Here is the post for the last couple of weeks.
July 6th
Well, this was a good week! Right now we have 4 people getting baptized. One for the 11th and the other three for the 18th, and we will have two more for the 18 but we have to work out their dates. We had 8 investigators in the church so it was a good day. The work is going good right now. The two people that don’t have dates yet but still came to church was Jayvee, we were teaching him back with Elder Zuniga, and the niece of our pensionista, she came to church and loved it.
Today we are going to the zoo again to take pictures with the snake. Saturday my District Leader came and visited with my companion. I was able to go to another area with a gringo to celebrate the 4th of July. We ordered pizza and soda, made signs and took pictures. We made the best of it, it was way fun. My companion is from Arequipa Peru. He is a gymnast. He used to do the bars and those two rings in the air. He is ripped!
June 29th
I’m way excited to be here with my companion, he is way cool, we work way hard. This week we found 25 new people to teach and we have 4 people getting baptized, a little girl named Nicole, a boy named Victor and a young women named Cassandra and young man named Joel. Nicole is scheduled for the 11th and the other three are for the 18th so it should be good. They came to church on Sunday. Their parents were inactive but now they are coming to church again and the kids want to get baptized. We are really working hard to find a complete family.
I did hear about Michael Jackson, everyone here was talking about it and playing his music in the streets to honor him, here they really follow the states and what’s happening up there. The big news from the States I still hear down here.
Today we went to the jungle to a little village it was pretty cool, everyone was looking at us weird, all the gringos, we went to where there never had been missionaries, and it was pretty cool.
My companion and I are working way hard to get a lot of success. We had our interviews and President asked me what did I do before the mission, and we talked about my goals for the second half of my mission. I told him I want to have a good second half and that I am going to apply a lot of things to be a better missionary, and some stuff like that, and he looked at me and said Elder Ridge, this last year you will progress really fast, prepare yourself and strengthen yourself it was way good. It made me feel good.
We have a goal this change to have 5 baptisms and one family, so I’m way excited to work this change and get things going and have some success. I can’t believe I have been out a year, I only have one year left so I got to make the most of it, I’m going to work hard but smart and I’m going to enjoy it.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Catch up post (May 4th to June 8th)
June 8th 
Our investigators are doing alright, we had a few individuals and a family and they just started to not progress and weren’t coming to church so I said to Elder Roca we need to drop them and start knocking doors to find some more. So we started knocking doors and we found this man named Segundo, we talked to him and taught him a little and took out his baptismal date right then and there and he is getting baptized the 27, he is a nice guy, a little shy, his thirty and is single.
I’m kind of change trunky ha-ha, but we are still working and everything. The weather is in the 80 down here lately it has been cloudy and rainy but when the suns out its pretty hot, but no they really down have a winter, the people tell me it’s cold in Lima. I want to stay in the heat I like it.
The thing that’s happening here is the indigenes people or the people that live with no electricity and live in little villages are getting mad because people are drilling for oil on their land out in the middle of nowhere. So they are coming into the cities and killing the police and people. Nothing like that is really happening here in Iquitos but in Tarapoto it’s kind of dangerous. The missionaries there couldn’t leave their rooms for three days to work, for us it was only two days, so don’t worry it’s not that bad here. Some of the members asked me what do you do in the states when this happens, I told I have no idea because these things don’t exist in the states, they couldn’t believe that there aren’t little villages in the states filled with indigenes people who run around naked ha-ha.
So yesterday we were visiting some members and we stopped by the house of a family and the dad was like hey Elder Ridge come here I got to show you something, I was like what , he told me that his computer has this program where you can see where you live, I told him it’s called Google earth, he goes how did you know its new, I said I just know these things, I don’t want to say that its old news in the states. So he’s says show me your house. So I showed him and he zoomed in on the house, he was like wow that’s your house, I told him yes and I kind of didn’t want to because of how big the house is, so he goes now watch this and he pushes something and puts the view as if you were walking down the street, I was like no way that’s awesome, I could see the cars and Melissa is out front walking. I couldn’t believe it, it made me trunky for the rest of the day ha-ha.
June 1
Well, I’m glad you guys got my photos and are enjoying them. (It only took 10 days to get a package from Iquitos) We will be posting all pictures in the near future in a new album.
We have two weeks left in this change and I am excited to see what the changes will be. I’m really hoping to do a jungle hop, go from one place in the jungle to another. I really like the jungle.
This week nothing really happened. Wednesday we couldn’t leave to go work because they had a strike and it was pretty dangerous in the street, so we just rested and studied. It was kind of off and on this week so we had to be careful in the streets.
Well nothing else is really happening. Today we are going to a gringo restaurant to eat lunch with the zone, I have been there before, and the food is so good.
