Getting the Royal Treatment

Elder Rich sent this photo, and there was no info attached, except to say that the woman in the picture was a Sister from the CCM (Peru MTC). If I had to guess, I would say this was taken at the airport this past week. During all of the changes, the office missionaries spend quite a bit of time at the airport.

"So I got back from the airport and slept for an hour, then I had to get up and wake up some missionaries that had to go to the airport. I woke them up and got back to bed at 2:45 am, then I got a phone call at 3:30 am, saying that one of the elders couldn’t travel with his baggage, so I had to go BACK to the airport to bring his baggage back."

Good Week

This week has been a pretty darn good week. I can’t complain. To start off, we had the amazing opportunity to go to the CCM last Wednesday, (October 22, 2008) and hear from President Costa from the 70 and Elder Christofferson of the 12!!!!!! Their talks were amazing.

President Costa talked about our study in the scriptures, about putting ourselves in the spots of Nephi and Noah and all the profetas of the olden times. He told us to think how easy or how hard it would be. It was really good.

Elder Christofferson talked about the Book of Mormon, using it as the main tool in our work, and blessing the lives of others with it. We also got to shake their hands, even though it was very fast. There were a lot of missionaries there, 600 or so at the CCM.

It was all around great, and what was amazing also, is that we saw all of our friends from other missions, especially ALL of our friends that went to Bolivia but got kicked out. (These would be Elders that they got to know really well in the CCM about a year ago) Elder Clark from Tooele, Utah, and all our Latin friends that we couldn’t talk to a year ago (because of the English/Spanish barrier) but now we can, and the teachers also. To be able to talk to them about our work, how we’re doing, how they’re doing, and it was just amazing. It was a great day.

A Crazy week in review.......... Wednesday (09/17)

11 months today, haha…. The funny thing is, I have been so busy here I didn’t even realize it till 3 in the afternoon.

Today, the Assistants were at the CCM picking up the 17 missionaries from Bolivia, when all of a sudden they said, “Oh ya, you’re getting 27 again”. Well needless to say, it was a hectic day, but it all turned out really well.

We picked up Elder Layton from the airport. He just chilled with us all day, slept with us here in the offices, and it was so interesting to see someone right out of the states come to Peru and just be AWWWed at Peru. He was tired though, he slept from 10 in the morning until like 6 in the afternoon. A good little nap. Then we went to dinner, it was good, his first Peruvian meal!!! I will tell you one thing, I’m sooooooo glad I’m not new anymore… I would like to be in his shoes again, BUT with the things I know now, and being able to speak Spanish. He is in the field with his comp, and I bet just lovin’ life…. He will be a good missionary.

This evening, we started our meeting with Elder Nash, and it was so formal, I loved it. First, he circled us up in the offices, he and his wife, and President and his wife, on the couches, and us on chairs. He had each one of us present ourselves and explain a little about our job, then he went for a tour of the offices and was very impressed at the work that is going on here, and the missionaries that are here also. Needless to say, President Perez was HAPPY. You should have seen his face, it was amazing. I’m really excited for these next few days of training from Elder Nash in our mission. It will help a lot, and also with all these new missionaries. I’m excited, this next month of October will be amazing.

One thing I want to comment on before I close… The LOOK Elder Nash gives you. He looks you right in the eyes. One word... WOW! It’s unexplainable.. It was like looking into... I don’t know... Tt was amazing!!! It’s like he studies you, your thoughts, and your sins if you have any.. it’s crazy, but I loved it!! He is amazing, and I am truly blessed to have met him, and for the opportunity I will have to listen to him tomorrow.

Please keep these Elders in your prayers

A few Elders who were recently called to the Peru Lima North Mission, are "stuck" in the Provo MTC. A few of them are Elder Ridge and Elder Layton (pictured here) and Elder Hyde (not pictured). They should have flown out to the CCM in Peru, mid July, but are having problems with their visas. If they haven't come through by August 20th, they will be temporarily assigned to another mission until they do. These Elders and their families could sure use our prayers in their behalf. Thanks !

Español/spanish:
Por favor, mantengan a estos Élderes en sus oraciones
Algunos Élderes que fueron recientemente llamados a la Misión Perú Lima Norte están “varados” en el CCM de Provo. Algunos de ellos son Élder Ridge y Élder Layton (los de la foto). Ellos debieron haber estado en el CCM de Perú, a mediados de Julio, pero están teniendo algunos problemas con sus visas. Si ellos no vienen a Perú hasta el 20 de agosto, serán temporalmente asignados a otra misión hasta que el problema de las visas se solucione. Estos Élderes y sus familias desean que oremos por ellos. ¡Gracias!

