9 Febrero 2016

I am a day late because we drove home from Asuncion yesterday and arrived late in the evening.  Regardless, I am excited to share a good week with you all.

Definitely the highlight of the week (or month….) is the birth of a new baby girl for Jessica and Justin.  We are so very grateful that she arrived safely and that she and Jessica are doing well.  We are all anxious to learn her name. 

On Tuesday we spent about 2 1/2 hours cleaning the house of the two Elders who left.  We only picked up all of the garbage, old shoes, trash, papers, clothes, etc.  We had 8 large bags of garbage and we hadn’t really started to clean.  We will be working with the Zone Leaders to finish the job and then we think the mission accountant will charge the missionaries that left for the cleaning supplies and try and remind them that they are responsible for their apartments.

We had a very successful Branch Council meeting also on Tuesday.  We nearly started on time (7:15) and everyone but the Relief Society was in attendance.  We talked about people and how to best help them.  The new Sister missionaries are not afraid to visit with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

We are so grateful for these two new sisters who are working here in Horqueta.  We love all of the missionaries so much but there are some who just know how to work and just do it.  They have new investigators, church attendance has climbed up again, and they are very obedient.  Hermana Scott is from California and Hermana Martinez is from Asuncion, Paraguay.  She speaks Spanish, Guarani, a little Portugues, and a little English. The work is progressing.

We spent a few days in Asuncion watching the house and young son of the McMullins.  He is a very active 14 year old who doesn’t spend much time with his parents.  So we went to Burger King, Kentucky Fried, Pizza Hut, and 4D ice cream.  We visited the Mall (Shopping del Sol) and it was fun.  We enjoy helping them out while the McMullins were in Buenos Aires for a Mission President’s seminar. 

While we were there, we exchanged automobiles.  We have been driving a SsangYong Rexton, which is a mid-size SUV with a Mercedes engine, leather interior, electronic everything, and a very nice road car.  However, it was taking a beating on the back roads of Paraguay so we now have a Nissan Frontier pickup truck with 4x4, electric winch, manual transmission, etc.  It is a nice vehicle and will be much more useful for us in our work.

We also visited the Distribution Center to purchase some materials we needed for a Family History class, and some missionary materials in Portugues since many here speak portugues. 

Our trip home was good and we stopped to visit with the Guterres, the other missionary couple, in their home in Santa Rosa.  Hermana Guterres seems to always have something good to eat at her house. 

While in Asuncion we had the chance to work with the mission recordkeeper to loads all of the baptismal records and creates membership records.  We had at least 7 members of the Horqueta branch who had never been properly set up in the system so they did not show as members.  They could not go to the temple, receive the Priesthood, and so we loaded them up.  I am so grateful that some of the office elders take their jobs very seriously.

Sunday at church in Asuncion was very interesting.  We went to the Campo Grande ward and there were many visitors there.  Two of the sister missionaries are returning home due to back problems and one of the fathers was there to accompany them home.  We also met two American families who are in the ward - both employees of the US Embassy (the Craners and the Bindrups). 

It feels like we are back in the saddle again - now receiving invitations from the Sister missionaries to participate in Family Home Evening and other visits.  We are looking forward to being more involved and active.  Two other interesting things:

1- While we were in Asuncion there were two Sister missionaries staying at the mission home due to Dengue.  We were told that there are at least 12 missionaries who have Dengue.  So all missionaries have been instructed to use insect repellant and to use Permithryn on our clothes to help fight both Dengue and Sika viruses. 

2-  On the trip we stopped at the Colonia Rio Verde near Santa Rosa.  It is a farming community of German farmers and business owners.  At one of their stores we found homemade peanut butter, Cheerios, and other goodies.  It was fun and tasty.

Well , we love you all and appreciate your love and support.  Thank you for praying for the good people of Paraguay who need so much help.

Love,
Jerry and Cheryl

1- After the baptism in Tacuati - Elder Simao on the swing

2- A member girl trying her hand at driving

3- In Tacuati with (starting L to R on the back row).  Hna Cranney, Rosalba and her baby, Pedro Garcia (Group Leader), Mirian Garcia, Elder Mendoza, (front row) - Elder Simao and the children of the Garcias and Rosalba.

4- A contrast of old and new

1- At the McMullins house with Hermana Lundberg and Hemana Jara.

2- Cheryl and Bryant in front of Shopping del Sol mall.   A fun place.

One more thing..........

Hello again.  I forgot to mention that even though it is cooler and raining today, last week we had one day where it was 106 degrees, the weather app said it felt like 125 degrees.

