days, Check my blog with photos and links to some of the things I reference!  Thanks for keeping interested in my crazy travels and accordances here in Peru!  Hope all is well in the states.  It was funny, I had someone ask me what was the 1 thing that California is known for making... I stopped.  I couldn't think.  we make so much!  Tech, Agriculture, Gas, Energy, Watersports, etc... we have it all!  So for a moment, forget all the taxes, politics, agendas, and enjoy the state that literally has it all!  And so with that, this is what I did in the last week here in Huanuco Peru!

www.andrewintheandes.blogspot.com

Tuesday

So, today was P-day!  Computers here are fast but the Internet is painfully slow.  Just so you know, we have 1 hour of Internet that includes entering our data on LDS.org and emailing President Henderson [His Mission President] first, then everything else.

Today our P-Day was jam packed.  We went on a sightseeing trip of Huanuco and took a bunch of photos.  All have GPS Coordinates built in, so you can street view them.  I took one photo with me and other missionaries in our District at the Huanuco Sign.  I would like this to be my new cover photo for Facebook please! [Done] And the one of just Huanuco sign... For the blog... [Done again] This keyboard really stinks... Sorry..... [As you will notice, I am trying to make the experience a bit better by cleaning it up and now it is readable.]

Anyways. we visited a museum which we actually got to see a bunch of

Peruvian Artifacts which I took some photos of before we were told not to.  Nice History tour of the people and the Area!  Also worthy of mention was a visit to BanaFria which is a subgroup of Nestle [Andrew is a huge Nestle Quik Chocolate Milk fan].  It is like a Baskin Robbins with less flavors.  But I love Ice Cream, and we all sat and enjoyed our little piece of heaven.

Wednesday

District Meeting Today.  My companion is the district leader and likes to sometimes do things that involve me without telling me until the last minute.  So with that in mind, I taught a lesson with Elder Whitaker for Spanish to English Learning Class which today included praying and building sentences using the words.  It went pretty well, but I think the fun part was teaching the pronunciation of the words.  I'm sure they laugh at our pronunciation just as much though, so I really don't feel bad. 

Thursday

Service is a big part of being a missionary, and I feel it has a higher significance for individuals here in south America.  We helped out a member who lives way up on the mountain side of where our area is.  I think we moved around 50 mud block type bricks from the front below of the house, to the back above side of the house.  I love these kind of projects for two reasons.  Being able to see the faces of those you serve afterwards, and the 2nd is it helps us as missionaries exemplify our calling as missionaries and serve by the power of the name on our plaque we always wear.  Jesus Cristo.

Friday

Spanish is coming along, but not as quickly or effectively as I would like, but it is coming.  One sign of this is I was able to teach half a lesson (Ping pong with my companion) and I committed an Investigator to baptism!  Woo hoo!  We could all just feel the spirit of happiness in the room, and I could really tell she was excited that she was asked to follow the same example of Jesus Christ instituted when he was on the Earth, and become baptized by someone holding the power and authority of God.  Now it is time to learn more Spanish so I can teach more!  Oh, and the people are still always calling me Gringo.  I need some sun.  

Later in the evening, I had the opportunity to practice my Spanish with some youth while my companion was talking with someone else.  It is so much easier to talk with little children, and so much more fun!  Adults will scare me with their Spanish sometimes, especially when the have the following combinations. Speaking fast, is old, has no teeth, and their lips don't move, and they are practically deaf.  This is when I just look at my companion and have him talk all of the lesson.  

I also took some panoramic photos of the city from up where we did some service.  It is a great view of the city.  It also has GPS but there is NO WAY for street view at this house. 
 
Saturday

I just miss my bathroom from home.  I miss putting toilet paper, you know.. In the toilet.  Keep this in mom.  [He knows me too well, I actually thought TMI, Too Much Information. lol] Past tense speaking here.  I was sick for 1 day.  It has been gone for a bit, basically all the gringos get this.... But the most uncomfortable part was probably having to be nice to the toilets and the bote [A trash can for the toilet paper as it doesn't go into the sewer system.] can where my t-p goes.  I'm just glad we have toilet seats, because that would have made me sad.

Anyways, today was [LDS] General Conference, Saturday Session (Because Last week was steak Conference and the week before was voting) Ya, I'm glad I saw these in English because my Spanish isn't great enough to understand this yet.  So out came my notes.  I would have to say on Saturday, my favorite talk was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, [Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth] and our abilities to understand anything when we have the right tools.  He used the comparisons of trying to explain the microwave to someone 100 years ago!  This is real, we know it, but nonetheless people will still try to tell us that it is impossible. And others might even reject it.  This is because they don't have the proper tools to understand it yet.  The same is with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I would highly suggest all to watch it.  The video will be on my blog in a bout 1 or 2 days. But it really helps for all of us to put things into perspective.  I love having the opportunities to listen to modern day prophets and apostles and just like in times of old in the Bible.  All in all, things are great here n Peru!

