Hand written letter and journal dated 1-26-09
I did not type everything because most was in email.
This week we confirmed Hermana Maria de Carmen as a member of the church and gave the Priesthood to Efrain. It was awesome. I am also working hard to try and make sure all the old converts; Pavel, Rafael, Efrian, Rocio, Maria are all doing good so that they can feel how important they are and stay active and busy. We are also now working with many, many people that are working hard to be baptized this month of February.
I am so busy and I get lots of weight pushing down on me right now and the Lord is just going to make me all polished up when I get home. I know that this whole training thing is going to be a challenge. I will probably spend 6 months in Vitarte. Oh well!
I really love the ward and I have lots of good friends here. Please pray for my health (back, weight, mind) and my patience and success. I am doing good, but I still get down sometimes. I know the Lord knows whom he wants in his church. I am happy and truly trying my hardest. Tell Clint, Em,Jar, Jete, Abby, Lish, Ty, Space Kace, Aubrey Sue, Bailey, Bood, Big Rick, Haaaal!, Ang, tj, jr., Ani, and Juj That I love them all!
Love your Son, Elder Rogers
I have been a little nervous with my new companion. It is hard to figure out how much he knows. I was a bit intimidated at first. I have learned he is a little clueless at times. Last night I taught him that we put toilet paper in the toilet not the trashcan ooooh… it was a hard lesson.
Note from the editor: This surprises me. There were many motels where we stayed where you had to put the toilet paper in the trashcan. Jon must have a good toilet.
Jon says Elder Fuentalba is 6ft 2 in and skinny. He is from Chile. It was hard to get used to his Spanish at first. He didn’t finish his words. At first there was lots of What?…uh?… It kind of scared me. I thought I knew how to speak Spanish!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
letter from Jon 2-2-09
2-2-09
Hey family and everyone!!!!!!!!!! Well this week has just been nuts and so fast. I’m so so grateful for such wonderful parents and friends and leaders and examples!I love you all so much!Thanks for all encouragement. As you all know I got new comp from Chile, and he is a really good kid. Things have been pretty stressful for Jon Rog lately but its getting better. My companion and I are buds, I have really had to humble myself and make a few changes this last week but I know the lord is blessing me and I can feel all of you love.I’m sorry for not always being positive it’s so so so hard down here sometimes. I know I’ve learned more patience on this mission then I could ever image.I’m so blessed and happy that my Lord and family is always there. It’s always hard to change companions. This week when I was studying and found two good scriptures a Santiago or James 4 10 ( hey- It helps to listen to the Temple session in Spanish)
10 aHumble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
That’s my hope…. And Mosiah 24: 15-16.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did astrengthen them that they could bear up their bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with cpatience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
These two scriptures really helped me out this week.Things are going good down here in good old Vitarte. Its getting hotter everyday, but you just got to love it. J Sometimes when I’m just soaking wet and nasty I stop look at my companion and say man look at us..”Were dudes” hehe… and he laughs!We are working hard. Something interesting happened to us this week and now we are bud! I tried to act like Benites and when we give the lessons I complemented my companion. I would say things like my comp said…just like what he said…. or I know my companion is right. This builds unity. We taught 45 lessons this week! We truly did kick it into gear. I am really talking it up! Well after 5 awkward days we are just talking each other’s ears off. Now I have my Spanish edge back!
I think how crazy it would be to have a Latino companion as my trainer if I was in America and he didn’t know English very well. I guess I’d be bugged too! So one day I sat him down and said hey pal you help me with language and I’ll help you with everything else and he liked that!Also new thing we are now eating dinner at member’s homes and it’s really interesting. I am really getting to see a lot of new Peruvian Foods. The members try so hard to make us happy. Yesterday we ate with family of the bishop ( notice—we would say Bishop’s family) and first we had potatoes and sauce that was sooooo hot it made me tear up and made my ears ring. And then they served soup made from every vegetable and animal that is in Peru. (at this point I was done ….full), then we had causa a mashed potato deal with chicken inside and salsa…. Then we had juice break to cleanse the pallet.