On the Highway

This is what happened on the Ruta 3 Highway 1 day before our trip to Santa Rosa.  The washout actually covers about a quarter of a mile.  Fortunately no one in the bus was killed in the accident. 

They have created a detour around the worst parts so we had no problem passing.

February 1, 2016

Well, another month has come and gone and we all have the opportunity to reflect on what we have accomplished, what we perhaps neglected, and how we can improve in the months ahead.  We are still fully engaged here in the Mission and we love the people with whom we work and serve. 

This has been a week for journal entries. 

Tuesday was change day for the missionaries.  We knew that Elder Simao was going to finish his mission and go home, and we were all pretty sure that Hermana Ross would be leaving after 6 months here in Horqueta.  We knew of certain challenges in Concepcion and here with some of the missionaries - health, motivation, emotional concerns, etc.  At the change meeting in Concepcion the Zone leaders announced that in Concepcion 4 of the 8 missionaries would be transferred out.  Then they announces that Elder Simao, Hermana Ross, Elder Mendoza, and Hermana Lundberg were all being transferred out and that the Elder’s area was being closed for now.  We would be receiving two new sister missionaries and that was all.  It was a shock for all, but reaffirmed for us that the Lord and his chosen leader Pres. McMullin are inspired about the missionary work here in northern Paraguay. 

We ran around like crazy to help the missionaries with what they needed to do to leave in just a few hours after the change meeting.  The branch had also planned a farewell party for Elder Simao but only 3 members came due to the storm.  Then the rains came.  It was a “tormenta” with high winds, tons of rain, and the resulting power and water problems.  We first drove the Elders to the bus station with all of their luggage to catch the bus and it didn’t come.  So we drove them to Concepcion.  Along the way we saw the results of the storm with trees down all along and sometimes across the highway.  We then rushed home to say goodbye to the Hermanas.  Pres. Duarte drove them to the terminal where we waited for the bus.  Finally the station manager said the bus wasn’t going to come to the terminal so we reloaded and drove to the highway to catch the bus.  It passed just before we arrived, but did in fact go to the terminal.  So we waited and finally got the Sisters and their luggage / boxes/ bags/etc all loaded on the bus.

Cheryl and I then reflected that for the first time we were the only missionaries in Horqueta.  Made us kind of lonely and sad. 

We knew that due to illness the Hermana’s house wasn’t very clean so we went over the next morning and with the help of some members cleaned the house so the new Sisters would have a clean start.  We anxiously waited for the new sisters to come.  Neither of them had ever been in the north and not to Horqueta for sure.  All they had was our phone number.  We got a call that they were in Concepcion and would arrive in about 40 minutes.  So we met them at the terminal and took them to their house.  Their first comments - “we love the house’.

The two new sisters are Hermana Scott for Harriman, UT and Hermana Martinez from Paraguay.  They were companions on the MTC in Buenos Aires and only have 5 months in the mission. But they are excited, obedient, healthy, and Hermana Martinez speaks Guarani!  We already love these good, hard working sisters.

On Wednesday we had Ward Activity night and we taught the lesson on change….specifically the change of heart spoken of in the Book of Mormon.  The new missionaries were there and it turned out well.

Thursday afternoon we went to Concepcion for presidency meeting but left early to visit with our friends Alex and Hilda.  They are wonderful people and Hilda will celebrate her 1 year anniversary of her baptism in June.  We took Cheryl’s chicken/pasta salad and they loved it.  Hilda had made a squash sweet bread that was to die for.  They are good, faithful members who are planning to go to the temple sometime in June. 

We are very concerned about some of the youth in the branch.  A large percentage of active members in the branch are youth.  Many are the only members in their families.  During the long vacation from school many of they went to visit family in other cities and did not participate actively in church while they were gone.  They also appear to be more connected to their cell phones than to real life which does not help them stay strong in the gospel.  We are in dire need of a Young Men President to serve in the branch but don’t have many options for candidates right now.

This past weekend we traveled with the District Presidency to Santa Rosa, Santani, and San Pedro for training and Sabbath Day meetings.  We left Saturday pm and checked into the Hotel Cristal.  We had stayed there before and for 200.000Gs or $40.00US per night it is a real bargain.  Nice, clean, comfortable, hot showers, free continental breakfast, etc.

Saturday evening we had a fireside in Santa Rosa on the Book of Mormon.  About 25 members attended including the two missionaries and the other senior missionary couple, the Guterres from Brasil.  After the meeting we all went out for dinner (more or less).