Sunday

Day 2 of [LDS] General Conference.  As always, Conference is Great, and I loved the discourse from Apostle David A Bednar [Come and See] regarding why Mormons go all over the world telling others about the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ and out of the goodness of their hearts no matter the pain.  As a companionship, we committed 2 more to baptism!  Woo hoo!  I have just counted. I have 23 bug bites between my calves, and hands.  Yea, It is awesome. 

Elder Holmes 
Huanuco, Peru

Museum in Huanuco, Peru

The cover of his Book of Mormon they give him at the CCM (MTC)

This photo has a lot of meaning for our little family and especially Jennifer. I got this idea that we purchase two little Lego guys that look like missionaries. Andrew has one and Jennifer has one. And then Andrew will take pictures of his Lego guy throughout Peru to share in the travels. Here is our first picture of the 'Lego Guy' holding onto Andrew's missionary tag.

Elder's Chapeton and Holmes

Huanuco San Sebastian Church

Where do I start?

[Forgive the formatting of the blog post and fonts. When published, it changes for some reason. And I don't like it. But I want this post to go out to be read. I will try and fix soon. Thanks for your understanding.]

Well, two weeks later, and here I am, in Huánuco, Peru.  Took a few busses, Taxis, and everything to get here, but here I am! 

Monday:

Last full day here at the CCM!  And what do we do?  Pack and get ready?  Well after we got to immigration's all day then sure !I am officially a Peruvian religious, education, service, citizen!  ID card and all.  I would show a photo but I have had to turn it into the mission office before I could.  Let's just say their flash wasn't on, and they wouldn't let me smile! I look like a sad puppy! 
 
We had the opportunity to say goodbye to one of our favorite teachers, Hermana Villa Nueva.  Not gonna lie, I think everyone in our district was a bit sad after that. 
 

Got a Haircut!  First one that wasn't from my Mom.  Long time, I know... He did an ok job, but I had to do the front part and top by myself which isn't that great, but it has grown back in a week. 

Said a bunch of goodbyes and if we both knew Spanish well, then it would be great to continue being companions with Elder Bell, but we both need the Spanish only a Latin can bring!

Tuesday:

At the Top of the Pass about 15,000 feet

And we are off!  Left the CCM at 7 am in a really nice tour bus where there was like 4 seats for every 1.  Great way to see Peru for the next 7 hours to Huancayo, Peru.  I took a bunch of photos, most of which are geo-tagged for your convenience.  All of the locations are correct, while I didn't get the altitude corrected until the photo with snow in the background.  Which should have the altitude in one of the photos.  Once you have all the photos, just load them up in the Geosoftware [This is a learning processing for me. I haven't loaded the software and haven't learned how. My project this weekend, to learn the new software.] I left you and all these photos should show on a Google map with the Altitude, Direction, and Barometric Pressure. 

 

Nobody got sick to the point of throwing up, some were close tough. I was fine. I'm sure all the times I changed altitude at home, even a little bit helped.  I felt great. I will admit though, the bano in the back wasn't fun during speed bumps and dark tunnels with no lights.  Sorry... No photos for that...

We arrived at the Presidents home for a welcome to Peru MTG and interview as well as writing home for 5 minutes.  We didn't stay here though, only the Hermanas did.  Beautiful home, felt better than many homes in the states!  President and Hermana Henderson are awesome!  Seriously, how they take care of us, and the best part is that they are real people too!  Joking around about Peruvian things and informing us about things was very nice too.  We ate some KFC and pizza that which was very filling and definitely felt out of place!  This night, we stayed nearby at a Missionary Major apartment with a bunch of other missionaries.