It took everything I had to get it down. I was so full…. Then they bring out a bowl with yogurt and every fruit from South America. I did not know what to do. I took a look at my companion and he smiled. We were both grasping our stomachs and our spoons were shaking and we were sweating. The family anxiously waited for us to finish it all. I was sooooo done! Somehow I got it all down woof! We were waddling the rest of the day! Oh I cant wait until nest weekThis week we found a few more good people and are excited to work it baby! I’m ready to go after it.
I love reading how my buds all around world are just tearing it up and changing for the better! Dad congrats on the new calling! Preach my gospel teacher. I love that book!Thanks so much everyone!
May the Lord all help us become who we want to be! Your son in Peru! Muah! Elder Rogers
Hey family and everyone!!!!!!!!!! Well this week has just been nuts and so fast. I’m so so grateful for such wonderful parents and friends and leaders and examples!I love you all so much!Thanks for all encouragement. As you all know I got new comp from Chile, and he is a really good kid. Things have been pretty stressful for Jon Rog lately but its getting better. My companion and I are buds, I have really had to humble myself and make a few changes this last week but I know the lord is blessing me and I can feel all of you love.I’m sorry for not always being positive it’s so so so hard down here sometimes. I know I’ve learned more patience on this mission then I could ever image.I’m so blessed and happy that my Lord and family is always there. It’s always hard to change companions. This week when I was studying and found two good scriptures a Santiago or James 4 10 ( hey- It helps to listen to the Temple session in Spanish)
10 aHumble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
That’s my hope…. And Mosiah 24: 15-16.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did astrengthen them that they could bear up their bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with cpatience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
These two scriptures really helped me out this week.Things are going good down here in good old Vitarte. Its getting hotter everyday, but you just got to love it. J Sometimes when I’m just soaking wet and nasty I stop look at my companion and say man look at us..”Were dudes” hehe… and he laughs!We are working hard. Something interesting happened to us this week and now we are bud! I tried to act like Benites and when we give the lessons I complemented my companion. I would say things like my comp said…just like what he said…. or I know my companion is right. This builds unity. We taught 45 lessons this week! We truly did kick it into gear. I am really talking it up! Well after 5 awkward days we are just talking each other’s ears off. Now I have my Spanish edge back!
I think how crazy it would be to have a Latino companion as my trainer if I was in America and he didn’t know English very well. I guess I’d be bugged too! So one day I sat him down and said hey pal you help me with language and I’ll help you with everything else and he liked that!Also new thing we are now eating dinner at member’s homes and it’s really interesting. I am really getting to see a lot of new Peruvian Foods. The members try so hard to make us happy. Yesterday we ate with family of the bishop ( notice—we would say Bishop’s family) and first we had potatoes and sauce that was sooooo hot it made me tear up and made my ears ring. And then they served soup made from every vegetable and animal that is in Peru. (at this point I was done ….full), then we had causa a mashed potato deal with chicken inside and salsa…. Then we had juice break to cleanse the pallet.
It took everything I had to get it down. I was so full…. Then they bring out a bowl with yogurt and every fruit from South America. I did not know what to do. I took a look at my companion and he smiled. We were both grasping our stomachs and our spoons were shaking and we were sweating. The family anxiously waited for us to finish it all. I was sooooo done! Somehow I got it all down woof! We were waddling the rest of the day! Oh I cant wait until nest weekThis week we found a few more good people and are excited to work it baby! I’m ready to go after it.
I love reading how my buds all around world are just tearing it up and changing for the better! Dad congrats on the new calling! Preach my gospel teacher. I love that book!Thanks so much everyone!
May the Lord all help us become who we want to be! Your son in Peru! Muah! Elder Rogers
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Letter from Post received 1-28-09
Jon sent a little letter dated 1-8-09 and 1-19-09
He says that he weighs 186 now!! He says because it is so hot and he is always in the sun that his hair is turning blond. He says he looks like when he was ten!! He says my bangs, side burns, and the top of my head look like they have been bleached.
1-7-09
Day #385. We did some service. We reroofed a house. It was pretty nuts. We showed up at this poor, poor house and the lady from our ward was waiting. First we took down the entire old roof that was made from sticks, tin, grass and cardboard. It was so nasty!!!
Then we put new boards across the house and laid down tin, grass and plastic. It is pretty ridiculous the way they live down her. It makes me sad. I wonder how they stay clean and healthy living like this.