Sunday morning we had a nice breakfast at the hotel and left to fulfill our assignment in San Pedro.  We traveled with Ivan and Mirian Ibanez who are both leaders in the Concepcion District.  We had Sacrament meeting at 8:00 am where the Ibanez and I spoke, and then we had a discussion about the Book of Mormon at 9:00 where we showed a few videos (with our mini-projector!) and had a good discussion on why the Book of Mormon is so important for each of us.  Because we only have a Group / not a branch in San Pedro we only have a 2 hour meeting block.  I like that idea!

We returned to Santa Rosa for dinner at the Guterres and then we all went out visiting.  We finished about 5:30 pm and finally hit the highway about 6:15 for the trip home.  The Ibanez traveled with us as far as Horqueta and then rode with Pres. Escobar on to Concepcion.  The trip home was very challenging for two reasons:  1) Pres Escobar was having car trouble so we followed him home at and made sure his wheels didn’t fall of, 2) we hit a horrible rainstorm and it was very hard to see the road, potholes, motos without headlights, animals, etc.  At one point we could not see any lines on the road or if we were even on the road due to the heavy rain.  Then about 10 km prior to Horqueta the rain suddenly stopped - almost as if a curtain had been opened and we arrived home in time to unload the car before the rains came.  What a blessing that we made it home safely.   It was a good trip and the members in these small groups just begged us to return more often.

On Thursday of this week we will drive to Asuncion to care for the son of Pres and Sis McMullin while they are at a Mission President’s seminar in Buenos Aires.   We also will be exchanging our nice mini-suv for a Nissan pickup with all terrain tires, a snorkel, an electric winch, and other fun features.  We also will have a chance to go to the Distribution Center for some of the things we need there.

We are happy to be here.  We miss you all, but the time is passing quickly.  Thank you for your support, your love, and your prayers for us and for the good members here in Paraguay. 

Love,

Jerry and Cheryl

Foto:  Breakfast at the Hotel Cristal

 

1- Our typical breakfast of cereal, juice, and toast.  We didn’t have any fruit today - have to go shopping

3- A small fruit from Tacuati.  It is a grapefruit that is neither full grown or ripe.

4- Sisters Lundberg and Ross “heart attacked” our house.

 

 

Fotos from Kevin’s baptism in Tacuati:

1- on the trail with the Elders.  We walked about 40 minutes to get to the river.

2- Cheryl in front of a tree that shows the waterline from the flooding two weeks ago.  Look at the brown line on the tree about 10 feet above her head.

3- Elder Simao ready to help Kevin into the Rio Ypane for his baptism.

4- Cheryl and Kevin after the baptism. 

 

January 25, 2016

Wow - today we complete 8 months in the mission.  We love what we are doing, even when it is hard.  And occasionally we have to ask ourselves if we are really making a difference or not.  We hope so and believe that we are.

We have been working with both the Elders and the Sisters to support them in their times of sickness, depression, challenges, and even infestations of bugs.  Sore feet and legs, sore throats, depression, and even Dengue fever.  We have been at the hospital three times in the past few weeks, and rarely do the missionaries have enough money to pay for their care.  The mission office will reimburse us, but sometimes it takes a while.  But we have been blessed by helping out these wonderful missionaries who are here to serve and hate being in the hospital or confined to their houses.

Saturday we had the opportunity to drive to Tacuati for the Baptism of Kevin Martinez, an 8 year old child.  His mom and dad are both members but he wanted Elder Simao to baptize him.  Elder Simao has had Dengue and has very little physical strength at this time - but we decided to give it a try.  We met the members at the church and drove as far as the road / trail / cow path would allow.  Then we walked for about 40 minutes to the Rio Ypane for the baptism.  Fortunately the water level has dropped about 20 feet from where it was a few weeks ago, and the members found a very private and beautiful part of the river for the baptism.  Elder Simao did a great job and Kevin was very happy.  We walked through some very beautiful country and really enjoyed the experience.  There is always something very spiritually special about a baptism service.

The weather has been very hot and dry.  It has been nearly two weeks since it has rained, and today the temperatures reached nearly 100%.  No one here spends any time in the burning sun - so shade is at a premium.  We are very lucky to ever find a shady spot to park the car.  

Our little garden continues to grow.  We have harvested green peppers and have other plants such as spinach, watermelon, and a leafy green vegetable from Brasil (can’t remember the name).  We enjoy working with the roses and apple trees that are also growing very well. 

We have been spending a lot of our time in training - branch presidencies, district councils, auxiliary leaders, etc.  We use our little projector, speaker, and laptop to prepare and present the materials.  We are focusing on the 2016 Plan for the South America South Area which includes Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay.  We are also working on teaching the importance of leaving the past behind and looking forward with hope.  So very many of the people here get offended and then never return to church.  Or the leaders get discouraged and just give up - or renounce their callings.  Sometimes we forget whose work this is, and who called us to serve.  We are never alone in this work but we need to be worthy of the help we seek. 

This morning our landlord knocked at the front gate and told us that something weird had happened to our small and large gates.  When I looked, we found that the Sister Missionaries had “heart attacked” our house.  Photo attached.

Thanks to everyone for your love, prayers, and support. 
Quote of the week:  “Missionary work is work”. 

I have included a few fotos:

1-Hna Cranney, Elder Mendoza, and Elder Simao on the trail to the Rio Ypane for the baptism.

2- Hna Cranney at the river.  If you look closely you can see the high watermark on the tree behind her.  The river was about 20 feet higher than it is  now just 2 weeks ago.

3- Kevin and Elder Simao in the crystal clear waters of the Rio Ypane.

4- Our front gate after the Sister Missionaries heart attacked out house.  We also received a wonderful note from them.

January 18, 2016

It is actually Tuesday morning, the 19 of January.  Yesterday all day we were helping care for Elder Simao who has a confirmed case of Dengue.  He was in the hospital and they kept running blood tests and all of them came back negative.  Sis. McMullin insisted that we know what type of test they were running because one kind of test is for when you are just thinking you have dengue, and the other for when you have had It for a few days.  Elder Simao has been sick for nearly a week and when they ran the test yesterday it finally came back positive.  So he has to stay in the hospital for 2 or more days until his white blood cell and platelet counts stabilize and then 4 or so days of rest at home.  He thinks he can go back to work tomorrow, but he needs to bet well because he is scheduled to complete his mission and return to Brasil on the 26 of January. Everyone struggles and suffers when there is sickness in a district or zone as it is so much harder to focus time and energy on missionary work.

Sunday we went to Tacuati and attended our meetings there. It was great with 28 in attendance (or 29 of you count the little black dog).  It was a good meeting with a good lesson on being honest and then a very good Sacrament meeting with one of the members speaking as well as Elder Mendoza and Elder Simao.  Hermana Cranney bore her testimony and I gave a few closing remarks.  It was great to be there again.  During the meeting one rather troubled sister kept repeating everything that was being said, so Cheryl tapped her on the arm and said “Shhhh”.  From that point on the woman kept threatening Cheryl and acted as if she was going to hit her.  Finally one of the missionaries sat between them so that no one got hurt.  This was not the first time that this woman has had trouble at church.

While we were in Tacuati, the local branch here in Horqueta had 35 in attendance.  We are so grateful that the Familia Cristaldo is still attending.  They are such a wonderful couple and we love seeing them and visiting them in their home.  He sells hammocks during the day and cooks and sells hot dogs and hamburgers at night in the central plaza.  Sometimes he works until 2 or 3 in the morning on Sunday morning but he has been coming to church on time. 

Several weeks ago we gave the missionaries a reference for one of the meatcutters at the local supermarket.  Rodney is very friendly and asked for a copy of the Book of Mormon - so we gave one to him.  The missionaries could never seem to connect with him so last Sunday afternoon Cheryl and I went to Rodneys house and had a very nice gospel discussion.  We have not been formally trained as missionary teachers, but we did share our testimonies of the restored gospel and of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  We plan to see him again this coming Sunday and we invited one of the members (Isidro) to participate in the visit. 

The missionary couple in the South Mission, the Biglers from Payson , UT are going home and are sending to us boxes with nice pans and a crock pot.  We have not been able to find a slow cooker here anywhere and they are gifting theirs to us.  We will pick them up when we are in Asuncion in early February.

We are doing pretty well - sure grateful for our air conditioners.  It has been very hot this week and we are miserable when it gets so very hot.  We appear to be healthy and we are eating reasonably well with 2 good meals per day.  (I also snack in the late evening when we return to the house).

Thanks to all for your love, support, emails, WhattsApp messages, etc.  We love you.

Jerry and Cheryl

3 Photos:

1 - the leaf of the mamon / papaya tree.  It is supposed to have properties that help prevent dengue and help with the recovery if you already have Dengue.

2- You mash up the leaf, add water, mix well, let sit for a while, and then drink the water - straining out the pieced of leaf.

3- Me with the juice of the papaya leaf and my “Bombilla” or filtered straw. 

pictures

1- The sky just before a thunderstorm

2- The Elders and Sisters helping with Hermana Lundbergs IV - 

3- A typical view of a paved street in Horqueta - old buildings, motorcycles, and a woman carrying chipas on her head.  (Chipas are a mandioca based bread)

3- Our Zone Conference  / Christmas party

4- Helping set up for the missionary dinner

5- The wonderful sisters that helped us with meal prep and serving.