Wednesday:



Elder's Chapeton and Holmes



Orientation day in the field!  I met my new companion who is Elder Chapeton.  He is 22 (I think) and is a convert of 3 years.  Most of the people down here in Peru are converts, very few are born into the church in this area. [The Peruvian people are on the shorter side of height. Andrew being 5' 7", his companion is small but mighty.] He doesn't know much English, so this will be great for both of us!  I received my ecclesiastical card, and can begin using it soon.  Oh, yea... My new area is Huánuco!  No, that isn't a typo, of Huancayo.  It is Huánuco.  Super Excited!  We stayed at the Missionary House again because our area will take another day to travel to.  Others who are closer left after lunch.  Because we don't travel at night, we went out proselyting... They people here are so awesome!  We ran into a members house and now it was Elder Chapeton (My Comp) Elder Whitaker (From my CCM District, and my new district as well) and his comp.  And I are in this members house.  She was so so so exited to see us she sent a relative to the tienda nearby to buy us Peach Juice. [Ok, so now I need to buy some peaches and put them in my Ninja and make some Peach Juice, probably not the same.]  Best juice ever. I think like it here in Peru.  :)

Thursday:  

Help.  Packed all my stuff away. Again.  That wasn't fun the first 4 times, it wasn't fun again.  And I have about 3,000 more books, (All good but still more) and LDM and more clothes also.  Where did I put it all? Good thing each bag was 65 pounds and the busses don't care! 



View from Elder Holmes first apartment
looking over Huánuco

2 Taxis, and 8 Hours later we arrived in Huánuco.  I met my Pensionista who is also he Bishops wife.  We as missionaries pay (out of our fund) these pensionistas to take care of our food for us.  It is a new rule in South America for Missionaries that they are required to cook for us and that missionaries are not allowed to eat at members homes unless it was prepackaged.  Apparently way to many illnesses.  They are also now required to cook with clean, filtered, contained, water... Relief!  Hahaha... We also went around, I was introduced like a new horse to all the members in the ward, and already assisted in a Blessing.  Oh yea, I also did the anointing in Spanish.  Without a card.  Yea, I needed help, and remembering the names is very very difficult.

Friday:

How many times can I be called Gringo from the rooftops of houses.  Apparently not enough!  Later today we began practicing a song as missionaries for 2 of these 4 zones for the upcoming stake conference this weekend.  Somehow it turned into Elder Whitaker on the Piano and me directing.  The newest missionaries on the block are now in charge.  Woo.  I will tell you, I say this is no distain for anyone down here... it is evident that they do not use their pianos (Which are player pianos btw) very often because it is evident in their singing of the hymns.... 

So, with my limited vocab of Spanish commands and some help from Elder John, we got the band together.  No joke, it felt like the Mayberry band on the Andy Griffith Show (Insert Video Here [Andrew asked me to insert it, so there it is. I fun quick 5 minutes clip]) it took a bunch of work, and we were just about ready to sing (Oh my Father) in Spanish....Only like 8 gringos and the rest of 26 were Latin, someone had the idea to have the last verse in English, and I took care of the rest.  1 Hermana 2- Elders 3- both 4- English.  Yup, I had an English Pronouncing Class that I did following this activity.  It felt great to be on the opposite side, especially trying to see them sing (Approbation) but some how, it all came together and it sounded great!  Can't wait for Sunday!

Saturday:


Today we had the family session of the Stake Conference.  I met Elder C. Scott Grow [For those not members of our church, that really is his name. I remember hearing that for the first time in conference and we chuckled. The C stands for Cecil] of the 1st Quorum of the 70 there and he put me on the spot... 1st question was how long was I in the field.  When I said, Solomente tress dias, he responded in English (Oh, you are good, you are off the hook!)  Met with some of our investigators and it was nice that for the most part I could understand them, and they could understand me.  For dinner I had one of the best meals so far.  The Bishop (Pennsionista Husband) brought us dinner saying this is an authentic Peruvian dish.  I will admit, it freaked me out a bit.  But it was delicious!  Rice and Chicken and fried bananas all wrapped up in a big big leaf.  Yum!  Let me know the next time you eat out of a leaf!



Rice, Chicken and Fried Bananas wrapped in a BIG leaf


Sunday:

Today was Sunday session of Stake Conference.  A new stake presidency was instituted and because I let the Special Musical number, And Elder Whitaker played all the music we both sat on the stand.  On the spot they asked us to do an additional 40 minutes of prelude music.  Oh yea... Did I mention we didn't have power at our room or the church.  So accordingly the Piano (Which we desperately need) was off.  We did get a generator so we at least had the piano and the Mic. Elder C. Scott Grow and President Henderson and His wife loved it. (If they read this, thanks for at least pretending...) :)

The Missionaries were great, and we even got matching ties from the stake which we actually get to keep!  Woo! 

Monday:

 

So far eceryda [?] has had something extra built into the schedule.  Today we had our every 3 month interviews for the Area.  Not much new to report to President Henderson because it has been less then 1 week since I spoke to him, but all is well!

Tuesday:  

 

Today is the first real P-Day in the field, and I feel it is a long time coming because we haven't had one in 2 weeks.... Hopefully all my photos send....

Elder Holmes,

Huánuco, Peru
LDS Missionary