A Picture is worth a Thousand Words

We have waited for a picture like this for a LONG time. Bless the members who love our missionaries, and who took this picture.

Yesterday we received TWO DISKS in the mail. Pics were taken in Dec/Jan/Feb, before Elder Rich left for Pucallpa. I can hardly wait to get them all loaded up. Please be patient :)

News from Pucallpa

"Well, here in Pucallpa it rained 3 days straight and it was muddy, haha, I didn’t think it would be that bad, but wow!

This week we have been teaching alot of new people, and I now have a new desire, it is to learn Portuguese. We have taught 3 people that are from Brazil, and well, they speak both Spanish and Portuguese and I love it.

I love this work. There is so much work to do, and we have high goals set, and with the Lord’s help we will be able to complete them."

Other notes:

According to Elder Layton, Elder Rich is doing a good job as zone leader.

According to Elder Hyde, he and his companions went on splits with Elder Rich and Elder Vasquez on Friday (last week), and also on Saturday they performed service and had a Bar-B-Q with them also.

According to Elder Morton, he is also enjoying Pucallpa, and is associating with Elder Rich.

It is great having so many "bloggers" in Pucallpa. What one son doesn't mention, maybe the other one will :)

Remembering Independencia

Wonderful news today ! I connected with a young woman in Peru, who knows the missionaries. Her family and other members of the Independencia Ward had a going away party for Landon, before he headed to Pucallpa. Evelyn sent pictures!! See more here

More wonderful news ! - Evelyn will be going on a mission, and should receive her call soon. We'll keep you posted.

Thank you so much Sister Cachay. This is another tender mercy, received from a sweet sister in Peru.

Patience is a Virtue

Elder Rich is too busy to answer questions, and you know what? That's okay :) He's working hard, being obedient, and loving it. That's all that matters.

"Well hello everyone… Well first off….. I love being a leader. It makes me work even harder, be even more obedient.

I will tell you right now, the emails will be pretty slim. As zone leaders we hardly have anytime for ourselves, it’s all for our zone and ALL the investigators of ALL the missionaries.

I will apologize right now, for not being able to write details and answer all of your questions.

Elder Vasquez and I are over all of the Zone Pucallpa. I love it. We will go back to Lima every 6 weeks to have the (Zone) Council. I’m really excited for that.

The work is going good, we have 13 baptisms as of right now in February as a zone. The goal for March is 35. We have to work hard hard hard. I’m glad to hear all is well there at home.

Hey Mom and Dad, I love you, thanks so much for everything, and well, I know it’s short, but just know I am taking a lot of pics, and writing alot in my journal. I love you. I will explain alot more in my letters that I send home. Take care - Wish all well."

New Pics !!

I know - I've been a slacker. Elder Rich sent new photos a few weeks ago, and I've just barely got them on his Picasa website - Enjoy !!

What's wrong with this picture?

When missionaries are transferred to the jungle, they are only allowed to take ONE suitcase :)

Landon is in Pucallpa now. I can't help but wonder......... how the flight was (I'm a worrier), what his companion is like, what their housing is like, who their pension is, how he slept last night, how the training meetings went yesterday, is it really as hot as they say, is he nervous, excited..................???

So many questions, that will have to wait until Monday to be answered. Believe me, I'll have a list :)

What to expect..........

"I will be flying out to Pucallpa on Thursday evening after Zone Leader meetings. Pucallpa is located in the Ucayali Region. We will have a pension again, and eat with members. I think I’m going to start losing weight big time, because it’s hot, my area is big, and I've been spoiled in the offices, with having fast food close and handy.

Elder Layton and Elder Hyde will both be in my zone. I’m very excited for that. My companion, Elder Vasquez and I, are over 12 missionaries with 7 areas. We have to make sure they are working, safe, being obedient, and at the same time, help the stake of Pucallpa be stronger and also work our own area.

Elder Vasquez has 3 months more than I do, so we’re about even in time served in the mission. I will probably be in Pucallpa for at least 3 changes if not 4, then after that I will probably come back to Lima to die*."

*To die on your mission, means to finish the last change in your mission

My week in review......

After this coming Wednesday (2/11) - the office crew will be the Elders in this picture - minus Elder Rich.

"Well this week has been a little rough for the field part. Monday (02/02) we got out into the field and hit it hard, but then from there out we haven’t been able to leave the offices. I have been training Elder Foutz, and we have had A LOT of work to get done and also my comp, Elder Sandoval, had a lot of work to get done.

Walter kinda fell through this past week. He hasn’t been around to go to church, to be taught, and well, he has lost interest. I’m sad, but we all have our agency and there are other people out there waiting to hear this message.

I have been really tired this past week, being cooped up really takes it out of ya. Elder Foutz is learning really well, he already knows all I know and he isn’t even on his own yet. He will do a great job. Today we went to the Museo de la Nacion again and looked around. It’s free to get in, so it’s only the taxi ride that costs money.

Today and tomorrow will be my last days to preach and teach here in Independencia. I’m sad, I will miss a lot of people. Luckily I have a talk tomorrow at church, so I will be able to say goodbye to everyone together, because there is literally too many to go house to house. I can tell you where everyone lives and their names, haha... It’s like my home ward - I love it."

Last week in Independencia

Walter is really excited for his baptism next Saturday (2/7/9), but we have to get permission from his parents. Please pray for him.

It’s going to be weird working in Independencia for the last time this week, my last week. I will work hard and talk with more people than I ever have before. Then........off to Pucallpa, Wednesday, February 11th.

Missionary Work

I’m grateful for this time in my life. I was reading in DyC: 4 about missionary work and well, it’s one of the three most important things to do in the church - and I’m doing it!! I love my family and all of you who are praying for me and helping me out in one way or another. It’s great to hear from you. I love letters :)

**The 3-fold mission of the church is.
1. Perfect the Saints
2. Preach the Gospel
3. Redeem the dead

Summer in Peru

I don’t care for Peru very much in the summer time. I don’t know if you can imagine why, but it’s pretty bad down here with the immorality and the dress. Let’s just say temptation is everywhere and the Devil has a good hold on a lot of the people down here. It’s sad really, but we will just keep going and not miss a beat. Really, it’s passing by way too quickly.

Changes are coming.......

Well family, here is the news for the week. Sunday night (01/25/09) the Assistants got back from President’s house and told us of the changes to come. Elder Foutz came to the office (as my replacement) on Tuesday and he is doing well. As for me - I’m going to Pucallpa !!!!! Another part of the jungle......

I’m happy happy happy and kinda sad at the same time (to be leaving Independencia), but most of all I’m really really happy. I’m really ready to work and get going out into the field.

Temple Surprise

Today (1/31/09) we were able to go to the temple and go through a session. It was great as always. I love the temple, and also it just so happened that all of the young men and women from the ward of Casuarinas were there!!! I got to see one of my converts who was doing baptisms for the dead - how sweet is that!?!?!? I was stoked, it was the daughter of Guido Palomino (see picture below), and also people from Villa Sol were there. The bishop and his counselors and many more!! I’m sad because I didn’t get any pics, but it was great to see them.

Where in the world is Elder Rich?

According to Grandma Rich and Grandma Dickson,
Right here !!