Christmas Call

Landon sounded great when we talked to him Christmas evening. He loves his companion, Elder Jacobi (Ha-KO-bee) from Buenos Aries, Argentina. Elder Jacobi has been out 18 months, and has become very fluent in English, so this is a big help to Landon.

Landon is happy and upbeat about everything. He is about 10 miles north of the city of Lima, in Collique (Co-LEE-kay). This is a very hilly area, and reminds him of the hillside in North Morgan that is being developed, but with not so "nice" of homes. It is hot, but not too hot. He has no idea of the exact temperature. (I think I will send him a temperature gauge) At night he gets cold, and pulls the blanket up over him. He does not have fleas........yet. He assures me that he will, and there is no way around it.

Landon said he didn't want to make us feel bad, but he really doesn't think about us back here in Morgan at all during the day, and only for about 30 minutes at night before he goes to bed. He is too busy, and he doesn't know how you CAN'T be busy out there, there is SO much to do !!

He loves his pension, Zenayda (Zah-NIE-da) and her family. She is a good cook, and takes care of the missionaries meals and washing of clothing. The family let's them use their shower when Landon and his companion's water doesn't work, which is quite often.

Landon said that the Peru Lima North mission is the "best" mission in Peru. (Is that what every missionary says?) He said it is the strictest as far as rules, and that brings blessings to the missionaries. As far as investigators, they like to work with families, with a potential priesthood holder. Baptisms have gone down, but the retention of members is up.

The mission home is about 40 minutes away from his apartment, on a bus, or (Comb Bee) - that is how you say it, but I'm sure that is NOT how you spell it. It is basically a van, that holds about 16 people, no seatbelts, and the drivers drive FAST AND CRAZY on the hillside roads!! This is something I will be adding to my prayers....... Bless the drivers to be careful.

The language is coming, and he understands 80% of what is being said when it is gospel related. Otherwise, it's hit and miss. He can hardly wait until he becomes a pro at it. Landon bore his testimony at the very end of our phone conversation, and he went on for I would guess approx. 1 to 2 minutes, and it sounded great to all of us!

Thanks to all of you for the support.Landon is sorry he is not able to respond to all of your letters, but he wants you to know that he loves you, and appreciates all of your support and prayers in his behalf.