Tender Mercies

We were just looking over our blogs and realized that it has been awhile since we noted the blessings we are receiving on our mission.   Just wanted to share one of our most recent.  Our apartment complex has a "Directiva".  It is her job to represent the tenants, take care of problems, and just be a manager.  She will often leave messages for the residents.  She loves to underline with red.  Since our command of the language is not very good, all the red makes us feel that some things are really important for us to know and whatever the problem is it must be your fault.  The problem is we just don't understand and Google translate is of moderate help.  The most recent message indicated that the water bill for the apartments had doubled. There is one bill that is divided among the tenants, so she was very concerned.  In her latest message, she indicated there would be a meeting we must attend.  We were worried, because that meant we could go to the meeting but not contribute or understand.  We asked around the office to see if there was anyone that would have time to go to the 8 pm meeting with us.  Unfortunately, it was a very busy night. 

Enter our knight in shining armor.  Brother Fernandez is our boss in the office.  He volunteered to come.  When we agreed, we didn't realize that he would have to take a taxi to be with us.  We tried to tell him not to worry about coming, but he would not hear of it.  He arrived and off we went to meet with her and the other tenants.  Unfortunately, there were only two other women who came to the meeting.  (We felt this meeting  would be a great way for us to get better acquainted with many of our neighbors.)  Well, the Lord knew who was supposed to go with us to the meeting.  Carlos was masterful as he joined in the discussion,  interpreted both sides, and added just the right amount of humor to have all of us smiling and feeling like we had been best friends, forever.  He even invited them to come to church with us on Sunday.  He did it so smoothly.  We need to take lessons.  We are learning that so often missionary work involves developing friendships first.  We hope this is a great first step. 

We wondered how the water bill could have been so high since one of our problems with the apartment was the lack of water pressure.  It had gotten so bad, that we literally just had a drip coming from the shower and also going into the washer.  We had already tried cleaning the shower head, cleaning the little filter we found in the back of the washer and cleaning the tap filters, without much success.  The Directiva, Carmen, asked if they might come to our apartment to see the problem. We had already shown her a video we took when we were in her apartment.  So everyone ended up at our house eating chocolates and continuing the discussion.  Well, amazingly enough,  we actually had water pressure.  Something changed. 

So, what exactly were the Tender Mercies:  The Lord sent us Carlos,  through him we were able to do a little missionary work,  we were able to develop a beautiful relationship with three very special women,  and not as important, but certainly very nice, we have water pressure.  

Speaking of missionary work, being in the office all day, we have to find other ways to share the gospel.  One of those ways is when we are in taxis.  Elder Cardon, one of the other senior missionaries, is a master at taxi approaches.  We are trying to be good students and learn from him.  He so naturally moves from "Where are you from?", "Tell me about your family", "Have you seen the Temple" to "We are missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", "Families can be together forever" and any other subject he can squeeze in before we get to our destination.  We hope to be able to do as well as we improve our Spanish skills.  

Will this coughing ever cease?

You can forget about any pictures with this post because it is all about being sick in Lima, and no one, trust me, wants to see a picture of me being sick.  Last Friday, I joined a "special" group - the number of area office senior missionaries who are home sick.  For some reason, winter colds and bronchitis are making missionaries drop like flies.  I first started feeling a little bit of a scratchy throat on Friday morning, so I decided that rather than share the wealth I would stay home.  It is now Wednesday and I still haven't been out of the house.  I have the worst case of bronchitis I can ever remember.  The last time I was sick here, it was with stomach problems and that lasted for more than a week.  I think I am in for the long haul again.  I don't know if the constant air and noise pollution add to the problem,  but you know when you have been used to being able to go to bed for a couple of days and have it over with, a week seems like an awfully long time.  Last night I did have a brief respite from all of the constant coughing that doesn't produce anything but a sore throat and aching ribs.  While lying in bed at 12:30 desperately trying to go to sleep and wishing I just had something simple like a cough drop, it dawned on me that I should take a look in my purse on the off chance that I might have one there.  Whoopi, Tender Mercy, there was one.  Ricola lemon and honey how I love you.  It was a little soft because that's what Lima humidity does to everything, but that was okay because it worked and I was able to sleep until about four when I was rudely awakened by another coughing fit and had to get up.  Speaking of the cough drop, that is one of the frustrating things about being here.  You just can't find the things you are used to.  Part of the problem is not having the language to even be able to ask most of the time.  I am getting better but not good enough.  Plus,  I hate to admit that it also just might be that I am not as young as I used to be.  Whatever, I am just so tired of being sick and having to stay home.  It's times like this that help you to realize that a life of leisure really isn't all that fun.  There's just so much reading and so many Netflix movies one can do.