May 25th
The biggest thing here that we do for service is painting because everything is cement and the paint is always falling off so we paint a lot and it’s no professional job but they like it.
The investigators are doing good and we have a lot of people that we are teaching but no one is accepting a baptismal date, but we will have some in June. I’m really trying to work smarter, I’m studying more and trying to make my teaching better and my Spanish so I will be able the apply the things and be a better missionary and help the investigators.
So back in march when I was with Elder Zuniga we had interchanges with the district leader, something that is normal, I went to his area with his junior comp and my district leader came to my area with Elder Zuniga, so I was in the other area that day working good with the other missionary, contacting, teaching. We found a guy named Richard and sat down and taught him the restoration and everything. Well at general conference in April I was standing there talking with other missionaries and this man came up to me and said Elder Ridge do you remember me? I said your face looks familiar but I’m sorry I don’t. He said you taught me the first lesson in my house and guess what I got baptized last weekend. Wow I said congrats, I felt really happy and joyful that he got baptized, I felt pretty good, but also that same day in March I was with another missionary and I said “hey lets go contact some people, and he said ok, I said you go contact that person and I will contact them, he said ok and went and contacted a lady while I was talking to this lady and her daughter, and told them about the church they seemed interested. I got names address and set an appointment, well a couple weeks later I was talking to my district leader and he said hey Elder Ridge you contacted a mom and her daughter that one day and now we are teaching them and trying to prepare them for baptism, I was pretty excited, as time went I asked how they were doing. He said we are still working with them, but she is having trouble working on Sunday stuff like that, well 2 weeks ago he told me hey guess what, the whole family is getting baptized, the mom dad, the daughter that 18 and the son that is 20, I was like wow sweet, so they all got baptized I was so happy.
Well last Friday I had interchanges and went to the district leaders area again and his companion there said lets go visit the family that just got baptized that you contacted, so we went and we were sitting down talking and I asked the mom, do you remember me, she said no, but I have seen you somewhere, I told her, back in march right here in front of your house I contacted you in the street and told you about the church, she said oh my gosh yes I remember, she grabbed my hand looked at me and said thank you, thank you so much, because you talked to me that day I have received so many blessing for me and my family and will receive more, I am so thankful to be in this church and I am sharing it with my friends. I told her well I’m really happy for you and your family and this church will bless your life and she said you are always welcome here and we talked some more and we took some pictures and left. After I left, I felt so happy and joyful I can’t explain how I felt, I was thinking wow just one little contact in the street the whole family got baptized, I felt pretty proud even though I had nothing to do with it because I was just an instrument the Lords hands. I felt so good that day and was thinking you never know what can happen from just a little invitation, so that what happened to me this week, it was a good week.
I have had a lot of good experiences, thank you so much for your support and I love you guys.
May 18th
Yes it was good to talk to you guys, it sounds like everything is going good and everyone is happy including buddy (Elder Ridge’s dog)
We had a great time talking with Elder Ridge. We did not have the best telephones connections and had to call back a few times but it is always good to hear his voice. He is doing great and is loving his mission. It doesn’t sound like he has an accent but he did have trouble thinking of words in English and often used different wording than we are use to. It sounds like he is really into his language. He told us a lot stories about Iquitos, the members and the investigators. He is having a great time in the Jungle and hopes to stay in the jungle awhile longer.
May 4th (Pre Mothers Day Call)
Well the changes are here and I’m going.... nowhere, I’m staying here with Elder Roca. I will try my best and do my part hopefully things will work out.
Saturday we had Jorges baptism, it was really good, I baptized him.
I’m really excited to call you guys this weekend and talk, it will be the same as last time, I will call you Saturday to set up a time for Sunday. The Mission President gave us a hour of internet now so it will be back to normal.
I have no idea what made me sick, I don’t know if it was food water or what but right now I’m good. I burned the cads but now I have to send them, there is nothing in my area where I can do it and I have to wait every p-day. This week we really have to work hard to get more investigators to get more baptisms, every person that we had stop progressing so we really have to work hard to get more.
Yes, Mom I’m using the repellent, don’t worry, well I’m glad that everything is going good over there, I love the pictures of the family, everyone looks good, I’m really proud of Dave, he looks really happy. (Elder Ridge’s older brother graduated from UVU) Melissa looks great, I’m glad she is enjoying lacrosse, well guys I love you so much and thanks for the support and I will call you this Saturday!
Our investigators are doing alright, we had a few individuals and a family and they just started to not progress and weren’t coming to church so I said to Elder Roca we need to drop them and start knocking doors to find some more. So we started knocking doors and we found this man named Segundo, we talked to him and taught him a little and took out his baptismal date right then and there and he is getting baptized the 27, he is a nice guy, a little shy, his thirty and is single.
