Commitments

Last week, Presidente challenged each companionship to find four new people and commit them to baptism by the end of the week. We worked hard, and Milagros, Patric, Cloris and Noe have dates for the 25th of April and the 2nd of May.

I was thinking, the life of a person is so complicated, and to be able to change and be baptized is hard. It's a miracle to have so many baptisms and I'm so grateful for the Lord and His hand in this work.

I have grown spiritually and matured so much in these past months. I'm very grateful. We're planning to have 500 baptisms as a mission in May!!!!!

*This picture above is Family Home Evening in Pucallpa with Elder Rich and Elder Figueroa. Of course, being a mom, the first thing I noticed.............was the big "scratch" on Elder Rich's nose. **Look closer in this picture........... it seems they ALL have one.

Here's what he had to say about that,

"No, it's not a scratch on my nose, it's paint....we were playing a game :)"

I guess I'll quit worrying :)

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 ! :)"

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.

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.

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.

Baptism Day

The work is going good, we had a baptism last Saturday (1/27/09) of Milagros Quispe, a girl 15 years old who has been waiting to get baptized for almost 2 years. Her parents just barely gave their permission. She has assisted in church and seminary for 2 years. She is really shy, but ready to be baptized. I will have the privilege of baptizing her. I’m really excited.

Working Hard

We're struggling finding people to teach. We always need help from the members, and we're always talking with new people everyday. My companion is amazing. It's like having a best friend here on the mission.

Baptism Day

"On December 27th, Freddy and Orlando were baptized, and yesterday (01/03/09), Hermanita Teresa was baptized. Alot of people came - it was great."

Landon has been companions with TWO missionaries for a week now. Elder Vargas is training Elder Sandoval. (far right in this picture below) This will continue until next Tuesday, January 6th, when Elder Vargas will depart for the field.

Baptism Day

12/05/08 - Estrella was baptized!!!! She is 13 years old and just amazing. We passed by her house a little earlier in the day, and she was down and sad because her mom wasn’t going to be able to be at her baptism. Something had happened with the food and inviting people, so we had to talk to her a little. We said a prayer with her, and needless to say, everything turned out great. Even though there were problems, the Lord helps everything go good.

Congratulations Leyla !

Leyla Rebbeca Gutirrez Sosa was baptized last night!!! (Friday, October 24, 2008) She has 10 years of age. Her cousin, Milagros, has a date for the 8th of November to get baptized. Leyla's parent's names are Rosa and Jonny.

It was such a good baptism, even though at first not many people were there, and we started a little late. She was so excited to get baptized. Here is the story: The water is cold here in the font. It’s not heated, and it wasn’t too bad, but for a little girl, she was cold. When we got in the font, she was all worried about being dunked and everything and she was like, “I can’t do it”, and she started to cry a little bit. Not because she didn’t want to be baptized, but she was just afraid because she didn’t know what to do, or to expect. You gotta know her, but it was hilarious. Once she got calmed down, she is like, “Ok, I’m ready”.

As soon as they were about to open the doors (in front of the font), she is like, “Wait!, I’m chewing gum!” I told her it’s okay to get baptized with gum in her mouth, but she didn’t want to, so I was like uhhhh.... “Ok, give it to me”, haha. I was like a mom, you know when the mom sticks out her hand and they spit it (the gum) into their hand? Well, that was me, haha. I put it into my front shirt pocket and she was baptized!!!! It was amazing.

Mistake? No possible way........

The best family of my mission as far as wanting to progress, and having the most challenges to do so, are Eduardo and Regina, with their son.

It was a "mistake" how we found them, but I know for a fact it was the hand of the Lord guiding us to them. We met a less active member in the street, got her address, and the next day we went looking for her. Well we mixed up the street name and got to the right number, but wrong street, and Eduardo answered. We talked a bit, and he says, ”You’re the Mormons right?” He says, “I have always been curious what you guys believe in, and I want to know more”.

We invited him to an activity the next day, and sure enough, the next day the whole family went to the church for the activity, and turns out they know a lot of the members, so it was great. They then invited us back to their house the next day, and we taught them about the restoration and they loved it. Monday we had a family night with them and wow, it’s just amazing. They read ALL the pamphlets we gave to them, The Book of Mormon, and everything. Eduardo wants to learn about the life of Joseph Smith and just everything. They are really smart. They just need to get married and they want to, but it’s kinda tough to get married down here in Peru. It costs a lot and they have to do a lot of paperwork, but they will get married. They haven’t come out and said it, but they were asking about baptism the other day, and man… It’s amazing how chosen they are.

I love it. I hope and pray all goes through well with them.

We need to find more families to teach! We are on the lookout everyday. I love working. I can’t wait everyday, to get out and work. I love it. I love teaching. I love this work.

Planned Baptisms

I absolutely love my area. We’re doing good. This week of changes will be a little tough, because we won’t get out much to visit our investigators.

We have 5 baptismal dates set for the 18th of October, for Daniel, Milagros Quispe, Milagros V., Manuel, and Layla. They are all young, 12, 14, 15, 19, and 10. They all have been assisting church or seminary for a long time. They are all doing really well.

