[No pictures this week.]
Transfers! I need to think that the week of transfers was all fun and dandy until I became a Zone leader, and had to do it all. Not to mention Elder Ottley finished his mission, so I was unavailable to ask for help. Wasn't too bad, just stressful, for the time and all, we had to send, and arrange transfers for one Elder or Sister in every companionship, so that became a bit costly and stressful. A few from Huancayo to other areas inside of Juancayo, a few to Tarma, and to Huanuco, and even to Huancavelica. So basically my day was to babysit missionaries - - no just kidding, it is because a bunch of them were without companionships, and belong to areas over 1 hour away, so it wasn't a great idea to send them to their area just to have them be called back. So, at one time in our room (between 2 zones) we had like 14 elders in our room, eating and waiting for their new companions. Ugh. The kitchen is empty! We got them all sent off and at the end of the day I was able to pick up my new companion Elder Schreiner, from Utah... A bit late in the day to actually do much visits, and I had planed our appointments for the following days because I didn't know from were he was coming..: So, all is well on the transfer font. I was able to send and pay for everybody to get to their new areas, and meet their new companions.
This week has been nuts, but good. It's raining more here, because apparently we are in preparation for El Niño which is on its way for December. They are modifying all the school schedules so they can finish before the storm. Even Saturdays and Sundays they are studying now... it's nuts. I don't even think it will be that bad, they get into habits sometimes of over exaggerating.. So we will see..
All in all this week was pretty calm after transfers. We made a cake in our Bakery Friends place. It is the cake that is the first layer cookie dough, next is Oreos, and the last one is brownie mix. Yup. It was delicious. We went and ate it in the office with the secretaries and the assistants when we went to go and pick up packages.
Also, this week we had our Area Conference which consisted of Peru and Bolivia. The speakers were Marcus B. Nash, Sis. Cheryl A Esplin, Juan A Uceda, and Elder Neil L. Anderson. ALL of them spoke in Spanish, except for Cheryl Esplin. Great talks, which focused on Sabbath day, and temple attendance, at any cost, any distance.
Sorry its a bit short this week, and there are no photos, but next week I will try to do something...
Love you all, and hope you have a great week!
P.S. I slept this week.
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Week in Review - October 12, 2015 - October 18, 2015
Really Though. Do I have to write this week? It has been so SO SO Busy, I don't even know where to start. I hope that a picture is worth a thousand words because I don't even have a few words to share this week. I will bullet point a few of the things that happened this week then I will try to explain a few of the pictures that are uploading right now so that at the very least some of them will make some sense.
Panchamanka. This week we received permission from President Henderson to make a panchamanka. This is basically a bunch of food that is cooked in the ground or above the ground by using stone heat to cook it all, even the meat. So, as part of the goodbye thing for my companion we got permission to do it with a less active to try and animate them to have a bit more of confidence in us so we can help them out a bit more in their family and do the stuff we need to do. So, attached are a few photos of the steps we used to make the panchamanka, and what it consists of. Maybe next week I will make a video that explains the photos of the panchamanka. If not, just look it up online, I'm sure it explains it pretty well. But you have to look it up from the earth, and not from the pan.
Also, something worthy of mention this week is that we did Divisions. Woo hoo. Actually they went through pretty well, it was just logistical crap for the last part because that is when we began finding out there were changes in the sister zone that happens to live with us, so we had to help them out a bit because there wasn't enough missionaries to go around. Woah. Long Story short, the other missionary that was in our room is now in the office, he is an Assistant to the President, and so we have been in a Trio since that Wednesday. Fun fun. This week I said goodbye to my companion, as Elder Ottley has finished his two years of service, last night and this morning, and like all of last week we spent time packing, and I think he finally made it all in, and just at weight. Ugh. I don't want to do that. Yuck.
There was a baptism this week in the ward, but from the sister missionaries, but I had the opportunity to be the Priesthood that baptized their convert. A fun experience, and it was even more fun trying to fix the freaking machine for the font. That sucks in water, pushes it out, and heats it up. It's such a mess. I will send you guys a photo of what it is like... Then you can see how fun it is when it breaks...
That should be it. I will try to write something better up today, but I cant think.: I'm so tired. I Will probably sleep next week after the transfers. haha.