I’m kind of change trunky ha-ha, but we are still working and everything. The weather is in the 80 down here lately it has been cloudy and rainy but when the suns out its pretty hot, but no they really down have a winter, the people tell me it’s cold in Lima. I want to stay in the heat I like it.
The thing that’s happening here is the indigenes people or the people that live with no electricity and live in little villages are getting mad because people are drilling for oil on their land out in the middle of nowhere. So they are coming into the cities and killing the police and people. Nothing like that is really happening here in Iquitos but in Tarapoto it’s kind of dangerous. The missionaries there couldn’t leave their rooms for three days to work, for us it was only two days, so don’t worry it’s not that bad here. Some of the members asked me what do you do in the states when this happens, I told I have no idea because these things don’t exist in the states, they couldn’t believe that there aren’t little villages in the states filled with indigenes people who run around naked ha-ha.
So yesterday we were visiting some members and we stopped by the house of a family and the dad was like hey Elder Ridge come here I got to show you something, I was like what , he told me that his computer has this program where you can see where you live, I told him it’s called Google earth, he goes how did you know its new, I said I just know these things, I don’t want to say that its old news in the states. So he’s says show me your house. So I showed him and he zoomed in on the house, he was like wow that’s your house, I told him yes and I kind of didn’t want to because of how big the house is, so he goes now watch this and he pushes something and puts the view as if you were walking down the street, I was like no way that’s awesome, I could see the cars and Melissa is out front walking. I couldn’t believe it, it made me trunky for the rest of the day ha-ha.
June 1
Well, I’m glad you guys got my photos and are enjoying them. (It only took 10 days to get a package from Iquitos) We will be posting all pictures in the near future in a new album.
We have two weeks left in this change and I am excited to see what the changes will be. I’m really hoping to do a jungle hop, go from one place in the jungle to another. I really like the jungle.
This week nothing really happened. Wednesday we couldn’t leave to go work because they had a strike and it was pretty dangerous in the street, so we just rested and studied. It was kind of off and on this week so we had to be careful in the streets.
Well nothing else is really happening. Today we are going to a gringo restaurant to eat lunch with the zone, I have been there before, and the food is so good.
May 25th
The biggest thing here that we do for service is painting because everything is cement and the paint is always falling off so we paint a lot and it’s no professional job but they like it.
The investigators are doing good and we have a lot of people that we are teaching but no one is accepting a baptismal date, but we will have some in June. I’m really trying to work smarter, I’m studying more and trying to make my teaching better and my Spanish so I will be able the apply the things and be a better missionary and help the investigators.
So back in march when I was with Elder Zuniga we had interchanges with the district leader, something that is normal, I went to his area with his junior comp and my district leader came to my area with Elder Zuniga, so I was in the other area that day working good with the other missionary, contacting, teaching. We found a guy named Richard and sat down and taught him the restoration and everything. Well at general conference in April I was standing there talking with other missionaries and this man came up to me and said Elder Ridge do you remember me? I said your face looks familiar but I’m sorry I don’t. He said you taught me the first lesson in my house and guess what I got baptized last weekend. Wow I said congrats, I felt really happy and joyful that he got baptized, I felt pretty good, but also that same day in March I was with another missionary and I said “hey lets go contact some people, and he said ok, I said you go contact that person and I will contact them, he said ok and went and contacted a lady while I was talking to this lady and her daughter, and told them about the church they seemed interested. I got names address and set an appointment, well a couple weeks later I was talking to my district leader and he said hey Elder Ridge you contacted a mom and her daughter that one day and now we are teaching them and trying to prepare them for baptism, I was pretty excited, as time went I asked how they were doing. He said we are still working with them, but she is having trouble working on Sunday stuff like that, well 2 weeks ago he told me hey guess what, the whole family is getting baptized, the mom dad, the daughter that 18 and the son that is 20, I was like wow sweet, so they all got baptized I was so happy.
Well last Friday I had interchanges and went to the district leaders area again and his companion there said lets go visit the family that just got baptized that you contacted, so we went and we were sitting down talking and I asked the mom, do you remember me, she said no, but I have seen you somewhere, I told her, back in march right here in front of your house I contacted you in the street and told you about the church, she said oh my gosh yes I remember, she grabbed my hand looked at me and said thank you, thank you so much, because you talked to me that day I have received so many blessing for me and my family and will receive more, I am so thankful to be in this church and I am sharing it with my friends. I told her well I’m really happy for you and your family and this church will bless your life and she said you are always welcome here and we talked some more and we took some pictures and left. After I left, I felt so happy and joyful I can’t explain how I felt, I was thinking wow just one little contact in the street the whole family got baptized, I felt pretty proud even though I had nothing to do with it because I was just an instrument the Lords hands. I felt so good that day and was thinking you never know what can happen from just a little invitation, so that what happened to me this week, it was a good week.
