From Floods to Earthquakes- what could be next?

Our newspaper article of the 8.8 earthquake in Chile, right over the mountain from us. We all felt the quake early in the morning of February 27th. After being in a flood the weekend before in Buenos Aires, we are a little afraid of what might come next here in our part of the world. Certainly all of this should be seen as a wake up call to the world- D.C. 88:89-90. But of course to contrast this are wonderful stories of promptings before the quake, and families who were prepared, and missionaries who were kept safe. The truth- those who are prepared shall not fear.

Another view of the flood in Buenos Aires the week before. We were just passing a gas station along the road, where the gas pumps were located, you notice no cars are parked next to them. That area was a good foot under water. The under ground trains were all closed because of flooding, so the bus lines were wrapped around the block. Quite an adventure.

February Consejos

We enjoyed the entire day with the Zone Leaders of the mission. We have six new leaders. We meet,have brunch, spend the morning in training and talks, then off to the mission home for a wonderful lunch (if I do say myself). These young men are gaining such a unique experience, and will be our future bishops and stake presidents. We love them.
(left back) Elders Gonzalez, Mendoza, Kirk, Reynolds, Mamani, Paz, Mayta, Vazquez, Clayson (AP) (middle) Elders Smith, Bodily, Zullo, Stevenson, Roy, Patterson, Boyd, Rodriguez, Wiest, Wajchman, Aparcana (bottom) Elders Briceno, Ayala, Matson, Martin (AP) Smith, Medina.

With those many dishes, who would not appreciate help? Elder Boyd and Reynolds were my helpers in the kitchen. I made sure they received the largest pieces of cake and icecream for their efforts. It pays to be nice to Hermana Lindahl.

We have various rewards for achievement, some engraven pens, mission t-shirts, medallions, etc. We don't call it competition, we call it rewards for good behavior. The little trophy is one that district leaders have their names put on for achieving certain goals, the large one is for the Zone Leaders and their achievements. We love the idea of pulling these trophies out years later at reunions, and the missionaries children seeing the names of their father engraven on the trophy.

Elders Patterson, Wiest, Clayson, Vazquez, Stevenson, Roy (lower) Smith, Reynolds

Elders Kirk, Aparcana, Paz (new), Smith (new), Mendoza, Matson (middle) Briceno (new) (lower) Boyd (new), Wajchman/

Elders Zullo (new), Paz (new), Bodily (new), Gonzalez (lower) Mamani, Mayta

February Area Conference in Buenos Aires

New Missionaries Arrive

Sorry again about the "line up" photo but at least it gets them all in one photo. 6 Americans, 3 Latinos, 1 Latina. They all received their companions today, they were trained by the Asistants, they viewed their first baptism and participated with giving their first talks and prayers in Spanish. A great way to start, watching a man go into the waters of baptism and participating in the meeting.
(Left) Elders Redd, Garcia, Garner, Scoville, Hermana Cuello, Kammerman, Stout, Ivie, Abella, Elescano, Marquez.

Viejitos Leave the Mission

It is always hard to lose one of our sister missionaries since we only have 18, but we had to say goodbye to Hermana White. She is a strong Hermana, with lots of personality. I will miss her in the ranks.

This group included a lot of our leaders and so in one big swoop we lost our "heart" but not to fear- we are devloping a new artery to the old heart. We always say to our selves, "we don't know how we will do without..." but somehow the Lord places others in our path and the work moves forward. (back left) Elders Chesley, Rogel, Manqui, Rossi, Hermana White. (front left) President, Elders Newbold, Williams, Berezay, Whiteford, Armstrong, Deuel (finally got it right), Hawks, Mendoza.

Just having too much fun. It is a night to remember- the last goodbye to your friends. Those smiles are so large because they know in their hearts that they have done their best and the Lord is pleased with their work. Now on to the next transfer and new companions, but without that name tag and 100% time dedication. We never want to depress them with the thought that the real work starts from here on.

A special award (you probably can't see the little trophy but it is there). Elder Deuel wins the "Most Robbed Missionary" trophy. He was robbed 5 times, 3 successfully, and 1 with a gun. After the 3rd robbery President called his mom to tell her that he had transfered him to the mountains in Uspallata. That would be outer Siberia in our terms. Small town, few guns, and fewer robbers.