Recap.........

Well family, all is well here in Pucallpa. I went to Lima last Wednesday/Thursday, and picked up my companion, Elder Figueroa, and we had a great Consejo (Zone Leader Council).

President Perez talked about the goals of the mission, and reminded us that Christ is with us.

Elder Nemelka (the AP) talked about the love between companionships, and Elder Santiago, is the new assistant, replacing Elder Hirschi. Yes, it's the same Elder Santiago that is my very very good friend. It was so good to see everyone again.

Elder Figueroa is from El Salvador, but lives a long ways away from Elder Ramos (a previous companion). Elder Ramos finished his mission by the way. Elder Figueroa laughs exactly like Elder Ramos and makes me miss him, haha. He is great and we will get along perfectly!!!

We hope to have the same success Elder Vasquez and I had. I'm excited for this new change, we have a lot of teaching to do and well, I'm up to doing it

Welcome Home Elder Evans

Guess where we are going today? We are headed north, braving the snowy weather, to Hamer, Idaho (rhymes with disclaimer, NOT hammer)

Elder Evans just returned from Peru Lima North Mission this past change, and will be reporting in his sacrament meeting. We are happy to support him. Elder Evans has been Landon's ONLY North American companion during his mission. They were companions when Landon went to Tarapoto, almost a year ago.

We met his parents last summer at a missionary parent party in Chubbock. We are driving up with Elder Peterson's parents. It will be a great day :)

More info about the changes

"Elder Vasquez is going to Tarapoto, and Elder Figueroa from El Salvador is my new companion. He entered in the CCM with me, and the misión field with me, and is a great friend. We will have great times together and much success. "

This is what President wrote to Elder Rich and Elder Vasquez:

"Congratulations Elders, You have really done an impeccable excellent work. Elder Vasquez, that is the same way we want it to be when you go to Tarapoto. We want you to continue the excellent work that has happened in Pucallpa. You two are very good leaders, and I congratulate you. Sincerely, Presidente Perez"

The elders that are leaving Pucallpa are:

Elder Lee and Elder Soto
Elder Hyde (going to Iquitos)
Elder Layton (also going to Iquitos, but a different zone than Elder Hyde)
Elder Stewart and Elder Cope (going back to Bolivia)

Those elders that are coming in to replace them are:

Elder J. Mamani and Elder Elison
Elder Choc
Elder Merrill
Elder Clarke and Cuellar

"We will have a really good zone and I’m really excited for this new change."

Consejo de Lideres

Mom and Dad, I love you and I’m glad you’re happy. I’m happy also, we’re helping tons of people get to know the gospel. I’m healthy and ready to work. Time is running out and I’m working hard. Thanks for all your support.

I will be flying to Lima on Wednesday afternoon (03/25) and returning to Pucallpa on Thursday night. I’m excited for the Consejo de Lideres (Council of Leaders). I should be getting more of your letters, so I’m excited for that. I love you guys. Thanks for everything.

Changes this week.........

Elder Rich will still serve in Pucallpa, however Elder Vasquez is moving on to Tarapoto. Landon's new companion will be Elder Figueroa from El Salvador.

We received a VERY short email yesterday. He reports that this change will be SWEET :) He also refers to "my" elders. You can just feel the love he has for them. It is really true - you LOVE the ones you serve.

We were able to glean a little more info from Elder Layton. He reports that 6 couples were married this past weekend, with quite a few baptisms also. He reports, "It was actually really amazing to meet the goals of the mission. I know I can take what I learned here to Iquitos."

Elder Hyde reports that it has been raining quite a bit, and that they enjoyed a Stake cultural party this past week.

Both Elder Hyde and Layton will be moving on to Iquitos this change. The work goes on !!

Capirona

This picture was taken on P-day at "Capirona".

Here is a video of this area in Pucallpa.

Capirona is a tree in the Amazon.

Elder Rich and Elder Vasquez are working hard, and working very well together. I believe they are doing their best to be good leaders. I know they love the Elders in their zone, and the people of Pucallpa.

Futbol in Estadio Aliardo Soria

I may be taking a shot in the dark, but I believe this is the stadium that the Elders have been able to play futbol in. Landon had mentioned in a previous letter about playing in a stadium "right by our house". I had looked on Google Earth, and found THIS stadium, but it was SO big, and the pictures on the Internet were impressive enough, that I just couldn't imagine that the Elders would be allowed to play here. However, after receiving this picture, I have to say, it looks remarkably similar. What do you think?
Click here to see a You Tube video of the stadium, and here to see it on Google Maps. Landon reports, "I LIKE soccer now". This is certainly a change in his previous attitude - PRE Mission :) He also reports that sometimes they go running here in the early morning before it gets unbearably hot.

Baptism Day

This is Estefany Gallardo Ruiz. She was baptized on or about March 7th. Here is what Landon had to say.......