I have had a lot of good experiences, thank you so much for your support and I love you guys.
May 18th
Yes I got my birthday package and I loved it! it was so good, the candy the ties, it was all good. For my birthday we went to a family’s house they are so sweet, and we made pizza, it was so good, they sang happy birthday to me. . My pensionista made a cake and her family sang, it was a good birthday.
Today we got to go out and work in regular cloths because there was some protesting going on and President wanted everyone to wear regular clothes to be safe, nobody took us seriously when we are in our p-day clothes.
Sunday morning it rained so hard that all the houses flooded and nobody could go to church, we got to church and there was us and the bishopric, we had to start church an hour later and still only 10 members came, it was sad, we have to push back all the dates of our investigators.
May 11th (Post Mothers Day Call)
Today we got to go out and work in regular cloths because there was some protesting going on and President wanted everyone to wear regular clothes to be safe, nobody took us seriously when we are in our p-day clothes.
Sunday morning it rained so hard that all the houses flooded and nobody could go to church, we got to church and there was us and the bishopric, we had to start church an hour later and still only 10 members came, it was sad, we have to push back all the dates of our investigators.
May 11th (Post Mothers Day Call)
Yes it was good to talk to you guys, it sounds like everything is going good and everyone is happy including buddy (Elder Ridge’s dog)
We had a great time talking with Elder Ridge. We did not have the best telephones connections and had to call back a few times but it is always good to hear his voice. He is doing great and is loving his mission. It doesn’t sound like he has an accent but he did have trouble thinking of words in English and often used different wording than we are use to. It sounds like he is really into his language. He told us a lot stories about Iquitos, the members and the investigators. He is having a great time in the Jungle and hopes to stay in the jungle awhile longer.
May 4th (Pre Mothers Day Call)
Well the changes are here and I’m going.... nowhere, I’m staying here with Elder Roca. I will try my best and do my part hopefully things will work out.
Saturday we had Jorges baptism, it was really good, I baptized him.
I’m really excited to call you guys this weekend and talk, it will be the same as last time, I will call you Saturday to set up a time for Sunday. The Mission President gave us a hour of internet now so it will be back to normal.
I have no idea what made me sick, I don’t know if it was food water or what but right now I’m good. I burned the cads but now I have to send them, there is nothing in my area where I can do it and I have to wait every p-day. This week we really have to work hard to get more investigators to get more baptisms, every person that we had stop progressing so we really have to work hard to get more.
Yes, Mom I’m using the repellent, don’t worry, well I’m glad that everything is going good over there, I love the pictures of the family, everyone looks good, I’m really proud of Dave, he looks really happy. (Elder Ridge’s older brother graduated from UVU) Melissa looks great, I’m glad she is enjoying lacrosse, well guys I love you so much and thanks for the support and I will call you this Saturday!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Catch Up Post
I have been negligent to get this out for 3 weeks now. This is a long post so please read all the way to the bottom. Elder Ridge is having a great time serving the Lord in Peru and especially in the Jungle of Iquitos.
April 27th
Last week for p-day Elder Roca and I went to the houses that are floating, and they have bridges in between the houses. It was so awesome but it was a humbling experience seeing the way they live.
We didn’t have the two baptisms that were planned, Jorge got sick and Rosario didn’t want to make time for it. She says she is so busy but wants to do it; Jorge will be baptized next week.
Yesterday in church only 15 people showed up because Saturday night it rained so hard that every house flooded. We helped some families get water out of their houses Sunday afternoon, we used brooms and dust pans, the whole time I was thinking man this would be easier with a wet dry vac, and they don’t have vacuums here.
The ot
her day we were knocking doors and we found this lady that raises parrots and macaws that are huge, she didn’t want anything to do with the church but she asked me if I wanted to take pictures with her birds so I have some sweet pictures with those, the jungle is awesome.
My health is good, well right now it is good, I didn’t tell you guys but I was sick for two weeks and lost a lot of weight but right now I’m fine, everything is good with the comp he is a good guy and we get along.
April 20st
The ward is awesome, the members are really nice to us, some of them are way funny however, there are a ton of inactive. Average Church attendance at church is only around 50 people. They are really nice and humble. Our Ward Mission Leader helps us, he is leaving for a mission in May to Columbia.
A typical P-day we usually we go to the internet place to write in the morning then after we play soccer or go to that zoo or for example today is free day so me and my companion are going to get some stuff done, my pictures, his pictures, visit some of the river stuff that we have wanted to do.
