I have learned to expect resistance and opposition and to overcome it! Every time we climb up the steep hill to teach our families, sweating profusely, I begin to sing the 4th verse of “Come, Come Ye Saints” (And should we die, before our journey’s through…). The best way to deal with it is to have a sense of humor and to not let it stress you out.
Jose Abel, 8 years old, was the last member of the Sanchez family to be confirmed this Sunday. We went to their house on Saturday afternoon to remind them to be early to church, and we came early on Sunday to accompany them to church (at 8 am). And, they were not there. We called various times and they told us that Jose Abel was at his soccer game. However, God always prepares the way so that His children can accomplish the things that He commands them (1 Nephi 3:7). And, it rained. No, it poured. And Jose Abel’s soccer game was cancelled.
We took a mototaxi to pick up a soggy Jose Abel (it was after sacrament meeting). We could not find the house where he was, so we began to pray and search. 2 minutes later, Jose Abel and his family pass us in their mototaxi and they see us and stop. Hallelujah! After changing into his Sunday clothes, Jose Abel, Hna. Tepen and I cram into a mototaxi and make it “to the church on time” for him to get confirmed. In this moment, I began to think of the worth of a soul, and the countless sacrifices that my parents and teachers and church leaders and people at work have made for me (and continue to make for me). And they do it because they love me. And, it is only by sacrificing that we learn to love. It is because God and Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice that they have so much love for us. So, if I want to love God more, I need to give up more of the behaviors and thoughts and sins that are keeping me away from Him.
That´s all for this week!
Love, Hna. Christensen
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
It's a Jungle Out There!
Shout outs and thank yous to the following people for their letters and Christmas cards: Lisa and Matt Gee (I listened to the CD twice, thank you so much for making it), Kay Wilkins, Jan and Allison Wilkes, Mom, Rachel Christensen, Michelle Lizon, Liz Stitt, Kezia Carter, Amy Huffman, Sharon Bigelow (Freshman Academy) and anyone else I forgot. FYI, Some people use www.DearElder.com to send a letter via email and then the mission prints it off for me. It might be cheaper than regular post.
And happy birthday this week to my nephew Emerson, who will turn one-year old!
I was grateful to hear that Karen and Adam are safe. I had heard from a neighbor about the earthquake in Haiti, and my companion and I have been praying for them and the Haitians. Keep Haiti in your prayers, as well as the Peruvians.
I am in my new area and I am very content. What a contrast from big city Lima! So, they told me I am going to the jungle, but I am actually in a city, with the jungle surrounding me. I still slather myself with bugspray and sunscreen, though, and sleep under a mosquito net. They say the temperatures get up to 38 degrees Celsius, even more. It’s a good thing they use the metric system, because I don’t know what the temperature means. But, sorry to get your hopes up. It is still a city, with the accomodations of internet cafes, hospital clinics, paved roads, and markets. It feels like a tourist town. The church is just a few blocks from our house, which is extremely convenient. We have 4 branches in this district.
I love my new companion, Hna. Tepen. She is from Guatemala and was working before coming on her mission. She only has two transfers left. I tell her every day, as a joke, “No sea trunky!” (Don’t be trunky) It’s a lot easier to work together as a companionship when both of us have some experience under our belt. I learn a lot from her every day to not just teach, but to testify. Testifying is what invites the Spirit in the lesson. I believe that I need to be companions with her in order to learn how to develop the Christlike attributes of love, patience, and humility. She rocks.
I am so happy here! I’ve really been putting my focus on loving God and loving my neighbor, rather than getting caught up in all the details of the mission. What a difference it makes. We woke up super early on Sunday to accompany the Sanchez family to church for their confirmation (they were baptized Saturday, a complete family...dad, mom, sister and brother!). When we arrived at 8:30, they were not even close to being ready. They had to wash all their clothes before church. So, Hna. Tepen and I helped wash clothes. Fortunately, Hna. Flores had taught me a week or so ago how to wash clothes by hand, including how to rinse and dry effectively. You have to squeeze the water out and then shake it. I was grateful for this new skill. Does this count as part of a merit badge towards my Eagle?
Our zone is small (8 of us) and we do fun activities together. For example, today we are going to a lagoon. We did a service activity when we went to the Branch Presidents’ houses and cleaned their yards and their homes. I could tell some of the women were a little embarrassed or offended, so I kept on telling them, “It’s easy to clean a house that is already clean!” I also gave the women back massages and washed dishes. It was more than anything, a demonstration of our willingness to support and serve the 4 branches in our district, and it unified our district. Everyone in our zone is da bomb and so willing to serve and to love. Awesome! We will have miracles in this area. Stay tuned!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Christensen
And happy birthday this week to my nephew Emerson, who will turn one-year old!