I was on the roof the whole time and it was pretty intense. I was standing on one to two bricks the whole time. I also got pretty sun burnt. I took a picture to show before and after. It was a pretty good project.
After service in the morning we tried to go do some visits. I was so tired. I could not do anything I was just falling asleep in the lessons.
Jon has been trying to get some families in the church. He has to get the people married first. He has become a wedding planner. He arranges and decorates for the wedding and then has the baptism a few days later.
Jon says it is Very Hot, dry and dusty in Lima right now. He is always sweaty.
He wishes everyone his best!
He says that he weighs 186 now!! He says because it is so hot and he is always in the sun that his hair is turning blond. He says he looks like when he was ten!! He says my bangs, side burns, and the top of my head look like they have been bleached.
1-7-09
Day #385. We did some service. We reroofed a house. It was pretty nuts. We showed up at this poor, poor house and the lady from our ward was waiting. First we took down the entire old roof that was made from sticks, tin, grass and cardboard. It was so nasty!!!
Then we put new boards across the house and laid down tin, grass and plastic. It is pretty ridiculous the way they live down her. It makes me sad. I wonder how they stay clean and healthy living like this.
I was on the roof the whole time and it was pretty intense. I was standing on one to two bricks the whole time. I also got pretty sun burnt. I took a picture to show before and after. It was a pretty good project.
After service in the morning we tried to go do some visits. I was so tired. I could not do anything I was just falling asleep in the lessons.
Jon has been trying to get some families in the church. He has to get the people married first. He has become a wedding planner. He arranges and decorates for the wedding and then has the baptism a few days later.
Jon says it is Very Hot, dry and dusty in Lima right now. He is always sweaty.
He wishes everyone his best!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Letter from Jon 1-19-09
1/19/09
Hey Fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hey everyone thanks so much for fun emails today… I love you all! A special thanks to the Barber’s, mom and Bishop Greer and family for Christmas stuff. hehe I just got it and I loved the jokes of the kids and Tebbs I liked the Jon Bythway CD. It was so good! I’m glad you had fun on the trip to Zion’s . I guess me getting bit by a squirrel is kind of funny if you think about it…. But I was pretty scared.Thanks dad for study stuff , I love studying.Thanks so much for all fun package stuff and everything mmmuah!It’s been another week! Isn’t it just crazy how they tick off ? This one was a lot faster because we had tons to do… We had a baptism this week and it was awesome because we married them first yesterday in chosique. It was a lot easier to plan an arrange everything the second time and its so so awesome being able to marry people so that they can get baptized. The lady’s name is Maria and she is really small but she was so ready. I feel so blessed to be the elder to help this family.
It’s been a crazy week but a good one to end the change. Elder Blackham and I interviewed her and decorated for the wedding on Friday night them went to chosigue on Saturday. We baptized her on Sunday. The family invited Elder Blackham and I to the wedding and gave us time to speak and then we just chilled like two cool cats sippin away at our chitta margarita as they danced the night away. I was so so so so tempted to get up and dance. They were playing music like …sweet dreams of rhythm and dancing …and what is love in the chapel? hehe… It was great baptism and a fun way to end Elder Blackham and I’s time together. Maria makes 5 great friends we’ve been able to baptize into the church in these last 3 months. Today was changes and I was way nervous this morning and I always am when things happen like this. I just learned I’m staying here and Elder Blackham is going to Compoy! And his other buddy Elder Millard is going to Bayovar, my old area , both of the areas are in Lima. I am staying here but……………..I’m going to the CCM in Lima to pick up my next companion. He will truly be a greeny. I’m training for real this time yikes I’m way nervous!! There’s only like 6 or 7 new kids and I got one of them. I don’t know who he is and President will tell me after he interviews him on Tuesday yikes!!!! I’m kind of nervous, but way excited. I cant wait to help him out and be his bud. It will be interesting to see his wide eyes as he takes his first look of Lima outside the CCM. I can’t believe I’m finally to this point. I remember going to my first area and seeing all American missionaries speaking Spanish in yellow shirts with old shoes and I