Last night, I saw the doctor and he says I just need to rest and drink plenty of fluids (does that sound familiar).  I am sure he is right, but I really wanted the magic "get well" button or pill.  I did get Elder Bart and Val to give me a blessing so I am sure that will be the most helpful.  But again, I have to rely on the Lord's timing, not mine – and in this respect I am not always very patient.

Val has been staying home with me and is doing such a great job of getting things done even though he is not in the office. As for me, well I am a waste.  All of what I have been working on is on the office PC (yes, we are having to learn how to use PCs).  So all I can do from home is look at email messages.

One thing being home has reminded me is just how much noise we have to put up with.  When you are gone all day,  it doesn't seem that bad.  The worst are the big trucks carrying dirt, bricks, etc.  They always seem to have to downshift in front of our apartment.  The buses are a close second as far as the noise is concerned.  I do love watching them, though.  It always amazes me just how many people you can crowd onto an already full bus.  I have tried to capture that when we have been on the sardine buses, but it just doesn't work trying to take a picture.  I am sure that riding the buses doesn't help when it comes to keeping the germs away, either.   About twice a week, we take the bus for about 20 cents to go to a very nice market.  The market has a deli with lots of yummy offerings.  Well, it took us a couple of months to realize that there was hand sanitizer next to the cashier.  Before that, we rode the bus with all of the other folks, got off, walked across the street, bought our lunch and ate.  Hmmm,  maybe this new sanitizer is making me sick.

Val just said that the only reason people read blogs is to see pictures.  They really don't care about all those words.  So....that said, I am closing this one.  Val will complete it ... with lots of pictures, so read on McDuff!

While the sickie rests ... I will continue this update!  (However, we can NOT figure out the creative tricks in inserting photos the sizes we want, so for the moment, we will start with them relatively small (so we have more than just one to a line).  Just increase your screen size to see the images much larger.  Sorry for our computer illiteracy!)

 

When Julene mentioned the dump trucks, I stepped to the window and took pictures of 6 trucks that came by - literally in one minute.  5 more came in the next 30 seconds.  They are non-stop – even through the night.  This is one of the major routes for trucks involved in construction or mining.  Oh well, it provides people jobs.




The taxis love their horns, and there 
are dozens of buses every day.  
Our bodies are feeling the effects.

 
There is TOO much to cover.
So, this month we'll show you the contrasts of the Lima area.  A few weeks go we went to two very different areas.  1st Gamara, which is one of the Lima's 17 Districts.  We live in La Molina District.  Gamara has dozens and dozens of small clothing shops in an area you wouldn't visit at night.

There were too many shops to show.   This gives you a feel.

I guess the most interesting was the one street lined with herb and food vendors and traditional Peruvian women and children.   Love the hat on this person just sitting on the curb eating. And, we also love the way they carry babies.  Who needs a stroller when you can just grab a blanket and strap them to your back.

But, the fascinating portion was the "farmers' market".  We walked along and saw huge snails for eating, frogs for fertility, snake meat, and a tree whose sap looks like blood.  Julene just had to buy a small bottle of that since it is good for cuts, etc.  The name of the tree is Sangre de Draco (Dragon's Blood).  You put a couple of drops on the affected area, then rub until it turns into a brown salve.  Julene had a spot on her arm that just didn't want to heal and it seems to be getting better. 

      

 Look at all the bees congregating around this sack of natural pollen.  It's a field day for them.  Easy collection.  Who needs flowers when you can go to the Peruvian market and drop in on a bag full of pollen.  Buyers beware:  you just might get stung.

There were lots of seeds, veggies, and fruits . . .

and herbs

This is just a small taste.  You'll have to see the videos when we return.

Next, we traveled on the train two short stops south of Gamara to the contrast.  We got off right beside the Performing Arts Center and walked over to another LARGE mall.

Now the theme 
changes to creativity!!

Two weeks earlier, we were truly humbled when we visited the National Museum of Anthropology, Archeology, and History of Peru.  It just emphasized how little we know.  We were impressed that no matter where in the world or what generation of time people have lived, there has always existed the desire within many to be creative ... to beautify their surroundings, and make themselves attractive.  The technology has progressed, but the people have always had the same needs and desires.

 We are in awe of people who have artistic talents, no matter what era they lived in.

I took over a hundred photos.  This will have to do.

Then out in front of the museum was a piano, for public use.  Note that the invitation is in  English (another great reason for our calling).

 

And, not to be overlooked is the work of another creative person . . . 

Sister Julene's new beautician, Waldo.  (I like his work too!)

Since creative has been a dominant theme of this blog, we have to end with Julene's very creative work - her monthly newsletter that goes to the wife of each mission president.

We found this creative photo of the Salt Lake Temple.  When we return, this will go on our wall to remind us of the beautiful Temple where Julene and I were sealed together as husband and wife, with our children, for all eternity.  What a blessing our kids have been.

Finally, we'll let Heavenly Father's living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson counsel us all: