Fotos:
1- The high school in Asuncion where we took Travis to play
basketball. The top of the court is open to the sky. It is a
traditional catholic high school in Paraguay.
2- The moon over the steeple of the catholic church across the street from the school.
3- The new mall a few minutes from the Evan’s house. It is called
Paseo de la Galeria. It has some of the most amazing stores and food
court. We loved it.
=======================================================
First of all - Happy Birthday to Grandma Annie Mercer. Today she
is 127 years old. I have many fond memories of my times with her and in
Oakley at her house. We are blessed with a great heritage.
It has been a busy week, with most of our time spent in Asuncion
trying to care for Travis Evans the 15 year old son of Pte and Sister
Evans. He is a fine young man….but he is 15 years old at a new school
in a foreign land. We drove him to school and picked him up each day,
we helped him purchase his basketball uniform, we drove him to a b-ball
game on Friday night, etc. Probably the most interesting part of the
week is when we had a big storm in Asuncion on Thursday night when we
lost power at the mission home about 10:30. We thought we would be
fine when the power came back on during the night, but when we woke on
Friday we had no power and no water. So no showers for any of us, and
we used buckets of water from the swimming pool to flush the toilets.
The power finally returned about mid-day on Friday. The President and
Sis Evans were due in on Friday morning from their mission president
seminar in Tierra del Fuego Argentina. About 500 miles farther south
and you are in Antarctica. They said it was very cold. But their
flights were delayed and they finally arrived at 4:00 pm. We left a
bit later for our District Conference sessions in Santani, arriving at
about 7:30. We had a short planning meeting and then we drove another
90 minutes to Santa Rosa to stay in a nicer hotel there. We had to
leave at 6:00 am Sunday for the morning sessions, but it was worth the
drive. the Hotel Cristal is clean, comfortable, with a good restaurant
and good service. One of the Mission Presidency counselors stayed in
Santani at a hotel that cost more but was not very good at all.
The conference was very good - with many good speakers and some
training and youth meetings. President Evans teaches in a very natural
and simple manner, and the members and investigators can clearly
understand and feel his message. We are so blessed to have the Evans
here.
We are grateful that Ann and her driver were not hurt in the
accident. It is a testimony to us that the Lord watches over and cares
for us - even when we don’t know we need it. Hope all returns to normal
soon.
We found out this week that Elder Rasband of the Quorum of the
Twelve will be here in the Mission on November 19….the day after we
leave. But we are fine with our decision to return home prior to
Thanksgiving as our President recommended. It will be a great day in
Paraguay when we comes to visit. The missionaries and members will all
be strengthened and uplifted. Also, they will know that the brethren
know they are here and they are not forgotten.
We have been asked to help transport the 2nd counselor in the Area
Presidency - Elder Bragg - after a missionary conference in Cocepcion.
The President has other apointments already in the Chaco - very far
north, and we may be able to drive Elder Bragg back to Asuncion. It is
about a 6 hour trip so this could be interesting.
We are 1 month away from our departure date. Hard to believe but I
think we are ready. We would not trade this experience for anything.
It has not always been easy or fun, but we have learned so much about
ourselves, about the people of Paraguay, and about the Lord and his
mercy for each of us. The struggles we face help us grow. Rarely do we
ask for them, but if we bear them with faith and patience…we will be
blessed.
We love and appreciate you all. Thanks for all that are doing for us.
Love,
Jerry and Cheryl
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