I was grateful to hear that Karen and Adam are safe. I had heard from a neighbor about the earthquake in Haiti, and my companion and I have been praying for them and the Haitians. Keep Haiti in your prayers, as well as the Peruvians.
I am in my new area and I am very content. What a contrast from big city Lima! So, they told me I am going to the jungle, but I am actually in a city, with the jungle surrounding me. I still slather myself with bugspray and sunscreen, though, and sleep under a mosquito net. They say the temperatures get up to 38 degrees Celsius, even more. It’s a good thing they use the metric system, because I don’t know what the temperature means. But, sorry to get your hopes up. It is still a city, with the accomodations of internet cafes, hospital clinics, paved roads, and markets. It feels like a tourist town. The church is just a few blocks from our house, which is extremely convenient. We have 4 branches in this district.
I love my new companion, Hna. Tepen. She is from Guatemala and was working before coming on her mission. She only has two transfers left. I tell her every day, as a joke, “No sea trunky!” (Don’t be trunky) It’s a lot easier to work together as a companionship when both of us have some experience under our belt. I learn a lot from her every day to not just teach, but to testify. Testifying is what invites the Spirit in the lesson. I believe that I need to be companions with her in order to learn how to develop the Christlike attributes of love, patience, and humility. She rocks.
I am so happy here! I’ve really been putting my focus on loving God and loving my neighbor, rather than getting caught up in all the details of the mission. What a difference it makes. We woke up super early on Sunday to accompany the Sanchez family to church for their confirmation (they were baptized Saturday, a complete family...dad, mom, sister and brother!). When we arrived at 8:30, they were not even close to being ready. They had to wash all their clothes before church. So, Hna. Tepen and I helped wash clothes. Fortunately, Hna. Flores had taught me a week or so ago how to wash clothes by hand, including how to rinse and dry effectively. You have to squeeze the water out and then shake it. I was grateful for this new skill. Does this count as part of a merit badge towards my Eagle?
Our zone is small (8 of us) and we do fun activities together. For example, today we are going to a lagoon. We did a service activity when we went to the Branch Presidents’ houses and cleaned their yards and their homes. I could tell some of the women were a little embarrassed or offended, so I kept on telling them, “It’s easy to clean a house that is already clean!” I also gave the women back massages and washed dishes. It was more than anything, a demonstration of our willingness to support and serve the 4 branches in our district, and it unified our district. Everyone in our zone is da bomb and so willing to serve and to love. Awesome! We will have miracles in this area. Stay tuned!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Christensen
Monday, January 11, 2010
Touched by the Spirit
Before I forget, I just got my new assignment. I am being transferred from the city to the jungle!!! Mosquito nets, sunscreen, hot sun, hot sun, hot sun. I can finally create those stories for my grandkids that begin with “When I was in the Amazon…” It will be a humbling experience.
This week Hna. Flores and I have seen many people’s hearts touched by the Spirit. We didn’t do anything, but be where we needed to be at the right time and say the things we were prompted to say. Here are some of the milagros (miracles):
We visited a family and found out that one of the sons was 18 and a half. We shared some of our mission experiences with him and encouraged him to serve a mission. A week later, we had a Family Home Evening with the same family on goal-setting. The young man announced that he had decided a few days earlier to serve a full-time mission. Surely there were many factors going into his decision, but his parents believe we helped to “tip the scale.” I believe that decision will bless his life and the life of others.
We were making phone calls in a locutorio (business where you make phone calls) when the owner came in. Turns out that Gaby is a member of the church who has been away for a few years. Before, she has served in many church callings, including seminary teaching, Insitute, etc. She is coming back to church, and we are so grateful for her and that we were able to talk with her that day in the locutorio. I believe that the Lord puts people in our path as we just go about our normal business.
Sunday we were disheartened because we are starting from scratch to find new people to teach. We were walking down the street and talking about what changes we need to make when Abel stops us and starts talking to us. This young man, a member of a different Christian congregation, is on fire with his faith and testimony! He talked of Christ and how we need to depend upon Him and trust Him. He told us, “You need to teach people the importance of the scriptures. Not just to read them, but why they need them and why they need Christ.” I realized that I was caught up in the details of the mission and had lost my focus. This young man’s testimony was exactly what we needed. His faith was contagious!