Love you all
Elder Holmes
Monday, October 12, 2015
Week in Review - October 5, 2015 - October 11, 2015
[Note: Click on pictures to make them larger]
General Conference
Weekend
This weekend we had
the opportunity to watch General Conference Live, but also in
English! There were enough of North American Missionaries that we
constituted a small room in the stake center. English is channel 3,
and Spanish is channel 8. While many members were a bit tardy, we
were there on time to take advantage of the time we have to listen to
the prophet and his apostles in these days. I won't go through each
one, because it was a conference of two days, but there were many
discourses that called my attention, like discourses from Sis. NeillF. Marriott that “It will all work out” or Sis. Carole M.Stephens, “Teach them” or many others, all of which are available
to still watch or listen to at conference.lds.org. On Sunday morning
session however, the stake center was fill to the brim, but the other
sessions were a very story. [?] Talking to the members, its almost as
if the majority were unaware of the fact conference was a total of 6
different sessions in one week, and not just 1 or 2, ugh. Well, I
will tell you I kept on the tradition of ice cream after priesthood
session and got some with my companion, but it had to be super quick
and in our room because the priesthood session ended at 9pm, and the
absolute latest we can be out of our room is 9:30pm and we had to
pick up our dinner to bring home, because on a normal day here in the
mission dinner is served at 8pm.
Appointments that
fail
An interesting topic
I had the opportunity to teach this week was time management to a
youth who is a recent convert to the church. An odd topic for
missionary to be teaching, perhaps --- an odd topic for a missionary
to be teaching in Peru – not so much. At home it is drilled into
our heads in all aspects that ones time is your most valuable asset,
and best do everything possible to preserve it and utilize it well,
unless it is something taught by your parents, is not taught anywhere
else, this making it way difficult to stress to individuals that
being on time, or honoring an appointment is not a joke, or
completely excusable for [?] half an hour late to activities… So,
every once and a while we take advantage of this opportunity and try
to make a teaching opportunity of it. The older generation is
beginning to understand it, along with a few select families, but if
the attention to this is not called, it makes it very difficult to
teach sometimes, or to have members who will accompany us on
appointments. So, with all of that there are many times we cannot
visit members because there is no male present, or they simply aren't
there because they decided to do a quick shop in the market – the
same time we had planned with them – because they forgot and don't
keep any type of schedule or reminders in the phones that they all
have. Ok, rant [?] is now over.
P-Day!
P-Day this
week was pretty darn fun. We took a comvee from Hauncayo to an
outskirt town called “El Ingenio”. Were basically it is just
trout farms with a bunch of local restaurants. We
found a super cool
restaurant not only where we could fit all 16 of us (our zone) but we
could also fish our own lunch! I wasn't very patient, so I took a
plastic crate and scooped out my fish. This was by far
the best fish I have ever eaten in the mission, and if it wasn't so
far away I would keep going back.
The plate cost like 13 soles, and the jar of lemonade for 2 was 8 soles. So, considering in total a lunch here is 7 soles with everything it was a bit 'pricey' but it was completely delicious. After El Ingenio we took another comve over to Santa Rosa Ptn Ocopa which is a Catholic Church/Museum clear back from the 1,600's. It was prohibited to take photos inside the structure but outside there was no problem.
We did get them to lower the entrance fee because we said we were part of a religious organization, and the majority of us, Latinos or North Americans are foreigners, so we got the price lowered from 5 to 3 each one, not to bad. A lot of cool history stuff, photos, 22 [?] that nobody can read, and many old paintings from that era. We finished the day by taking a mototaxi around, I kinda sat on the back 'seat' but nobody noticed because it is something that many people do from time to time.
The plate cost like 13 soles, and the jar of lemonade for 2 was 8 soles. So, considering in total a lunch here is 7 soles with everything it was a bit 'pricey' but it was completely delicious. After El Ingenio we took another comve over to Santa Rosa Ptn Ocopa which is a Catholic Church/Museum clear back from the 1,600's. It was prohibited to take photos inside the structure but outside there was no problem.
We did get them to lower the entrance fee because we said we were part of a religious organization, and the majority of us, Latinos or North Americans are foreigners, so we got the price lowered from 5 to 3 each one, not to bad. A lot of cool history stuff, photos, 22 [?] that nobody can read, and many old paintings from that era. We finished the day by taking a mototaxi around, I kinda sat on the back 'seat' but nobody noticed because it is something that many people do from time to time.
Breakfasts
So you know that in
the room that I am in we cook our own breakfasts, so we have a stove
(no oven), a fridge and a couple other plates, and dumb stuff. Well,
Elder Glasset and I have gotten to experimenting and so we have with
many different items. Our latest two inventions has been stove top
egg casserole and cactus syrup. Both of which might I add are
delicious, and our Pension [cook] wants to buy the cactus syrup from
us. It is fairly easy to find the cactus fruit here and then you just
have to do the necessary steps to syrupify [?] it. It came out great!
I have attached some photos of our attempts to imitate an oven on the
stove top (for casserole) and some cactus syrup pictures.
 |
| Cactus Fruit |
 |
| Peeled Cactus Fruit |
 |
| The start of their egg casserole - stove top |
Mormon Helping Hands
So, on Thursday we
had the Worldwide Mormon Helping Hands project which consists of all
members taking part in service projects around the world to help the
community. That's it! Simple. I never go anywhere without my
Leatherman, and let me tell you that was a blessing. A big part of
our park clean up service project was taking down barbed wire walls,
untangling it, cutting it, and installing it. Nobody had or brought
pliers or thick gloves, or wire cutters, so my Leatherman and I
became lifesavers. My hand hurt like heck after wards, but it all
worked out. P.S. I'm glad I had my Tetanus Booster shot. :)
To
explain photos that I didn't
explain.... lets see.... there is a solar water heater on our roof
now. We use that for all of our hot water in our companionship.