was like …I cant do this, but I am doing it. I don’t know if he is Latino or gringo but I’m staying here for one more month at least. I love you all! Thanks so much for always supporting me and being there for me. I am so spoiled and blessed. I feel bad sometimes cause some of these Elder’s families don’t even get emails from there family. My DL Elder Encinas has opened his page and found nothing many times and he just sits there while we write. It makes me tear up and I have the best family. I try to be there friends and make them laugh and I hope it makes them feel better. Thanks for always being positive and upbeat and telling me fun things about the family and friends. It really helps. Make sure and tell people to write their missionaries. Mail is the only thing we have. I’m so very blessed and truly so grateful. This work is a miracle. I love you all ..P.S. this week we did something kind of fun. We went to a different area to go tracking and look for a new apartment for new missionaries. Elder Blackburn and I saw a huge huge water tank and the door was open……. So I said hey lets go check it out. We went in there and we talked to the guy in there and he was like what are you doing in here and I was like oo we just wanted to invite you to church at nine o-clock in the morning. He was like o yeah?? Then I said can’t we go up and look and he said yeah so we went up in a huge lima water tank and I went up this tunnel all the way up into the tank and it was like the size of Dixie high school gym but a tank. There was no water in there but it smelled like sweaty gym and felt like a sauna. I was so high up( I was safe mom it was windy stair case then later a latter) I bet Clint would have loved it! I then continued up and stuck my grill out the top hole from the top I saw almost all of Lima. I started shaking cause I was up so high( I was safe mom) Then I went back down and said Blackie you got to check it out. It was really fun, I love experiencing new things. I just couldn’t help but think how fun it would be to take a little swim in there when it was full. It would be especially fun to sneak in at night and take a little dip! At night it would be so cool!Love your son Elder Rogers Muah!!!!!!!!!
Hey Fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hey everyone thanks so much for fun emails today… I love you all! A special thanks to the Barber’s, mom and Bishop Greer and family for Christmas stuff. hehe I just got it and I loved the jokes of the kids and Tebbs I liked the Jon Bythway CD. It was so good! I’m glad you had fun on the trip to Zion’s . I guess me getting bit by a squirrel is kind of funny if you think about it…. But I was pretty scared.Thanks dad for study stuff , I love studying.Thanks so much for all fun package stuff and everything mmmuah!It’s been another week! Isn’t it just crazy how they tick off ? This one was a lot faster because we had tons to do… We had a baptism this week and it was awesome because we married them first yesterday in chosique. It was a lot easier to plan an arrange everything the second time and its so so awesome being able to marry people so that they can get baptized. The lady’s name is Maria and she is really small but she was so ready. I feel so blessed to be the elder to help this family.
It’s been a crazy week but a good one to end the change. Elder Blackham and I interviewed her and decorated for the wedding on Friday night them went to chosigue on Saturday. We baptized her on Sunday. The family invited Elder Blackham and I to the wedding and gave us time to speak and then we just chilled like two cool cats sippin away at our chitta margarita as they danced the night away. I was so so so so tempted to get up and dance. They were playing music like …sweet dreams of rhythm and dancing …and what is love in the chapel? hehe… It was great baptism and a fun way to end Elder Blackham and I’s time together. Maria makes 5 great friends we’ve been able to baptize into the church in these last 3 months. Today was changes and I was way nervous this morning and I always am when things happen like this. I just learned I’m staying here and Elder Blackham is going to Compoy! And his other buddy Elder Millard is going to Bayovar, my old area , both of the areas are in Lima. I am staying here but……………..I’m going to the CCM in Lima to pick up my next companion. He will truly be a greeny. I’m training for real this time yikes I’m way nervous!! There’s only like 6 or 7 new kids and I got one of them. I don’t know who he is and President will tell me after he interviews him on Tuesday yikes!!!! I’m kind of nervous, but way excited. I cant wait to help him out and be his bud. It will be interesting to see his wide eyes as he takes his first look of Lima outside the CCM. I can’t believe I’m finally to this point. I remember going to my first area and seeing all American