We were so happy when our friend Carlos realized that playing soccer with his friends on Sunday instead of attending church was destroying his relationship with his wife and with God. He decided that his family was more important. Yea!!!
That’s all for the week. Choose the right!
Love,
Hermana Christensen
This week Hna. Flores and I have seen many people’s hearts touched by the Spirit. We didn’t do anything, but be where we needed to be at the right time and say the things we were prompted to say. Here are some of the milagros (miracles):
We visited a family and found out that one of the sons was 18 and a half. We shared some of our mission experiences with him and encouraged him to serve a mission. A week later, we had a Family Home Evening with the same family on goal-setting. The young man announced that he had decided a few days earlier to serve a full-time mission. Surely there were many factors going into his decision, but his parents believe we helped to “tip the scale.” I believe that decision will bless his life and the life of others.
We were making phone calls in a locutorio (business where you make phone calls) when the owner came in. Turns out that Gaby is a member of the church who has been away for a few years. Before, she has served in many church callings, including seminary teaching, Insitute, etc. She is coming back to church, and we are so grateful for her and that we were able to talk with her that day in the locutorio. I believe that the Lord puts people in our path as we just go about our normal business.
Sunday we were disheartened because we are starting from scratch to find new people to teach. We were walking down the street and talking about what changes we need to make when Abel stops us and starts talking to us. This young man, a member of a different Christian congregation, is on fire with his faith and testimony! He talked of Christ and how we need to depend upon Him and trust Him. He told us, “You need to teach people the importance of the scriptures. Not just to read them, but why they need them and why they need Christ.” I realized that I was caught up in the details of the mission and had lost my focus. This young man’s testimony was exactly what we needed. His faith was contagious!
We were so happy when our friend Carlos realized that playing soccer with his friends on Sunday instead of attending church was destroying his relationship with his wife and with God. He decided that his family was more important. Yea!!!
That’s all for the week. Choose the right!
Love,
Hermana Christensen
Monday, January 4, 2010
Teaching and Learning
We are teaching a golden investigator named Antonio. He is in his seventies and his girlfriend is a member of the church. He is a gem! We ask him if he’s done his homework (his reading assignment in the Book of Mormon) and he shows us the parts that he likes and has highlighted. He has practically highlighted the whole thing. He is the perfect student and is eager to learn on his own.
As a missionary, I understand and appreciate even more my teachers and my piano teacher. Sometimes I would come unprepared for my lesson (I didn`t practice during the week). My piano teacher, Mrs. Corwin, told me, “There’s nothing I can do for you if you don’t practice on your own. You won’t improve if you don’t practice during the week.” This is how I feel as a missionary. We can visit our investigators, but if they don’t do their homework, (pray, meditate, and study) they will never be converted by the Spirit. Same with members and missionaries alike. We can go to church every week and trainings, but if we don’t do our homework on a daily basis, we will never improve! Discipleship is a daily endeavor.
Hermana Flores and I are improving our teaching by using more pictures and by keeping the lessons shorter. We are also asking ourselves after each lesson, what went well and how can we improve? I am becoming addicted to planning. I am convinced it is one of the greatest things in the world. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. (Thanks, Dad, for teaching me that lesson).
Happy New Year!
Hermana Christensen
As a missionary, I understand and appreciate even more my teachers and my piano teacher. Sometimes I would come unprepared for my lesson (I didn`t practice during the week). My piano teacher, Mrs. Corwin, told me, “There’s nothing I can do for you if you don’t practice on your own. You won’t improve if you don’t practice during the week.” This is how I feel as a missionary. We can visit our investigators, but if they don’t do their homework, (pray, meditate, and study) they will never be converted by the Spirit. Same with members and missionaries alike. We can go to church every week and trainings, but if we don’t do our homework on a daily basis, we will never improve! Discipleship is a daily endeavor.
Hermana Flores and I are improving our teaching by using more pictures and by keeping the lessons shorter. We are also asking ourselves after each lesson, what went well and how can we improve? I am becoming addicted to planning. I am convinced it is one of the greatest things in the world. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. (Thanks, Dad, for teaching me that lesson).
Happy New Year!
Hermana Christensen
Monday, December 28, 2009
Christmas in Peru
The best part of Christmas was being able to talk to many members of my family (I feel sad that I wasn`t able to talk with David, Jenn, Lily, Julian, Emerson, Lisa and Matt, and Bequis) and to find out how they are doing. On the 24th, we had a nice Christmas turkey dinner with the Balbodilla family. We noticed several dolls here in Peru, with some rather entertaining names...(“Intelligent Baby” or “Baby Thirsty” are some of my favorites).