And let me tell you, does that steam BURN your skin! We use it daily,
and it works great! I think in dollars it is like 500. Totally worth
it to not have to heat hot water and pay for the gas to do so,
especially down here!
All
in all we are doing good down here... My health is great, I'm
definitely
slowing down on my metabolism, but I
guess that is a good thing. It is kinda weird
to be helping a missionary
finish his mission. ugh... weird.
But I'm
doing great.
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
 |
| Solar Panel on roof of Elder's room |
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
Monday, October 5, 2015
Week in Review - September 28, 2015 - October 4, 2015
I cannot stress how much time we do NOT Have here in the internet cafe stuff that they have here. it is almost impossible to be able to share all that you want to share. And for that reason the other day I wrote it out before and sent it to you guys so you could at least read it. But that is also increasingly difficult to do as it also takes up time that I am finding that I do not have as we are planning trainings, talking to other missionaries about their areas (because they call super late and they do not respect the time of other missionaries, but that is another topic). So, if this email seems a bit low on the details sorry, I am trying my best on trying to get all of what happens into this email in a few minutes. Also, My USB that I have just got a worm virus. Yea. So, With all these things I have the 1 hour of internet. Yea!
So, starting with Monday we had P-DAY. Basically it was a companionship p day where we just did shopping and got the stuff we needed for the week. As Elder Ottley is finishing his mission in a few weeks we are doing some super fun shopping like recuerdos and what not. Needless to say I have been inspired to start some shopping for home as well. I'm not done, but I am getting a good chunk done. I wont tell you what I am getting, but just be satisfied that I am getting it. And you will like them! I guarantee it.,
Tuesday we had our District Meeting. Not much new stuff, just fun to hear about the other missionaries and see how and what they are teaching the other investigators and less active members in their areas. And how as of yet hardly any of the ward members are aware that there is General Conference this week. That could be a problem. Later today we began to search for pickup trucks because the sisters in Concepción are moving tomorrow and don't have any means to make the move. Just love it when the plans we made and told people we would pay them just decide to bail on us, and not even tell us. Tomorrow should be super fun! hahahaha
Wednesday
Today we had the lovely opportunity to move the sisters from Concepción. Found a guy with a pickup moving truck, and had him help us move the sisters over to their beautiful room where they basically are living in a Mini Mansion, with huge grass lawns, sheep, fountains, the works. It is a beautiful house, but it was a pain in the butt to do the moving, and convince the sisters that the only way all their stuff and their million bags will fit is if we do it in the following way. Yup, that was a fun one to show, but after about 2 hours of showing and moving and what not, we got it all in, and settled down. Hope that lasts for a while there. Ugh.... Also, later on today we went past a less active and I gifted a copy of the Simplified hymns to his son who is learning the piano. He got straight to it and began practicing the simplified hymns. i really hope that even with this it will help them to have a bit more desire to stay in the church, and at the very least, learn some more piano, an art here that almost doesn't exist.
Thursday we had interviews. As Zone Leaders we had to be there all day to supervise the others while they were waiting, and help out doing practices with the Assistants and the missionaries in our Zone. Started at like 8 Am and finished for Lunch. Had a nice chat with President, but it is always hard to read him sometimes, not in a bad way, just in a way that he will say something in a code (I feel) and then you have to figure it out. ugh... hahaha but it is all good.
Later on today we get a call from the Stake Family History lady. She found in the chapel today a couple who came to the chapel looking for missionaries from our area. They are having a few problems in their family and felt the need to search out the missionaries. The mom didn't know why, where, or how to do it, but found a number in her phone that actually worked, called it and got directions to the church building. Happened to find somebody there, and the chapel was open, gave us a call, and we came right over. It worked out great. We now are visiting the family, and we know where they live. There are so many miracles that happen like that here, that there isn't enough time or room to write them all.
Friday, I ended up doing a Baptism Interview for somebody in another one of our Districts. Over 1 and a half hours later we finished the interview. Woah. This was by far the most spiritually uplifting interview I have ever done. The ability to apply repentance to the life of somebody and watch them make the change, and apply the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is something amazing to witness. Put him with goals, approved his baptism. Woah. What am I being prepared for. That was draining, but in the same breath, uplifting.
Saturday and Sunday, I will put in next weeks email, there is not enough time to talk about General Conference. But just let it be said that I watched the 5 session in ENGLISH! Woo!! We had our own little room and everything, it was great... I will talk more about that next week.
Love you all! Hope you have a great week!