Well, we had Anita’s baptism it was way good. Roca baptized her, and she was confirmed on Sunday. This week we have Rosario’s baptism and Jorge baptism. Rosario didn’t get baptized but she wants to on the 23rd which is a Thursday so we will do that for her, Anita will be baptized this Saturday I’m excited for that, we have this kid Jorge and Enrique, their parents went inactive and came back so we have to baptize them, we had a family come to church Sunday but they are living together so we are going to get them excited to get married and then baptize them hopefully.
April 13th
So my Easter Sunday lunch consisted of this. I go to the member’s house and we sit down, we are talking having fun, then the sister brings out the soup, she gives me the soup and I look in the soup and see a big white ball that looked like white ground beef. I’m thinking to myself wow this should be fun, you’re not suppose to ask what it is before you eat but I was like what the heck I can take it, so I asked sister, “what is in the soup, is it meat? it looks good.” She says oh elder it is so good you’re going to love it, it very healthy, ok but what is it, its blah blah she said a weird name I haven’t heard of, I said what’s that, well its cow brains, I said mmmm can’t wait to eat and dug right in, trying to get the thought off my mind that I was chewing on a cow brain, so now I have basically eaten every part of the chicken and every part of the cow, man I could go for mimis apple pie right now ha-ha, that was my Easter lunch.
The other day we were walking down the street and I look in a window and I see this tucan sitting in a house, I was like look Roca a tucan lets go contact that person, so we went and I have some cool photos of a toucan on my arm just chilling there.
Last week for p-day Elder Roca and I went to the houses that are floating, and they have bridges in between the houses. It was so awesome but it was a humbling experience seeing the way they live.
We didn’t have the two baptisms that were planned, Jorge got sick and Rosario didn’t want to make time for it. She says she is so busy but wants to do it; Jorge will be baptized next week.
Yesterday in church only 15 people showed up because Saturday night it rained so hard that every house flooded. We helped some families get water out of their houses Sunday afternoon, we used brooms and dust pans, the whole time I was thinking man this would be easier with a wet dry vac, and they don’t have vacuums here.
The ot
her day we were knocking doors and we found this lady that raises parrots and macaws that are huge, she didn’t want anything to do with the church but she asked me if I wanted to take pictures with her birds so I have some sweet pictures with those, the jungle is awesome.My health is good, well right now it is good, I didn’t tell you guys but I was sick for two weeks and lost a lot of weight but right now I’m fine, everything is good with the comp he is a good guy and we get along.
April 20st
The ward is awesome, the members are really nice to us, some of them are way funny however, there are a ton of inactive. Average Church attendance at church is only around 50 people. They are really nice and humble. Our Ward Mission Leader helps us, he is leaving for a mission in May to Columbia.
A typical P-day we usually we go to the internet place to write in the morning then after we play soccer or go to that zoo or for example today is free day so me and my companion are going to get some stuff done, my pictures, his pictures, visit some of the river stuff that we have wanted to do.
Well, we had Anita’s baptism it was way good. Roca baptized her, and she was confirmed on Sunday. This week we have Rosario’s baptism and Jorge baptism. Rosario didn’t get baptized but she wants to on the 23rd which is a Thursday so we will do that for her, Anita will be baptized this Saturday I’m excited for that, we have this kid Jorge and Enrique, their parents went inactive and came back so we have to baptize them, we had a family come to church Sunday but they are living together so we are going to get them excited to get married and then baptize them hopefully.
April 13th
So my Easter Sunday lunch consisted of this. I go to the member’s house and we sit down, we are talking having fun, then the sister brings out the soup, she gives me the soup and I look in the soup and see a big white ball that looked like white ground beef. I’m thinking to myself wow this should be fun, you’re not suppose to ask what it is before you eat but I was like what the heck I can take it, so I asked sister, “what is in the soup, is it meat? it looks good.” She says oh elder it is so good you’re going to love it, it very healthy, ok but what is it, its blah blah she said a weird name I haven’t heard of, I said what’s that, well its cow brains, I said mmmm can’t wait to eat and dug right in, trying to get the thought off my mind that I was chewing on a cow brain, so now I have basically eaten every part of the chicken and every part of the cow, man I could go for mimis apple pie right now ha-ha, that was my Easter lunch.
The other day we were walking down the street and I look in a window and I see this tucan sitting in a house, I was like look Roca a tucan lets go contact that person, so we went and I have some cool photos of a toucan on my arm just chilling there.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Boxer, Mosquito Net and a Hungry ATM
March 30thFirst of all my new companion is awesome. We get a long and he is humble. Before the mission he was a boxer so he is big. We have the same time in the mission, I lead the area and meetings and lessons cause he doesn’t know anybody but he reports to our district leader and stuff, we are pretty even. That’s what I wanted this change was some one that I could be equal this change, we already have learned a lot together, this change is going to be good. Elder Layton is sitting next to me and we are telling stories and stuff, he is so funny, I haven’t seen Elder Hyde yet but I have talked to Elder Roldan, he is doing well.