This weekend was special as our friends Truario and Consuelo were baptized. This couple has faithfully attended church and paid their tithing for 6 months, but were waiting for their papers to arrive in order to get married. We stopped by before Christmas to see how they were doing and they told us that the papers had arrived and they had eloped! They didn`t even tell their children! Since nothing was stopping them, they decided to be baptized the day after Christmas. They are already preparing for the temple, in one year from now. If I am in the area, and if I am invited, I will be able to attend their sealing in 2010. There was such a special spirit in the room when they were baptized and confirmed. They join their children, who were already baptized. So special.
The only words I can use to describe this Sunday is “The Muppet Show.” It was a happy Sunday, and many of our investigators attended church. Here are some highlights:
1. Since church is between 11-2, we suggested to Ursula and her children (the little terrors) that they could bring some snacks to eat in between meetings. We wanted to burst out laughing when we saw the little year old boy, Amado, struggling to carry a bulging sack (a full out dinner with rice, eggs, bananas, and drinks) of their food. They arrived early to church and were in the main hallway, eating their picnic and drinking their manzanilla.
2. Our investigator Pablo came to church again. He arrived before we did, and was afraid, because he didn`t know anyone there. He ran away in tears. Some gracious members from the other ward ran after him and plead with him to come back. He came back and wanted to share his testimony (we told him to wait one week). I didn`t know that Pablo was a little tipsy until some more experienced missionaries told me. He was so excited to come, that even if I had known, I probably would have allowed him to come, too. I now know to do the “breath test.”
3. At the Ward Christmas party, Hna. Flores and I have to leave before the program is over, because we have to be back in our apartments before 9. Sis. Rojas ushers us into the kitchen to eat some paneton (fruitcake) and hot chocolate before we leave and leaves the room. We are in the kitchen, eating quickly (stuffing our faces), when a little girl, Daisy, opens the door and shouts, “Hermanas!!! Las chape!” (Hermanas! I caught you!). We stop and look at her, paralyzed (deer in the headlights). We had to chase after her and explain that we had asked for permission. We recommended to the Bishop that she have a calling as the Serenazgo (security) for the next ward function.
That's all for this week! Just be obedient. It makes life so much simpler for everyone. :)
Hna. Christensen
This weekend was special as our friends Truario and Consuelo were baptized. This couple has faithfully attended church and paid their tithing for 6 months, but were waiting for their papers to arrive in order to get married. We stopped by before Christmas to see how they were doing and they told us that the papers had arrived and they had eloped! They didn`t even tell their children! Since nothing was stopping them, they decided to be baptized the day after Christmas. They are already preparing for the temple, in one year from now. If I am in the area, and if I am invited, I will be able to attend their sealing in 2010. There was such a special spirit in the room when they were baptized and confirmed. They join their children, who were already baptized. So special.
The only words I can use to describe this Sunday is “The Muppet Show.” It was a happy Sunday, and many of our investigators attended church. Here are some highlights:
1. Since church is between 11-2, we suggested to Ursula and her children (the little terrors) that they could bring some snacks to eat in between meetings. We wanted to burst out laughing when we saw the little year old boy, Amado, struggling to carry a bulging sack (a full out dinner with rice, eggs, bananas, and drinks) of their food. They arrived early to church and were in the main hallway, eating their picnic and drinking their manzanilla.
2. Our investigator Pablo came to church again. He arrived before we did, and was afraid, because he didn`t know anyone there. He ran away in tears. Some gracious members from the other ward ran after him and plead with him to come back. He came back and wanted to share his testimony (we told him to wait one week). I didn`t know that Pablo was a little tipsy until some more experienced missionaries told me. He was so excited to come, that even if I had known, I probably would have allowed him to come, too. I now know to do the “breath test.”
3. At the Ward Christmas party, Hna. Flores and I have to leave before the program is over, because we have to be back in our apartments before 9. Sis. Rojas ushers us into the kitchen to eat some paneton (fruitcake) and hot chocolate before we leave and leaves the room. We are in the kitchen, eating quickly (stuffing our faces), when a little girl, Daisy, opens the door and shouts, “Hermanas!!! Las chape!” (Hermanas! I caught you!). We stop and look at her, paralyzed (deer in the headlights). We had to chase after her and explain that we had asked for permission. We recommended to the Bishop that she have a calling as the Serenazgo (security) for the next ward function.