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
[PS: No photos this week, just not enough time.}
So, starting with Monday we had P-DAY. Basically it was a companionship p day where we just did shopping and got the stuff we needed for the week. As Elder Ottley is finishing his mission in a few weeks we are doing some super fun shopping like recuerdos and what not. Needless to say I have been inspired to start some shopping for home as well. I'm not done, but I am getting a good chunk done. I wont tell you what I am getting, but just be satisfied that I am getting it. And you will like them! I guarantee it.,
Tuesday we had our District Meeting. Not much new stuff, just fun to hear about the other missionaries and see how and what they are teaching the other investigators and less active members in their areas. And how as of yet hardly any of the ward members are aware that there is General Conference this week. That could be a problem. Later today we began to search for pickup trucks because the sisters in Concepción are moving tomorrow and don't have any means to make the move. Just love it when the plans we made and told people we would pay them just decide to bail on us, and not even tell us. Tomorrow should be super fun! hahahaha
Wednesday
Today we had the lovely opportunity to move the sisters from Concepción. Found a guy with a pickup moving truck, and had him help us move the sisters over to their beautiful room where they basically are living in a Mini Mansion, with huge grass lawns, sheep, fountains, the works. It is a beautiful house, but it was a pain in the butt to do the moving, and convince the sisters that the only way all their stuff and their million bags will fit is if we do it in the following way. Yup, that was a fun one to show, but after about 2 hours of showing and moving and what not, we got it all in, and settled down. Hope that lasts for a while there. Ugh.... Also, later on today we went past a less active and I gifted a copy of the Simplified hymns to his son who is learning the piano. He got straight to it and began practicing the simplified hymns. i really hope that even with this it will help them to have a bit more desire to stay in the church, and at the very least, learn some more piano, an art here that almost doesn't exist.
Thursday we had interviews. As Zone Leaders we had to be there all day to supervise the others while they were waiting, and help out doing practices with the Assistants and the missionaries in our Zone. Started at like 8 Am and finished for Lunch. Had a nice chat with President, but it is always hard to read him sometimes, not in a bad way, just in a way that he will say something in a code (I feel) and then you have to figure it out. ugh... hahaha but it is all good.
Later on today we get a call from the Stake Family History lady. She found in the chapel today a couple who came to the chapel looking for missionaries from our area. They are having a few problems in their family and felt the need to search out the missionaries. The mom didn't know why, where, or how to do it, but found a number in her phone that actually worked, called it and got directions to the church building. Happened to find somebody there, and the chapel was open, gave us a call, and we came right over. It worked out great. We now are visiting the family, and we know where they live. There are so many miracles that happen like that here, that there isn't enough time or room to write them all.
Friday, I ended up doing a Baptism Interview for somebody in another one of our Districts. Over 1 and a half hours later we finished the interview. Woah. This was by far the most spiritually uplifting interview I have ever done. The ability to apply repentance to the life of somebody and watch them make the change, and apply the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is something amazing to witness. Put him with goals, approved his baptism. Woah. What am I being prepared for. That was draining, but in the same breath, uplifting.
Saturday and Sunday, I will put in next weeks email, there is not enough time to talk about General Conference. But just let it be said that I watched the 5 session in ENGLISH! Woo!! We had our own little room and everything, it was great... I will talk more about that next week.
Love you all! Hope you have a great week!
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
[PS: No photos this week, just not enough time.}
Monday, September 28, 2015
Week in Review - September 21, 2015 - September 27, 2015
SLEEP. Need SLEEP.
This week I am just going to do Highlights and things I wanted to say, because not a whole lot has gone on this week here in Los Andes.
The Elevation of Huancayo is actually around 9,400 something feet. I looked it up on my GPS Camera, I was just so busy these last few weeks I never actually looked at it...
This last week we went to a local park for P-DAY and bought a few things and took a few photos. I have begun the little trinket shopping for people at home now.... Ugh...
This week I hit 13 months... Woah.. Every Month, every transfer just goes by faster and faster!!!! But a bit faster for my companion, Elder Ottley, who this week has to weigh his bags to make sure that everything will be able to go home.:: Yuck. He doesn't like it, I will tell you that!!
This week we did some service at a members house that was moving form one block to the other. Might I add, a HUGE Upgrade from where they were living before. I really enjoyed the opportunity I had with my companion to help this family make this upgrade in their lives. She is a widow, and has 3 kids, who all work or do something to support the family. The son is also studying, and frankly I have no idea how they have all the time to do the things they need to, AND they still go to church. Later on the next day, we sent over some of the ward members to give a blessing to dedicate the home. I really hope they appreciated the gesture, we will go over to their house this week to see if there is anything else we can do for them in the meantime. Here in the mission, whether you are moving missionaries, or somebody inside of the ward, you will probably have at least 1 moving project weekly. But it's all good, you are just super tired afterwards!
