Return to Bella Vista Ward

As we are nearing the end of our mission, we decided we needed to go back to the Bella Vista Ward to see the twins again.  You can refer to our post on February 22nd for the story,

but briefly, these were the little girls Bill knew 50 years ago when he baptized their parents as the first missionary in La Esperanza.  They were so happy to see Bill again. President Davila, the Primavera Stake President was also in attendance.  I played the piano and he asked us to sit on the stand.  It was Fast Sunday since next week is General Conference.  Bill and President Davila both bore their testimonies.  They talked of serving in La Esperanza 40 and 50 years ago.

This man was sleeping on the grass outside the church.

A soccer game was going on next door.

This is what the chapel looked like, three minutes before the meeting started.
They really go on Mormon Standard Time down here.

It was Fast Sunday because of General Conference next week.
This little baby was blessed.  The Bishop asked Bill to stand in the
circle while President Davila blessed Abram Jesus Guzman.

Little Grace with her mother.  Another cute baby.

Anna, helping to dust the pews before the meeting.

Elder Irrazabal from Argentina & Elder Klossner from Salt Lake City.

President Davila and Bill.  He served here in Peru at the same
time as Bill's brother, Steve, 40 years ago. 

Elizabet Ramos with the twins, Maria Dolores (Lolo) & Maria Elena.
Elizabeth lived with them for 14 years and they converted her to the church.
She was influential in helping to convert the twin's older brother to the church.

One of the sisters from the temple.
I look like such a giant.

Bishop Quezada is Elena's husband.

Saturday was Women's Conference so the temple was closed after the 11:30 session.  We went to eat at Squalo's with the Hawses for lunch.

Bill & I had yummy Lagostinos Panko (shrimp) and papas puree (mashed potatoes)

We were able to watch conference from our living room in English.  Modern technology is amazing. All the talks were excellent but I especially liked the one given by President Uchtdorf, "4th floor, Last door." He spoke of what faith is, what it can and cannot do and what we must do to activate the power of faith in our lives.  Heather got tickets and was able to take, Ellie, Sadie and one of Sadie's friends to the conference.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

A Peruvian invite to watch Women's Conference.

Some of the Young Women singing in the choir were from Morgan, Utah, where my sister lives.

Bill liked this Pickles Comic Strip so I thought I had better post it. He can relate to Earl on this one.

Este (East) Stake Conference / Lunch with Alvas

We went to the Este Stake Conference in Florencia de Mora this week.  The Hawses went with us.  The Casos's and Marbles spoke as well as the Stake President.  Our concluding speaker was Taylor G Godoy, an area Seventy.  He gave a very good talk and we were able to take pictures and talk with him afterwards.  He speaks English and was very nice and friendly.

Wayne & Bill before the meeting starts.  They ushered us to preferential seating when we arrived.

The Choir before the meeting. They did a great job and even added a cello and a violin. 

Some sweet girls who also sang with the choir. 

Our picture with Elder Godoy and President Tapia.
None of the pictures turned out very good.

Jan and me with the Bastos family and their Bishop from the El Tumi ward.
Sister Luz Bastos, in the middle, is one of our MOST FAVORITE people in all of Peru.
She brings joy wherever she goes.  She and her daughter Kirli, who served a mission in
Arequipa, both work in the temple.

Missionaries.

Sister Rosa Tapia, in yellow, with her three daughters and granddaughter. 

President and Sister Tapia.
We love these two special people.

Sister missionaries.

A really cute baby.

One of the two flower arrangements.  After the meeting, members
go up and take the flowers home with them.  You could see some in
the picture of the Tapias.



It just wouldn't be right, to not take pictures from the taxi on the way home.  Some of these are from my camera and some from Jan's.

Mandarinas, anyone?

A banana truck up ahead.

Unloading the bananas from the truck.

Selling sugar cane on the street for 1 sol (30 cents).

On Monday, the Hawses and us were invited to lunch at the Alvas.  Juan Alva is 95 and one of the first members baptized in Trujillo.  He was the Branch President when Wayne was a missionary here 40 years ago. His wife is 78.

The Alvas and their daughter with Wayne.  I forgot to take pictures until after we ate.

Wayne & Jan with the "National Drink" of Peru, Inca Kola. 

Sister Alva served Aji de Gallina with rice, one of our favorite Peruvian dishes.
She also made Mousse de Limon for dessert which was especially good.

Their little dog, Sammy.  He was wearing his sweater because
"he had a cold".

When we went to find a taxi, we saw these two Elders walking down the street.
They are in the South Mission.

The Hawses with Elder Alanoca from Bolivia and Elder Elliott from Plain City, Utah which
is near Hooper, where the Hawses live.  He knows their neighbor because they go
to the same high school.  We told him we would take his picture even though he
was wearing a Utah Ute tie.

Saturday at the temple was an extremely busy day. Buses came from Chimbote and Chiclayo.  There were more that 100 youth there for baptisms.  Both doors were open with lines out the doors.  Both Bill and Elder Gomez had to take recommends at the desk.  We caught this picture from our window before we started our shift at 1:30 PM.