Dear Family and Friends,
This
week started off with a zone and district meeting held here in
Asuncion. We had a good meeting with all the mission leaders who came
together ready to start the new year with more dedication and effort. We
heard some nice reports of district Christmas activities where service
was given and some nice spiritual experiences were had by the
missionaries. We were happy to hear those who took the assignment to
have activities that included some service , a spiritual element, and a
fun part also enjoyed the Christmas season . We are grateful for the
good district and zone leaders that are working hard to help the mission
improve and work toward accomplishing the work we have to do here.
Tuesday
we went to two district meetings in the Nemby stake. Elder Soria was
very well prepared and organized as he led his district meeting. He took
many of the things emphasized at the meeting the day before and taught
the messages well. Elder Avendano also taught his
district well. We were impressed with the way that district had some
good discussion on how they could help their investigators. Part of the
purpose of district meeting is for missionaries to share successful
methods with each other of how to help our investigators.
We
arrived a bit early for the meeting at the Nemby chapel and we notice a
Brazilian mango tree that was full of beautiful mangos which we love! Mark
picked a big stick and started throwing it up to knock down some
mangos. He wasn’t real successful but then Elder Wildiing and his
companion arrived and asked what we were doing. Elder Wilding picked up a
green mango from the ground and asked Mark which one he wanted from the
tree. Mark pointed one out to him and Elder Wilding threw the mango and
down fell the ripe one. He did that about seven more times and we went
home with a bunch of delicious mangos . It is nice to have these smart
talented missionaries around who see a problem and know how to solve it!
All of Elder Wilding’s baseball days paid off for us that day! It was
also a good example of using better skills and methods help us
accomplish more!
Friday
we had an asado here at the mission home for the people who work for
and help the mission. Lidu and Luis help us in the mission home and
office. Victoriano keeps the pool clean and Willy takes care of the
grounds of the mission home and office. Their families also came. We had
a nice evening eating lots of beef, chicken and sausages and salads and
mandioca, which is like a potato. They have all worked for the mission
for a lot of years and all do a good job to keep things in good order!
Friday
was also Dia de los Reyes Magos or day of the kings. Traditionally here
gifts are not a big part of Chrsitmas but on January 6 people put out
their shoes and receive a gift. We were told that it is mainly for the
children to receive the gifts and represents the coming of the kings
with their gifts for the Savior. It is interesting to me that it is a
bit after Christmas, like the scripture says it took longer for them to
come to the Savior.
This
month begins general priesthood meetings , which means every Sunday
Mark will be traveling for the meetings in the five districts. This week
we also begin a cycle of interviews with all the missionaries. We love
the chance it gives us to see everyone over the next few weeks! We hope the New Year is going well for everyone! Love, Mark and Sandy
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