That's all for this week! Just be obedient. It makes life so much simpler for everyone. :)
Hna. Christensen
Monday, December 21, 2009
Pre-Christmas Thoughts and Experiences
Merry Christmas this week!
We have been teaching a lot of teenage girls the gospel. I know that it blesses families. Hna. Flores and I have 2 favorite commandments, the Law of Chastity (sexual purity before marriage and total fidelity after) and the Word of Wisdom (don’t consume alcohol, tobacco, and other addictive substances). We have observed SO MANY families here that would be immensely blessed if they lived these 2 commandments, regardless of their religious beliefs. I realized that it is so important for those pre-teen and teenaged girls to have the love of their parents, especially of their fathers. If they don`t get the attention from home, they look for the attention in other areas, on the street. I wish people would just live the commandments. It makes life so much simpler.
We had a humbling and beautiful moment when we met two war veterans, Pepe and Mario, sitting on a park bench. One man had lost his hand in the war, and the other had lost his leg. We were talking with them, and Pepe insisted on buying us a gaseosa (7 up) and some cake. He said, “You give all your time to help families and I want to thank you.” I told him, “No, we want to thank YOU for your sacrifice that you made to bless and protect the people of this country.¨ Their act of kindness was so humbling, Hna. Flores and I wanted to cry. Here we needed to thank them, and yet they were thanking us. I felt, this is the smallest part I will feel when I meet my Savior and thank Him for His sacrifice for me. I hope we can remember the Savior this Christmas time and always, so we will always have His Spirit with us.
Love,
Hna. Christensen
We have been teaching a lot of teenage girls the gospel. I know that it blesses families. Hna. Flores and I have 2 favorite commandments, the Law of Chastity (sexual purity before marriage and total fidelity after) and the Word of Wisdom (don’t consume alcohol, tobacco, and other addictive substances). We have observed SO MANY families here that would be immensely blessed if they lived these 2 commandments, regardless of their religious beliefs. I realized that it is so important for those pre-teen and teenaged girls to have the love of their parents, especially of their fathers. If they don`t get the attention from home, they look for the attention in other areas, on the street. I wish people would just live the commandments. It makes life so much simpler.
We had a humbling and beautiful moment when we met two war veterans, Pepe and Mario, sitting on a park bench. One man had lost his hand in the war, and the other had lost his leg. We were talking with them, and Pepe insisted on buying us a gaseosa (7 up) and some cake. He said, “You give all your time to help families and I want to thank you.” I told him, “No, we want to thank YOU for your sacrifice that you made to bless and protect the people of this country.¨ Their act of kindness was so humbling, Hna. Flores and I wanted to cry. Here we needed to thank them, and yet they were thanking us. I felt, this is the smallest part I will feel when I meet my Savior and thank Him for His sacrifice for me. I hope we can remember the Savior this Christmas time and always, so we will always have His Spirit with us.
Love,
Hna. Christensen
Monday, December 14, 2009
Shout outs--and Life in Lima
I want to give a quick “shout out” to my brother, David, whose birthday is the 16th of December. Feliz cumpleanos, David! I love you! Also, happy wedding this month to my friends Raj and Suruchi. Congratulations! My college friends who are preparing for finals, or who have finals this week, good luck and study hard!
While most people recognize me as American, others think I am British, or German. One man, Pablo, started speaking German to me. I responded with the few phrases I learned from my sister Bequis and my friend Kari. “No espreka zi deutsch. Mein gleibte schvreste, Bequis, espreka zi deutsch. Ich liebe meine muter. Vilkommen en Peru.” (Translation: I don´t speak German. My lovely sister, Bequis, speaks German. I love my mother. Welcome to Peru). Yes, I actually said all of that. Turns out he lived in Germany for 11 years. He surprised (and delighted us) us by coming to church last week. He was embarrassed, because he wasn’t dressed in church clothes (he didn’t have any). I was so happy when our friend, John Carlos, befriended him and made him feel comfortable. We missionaries need members to look out for the new people at church and help them feel welcome. It’s a responsibility we all have. People don’t come back and won’t receive those blessings, if they don’t feel welcome.