I have not been sick yet here in Iquitos. We do sleep in mosquito nets and they are hot, it’s like a hot box. President is coming Tuesday so hopefully then I will get my package.
April 6th
Well, yes the ATM machine ate my card, I couldn’t believe it, the whole time I was thinking, Dads going to kill me haha, natural reaction. Yes I got the package that you sent, its awesome, thank you so much, I love the shirt and the candy, everything got here just fine including the chocolate.
Yes,I heard the they are sending Elder Cheesman back to Bolivia and couple others that I know. I am happy for them to go back so they can start helping the church there.
We got to go to every session of conference, my favorite talk was Jeffrey R Holland too, it was a amazing. I remember when the announced Larry Gibson (our Stake President has been called in the General Young Men’s Presidency) but I didn’t know it was him, I didn’t but two and two together. I saw Tim Wright singing like always.(A friend from our California Ward sings in the Tabernacle Choir)
Everything down here is good. Our investigators are good, we have found new people to teach that will get baptized, Willer’s brother wants to get baptized now so we are going to teach his brother and his mom, we have a couple of 10 year olds that parents fell away and came back to the church and want them to get baptized. Anita is way good, she is processing and attending church she attended conference and she liked it.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Changes and a Great Missionary Example
So we have changes! I’m staying here in Las Castanas and Iquitos, and also I’m getting a new companion, Elder Zuniga is going to go to Lima and my new companion is Elder Roca, I think he is from Santa Cruz Bolivia. We are the same group so we have the same time, that is what I wanted, someone with the same time, so we are going to be young guns tearing it up. The missionaries that are coming here in the zone are Elder Hyde, Elder Layton, Elder Rolden and Elder Griffin. I get to be with Elders from my group and Rolden, I’m way excited to start this change.
We had the baptism of Alcidis, it was so good, his dad baptized him and on Sunday he got the priesthood, he is thinking about a mission and I’m trying to get him excited about it. The girl Anita is getting baptized the 18 of April.
We have a new investigator that is getting baptized the 11 of April, her name is Rosario and she is a teacher. A 10 year old boy in her class gave her the Book of Mormon and right after he died in an accident so she same to church on Sunday and we taught her. Thanks to that little 10 year old boy she is getting baptized. She is 40 years old and divorced, her kids don’t live with her.
We had the baptism of Alcidis, it was so good, his dad baptized him and on Sunday he got the priesthood, he is thinking about a mission and I’m trying to get him excited about it. The girl Anita is getting baptized the 18 of April.
We have a new investigator that is getting baptized the 11 of April, her name is Rosario and she is a teacher. A 10 year old boy in her class gave her the Book of Mormon and right after he died in an accident so she same to church on Sunday and we taught her. Thanks to that little 10 year old boy she is getting baptized. She is 40 years old and divorced, her kids don’t live with her.
The Work is Good!!
Well, this week nothing really happened, we didn’t have a baptism but next week we will have a baptism. His name is Alcides, he will turn 18 I think next month, his dad is member. I’m pretty excited to get him in the water so he can serve a mission.
Willer, our recent convert, we were talking about seminary because he is taking it and he was like oh guess what I’m taking mission prep too. I was so happy when he told me that, he is preparing to go on his mission.
I had an interchange with elder Lynch this week he is our zone leader he is from West Valley, it was so weird talking in English. It was fun. For a little time we went to play with the monkeys in our area, we have two that hang out in a park. Nothing else really happen! Found other people to teach that will start progressing for baptism, oh ya next week you will know if I get changed or who my new companion is, next week we have changes, I’m hoping I stay here!!!
Willer, our recent convert, we were talking about seminary because he is taking it and he was like oh guess what I’m taking mission prep too. I was so happy when he told me that, he is preparing to go on his mission.
I had an interchange with elder Lynch this week he is our zone leader he is from West Valley, it was so weird talking in English. It was fun. For a little time we went to play with the monkeys in our area, we have two that hang out in a park. Nothing else really happen! Found other people to teach that will start progressing for baptism, oh ya next week you will know if I get changed or who my new companion is, next week we have changes, I’m hoping I stay here!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Success and Cool Stuff
Missionary Work
Well to start off first we had the baptism of Sebastian, that was pretty good, I baptized him. Our family of gold didn’t come to church so I was heartbroken but they still have their date for baptism. They are having some doubt and are starting to be unsure about things but we are still going to work with them. We found a couple other people to teach that we will start teaching this week. Alcidis is still doing good, he came to church with us yesterday, he is a cool kid but really quiet. We lost Jaivees date, he were so excited to get baptized. We went to his house Sunday morning and his grandpa came to the door and was like he doesn’t want anything and boom slammed the door in the our face, I was so mad, we are going to go see him to see what’s up,
General Information and Cool Stuff
For our email we go to the main plaza of Iquitos in this big internet store. There are also stores in this part of town that burns pictures onto discs. Pday we can play soccer like always, I’m ready to beat Bobby in soccer. Today a member of the ward is taking me and my comp around the city to visit some places like rivers and other cool places. Something cool about the Amazon is they have a pink fresh water dolphin. My Pensionista is awesome, her food is way good and clean. There is a lady that does the laundry for the whole zone. I took money out to buy cool stuff, I have a case for my Spanish Book of Mormon and it’s Anaconda skin and my Bible cover is Jaguar skin, and some other cool stuff.