This week we did a set of divisions. I went over to another ward that is in our Stake to see how everything is going on over there. Seems like it is going well, a few problems with following the schedule, but overall it looks good. While we were over there it was HAILING for a good 30 minutes, and I won't lie. All the Peruvians told me I would get sick and be in bed for days If I stayed outside (was in short sleeves and pants, but still shirt and tie) and they about flipped out on me! They couldn't understand that I was ok! They wouldn't even walk outside with us, we had to wait for the hail to let up for a sec so we could keep going! Jeesh! I loved it! I wanted more, but it only hails for a bit. Later on in that day we went over to a house that they said was leaking and there was no hope for it. Well, I wasn't liking that answer. Found the leak, they told me it was for something else and it wasn't fixable (A BUNCH of water was coming in their house) I got a plastic bag, and a metal pipe. Shoved it in the right spot, and not only stopped the leak, but redirected the water to another direction. I could hear them yelling from the other side of the wall,,,, how did you do it! It stoped! What! hahahahaha.... I was soaked after that day, because afterwards we also (I) dug a ditch for all the water to flow AWAY from the house because it was soaking everything. A BUNCH of rain. All is well. I hope the laundry lady doesn't kill me. Those pants are SO SO SO MUDDY.
You will find a few pictures this week that says Piense en aqui. It means, 'think in here'. This basically represents the people (Stake and Wards) that think about BAPTISMS BAPTISMS BAPTISMS without thinking of retaining the people they baptize. Well, we have over 500 basically in every ward, and only like 120 actives. That shows a problem. The Red Handbook... It just a suggestion to use it here... They say it doesn't really apply here. So. All the logic we try to use, is represented outside of this box. Because logic and thinking just doesn't enter... hahahaa... I will explain more next week.
Oh yea, I had a talk this week. Didn't really phase anybody, because the reverence levels here are bar none. Ugh. I can just breath a little deeper and keep going.
Seriously. In all of the things I am learning here in the mission, Patience is definitely one of them! Patience, and the ability to work with people who for some reason, logic just doesn't click. The manuals for the church are just (suggestion boxes) which makes everything just more difficult. I hope I will be able to write a better email next week, this week I was just caught off guard with all the things I had to do and the things that didn't even make it into this email. I hope that all is going well at home
I think that is all.... My comp and I are getting along well, we made pancakes the other day... Well, like every 3 days we make pancakes, they are so much cheaper... and the N
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
Monday, September 21, 2015
Week in Review - September 14, 2015 - September 20, 2015
Peruvian Plumbing, More Effective then I thought
Monday, September 14, 2015
Does anybody remember the saying, "10% of the members do 90% of the work."? Well, does that not only apply here in South America, but very much for the missionaries on P-Day. Today we had planned a big 'ol BBQ and told everybody in 2 of the 4 zones here in Huancayo to come to our stake center at 1:30. So we could do the BBQ. We rounded up the meat, sauces, charcoal, BBQ grill, the works, because we are sick of people not following through the majority of people (missionaries) show up at 2, and a few even later than that. I will admit, with all the late people, the food event still turned out well, the soles [?] from each zone got together and made salads of different types to give us more variety of food, and it turned out pretty well.
We almost forgot about the drinks, so I called in for a delivery of a 20 liter water jug, and we bought sufficient Tang powder for 20 liters of Tang. Yup, there was leftover of the meat and the Tang which we ended up taking home. The only bummer of everything [even with the rain included] was that after everyone finished eating, they went to go and play soccer. Only the sistas offered to help clean up, with us [zone leaders planned the activity, and like 2 other elders] but that's it. It appears that all had forgotten that they really good meat, salads, and Tang still had to be cleaned up. About 2 hours later we finished cleaning, and there went the day. I'm not so sure we will be scheduling a zone BBQ anytime soon.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
In Boy Scout Camp, there are with frequency campsite inspections to make sure that everyone is not living like complete pigs. Normally part of the fun of these inspections would be sabotaging another groups campsite with trash or other items to lower their points, while on the same hand doing something in your to get in good terms with the inspector, or a something special for the them when they finish inspecting. Well, today we had room inspection s and I didn't have enough time to go to another room and destroy the chances of another room, so we had to do something to make our room even better. So, to model a few Peruvian customs - in front of the kitchen we put a white board which says "Hoy Menu" [Not sure what he wrote?] Which translates to - there is a menu. Normally here in Peru they don't actually put what is on the menu on the menu [weird huh?] but we figured we would we also "assigned" President Henderson to the cleaning responsibility of which he denied saying there are others who do it better, but got a kick out of the Menu sign.
