Last Sunday in Peru

It seemed fitting that we should go back to La Esperanza for our last Sunday, a place where it once began for Bill 50 years ago.  When he opened this area as a young Elder there were only 2 small branches in all of Trujillo.  Today we witnessed history in the making as we attended the Los Robes ward.  This has been the largest ward in Trujillo since we have been here and they split the ward today.

  
Over 300 people attended this ward every Sunday.  It was so big they had 2 Relief Societies, 2 Elder's Quorums, 2 Gospel Doctrine classes, 2 Teacher's and 2 Deacon's Quorums.  They created a new ward, Nuevo Trujillo.  There were so many people there it felt like a Stake Conference.  

Earlier today at 8:00 AM they made the Milagro Branch a ward. Now there are 9 wards in La Esperanza and the Stake President, President Bravo said they would soon make a new Stake in Esperanza.  President Brovo acknowledged Bill from the stand and said he "turned the soil". President and Sister Marble were also there.  President Marble served in La Esperanza 5 years after Bill.  President Bravo said he "planted the seeds."  President Marble spoke about living in La Esperanza where there was no electricity.  He taught many people at night by candle light.

It was a special and emotional day for many of the members.  We felt it was an honor to share this day with them.

A sister from the temple with her daughter and grandchildren. 

Three future missionaries.

Sister O'Brien from Idaho and Sister Tobar from Ecuador. 

Wayne with Elder Spencer & Elder Delgado.

Bill with Elder Lingua & Elder Herde 

Bill with Hans Poma. 

The flowers were beautiful. 

Elder Alcarrz and Elder Thompson. 

Hermano Alburquerque and Hermano Uceda, from the temple.

Elder Dorado & Elder Logan.
Elder Logan has been in the office for about 6 months and
was just transferred to La Esperanza to be the Zone Leader.

Part of the choir.  They sang "Oh Come All Ye Faithful".
It was great hearing a Christmas Carol.

Sandra on the right works in the Distribution Center.
She is with her husband and mother.

The entire Poma family.  Hans is on the left with brother Jeffrey, wife and baby;
his mother, brother Jorge, wife and baby, and brother Carlos who just
got home from a mission 2 months ago in Uruguay.

Another picture of Hermano Alburquergue.


Some last pictures around La Esperanza as we were walking to catch a taxi.

How did this one slip in there?

We had to start walking in the street because someone parked their
car on the sidewalk.

One last selfie with the Hawses after we arrived back at the temple.

At 1:30 we were invited to the Gomez's apartment for a farewell lunch.  She served a pasta dish with salad, peaches, watermelon and Chicha Morada. It was a good last Sunday in Trujillo.