General Information and Cool Stuff
For our email we go to the main plaza of Iquitos in this big internet store. There are also stores in this part of town that burns pictures onto discs. Pday we can play soccer like always, I’m ready to beat Bobby in soccer. Today a member of the ward is taking me and my comp around the city to visit some places like rivers and other cool places. Something cool about the Amazon is they have a pink fresh water dolphin. My Pensionista is awesome, her food is way good and clean. There is a lady that does the laundry for the whole zone. I took money out to buy cool stuff, I have a case for my Spanish Book of Mormon and it’s Anaconda skin and my Bible cover is Jaguar skin, and some other cool stuff.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Golden Investigators and much more!!
Well, this past week was awesome, we had the baptism of Willer, that kid is so awesome, he is already signed up for seminary classes and received the priesthood yesterday, he’s 17 and he wants to serve a mission, he is such a cool kid. Our other investigators are sweet, this Saturday we will have the baptism of Sebastian, I’m excited for that too.
Another awesome thing that happened this week is that we found a family of gold, we were walking and talking with people knocking a few doors and I saw a sweet dirt bike and we were like lets go knock that house, and a guy came to the door and was like come in, so we came in and we taught him, Ulises and his wife July, they have two little kids a boy that’s 6 and a girl that 4, we taught them and he liked it so then we went back another day and taught them the plan of salvation with him and his wife for 2 hours, we talked all about how families can be together forever and they were asking so many good questions it was awesome, we went to their house on Sunday to take them to church and he was all ready in a shirt and tie and she was all dressed up, they are both lawyers so they have a lot of money, we went to church in their car, it was so awesome, they are set to get baptized the 28 of March, we are really praying for them to get baptized, I want them to get baptized so in a year towards the end of my mission I can go see them get sealed, that would be so awesome, he says that he knows the church is true, there are such a cool family.
Yes, we eat a lot of bananas or papaya. For breakfast we usually eat like a sandwich thing it’s bread with either meat in the middle or avocado or butter and some type of drink like juice. For lunch it is always chicken and rice sometimes it’s different like soup or beef and rice but it’s always rice, I have eaten rice every day since I got to Peru, it gets old, and dinner is the same thing, rice chicken sometimes soup, always fruit like papaya. The food here is good and I haven’t gotten anything weird, I have only gotten fish like once, I’m lucking out with that because I haven’t gotten any fish since I have been here.
To the Amazon I’m like a 5 minute ride in a motto taxi, those things are fun, zipping around the city in one of those. my ward is pretty big and the attendance is alright, there are a lot of less active but we visits them and there are some that are starting to come. The Bishop is way good and is funny too. Our apartment is little, we have a separate room where we sleep then we have a bigger room where the kitchen is and where we study, in our kitchen its only a sink and a little refrigerator to put water in, and then we have our bathroom, it’s as nice bathroom but it’s cold water, and there isn’t a toilet seat so you’re sitting on the porcelain which is normal down here.
Another awesome thing that happened this week is that we found a family of gold, we were walking and talking with people knocking a few doors and I saw a sweet dirt bike and we were like lets go knock that house, and a guy came to the door and was like come in, so we came in and we taught him, Ulises and his wife July, they have two little kids a boy that’s 6 and a girl that 4, we taught them and he liked it so then we went back another day and taught them the plan of salvation with him and his wife for 2 hours, we talked all about how families can be together forever and they were asking so many good questions it was awesome, we went to their house on Sunday to take them to church and he was all ready in a shirt and tie and she was all dressed up, they are both lawyers so they have a lot of money, we went to church in their car, it was so awesome, they are set to get baptized the 28 of March, we are really praying for them to get baptized, I want them to get baptized so in a year towards the end of my mission I can go see them get sealed, that would be so awesome, he says that he knows the church is true, there are such a cool family.