missionaries speaking Spanish in yellow shirts with old shoes and I was like …I cant do this, but I am doing it. I don’t know if he is Latino or gringo but I’m staying here for one more month at least. I love you all! Thanks so much for always supporting me and being there for me. I am so spoiled and blessed. I feel bad sometimes cause some of these Elder’s families don’t even get emails from there family. My DL Elder Encinas has opened his page and found nothing many times and he just sits there while we write. It makes me tear up and I have the best family. I try to be there friends and make them laugh and I hope it makes them feel better. Thanks for always being positive and upbeat and telling me fun things about the family and friends. It really helps. Make sure and tell people to write their missionaries. Mail is the only thing we have. I’m so very blessed and truly so grateful. This work is a miracle. I love you all ..P.S. this week we did something kind of fun. We went to a different area to go tracking and look for a new apartment for new missionaries. Elder Blackburn and I saw a huge huge water tank and the door was open……. So I said hey lets go check it out. We went in there and we talked to the guy in there and he was like what are you doing in here and I was like oo we just wanted to invite you to church at nine o-clock in the morning. He was like o yeah?? Then I said can’t we go up and look and he said yeah so we went up in a huge lima water tank and I went up this tunnel all the way up into the tank and it was like the size of Dixie high school gym but a tank. There was no water in there but it smelled like sweaty gym and felt like a sauna. I was so high up( I was safe mom it was windy stair case then later a latter) I bet Clint would have loved it! I then continued up and stuck my grill out the top hole from the top I saw almost all of Lima. I started shaking cause I was up so high( I was safe mom) Then I went back down and said Blackie you got to check it out. It was really fun, I love experiencing new things. I just couldn’t help but think how fun it would be to take a little swim in there when it was full. It would be especially fun to sneak in at night and take a little dip! At night it would be so cool!Love your son Elder Rogers Muah!!!!!!!!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Letter from Jon 1-12-09
Letter from Jon 1-12-09
Hey Fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yesterday-- what a day for everyone uh! Well it was fun to breeze though and read everyone’s thoughts. I bet dad feels a little weird its probably like being released from a 10 yr mission. I love you dad and you did your job so well. That’s crazy that Kevin is pres now. I had a feeling he might. That’s great. I sounds like it was a great conference and I love you all. Its so fun to hear everything!! Clint’s emails are just pure brilliance hehe! I love hearing mom’s, dad’s and Erika’s thoughts too-- thanks for all the love and sharing. Thanks to everyone family, friends, Kylee-girl--- I sure do love you all.I’m glad Ricky is doing better, and there wasn’t any more weird events. Emma you are a brave mother with what happened to Jeter. ) It’s just another reason I think I want to be a doc. I always want to be the hero for my family and never feel panic for my loved ones and always be there for them and take care of them from danger like my amazing dad has. Dad has always been my hero. He has helped so many lives. He has helped anytime I ever had a problem. I knew no one’s opinions or advice was as good as dads and I want to be like that. I’m glad Utes kicked some butt and that everyone is healthy and happy.Well this week for some reason has been like the longest week. I don’t know why but it just seems like its getting hotter and hotter down here. It is rough climbing up sand hills and teaching in hot houses but I do love it. Blackie and I are rocking. Changes are next week yikes! And I don’t know what can happen…. but I hope I’ve taught Blackie well and taught him some good things; like just do it! It is my motto! It’s hard not to be little lax with numbers and we have to invite 200 every week. Its like pulling teeth and lots of times you feel like people don’t care.
I told Blackie a story how dad would always wake me up from my 5 hour nap or stop me from watching the patriots on Sunday so we could go get our home teaching done. Our families never came to church and hadn’t come in years. It was so boring and pointless but the point is the principle and the Rogers boys always had 100 home teaching. This principle is the same in mission. Those baptisms aren’t as good without full board of worthless numbers to go with them. You have to go out and try your hardest to do the work. We have to do our part and then the Lord will prepare a way. We say it laughingly but we know its true.