I thought I would describe a little bit of Lima for you. It is a big city (8 million) with paved roads and public transportation (lots of big buses and smaller minivan style ones). There are lots of parks, too (we met the workers who maintain the parks. They are paid 16 soles a day, or less than 6 dollars, to maintain the parks. They walk an hour to work both ways under the hot sun, to save money. A bottle of water costs 1 sol, transportation costs 50 cents, etc). People love their music. We hear reggaeton, merengue, bachata, salsa, and Michael Jackson (yes, everyone here is addicted to Michael Jackson). It is common to see groups of children practicing their group dances. Both the boys and girls dance, the girls in their big, brightly colored skirts and their braids, and the boys in their pants and shirts. They all know the traditional folkloric dances, too. Every time I see them, I just stop and stare with delight. The USA is missing out on a lot of culture.
The kids all wear uniforms, except for those in university. It is not uncommon to see groups of people playing soccer (futbol) and volleyball. They just put up a big net in the street and start playing. Every once in a while we will see a procession of the Catholic church in the street. I loved hearing the faith of a Catholic woman we met who explained that the procession is a way to remind the people that they need to always remember the Savior and what He`s done for us. It’s not an advertisement, but a reminder to the community.
Many people here have cell phones, but there are pay phones on every block. Many people have their own shops out of their homes, where they sell snacks, phone cards, toilet paper, office supplies, and Inca Kola (the national soft drink). The difference is that everything is behind a big gate that is locked. You stand outside and tap on the gate, shouting, “SeÑora!” in a slightly whiny voice (I don’t exaggerate). We eat chicken and rice with potatoes almost every lunch time. I’ve never eaten so much meat in my life! There are street vendors everywhere, but we are not allowed to eat from them (this is a good rule...most people here have not taken a class on microbiology. I try to forget everything I learned in that class about sanitation and food being left out. I just pray fervently when I bless the food that the microbes have not reached a dangerous level).
Life is good. Prayer is essential. Be kind to others.
Love, Hna. Christensen
While most people recognize me as American, others think I am British, or German. One man, Pablo, started speaking German to me. I responded with the few phrases I learned from my sister Bequis and my friend Kari. “No espreka zi deutsch. Mein gleibte schvreste, Bequis, espreka zi deutsch. Ich liebe meine muter. Vilkommen en Peru.” (Translation: I don´t speak German. My lovely sister, Bequis, speaks German. I love my mother. Welcome to Peru). Yes, I actually said all of that. Turns out he lived in Germany for 11 years. He surprised (and delighted us) us by coming to church last week. He was embarrassed, because he wasn’t dressed in church clothes (he didn’t have any). I was so happy when our friend, John Carlos, befriended him and made him feel comfortable. We missionaries need members to look out for the new people at church and help them feel welcome. It’s a responsibility we all have. People don’t come back and won’t receive those blessings, if they don’t feel welcome.
I thought I would describe a little bit of Lima for you. It is a big city (8 million) with paved roads and public transportation (lots of big buses and smaller minivan style ones). There are lots of parks, too (we met the workers who maintain the parks. They are paid 16 soles a day, or less than 6 dollars, to maintain the parks. They walk an hour to work both ways under the hot sun, to save money. A bottle of water costs 1 sol, transportation costs 50 cents, etc). People love their music. We hear reggaeton, merengue, bachata, salsa, and Michael Jackson (yes, everyone here is addicted to Michael Jackson). It is common to see groups of children practicing their group dances. Both the boys and girls dance, the girls in their big, brightly colored skirts and their braids, and the boys in their pants and shirts. They all know the traditional folkloric dances, too. Every time I see them, I just stop and stare with delight. The USA is missing out on a lot of culture.
The kids all wear uniforms, except for those in university. It is not uncommon to see groups of people playing soccer (futbol) and volleyball. They just put up a big net in the street and start playing. Every once in a while we will see a procession of the Catholic church in the street. I loved hearing the faith of a Catholic woman we met who explained that the procession is a way to remind the people that they need to always remember the Savior and what He`s done for us. It’s not an advertisement, but a reminder to the community.
Many people here have cell phones, but there are pay phones on every block. Many people have their own shops out of their homes, where they sell snacks, phone cards, toilet paper, office supplies, and Inca Kola (the national soft drink). The difference is that everything is behind a big gate that is locked. You stand outside and tap on the gate, shouting, “SeÑora!” in a slightly whiny voice (I don’t exaggerate). We eat chicken and rice with potatoes almost every lunch time. I’ve never eaten so much meat in my life! There are street vendors everywhere, but we are not allowed to eat from them (this is a good rule...most people here have not taken a class on microbiology. I try to forget everything I learned in that class about sanitation and food being left out. I just pray fervently when I bless the food that the microbes have not reached a dangerous level).
Life is good. Prayer is essential. Be kind to others.
Love, Hna. Christensen
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