All in all they really enjoyed our room, our mini house [we rent out all the 3rd floor] and told us that of their were ever new married couple of missionaries, they would probably live here. It's a beautiful complex [3 stories with double roof access], a kitchen and a few rooms. Sister Henderson as far as I could tell was very pleased with our level of cleanliness, especially because there are 4 of us living here together. As many like to point out to us, the is not a whole lot of people or places when you could trust 4 guys to live together and not destroy the house. We have been told that so for, the house we are renting right now is the nicest rooms in the mission. And from the history of rooms I have lived in, and seen, I would have to agree. After we finished our inspections we made some jokes about taking off our shoes before coming in our house and we have a box of socks ready for 'the visitors' to our house....[That's what everyone had to do to enter in Presidents house].
After our inspection, we went around driving with President and his assistants showing them other rooms in our zone. I'm not going to lie, it's nice every once and a while to just talk to President like normal people, and see that he makes jokes too, all of which is a nice change to the daily routine. For the rest of the day we had a mini-district meeting, and met with a few of the local families in the evening. The lesson that I loved teaching today was to a family that is in the process of being re-activated and we are putting goals for them to go to the temple to get sealed. He were able to teach not only what we do in the temples, but the importance of the sealing. Shared an example with them of a photo that was laminated with hard plastic and a piece of paper that wasn't. I explained you can do basically anything to the lament but nothing will change what's on the inside. While, on the other hand, the piece of paper couldn't withstand anything.
Sunday, September 20, 2015. Day of Everything.
So, today started out normal, Church. Sacrament Meeting.
There was another baptism in the church building today. Needless to say, the other elders were incapable of filling the font themselves, and scheduled the baptism for a Sunday, That was dumb strike number one. Two. The baptismal font wasn't emptied completely, and it was dirty. We had to do all of the following in our suits.
Clean, Empty, Fill, the Font.
Fix the Water Heating System that takes the water back out of the font and replaces it with hot water. (It is a multi step process that uses gas, and is a pain in the but to get to work). Also, fix the pump that pulls and pushes the water from the font to the heaters, as it was leaking excess amounts of water. (Super glad I have my Leatherman Multi-Tool, saved the day on that one.)
While we were fixing all of this, we opened up one of the drainage tunnels. I was looking inside, and of all things, My Beautiful little USB (The 64 GB) fell in. Naturally I went in after it (Yes, it was the Peruvian Poop Tube) And tried to snake it out with some items. Didn't work. it is gone. Forever Gone. I'm beyond sad about that, but do not think i will be asking for a new one. It is EXACTLY For reasons like this I make multiple copies of all my photos and videos, and know that they are safe at home, and also on my camera. Ahhh... That is basically what saved me from exploding on everyone. Everything on there is what I have had backed up on other places. So, I'm ok. I'm happy.
The day doesn't end with that.. Today seems to be just poop filled. We were walking on the EDGE of our area, and my companion looks at me. I have to go. There isn't time to get to the room. What do we do! We don't know anybody over here very well! The Taxis weren't there, and we were out of luck . The whole walking and pacing wasn't enough. Basically Dancing. i know that feeling... I have done it way to many times. We broke down and got to an investigators house.... They didn't have a toilet seat, and only a tiny bit of TP, but it works. When you have days like this, with the change of food, and your stomach wants to just take off like the space shuttle, there aren't many options. We made it. We lived. And it was all good.
So basically that is what happened this week. Hope all is good in the motherland! Loving Huancayo here, it is a bit cold, but just enough for a light jacket at times. Sometimes it rains pretty hard, but not for too long...
Love you all! I'm doing great here, and I will tell you, the mission is teaching me a whole bunch about Patience, and The ability to listen. not only to investigators, but members, and other missionaries who sometimes will just give me the biggest load of crap that I cannot even believe. But it is all good.
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
Monday, September 14, 2015
Does anybody remember the saying, "10% of the members do 90% of the work."? Well, does that not only apply here in South America, but very much for the missionaries on P-Day. Today we had planned a big 'ol BBQ and told everybody in 2 of the 4 zones here in Huancayo to come to our stake center at 1:30. So we could do the BBQ. We rounded up the meat, sauces, charcoal, BBQ grill, the works, because we are sick of people not following through the majority of people (missionaries) show up at 2, and a few even later than that. I will admit, with all the late people, the food event still turned out well, the soles [?] from each zone got together and made salads of different types to give us more variety of food, and it turned out pretty well.