Last night we got 56 contacts from two volley ball games that sparked up out of nowhere outside our house hehe right before informes. Then there was also a guy was selling frutes on a motto and with a loud speaker. I looked at Blackburn and he said your nuts ….hehe and I asked the guy if I could use his mike for a second and then I invited about 100 people in the busy street of Lima to church. I was laughing so hard!! I’ve always wanted to do that. It cost me 2 soles. I said the church is free nine o clock. Come come its great its fun and its true!We are also going to have another marriage this week. I am way excited! We have found a lot of new people and we have lots of friends in the ward that are helping us out. We are able to meet 2 3 families a week its really getting fun!I love all you guys and am so blessed to have all you behind me Love your son in PeruElder Rogeras!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Muah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yesterday-- what a day for everyone uh! Well it was fun to breeze though and read everyone’s thoughts. I bet dad feels a little weird its probably like being released from a 10 yr mission. I love you dad and you did your job so well. That’s crazy that Kevin is pres now. I had a feeling he might. That’s great. I sounds like it was a great conference and I love you all. Its so fun to hear everything!! Clint’s emails are just pure brilliance hehe! I love hearing mom’s, dad’s and Erika’s thoughts too-- thanks for all the love and sharing. Thanks to everyone family, friends, Kylee-girl--- I sure do love you all.I’m glad Ricky is doing better, and there wasn’t any more weird events. Emma you are a brave mother with what happened to Jeter. ) It’s just another reason I think I want to be a doc. I always want to be the hero for my family and never feel panic for my loved ones and always be there for them and take care of them from danger like my amazing dad has. Dad has always been my hero. He has helped so many lives. He has helped anytime I ever had a problem. I knew no one’s opinions or advice was as good as dads and I want to be like that. I’m glad Utes kicked some butt and that everyone is healthy and happy.Well this week for some reason has been like the longest week. I don’t know why but it just seems like its getting hotter and hotter down here. It is rough climbing up sand hills and teaching in hot houses but I do love it. Blackie and I are rocking. Changes are next week yikes! And I don’t know what can happen…. but I hope I’ve taught Blackie well and taught him some good things; like just do it! It is my motto! It’s hard not to be little lax with numbers and we have to invite 200 every week. Its like pulling teeth and lots of times you feel like people don’t care.
I told Blackie a story how dad would always wake me up from my 5 hour nap or stop me from watching the patriots on Sunday so we could go get our home teaching done. Our families never came to church and hadn’t come in years. It was so boring and pointless but the point is the principle and the Rogers boys always had 100 home teaching. This principle is the same in mission. Those baptisms aren’t as good without full board of worthless numbers to go with them. You have to go out and try your hardest to do the work. We have to do our part and then the Lord will prepare a way. We say it laughingly but we know its true.
Last night we got 56 contacts from two volley ball games that sparked up out of nowhere outside our house hehe right before informes. Then there was also a guy was selling frutes on a motto and with a loud speaker. I looked at Blackburn and he said your nuts ….hehe and I asked the guy if I could use his mike for a second and then I invited about 100 people in the busy street of Lima to church. I was laughing so hard!! I’ve always wanted to do that. It cost me 2 soles. I said the church is free nine o clock. Come come its great its fun and its true!We are also going to have another marriage this week. I am way excited! We have found a lot of new people and we have lots of friends in the ward that are helping us out. We are able to meet 2 3 families a week its really getting fun!I love all you guys and am so blessed to have all you behind me Love your son in PeruElder Rogeras!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Muah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Letter from Jon 1-1-08
1-1-09
Well hey fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!How is everyone? First I just want to say thanks so much for all the love and the fun talks and fun cards and presents and money. Thanks for the support of aunts, uncles, friends, and everyone! Everything was so nice and really made my Christmas!HAPPPY NEW YEARS Everyone!!! Woof! This last year has defiantly been the hardest longest but I have learned the most this year of year in my life and I’m excited for one more her in Peru. I will work hard. It’s crazy to think this is the last year of my mission and I will be back the end of the year, yeah!!!!!!!It was so fun reading emails and things and talking to everyone. Well, actually it was a little hard as a missionary to talk to all the family. I’ve definitely felt it this last week but it’s so good. It’s crazy to just talk to everyone like normal but then to go back out on the nasty streets and work,,, you know JThis week we had three baptisms! They were all miracles we got the couple baptized and my amigo RAFAEL!!!!!!!!! It was so awesome I was thinking about all of you last night new years as he went in…All are work this last two months paid off and I was so happy because Blackham got to baptize him BLAKIE’S first baptism. Elder