Português/Portuguese:
Por favor, mantenham aos Élder nas suas orações
Alguns Élderes que foram recentemente chamados à missão Peru Lima Norte estão “varados” no CTM de Provo. Alguns de eles são Élder Ridge e Élder Layton (os da foto). Eles deveram ter estado no CTM de Peru a mediados de Julho, mas estão tendo alguns problemas com suas visas. Se eles não vêm a Peru até 20 de Agosto, eles serão temporalmente designados a outra missão até que o problema das visas se solucione. Os Élderes e suas famílias desejam que oremos por eles. ¡Muito Obrigado!

Recent Ramblings from Peru

Landon has been to the temple in Lima, and loved it. He particularly likes Elder Ruiz, a native Latino from Iquitos, they have become close. Landon and his companion Elder Woolf are working well together, and help to keep each other focused. I found out from Elder Woolf's letter to HIS mom, that they are teaching 3 lessons a day in Spanish, and this helps the language come along. Landon was able to meet another "Morganite" the other day. Elder Jason Johnson (Mark and Connie's son) who is also in the PLN mission was at the CCM to interpret for an elder who went to the doctor. That was a nice surprise for both of them. Landon says they will not celebrate Thanksgiving down in Peru, it will be just another day. He loves the leader of the CCM, President Crayk, and says he is an awesome guy. Landon also learned that the Peru Lima North area is the poorest in all of Peru. This will surely humble him. Landon always ends each letter with these words, "I love you both and all the family.. all is well..."

Info from Peru

I had to get my hair cut again.. it was already short but they just pretty much buzzed it.. oh well..

Man, here everyone speaks Spanish... my teachers, everyone..

My mission president is really good.. he tells you how it is for sure.. he is strict and doesn't have many rules, but the rules he does have - he means them...

We are already teaching the lessons in Spanish... it's crazy how much I'm learning here.. It's comin' fast but not fast enough...

We teach the Latinos.. I have started loving them already.. they have nothing and yet they give everything to be here... most, if not all of them are the only ones that are members in their families.. It's just sad.. Peru is really really really poor..

I was sitting and thinking last night.. all I have are the clothes in my suit cases and that's it... we have hardly any space and it's just a hard way of living.. but a mission isn't meant to be easy... there are some sacrifices to be made.

The food is really funny - the same thing at every meal - potatoes, chicken, rolls, and rice. They also have an ice cream maker, the soft serve kind. They also had this mashed potato stuff and some other little treats I've yet to figure out, and they always have some kind of soup available, and fresh fresh juice. (This info comes from Elder Herdt and Elder Woolf)

We have a turf soccer field so that's nice.. I can't believe I'm saying this but I kinda like soccer... Elder Woolf is still my companion I'm happy about this.. also there are 16 Latinos and I have gotten to be pretty good friends with them...

What is the CCM ?

The Missionary Training Center (CCM) of Lima-Peru was dedicated on August 27, 1998 by Élder Russell M. Nelson.

Young men and women called by the Lord to serve as missionaries begin their service in one of the 16 MTC's in the world, of which the CCM of Lima is the third in capacity. Every 21 days groups of missionaries begin or end their training. The administration, teachers and leaders provide the best care to every missionary who enters training.

The duration of stay for the Latin American missionaries is 21 days. While for the missionaries who need to learn Spanish, the stay varies between 42 and 64 days. During this stay, the missionaries develop great love and understanding of scriptures and doctrine of the Church.

Currently, the CCM can train up to 152 missionaries every 21 days. The campus includes 3 buildings, beautiful gardens and 3 fields for sports and physical activity.

Learning how to teach the gospel and to assist in the establishment of the Church is a big challenge that will test the ability of a missionary. However, the blessings that come with this work will result in enormous personal growth. Missionaries receive many blessings that strengthen them and their families not only during their missions but also for the rest of their lives.
Click on picture below.

CCM pictures

All is well !

Just got a quick email from Landon. They have arrived at the CCM (Centros de Capacitación Misional) in Lima. We have been calling it the LTC (Language Training Center), and I think this is the same place, maybe just a different name? Click here for more info If you can read Spanish you will be in luck :) Landon's P-day is Tuesday, so he'll write more then. His last words in the email were.... "Don't worry, all is well"