"Estefany had to wear one of my shirts when she was baptized, because there weren't any baptism clothes for her. It fit her perfect ! :)"

Power Zone of Pucallpa

That is what the caption said on the back of the photograph we received in the mail today.

Talk about HAPPY - that boy sure knows how to make his mom's day :)

I believe this is the entire zone - 7 companionships.....14 missionaries.

What a great group of young men. They look so happy!

This week was great !!!

"This week was great!!! Elder Vasquez and I finished with 2 baptisms, Melisa Tamani Huanuyri and Licie Lisbeth Leon Lopez. As a Zone we finished with 13 baptisms, and so far that makes 28 for the month.

We have a marriage coming up, with 14 couples getting married, and then the next day a massive baptismo with 18 people!! 6 families!!! Elder Vasquez and I have been working with two of the families - The family Macedo and Tiquilahuanca.

I'm doing great with health. I'm great in attitude, and I couldn't be better. All is good here and we're working hard.

I'm so happy to hear about all the things happening there in Utah. The snow melting, Keysto and Kaley getting married, wow, I'm so happy for them.

Well, there isn't any new news, I'm just working and going 110 percent, just like my dad has always taught me."

*I have put a link (marriage) to Elder Layton's blog. He speaks of his Zone Leaders, and their help with getting the marriages in place. I know the Lord helps those who ask for His help, and then work hard on their end to make things happen.

Everywhere you turn - Missionaries !!

Exciting news I'd like to share. Sister Evelyn Cachay received her mission call to Columbia, Bogota South. We are SO happy for her. She will be a wonderful missionary, and wonderful example to her family.

Two Elder's from Morgan, Utah have been called to Columbia, Barranquilla. President Porter's son, Nathan, and Jansen Bennett. This is the same mission that Mamita Teresa and Welinton Vera Cruz's son Jimmy was called to last October! I'm sure they will meet up.

My good friend's daughter, Sister Jenni Lake entered the MTC yesterday. She's going to France, Toulouse mission. I am so happy for everyone in their family. What an example she is setting.

Last but not least, I've been asked by the Morgan Utah Stake Primary to put together a slideshow of all of the current missionaries serving from our stake, for "Envision Your Mission", a presentation for 11 year old boys. It will be so much fun, and so rewarding. I can hardly wait to get working on it.

Busy Week - Working, Teaching and Baptizing

This past week in our area we had one baptism of a girl named Estefany Gallardo Ruiz, and in the zone there were 6 baptisms. As of now, we have 15 baptisms with 31 dates (set for baptism) for these next 3 weeks. I’m really excited to get going and finish strong this change and month. Time is flying, I’m finally getting the hang of things (as a leader), knowing what to do, and everything is clicking.

My companion, Elder Vasquez, is from Arequipa Peru. We’re working hard and ALWAYS get along. Our Zone is great, and I will be sad to have the changes come.

I Love My Presidente

P-day was on Tuesday this week, because on Monday was our interviews with Presidente. It was really good to see him and the Assistants again after 4 weeks. It was also my goodbye to my dear friend Elder Hirschi (from Neola, Utah). He will be finishing his mission this next change, and I won’t be there to see him leave.

My interview with President was the best one I have had yet in my mission. The spirit was so strong, and President helped me notice something - I have grown in these 4 weeks out in the field, more spiritually and with knowledge, than in all my 16 months as a missionary. I love it and I love my President.

*Picture of Barbeque was taken in January at Presidente Perez' home. Click here for more pics

**Elder Rich and Elder Hirschi

Angels in disguise?

"Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us." Alma 13:22

*It seems when you have a missionary, there are SO MANY scriptures that you can relate to :)

This picture was taken just a day or two before Elder Rich left for Pucallpa. These are young people from the Independencia Ward, they are Jacky Landa, Leyla Robles, Elder Rich, Elder Foutz, Elder Sandoval and Frank Robles - Thanks to Evelyn for information on who is who :)

Missionary Work

I love the field and I love being a missionary. I am learning in leaps and gains. No one will ever understand, unless they serve a mission. I feel bad for those who throw this precious time away. It truly is the best time in our lives, apart from marriage and families.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the atonement of Jesus Christ, and what He did for me. I am grateful for His sacrifice and His love that He has for me, and for helping me every step of the way. I’m grateful for my family and for what you do for me also. All I need is your prayers and that’s it. Help me from there with your prayers.

The Work of the Lord

We are very very blessed. We are seeing miracles here in Pucallpa, and our goals and dreams are being met. We are helping families to be ETERNAL. This is the happiest I have been in my mission, I can't even explain.

We finished this week with 9 confirmations as a Zone, and we have 27 dates for baptism for the month and much more to come also. I feel I have improved as a missionary, and it's all thanks to the Lord. This is the best time ever. The work of the Lord is the best and most important that there is.

Benishe did it again :)