Blackham was pretty excited and nervous but it turned out perfect and it’s been a highlight of 2008!!!!I can’t believe its 2009 woof! Its just been a regular week though since we talked. It was awesome getting these three baptisms in for the New Year and now we are back out finding more to hopefully baptize in January. It’s getting so hot and its just hard to go walk around in dust 3-4 hours to maybe teach one lesson but I think of my family and future family as I just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I’m learning so much patience. I love you all and was so happy to talk to you all. mmm it’s such a comfort no matter how hard it gets here I always got my family and my friends its such a comfort…..I’m down here working hard and setting some new goals for the New Year.Yesterday I had people laughing pretty hard at the baptism just telling a few good jokes, its fun! Rafael, Elder Blackham and I always joke that’s how I teach him but before everyone left I challenged everyone to drink only Inca cola and if they dance to dance with spirit and other stuff. It sounds really dumb in English but people thought it was funny! The bishop’s wife came up to me and said hey Elder Rogers you can speak pretty good Spanish! It was good to hear. It was just something fun! I ‘m rolling on 13 big ones! I love you all muah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love your son Elder Rogers
Well hey fam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!How is everyone? First I just want to say thanks so much for all the love and the fun talks and fun cards and presents and money. Thanks for the support of aunts, uncles, friends, and everyone! Everything was so nice and really made my Christmas!HAPPPY NEW YEARS Everyone!!! Woof! This last year has defiantly been the hardest longest but I have learned the most this year of year in my life and I’m excited for one more her in Peru. I will work hard. It’s crazy to think this is the last year of my mission and I will be back the end of the year, yeah!!!!!!!It was so fun reading emails and things and talking to everyone. Well, actually it was a little hard as a missionary to talk to all the family. I’ve definitely felt it this last week but it’s so good. It’s crazy to just talk to everyone like normal but then to go back out on the nasty streets and work,,, you know JThis week we had three baptisms! They were all miracles we got the couple baptized and my amigo RAFAEL!!!!!!!!! It was so awesome I was thinking about all of you last night new years as he went in…All are work this last two months paid off and I was so happy because Blackham got to baptize him BLAKIE’S first baptism. Elder Blackham was pretty excited and nervous but it turned out perfect and it’s been a highlight of 2008!!!!I can’t believe its 2009 woof! Its just been a regular week though since we talked. It was awesome getting these three baptisms in for the New Year and now we are back out finding more to hopefully baptize in January. It’s getting so hot and its just hard to go walk around in dust 3-4 hours to maybe teach one lesson but I think of my family and future family as I just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I’m learning so much patience. I love you all and was so happy to talk to you all. mmm it’s such a comfort no matter how hard it gets here I always got my family and my friends its such a comfort…..I’m down here working hard and setting some new goals for the New Year.Yesterday I had people laughing pretty hard at the baptism just telling a few good jokes, its fun! Rafael, Elder Blackham and I always joke that’s how I teach him but before everyone left I challenged everyone to drink only Inca cola and if they dance to dance with spirit and other stuff. It sounds really dumb in English but people thought it was funny! The bishop’s wife came up to me and said hey Elder Rogers you can speak pretty good Spanish! It was good to hear. It was just something fun! I ‘m rolling on 13 big ones! I love you all muah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love your son Elder Rogers
Friday, December 26, 2008
Call from Jon 12-25-08
12-25-08
From the call with Jon
From the call with Jon
This is a picture of the family Jon lives with in Vitarte
We asked him what he knew of the Bolivian mission being closed. The companion that Jon has now never went to Bolivia he went from the Peru MTC to Lima East. He was called to Bolivia though.
Apparently the mission was closed in 1 day due to terrorists. Many of the missionaries left with only what was on their back. There are some real scary stories.
One Elder tells of them leaving in a hurry with 4 Elders in a back of a pickup truck. There were sticks of dynamite thrown at them as they left. The church had a private plane waiting for them at the airport.
We ask about the Lima Este mission. There are 230 missionaries now. We think that 30-50 are from the Bolivia mission. There are 20 zones in Jon’s mission. There are 6 zones in Lima: 1 zone on the Amazon, 2 in Huanuco, some in the providences etc. There are 4-6 Elders in a district. There are about 230 baptisms a month. That means about one per missionary, but it does not always work out that way.
For Christmas the mission president organized some Christmas dinners. Jon said he had about 100 missionaries at his dinner and some missionary couples. Jon was real impressed because they had mashed potatoes and gravy and good meat. Jon’s mission president is a native so he was real impressed with the good food. They held the dinner in the stake center. Jon said the Stake Centers are huge in Peru.
The Stake Centers in Peru are way bigger than the Stake Centers in the states.