We almost forgot about the drinks, so I called in for a delivery of a 20 liter water jug, and we bought sufficient Tang powder for 20 liters of Tang. Yup, there was leftover of the meat and the Tang which we ended up taking home. The only bummer of everything [even with the rain included] was that after everyone finished eating, they went to go and play soccer. Only the sistas offered to help clean up, with us [zone leaders planned the activity, and like 2 other elders] but that's it. It appears that all had forgotten that they really good meat, salads, and Tang still had to be cleaned up. About 2 hours later we finished cleaning, and there went the day. I'm not so sure we will be scheduling a zone BBQ anytime soon.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
In Boy Scout Camp, there are with frequency campsite inspections to make sure that everyone is not living like complete pigs. Normally part of the fun of these inspections would be sabotaging another groups campsite with trash or other items to lower their points, while on the same hand doing something in your to get in good terms with the inspector, or a something special for the them when they finish inspecting. Well, today we had room inspection s and I didn't have enough time to go to another room and destroy the chances of another room, so we had to do something to make our room even better. So, to model a few Peruvian customs - in front of the kitchen we put a white board which says "Hoy Menu" [Not sure what he wrote?] Which translates to - there is a menu. Normally here in Peru they don't actually put what is on the menu on the menu [weird huh?] but we figured we would we also "assigned" President Henderson to the cleaning responsibility of which he denied saying there are others who do it better, but got a kick out of the Menu sign.
All in all they really enjoyed our room, our mini house [we rent out all the 3rd floor] and told us that of their were ever new married couple of missionaries, they would probably live here. It's a beautiful complex [3 stories with double roof access], a kitchen and a few rooms. Sister Henderson as far as I could tell was very pleased with our level of cleanliness, especially because there are 4 of us living here together. As many like to point out to us, the is not a whole lot of people or places when you could trust 4 guys to live together and not destroy the house. We have been told that so for, the house we are renting right now is the nicest rooms in the mission. And from the history of rooms I have lived in, and seen, I would have to agree. After we finished our inspections we made some jokes about taking off our shoes before coming in our house and we have a box of socks ready for 'the visitors' to our house....[That's what everyone had to do to enter in Presidents house].
After our inspection, we went around driving with President and his assistants showing them other rooms in our zone. I'm not going to lie, it's nice every once and a while to just talk to President like normal people, and see that he makes jokes too, all of which is a nice change to the daily routine. For the rest of the day we had a mini-district meeting, and met with a few of the local families in the evening. The lesson that I loved teaching today was to a family that is in the process of being re-activated and we are putting goals for them to go to the temple to get sealed. He were able to teach not only what we do in the temples, but the importance of the sealing. Shared an example with them of a photo that was laminated with hard plastic and a piece of paper that wasn't. I explained you can do basically anything to the lament but nothing will change what's on the inside. While, on the other hand, the piece of paper couldn't withstand anything.
Sunday, September 20, 2015. Day of Everything.
So, today started out normal, Church. Sacrament Meeting.
There was another baptism in the church building today. Needless to say, the other elders were incapable of filling the font themselves, and scheduled the baptism for a Sunday, That was dumb strike number one. Two. The baptismal font wasn't emptied completely, and it was dirty. We had to do all of the following in our suits.
Clean, Empty, Fill, the Font.
Fix the Water Heating System that takes the water back out of the font and replaces it with hot water. (It is a multi step process that uses gas, and is a pain in the but to get to work). Also, fix the pump that pulls and pushes the water from the font to the heaters, as it was leaking excess amounts of water. (Super glad I have my Leatherman Multi-Tool, saved the day on that one.)
While we were fixing all of this, we opened up one of the drainage tunnels. I was looking inside, and of all things, My Beautiful little USB (The 64 GB) fell in. Naturally I went in after it (Yes, it was the Peruvian Poop Tube) And tried to snake it out with some items. Didn't work. it is gone. Forever Gone. I'm beyond sad about that, but do not think i will be asking for a new one. It is EXACTLY For reasons like this I make multiple copies of all my photos and videos, and know that they are safe at home, and also on my camera. Ahhh... That is basically what saved me from exploding on everyone. Everything on there is what I have had backed up on other places. So, I'm ok. I'm happy.
The day doesn't end with that.. Today seems to be just poop filled. We were walking on the EDGE of our area, and my companion looks at me. I have to go. There isn't time to get to the room. What do we do! We don't know anybody over here very well! The Taxis weren't there, and we were out of luck . The whole walking and pacing wasn't enough. Basically Dancing. i know that feeling... I have done it way to many times. We broke down and got to an investigators house.... They didn't have a toilet seat, and only a tiny bit of TP, but it works. When you have days like this, with the change of food, and your stomach wants to just take off like the space shuttle, there aren't many options. We made it. We lived. And it was all good.
So basically that is what happened this week. Hope all is good in the motherland! Loving Huancayo here, it is a bit cold, but just enough for a light jacket at times. Sometimes it rains pretty hard, but not for too long...
Love you all! I'm doing great here, and I will tell you, the mission is teaching me a whole bunch about Patience, and The ability to listen. not only to investigators, but members, and other missionaries who sometimes will just give me the biggest load of crap that I cannot even believe. But it is all good.
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
Monday, September 14, 2015
Week in Review - September 7, 2015 - September 13, 2015
A Week of Changes
Every 3 or 4 transfers there are a lot of changes in the mission. Well, this last transfer there were a bunch of things that went on. So, I will try to explain it in the following days...
