October 16, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,                                                                        October 16,2011

 

    This week started at 4:30 am Monday when we got up so we could be in San Ignacio by 8:30am for interviews. We met with 8 elders there and then stopped to interview two more in Bogado. We ended the afternoon in Encarnacion with four more interview with the elders from Natalio 10 and Ayolas.

Mark also had some interviews for the district while we were there that afternoon. Tuesday we were back at the church in Encarnacion for 14 more interviews.  Some of the youth came to the church that day selling bollos (Like round doughnuts with no holes) to earn money for a temple trip. The temple is 5 hours by car but by colectivo is probably 7 hours.

   After the interviews in Encarnacion we drove towards Ciudad del Este stopping at the church in Santa Rita to interview 4 missionaries. They were all happy and working hard. I continued giving my health and lesson planning messages to each district of elders.  Wednesday we were in Ciudad del Este to interview the remaining 30 missionaries from the zones there. By Wednesday evening all the interviews had been completed. It was good to see the districts come in and get to work with practices or planning sessions throughout the week while they waited for their interviews. We try to help missionaries see the importance of using every bit of time we have as missionaries and they are doing well with that. We try to plan so there is not too much waiting time but sometimes the interviews go a little longer than scheduled.

   The hotel we normally stay in Ciudad del Este was full for one of the nights we were there so we had to try a new one. (Always an adventure here!) We stayed in one called Casa Blanca and it was okay but we like our normal one better. We did love the view though of the river separating Paraguay and Brazil and all the trees on the river banks behind the hotel.

    Friday we prepared for District conference in Coronel Oviedo. Saturday we were up at 5am to get there by 9am for interviews for Mark with the Branch presidents in the districts. We went out to visit some families after the interview and met two nice families. One was a woman who is a less active member who needed a little encouragement. We gave her a Book of Mormon and asked her about her feelings when she initially joined the church years ago. She said she had good memories of her time in the church and said she would start reading the Book of Mormon again.  We also visited a family that joined the church about 4 years ago. The husband had a stroke a while ago but they want to prepare to go to the temple. We hope they can do the things they need to so they can receive that blessing soon.  They lived in a very humble home but there was a lot of love there!

    Saturday afternoon Priesthood leadership was help and at the same time we had auxiliary training for the women. Mark, President Ocampo(his councilor) and President Aguilera (District President)taught in the priesthood training and I taught the women.  I’ve given a zillion talks and testimonies but this was the first time conduct a two hour training.  We made it through okay and the time actually flew by . One of the sisters told me today that that was the first time that they had had auxiliary training given by a non latin sister and she said I did a good job.  Next week I get to do it again in Ca’auazu. I’m really stretching!!  It is so fun though to feel like I can finally share anything I want to in Spanish without having it all written down!! That was probably the hardest thing for me at first and it’s the same for all missionaries , not being able to express our feelings and teach completely because of the language barrier. The Lord helps his missionaries with their language. I know I make lots of mistakes but oh well I just keep working at it!

  Sunday’s meetings went well. We had a meeting with new members and investigators before the general session of conference and we had 35 people there. The general session was good also. The Saturday night adult session is always low in attendance because people just have a hard time with transportation issues when there too many meetings close together.

   We now are getting ready to receive 15 missionaries Tuesday and say good bye to 15 more. These change weeks seem to be coming faster and faster!!!  Well, have a good week!  Love, Mark and Sandy