RedsDirt: Missionary Update

Jared arrived in Lima, Peru on August 21st and stayed at the Missionary Training Center for 5 weeks. He took classes in the morning to learn how and what to teach, mostly studying the missionary Preach My Gospel manual. He did Spanish language training most of the rest of the day. He said the food was good, although he didn't really know what he was eating most of the time. He got to go to the temple 5 times while in the MTC. He went to the Lima Peru Temple 4 times, but he also got to go once to the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple. The Lima Peru Temple is only about 5-6 minutes from the MTC. The Los Olivos Temple is about 35 minutes away by car - a little over an hour bus ride. That temple was just dedicated and opened in January this year. Jared loved being there with all the missionaries. One of the Latino missionaries liked to give him gifts, such as a necklace-like thing, coins, a drawing, and Chips Ahoy. He got to go running a little bit since his companion liked to run as well. They didn't really get to leave the MTC though, so I guess it was whatever they could do on the MTC grounds. Jared and Elder Bourgeous got to do a little 20-minute study session with Savannah a couple of times while there, to practice helping someone how to learn from the scriptures. He loved his whole experience in the MTC.

Let me share something from his home MTC experience: "This week I had a special experience with the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as well. On Thursday, I noticed that throughout the day my mind would start wandering, or that I'd get distracted by little things like my tie or something on my desk. I started to miss important instructions and also promptings from the Holy Ghost. That night, I had the feeling that I needed to repent and ask Christ for help focusing. As I prayed I felt God's love for me, and soon after I also had the impression to talk to my companion about it the next morning in our daily planning time. When the alarm went off the next morning, I had so much excitement and energy, which lasted the whole day. When I spoke with my companion, he said that he wanted to work on being more focused together, and so we set the goal to check in with each other to see how we were doing. I can testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and I promise that if you turn to Christ and repent, he will not only forgive you but will also "make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27)."

(I didn't realize I already previously posted this pic of his MTC companion, Elder Bourgeous, in another collage.)

Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple

Lima Peru Temple (and MTC)

The end of September, Jared flew from Lima, Peru to Asuncion, Paraguay. We didn't know exactly when he was flying out or anything about the flight schedule. The Air Tags came in handy again as we noticed they arrived in Asuncion the morning of September 25th. His first assigned area was Ciudad del Este, in eastern Paraguay, near the Brazil and Argentina borders. It was about a 7-hour bus ride there from the mission office in Asuncion. He isn't allowed to cross the country borders, but did get to see the Salto de Monday Falls on the Paraguay side, which is an offshoot of the more famous Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil.

It is very hot and humid there right now - mid 90's most days. He mostly walks around everywhere, and the streets are very rough and often muddy, since it rains often. There are lots of dogs wandering around everywhere. The people are very poor, but he said it's odd to see people with nice phones or motorcycles but they live in a shack with nothing. The people value family over anything else though.

His first companion was Elder Ponce, from Peru, who he worked with for 6 weeks. He just got a new companion, who is also from Peru. I think his name is Elder Lecca. Jared got to go to the Asuncion Temple shortly after arriving there. They've had a few baptisms already. His first was a teenager named Pedro, who got baptized on October 9th. Jared described that baptism as a "series of miracles too long to explain". Pedro had wanted to be baptized but needed parental consent before doing so. Jared and his companion had promised him that if he had faith, he could be baptized on October 9th (when they had other baptisms scheduled). Jared wasn't sure himself if it would happen, but they were able to find Pedro's mom at home that day and get permission. She normally wasn't home during the day, but she happened to be preparing to travel. They talked to her for a while and she was still hesitant, but Pedro's friend happened to be there and helped her see that it was a good thing for Pedro. Pedro himself wasn't there at the time, but they were able to stop by later and tell him to get ready to go, because he was getting baptized in 3 hours. Jared said Pedro was "overjoyed" at the news.

He had one funny (but sad) experience while trying to serve an older lady. She had asked if they could help cut some bananas off her banana tree. At first, she brought out a giant machete, which they told her they weren't allowed to use. So she traded it for a smaller kitchen knife. Jared began trying to cut some of the bananas off the tree. The lady tried to help by pulling the branch down but accidentally pulled down the whole tree! He was left standing there with the little knife, looking at the fallen tree... she tried to prop it back up. Hopefully the tree wasn't completely lost. It was a sad experience, but a funny tale to tell later.

He is learning Spanish pretty quickly and has learned a little bit of Guarani as well. Most recently, he got to travel back to Asuncion for a conference with Elder Gong, in the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Gong spoke to all the missionaries in the Asuncion and Asuncion North Missions. Elder Gong's main message was about loving the people they teach and also loving and serving their companions. He also talked about striving for willing joyful obedience. Elder Gong shook every missionary's hand. Jared loved the experience and said Elder Gong is now his favorite Apostle!

Jared will still be in Ciudad del Este for at least another 6 weeks until the next time for transfers (and then we'll see if he stays or moves areas). He is doing well and loving the people and the work!