Monday, September 7th, 2015
Today we had our P-Day in Huanuco. Super chill, played some speed Monopoly, made a few purchases in Metro, and just hung out in the afternoon. But, in the afternoon, I got a call from Presidente Henderson. ugh Oh... One of two things... My Companion Elder Cano will get an assignment, or something will happen with me. Well, I picked up, President Asked me if I would accept a new assignment. oh poop. Well, here it is. Zone Leader in Huancayo with Elder Ottley. I will be helping Elder Ottley finish his mission., He finishes this transfer. Ok.. So this evening, we did our goodbyes for me, and what not, and told everyone don't worry, because my companion Elder Cano would be staying behind to do everything too. Ok. Monday. Done. Time to Pack.. Ugh. I hate transfers for this reason!
Tuesday, September 8th, 2015
So, The highlight of today was when we went and had dinner with Bishop, but this time he invited us to pizza. Yum! Said my quick goodbyes to Bishop, his wife and a few others, then we went straight to the Chappel to do the transfers as a zone, and find out who is going where... Well. A few surprises. I knew I was going ahead of time, because they call you ahead of time for the Zone Leaders, which makes it super nice. But, what the surprise was, is that my companion Elder Cano, also has transfers! He will be going to the same zone that I am now Zone Leader. Woah! We are closing an area! I didn't think that would be happening! So, really quick, we left, said goodbyes, round 2 for my companion, and also started searching for new rooms for the sisters that will be coming in our place! It will be good though, because the sisters can visit with the people that we couldn't because we never had enough guys to go on visits with us. So, they should have some good success. Oh yea, and packing madness continues. I will tell you, I now have more than 2 bags worth of stuff. Most of that is for the problem of clothes. Ugh. But, that is only a problem for transfers. When I will finish in like a year, that won't be a problem, there will be so many things left here in the area. Hahahaha....
Wednesday, September 9th, 2015
If you had a transfer of 8 hours raise your hand. 8 hours in a freaking taxi. Ugh. I will admit, it was shorter than one of my other transfers that was 11 hours by taxi. This is one of the advantages of a Geographically diverse mission. Woo hoo. Basically that was today. At the end of the day I met my new companion Elder Ottley, and we got straight to work that night.
Thursday, September 10th, 2015
Today was basically appointments, and Zone Leader Training... Here and there in dumb things. Get to know the investigators, the less actives, and what not. Pretty good day, just a bit tired thats all. Not much more to report from today.
Friday, September 11th, 2015
Today also was just to get to know the area. Planning Session, Correlation. The Best Correlation I have EVER HAD here in the mission. I will like this part of the ward at least, it started me with some pretty good hopes for this ward.
Saturday, September 12th, 2015
If you are ever stuck in a situation and cannot find the ancestor you need for the Family History project, have no fear. Reneic is here! The International Database for information is at your fingertips if you just have a few connections. Head Secretaries, Officiators in Lima, Notaries, Journalists, Bankers, Etc. Just search with ease the international database of records to find the names of your family! Now solving problems mission wide with connections to the information you need!
Love doing the family history work when you have connections to people who know stuff. All the people I mentioned have access to the international database for free, so we can use them to find some of the ancestors we need to do the family history work for the less actives and the recent converts. AHHH... Much easier... Did that once last week in Huanuco, and now here as well in Huancayo. Just need to find the connections, and life is much much easier.
Sunday, September 13th, 2015
Church Here starts at 8 am. Ugh, so hard for the members to get there on time, but it works out pretty well. We have one piano in this building, and it isn't a player piano., I thought. WERE DOOMED: But, there is somebody in the ward giving music lessons, and half of the hymns were played by the little youth of the ward. Give it a few years, and they will have a few more. It is awesome to see the programs growing here in areas were the church has only been established for a maximum of 35 years, and to watch their progress and learning throughout all of this.
Church Building fun facts., Almost all of the building is Wood Floors. Maybe because of the cold, and the fact that they will only put carpet in the bishops offices. There are 3 wards assisting in our chapel right now, and its pretty squished right now. But all in all its great. Finished the day today with taking in the weekly key indicators for our Zone. Each Companionship has to send in to us like 35 different indicators. Next week maybe I will send you an example of the numbers we need to send in to show you how the mission work here is different than the missionaries 1.0.
Thats about it for this week. A few notes as well, in our room, we live as 4 Zone Leaders, and we cook our own breakfast. Yes! I get to cook! Love it, pancakes, eggs, bacon, omelets, and food without rice! YES!! Hahahaha... I will send some pictures sometime of our room. Oh yea, and one of the bathrooms has a hot water heater (first I have seen in Peru so far) so that we can shower with hot water without the risk of being shocked. Woah. Somebody was thinking outside of the box on that one!
So yea, all is good, I some pictures of goodbyes in Huanuco, and me coming in to Huancayo.
Thanks, and love you all!
Elder Holmes
Huancayo, Peru
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