Three Months & Counting

This week marked our three month anniversary in the mission field.  Things that seemed odd or tasted strange in the beginning are starting to feel normal.  The Peruvian people are very loving and kind.  They love the missionaries and are excited to see us over and over in the temple. 

We also enjoy visiting different wards each week and greeting all the friends we have made since we have been here. 

This week the Stake President from the Primavera Stake came to the temple.  His name is President Davila.  He wanted us to come to his ward, the Primavera Ward.  He was going to be the main speaker and wanted me to play the piano.

Here we are at the Primavera Stake Center.
This was the second church built in Trujillo.  It also houses the Peru Trujllo Norte Mission offices.

Bill with President Davila and sweet Hermana Rodriquez.
Sister Rodriquez is 90 years old.  She is sharp as a tack and was
the Stake Relief Society President for many years.  
She is a Volunteer at the temple and works in the temple laundry.
President Davila was a missionary in Peru at the same time as Bill's brother, Steve.
He also served in La Esperanza 10 years after Bill.

This is Bishop Mendoza with me.  Would you believe he was the Stake
President before President Davila.  After President Davila was put in as Stake President
he call President Mendoza to be the Bishop of his ward.  I don't think I have ever seen
that happen before.  These people are really committed to the Gospel.

More pictures of familiar faces we see at the temple weekly.  This is Luciana Alva Gonzales and her cute daughter Mariana.  She calls Luciana her milagro (miracle).  When she was first married she was told by the doctors she couldn't have children.  Her patriarchal blessing said she would have a child.  Her husband was called to be a Bishop and she became pregnant.  He was a bishop for ten years.  

Joel Ventura and his fiance Danela.  Joel works in the temple and is the ward clerk.
They are getting married in January. Joel went on a mission to Bolivia.

These two sisters come to the temple weekly.  Sister Sofia Abanto in the picture above works in the temple as a Volunteer.  Sister Solis in the picture below will come and stay all day.   Her daughter led the singing in Sacrament Meeting and her granddaughter gave a talk.  She is 18 and preparing the serve a mission. The piano I played is in the background.

This is our favorite little Taxi driver.  His name is Edder and he will take us to church and  be waiting for us when we get out of church.  He will also drive us all over town and wait while we shop, etc.  Of course we pay him well for being so sweet and dependable.  He will ask for $2.00 but we give him $3.00. We are all happy.  It also helps that he has a newer, more comfortable car. He is very proud of his
new Hyundai. It's cheaper to ride in Taxi's than to own a car. 
And believe me, you wouldn't want to drive down here.  They don't follow any
traffic rules or regulations.  Just honk and drive.

Before shopping on P-day we went out to lunch with the Senior Missionaries to T.G.I. Fridays.  We had our first hamburger and onion rings since leaving the USA.  It was yummy!

You never know what you will find in Peru: Shortbread from Canada, Pickles from Germany, Peanut Butter from the US and Cookies from England.

And these two Minions filled with instant chocolate for milk, managed to find their way South of the Border.