Jon was supposed to have a baptismal interview on Christmas Eve, but the person getting baptized forgot (?) about it. Jon was going to take the DL to the potential member’s home later in the day on Christmas day to possibly conduct the interview
Rafael in getting baptized later this month and Jon calls or cks up on him everyday. Rafael said you don’t have to keep asking me if I drank alcohol or if I have been with girls. Jon told him --- I will call you everyday until we get you baptized!
Peru has interesting Christmas Eve traditions. Everyone goes up on their roof and shoots off powerful fireworks. Jon says it last for 15 minutes and it feels like you are in a war zone. It was unbelievably loud and pretty.
All the workers take Christmas off including the Police so Christmas Eve and Christmas day are a free for all. Jon watched a dude getting robbed right in front of his house.
Jon is 176 pounds now. His cooking lady cooks rice with chicken sauce every night. He is getting tired of that taste, but loves the cooking lady and her family. Jon also lives with this family. It is very hot and moist in Peru right now as it is summer.
Jon lives in Vitarte, Lima, Peru. It is a part of Lima. It is very poor area. The people live in little dusty houses on the hills. He says it looks a lot like the Mesquite area.
Jon loves the people and the Elder’s are trying really hard to get some families in the church.
During Jon’s call we quickly conference called all the Grandmas and Grandpa’s and Lisha and Clint. He was able to say a quick Merry Christmas and able to hear them tell him that they loved him.
We sure enjoyed hearing from Jon. Mostly we just listened and enjoyed hearing his voice and spirit.
We asked him what he knew of the Bolivian mission being closed. The companion that Jon has now never went to Bolivia he went from the Peru MTC to Lima East. He was called to Bolivia though.
Apparently the mission was closed in 1 day due to terrorists. Many of the missionaries left with only what was on their back. There are some real scary stories.
One Elder tells of them leaving in a hurry with 4 Elders in a back of a pickup truck. There were sticks of dynamite thrown at them as they left. The church had a private plane waiting for them at the airport.
We ask about the Lima Este mission. There are 230 missionaries now. We think that 30-50 are from the Bolivia mission. There are 20 zones in Jon’s mission. There are 6 zones in Lima: 1 zone on the Amazon, 2 in Huanuco, some in the providences etc. There are 4-6 Elders in a district. There are about 230 baptisms a month. That means about one per missionary, but it does not always work out that way.
For Christmas the mission president organized some Christmas dinners. Jon said he had about 100 missionaries at his dinner and some missionary couples. Jon was real impressed because they had mashed potatoes and gravy and good meat. Jon’s mission president is a native so he was real impressed with the good food. They held the dinner in the stake center. Jon said the Stake Centers are huge in Peru.
The Stake Centers in Peru are way bigger than the Stake Centers in the states.
Jon was supposed to have a baptismal interview on Christmas Eve, but the person getting baptized forgot (?) about it. Jon was going to take the DL to the potential member’s home later in the day on Christmas day to possibly conduct the interview
Rafael in getting baptized later this month and Jon calls or cks up on him everyday. Rafael said you don’t have to keep asking me if I drank alcohol or if I have been with girls. Jon told him --- I will call you everyday until we get you baptized!
Peru has interesting Christmas Eve traditions. Everyone goes up on their roof and shoots off powerful fireworks. Jon says it last for 15 minutes and it feels like you are in a war zone. It was unbelievably loud and pretty.
All the workers take Christmas off including the Police so Christmas Eve and Christmas day are a free for all. Jon watched a dude getting robbed right in front of his house.
Jon is 176 pounds now. His cooking lady cooks rice with chicken sauce every night. He is getting tired of that taste, but loves the cooking lady and her family. Jon also lives with this family. It is very hot and moist in Peru right now as it is summer.
Jon lives in Vitarte, Lima, Peru. It is a part of Lima. It is very poor area. The people live in little dusty houses on the hills. He says it looks a lot like the Mesquite area.
Jon loves the people and the Elder’s are trying really hard to get some families in the church.
During Jon’s call we quickly conference called all the Grandmas and Grandpa’s and Lisha and Clint. He was able to say a quick Merry Christmas and able to hear them tell him that they loved him.
We sure enjoyed hearing from Jon. Mostly we just listened and enjoyed hearing his voice and spirit.
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