July 2013

On one of our many trips to Talara, we went to a little town called Negritos to do room inspections, this is just some of the homes by the road as you drive into town, it looks like its laundry day.

 Every couple of months we do a training with the sister missionaries that live somewhat close to Piura.  We are sad that the Tumbes sisters are just too far away to come but we will be having them down in a few weeks.

Front row: Hermanas Palomino, Morgana, Gomez, Aranda, Canaquiri, Rosas, Burton, Vargas, Cordova,Ruiz, Delgado, Mora, Sullan, Gomez, Huanca, Escalante, Rebello

Back row: Hermanas Maldonado, Boone, Huamani, Peterson, Cardon, Parkinson, Finlinson, Auccapuma, Villena, Child, Giles, Panozo, Harrison, Garlick, Gutierrez, me and Chad

 The end of July is Peru's independence celebrations.  This year all the JAS/YSA in our mission had like a youth conference in Piura and on one of the nights they put on a cultural talent show spotlighting traditional Peruvian dances.  These are just a few fotos of the evenings talents.  The week before we were in Paita with their YMYW for their cultural dance night, it was fantastic.  We took some pictures with Chad's phone and if we every figure out how to transfer them I'll post them too.  I love their beautiful costumes.

 The grand finale.

 

 It is Zone Conference time again!  Here is Zona Paita.

Zona Miraflores

 Zona Talara

 Zona Sullana

 We had Zone Conference in Sullana with the Talara Zone.  One of the Bishop's in Sullana with his family provided lunch for everyone.  This was the pot - full of rice.  The picture does not show how really big this pot of rice was, ALOT of rice.

 Zona Algarrobos

Zona Piura Central

July 19, 2013 - Elder Juan Junior Litano

 On July 19, 2013 Elder Litano passed away.  He had been ill for the last couple of weeks and in the hospital for most of that time.  We were so glad his parents and sister were able to come from Lima and be with him in the hospital for his last few days.  Elder Litano had a smile that just lit up his whole face and that is something I will always remember about him.  He is greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family.

 We held a small memorial service for those who had been close to him in the mission.

 President Huancas (counselor in the Mission Presidency) was such a help to us and the family.  We were unsure of the policies and procedures for a funeral and all the arrangements that needed to be made, President Huancas knew exactly what needed to be done and did it. 

President and Hna. Huancas, Obispo and Hna. Leon (Mission Presidency Secretary) and others writing their thoughts for Elder Litano's family.

 Bishop from Sullana and his family, they knew Elder Litano when he served in their ward for the first few months of his mission.

 The ward mission leader from La Union where Elder Litano was serving when he became ill.  He came to the hospital often to visit with Elder Litano and his visits were greatly appreciated.

 Missionaries in attendance at Memorial Service

 The young man here is one of Elder Litano's converts from Sullana.

La Union, the elders serving with Elder Litano

Elder Perero, Elder Saavedra (companion), ward mission leader, Elder Broock

July 2013

We belong to the Angamos Ward and the office elders are a part of this ward also.  Elders Zevallos and Roman were teaching a young man and his mother and Chad interviewed the young man for his baptism.  He then asked Chad to perform the baptism.  His mother isn't quite ready but he is a great young man and it was a wonderful baptismal service.

 Here all those that were in attendance at the baptism, in front of our church building.  We live about 6 blocks from the church, just a nice little walk.

 One night Adrian and I were playing the piano, this little guy must have liked our music.  He stayed put while we ran for our camera to take his picture then he was gone.  I like to think he eats all of our ants.

 Before Adrian went home we took one last trip to Catacaos.  Right by Catacaos are some ancient ruins that we had not known about so we thought it would be fun to go see them.  We arrived only to find that they are closed on Mondays!  We were so sad.  There were a whole bunch of little kids in the parking lot all wanting to talk to us and wanting money.  We told them we would have to come another day when we could actually see something.  I should have taken their picture! Adrian will have to come again and we will go see the ruins (but not on a Monday!).  Right by the turn off to the ruins were these cotton fields, not too picturesque.  Piura used to have a lot of cotton but several years ago the prices took a downward turn and a lot of the cotton was taken out and rice planted in its place.

 Five Week training of some new missionaries!

 And its time to say good bye to some great missionaries -

Elder Iribar, served as an assistant

 Elder Knudson

Elder Ipaz

 Elder Garcia

 Elder Castillo

 Elder Arestizabal

 Hermana Cruz

 Hermana Vargas

 Elder Perez

 Hermana Cornejo - Hna Cornejo bought a leather cowboy hat in Catacaos it was really pretty and I so wish I had taken a picture of her at the airport with her cowboy hat on-it was pretty cute!

Hermana Condori

 Elder Vina

Front Row: Elders Arestizabal, Vina, Hnas. Vargas, Cornejo, Condori, Cruz, Elders Castillo, Garcia
Back Row: Elders Ipaz, Iribar, Knudson, Perez, me and Chad

Adrian also flew home with this group, we were very sad to see her go!  We enjoyed having her here with us.

June 2013 - Punta Sal

Before Matt and Laura had to return to Utah we spent two days at Punta Sal, our little "take a break" spot.  It is always quiet and peaceful, a great place to rejuvenate yourselves.  I think we took about a million pictures of the sunset, but it is pretty beautiful.

 We arrived in time to watch the sunset.

 Me and a few of my favorite girls

 Matt and Laura

 Lisa & Chad

 Adrian

 Now we will have to wait til tomorrow night!

 Laura, Matt, Adrian, Chad

Time for some games!

 Laura, Matt, Adrian, Me

 I love these wooden boats!  I don't know if I would dare go out in the ocean on one.  Makes me think of Nephi's boat --always

You can play soccer anywhere that you can put two sticks in the ground for the goal posts.

 homes on the beach

 Ok, its sunset time again!  There were some amazing clouds and we loved watching them and taking pictures from every possible angle.

 Adrian and Chad

 Evening fishermen heading out on their rafts.

 Matt and Laura

 

 Me and Adrian

We had a great time with our family, so glad they could spend some time with us.  We left Punta Sal, got back to Piura in time to take Matt and Laura to the airport.  Glad that Adrian is going to stay a little bit longer!