Milagros V. (15) is changing and grasping this gospel and it’s beautiful and amazing what the gospel can do. She needs this. I’m happy for her and I’m thankful for her.

Milagros Q. (14) has been assisting seminary for 2 years and church for a year, but her parents won’t let her get baptized. We need to talk to her parents to find out the details, but she wants to. She is shy and timid, but a good young girl.

We’re teaching Manuel (19) and his mom now, and it’s amazing how willing she is to change, even though she says she won’t be baptized yet. She is fulfilling all of the commitments we have given her. It will be good for Manuel also.

The work goes on........

"Well family and friends... I'm here in Tarapoto and it's going good... We are working... We have a matrimony (marriage) and baptism set for this end of week and it should be good. A family - so I'm excited for that. They have so much faith. They recently moved from Tarapoto to Picota, which is like an hour away in car. Every end of week (weekend) they will be coming back until they get married and baptized and Carlos (the dad?) has the priesthood, then from there they will stay in Picota until the Stake comes here in December, and the church hopefully will expand out to them."

"We have more families to teach, but they aren't progressing as fast as I would like them to. I have to be patient. I thought I was a patient person, but I learned and am learning, that there are many levels of patience with yourself and others. This week I'm working on humility. All is well here. I'm good of health and I'm ready to finish up the work here in Tarapoto."

"We're planning to have a month of perfection in August, so pray for us. A month of perfection is a baptism every week, with 5 invites in the church, and 15 lessons with and without members. It's tough, but we are going to do it. I'm learning so much and I love the scriptures. This is preparing me for my life with my own family and for my life eternal with my Lord. I love this work. Take care everyone, love Elder Landon Lee Rich"

We are happy - It's all good

"We had 3 baptisms this past week. Pedro and Giovanna got married and then baptized and Hermana (Sister) Rosita was baptized also this past weekend. It was a great day. They are happy, we are happy, all is good. We have lots and lots of families that we are teaching. Man, it’s a tough life down here, but the Lord provides."

Love One Another

'A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.'


Elder Rich, Americo Putpaña Chujandama, Elder Evans

A Wonderful Day

"Well, we had 6 baptisms this past week. Two families !!!!!!!!!!!! It was amazing. I loved it. To see their faces, when they knew without a doubt that they were sin free. It was amazing, and I loved it. The spirit was so strong, that no one could deny that this is true."

One of these families, was the Familia Perez that Landon has mentioned previously. (Dad, Mom, and 3 kids.. ages, 19, 13, and 7) The father wrote Landon the following email. Landon was pretty happy when I passed it along to him.

Dear Elder Rich: Jesus Christ has permitted us to meet each other and it gives me joy that a young man like you, dedicates completely all his time to preach the gospel. I hope that our celestial father walks with you always. Sincerely, Your brother, Wilfredo Pérez Cornejo

"Also, a cool experience.... An older couple was baptized too. When we had the interviews for them, the mom was like, "I can't do it, it hurts too bad". Her legs are bad, and she has open sores because of an operation. We fasted and prayed for her, and on the day of their baptism she showed up.... walking..... and was like, "Yes, let's do it, I'm ready". So we got her legs wrapped with plastic, and it took three of us to baptize her with a chair. I know this church is true, and I love it."

Baptism Day

Landon sent pictures, and this was one baptism he didn't talk about in any of his emails. Her name is Sandra, and I think Elder Villanueva baptized her. Here is what Landon had to say about it:

"Well, her dad is a menos activo (less active) for a long time. We're teaching her whole family. They are the mom and dad and 3 daughters. Sandra is the oldest with 20 years. When I left, her little sister had a date to get baptized. They have family in Utah that are members, so that's pretty cool."

More baptisms

"We baptized the Familia Polanco (the parents). I'm really happy, and they are too. Also, Hermana Karla Rivera. I'm so happy she made the decision to be baptized. They all went well, and good news; we have 2 more families for this change too. We found a family that is the best. I'm excited. I love this work."

"I love this mission, and I love being here. All is well down here in Peru."

For more pictures of this day, click here.

I can't wait until I'm 8...............

"I baptized a little girl who completed her 8 years (turned 8 years old). Her name is Francis Karla Alba Pelyce. I love this work. We are working really, really hard. We are teaching 9 families!!!!!!!!! It’s amazing. This is the true work."

Finally ! News from Landon

I'm staying in this area (Villa Sol/Proceras)and I am very very happy about that.

We had six baptisms scheduled for this past Saturday, but we only ended up with three. I baptized, 27 year old Diescenia Polanco. Her sister Yajaira (14) was also baptized. We're working with their parents (54 & 47 years of age), and I sure hope they except. The other baptism was Mariela Velez. She is 20 years old, and has a 2 year old son. The work is going. I'm so so so glad that I'm staying in this area. The baptisms were great, and I'm loving it. This week has been kinda up and down, but we have been having some success. It's all good.

Here are some more pictures of that day.