Yes, we eat a lot of bananas or papaya. For breakfast we usually eat like a sandwich thing it’s bread with either meat in the middle or avocado or butter and some type of drink like juice. For lunch it is always chicken and rice sometimes it’s different like soup or beef and rice but it’s always rice, I have eaten rice every day since I got to Peru, it gets old, and dinner is the same thing, rice chicken sometimes soup, always fruit like papaya. The food here is good and I haven’t gotten anything weird, I have only gotten fish like once, I’m lucking out with that because I haven’t gotten any fish since I have been here.
To the Amazon I’m like a 5 minute ride in a motto taxi, those things are fun, zipping around the city in one of those. my ward is pretty big and the attendance is alright, there are a lot of less active but we visits them and there are some that are starting to come. The Bishop is way good and is funny too. Our apartment is little, we have a separate room where we sleep then we have a bigger room where the kitchen is and where we study, in our kitchen its only a sink and a little refrigerator to put water in, and then we have our bathroom, it’s as nice bathroom but it’s cold water, and there isn’t a toilet seat so you’re sitting on the porcelain which is normal down here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Baptism, Zoo and Bananas
This week was pretty good. Sunday we had a lot of people show up for church. One of the people is getting baptized this Saturday. Willier is 17 and way excited to get baptized. We also have Sabastian, the 9 year old, all of his family are members but him so this is an easy one. We have Alexander, he is 26, he didn’t come to church yesterday but he still has his date and is progressing, he showed up to church last week with a book about Joseph smith, so we taught him and he is way cool. The family of gold left for the dads work but will come back in two weeks so we are going to continue when they get back.
Last p-day we went to the zoo. It was way cool. You get to hold stuff and it’s like there isn’t a person with the animals either. You walk around and there are big parrots sitting there and you can walk up and put them on your arm. I have pictures of me holding a baby sloth, a huge boa constrictor. I did have a zoo guy with me for that one haha. It was awesome!!!
My teaching and my Spanish is way better. This week I realized that I can understand pretty much everything. Sometimes we will ask people who can speak Spanish better, and some people say me and I laugh. Since Elder Zuniga is from Costa Rica, he has a different accent, and they don’t know that he doesn’t know a ton of English.
The food here is really good so much cleaner. I love the maduro banana, its’ so good, it’s like a soft banana, fried a little bit. Man its good!! We eat banana for every meal even breakfast.
Last p-day we went to the zoo. It was way cool. You get to hold stuff and it’s like there isn’t a person with the animals either. You walk around and there are big parrots sitting there and you can walk up and put them on your arm. I have pictures of me holding a baby sloth, a huge boa constrictor. I did have a zoo guy with me for that one haha. It was awesome!!!
My teaching and my Spanish is way better. This week I realized that I can understand pretty much everything. Sometimes we will ask people who can speak Spanish better, and some people say me and I laugh. Since Elder Zuniga is from Costa Rica, he has a different accent, and they don’t know that he doesn’t know a ton of English.
The food here is really good so much cleaner. I love the maduro banana, its’ so good, it’s like a soft banana, fried a little bit. Man its good!! We eat banana for every meal even breakfast.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Loving the Jungle, the Ward and the People
Iquitos is freaking awesome. It is so green and my area is way cool. It’s mostly city and the people are way humble and awesome. I pictured the jungle to be jungle like walking down the street and seeing monkeys in the trees and snakes in the trees but it’s not like that, my area is city but it’s still way cool. The roads are cement and there are roads that are dirt. It rains every morning because we are in the rainy season, but it’s still hot. I wear my boots a lot because of the mud. We live in a little apartment that is part of a house of a member. We walk to our pension for breakfast and dinner like the last area but its closer. Iquitos is cleaner than in Lima. There is less dust and there aren’t that many dogs.
In one part of my area there are monkeys in a park chilling on leashes so I took a couple pictures of me playing with them, one is big, I have picture of one on my head. . In my area there is a big soccer stadium, so you guys can look on google earth and see what my area looks like. My ward is called Las Castañas. This morning Elder Zuniga and I went to write our letters to the President at a place that overlooks the Amazon River. It is so green and big, there were some houses floating there and guys in little canoes fishing. Everything here is moto. They don’t have cars they only have motorcycles, there are so many in the city.
The members here are cool, we sat down in Sacrament meeting and the Bishop gets up and says well we will now have our first talk by Elder Ridge. It was cool to get up and talk in Spanish without any problems. Right now we have a family of gold that we are teaching. They live in a wood house and don’t have electricity so we teach them in candle light, it’s cool, they are awesome. There is this boy in the ward that is 9 that was waiting for his uncle to get back from his mission so that he could baptize him but now he wants me to baptize him so he is getting baptized on the 7th of March. The people here are awesome, they welcomed me with open arms, literally, I had a couple little kids run up and hug me first time seeing them on Sunday. We get accepted like crazy too, when we knock on doors almost everyone says come in and teach me but thing is getting them to progress.
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