On Wednesday we had a wonderful training with our 30 new missionaries 

who have been in the Trujillo Mission for 5 weeks and their trainers.

Elder Marshall played a lovely musical number

 Everyone learned from, and enjoyed the training.  The Assistants shared messages that they learned from Elder Uceda.  Missionaries are to teach with the Holy Ghost, sharing strong powerful testimonies.

 They explained the way that the sprit talks to people through the mind and hears.  

When we share the Gospel with the Holy Ghost as our guide,

 the Spirit teaches others and touches their hearts. 

 Sister Marler showed a slide show of the missionaries first day in the mission, and talked about the love the Savior has for us, and his expectation that we love each other as he loves us.  

in the scripture, the Doctrine and Covenants 84:77 we read:

"And again I say unto you, my friend, for from henceforth I shall call you my friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment that ye become even as my friends in the days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power"

 We strive to love those with serve with, and those we serve, the same way the Savior loves us.

 President Marler shared the missionary objective and explained the significance of each of its phases.

It is important for each missionary to understand the importance of their mission to:

"Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Chrsit and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."

This is what we do, why we serve, and whom we serve, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Day 3 in Chimbote- Multi Zone Conference with Chimbote Peru and Buenos Aires

President Marler teaching about the unique message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

                                                              Missionaries participate in the Councils and Trainings.

 Sister Marler and Elder Rittcher discuss a few principles in Preach My Gospel

 Elder Pulsipher and Elder Boren enjoying their first MZ Conference.

 Preach My Gospel "Chase: and Sister Marler won some candy...

 Elder Mollo, Elder Bates, Elder Chempen, Elder Ccama, Elder Fernandez, Elder Antuña, Elder Callapa, Elder Oyarzo, and in front, Elder Alvarez and Elder Copa.

 and a beautiful ride home from Chimbote.

Completing the day with a sunset!

Ode to Elder Boekweg

Now you may be wondering why this blog is entitled, Ode to Elder Boekweg.  I has been his one desire to go to the Andes and nestle in among the Llamas, Alpacas, sheep and pigs.  

He went up to Otuzco for a Zone Conference, but the medicine man got sick and went back home.

This is what he missed!

I hope you all enjoy seeing a little of the Peru countryside.

Waterfall on the way to Otusco
there had been torential downpours and there were waterfalls everywhere

This little girl was riding up the highway on a burro, I couldn't resist taking her picture

Another waterfall

Elder Antuña, Elder Zavaleta and Sister Marler at 12,000 feet

Same elevation with the President

Literally on top of the world...

While Elder Antuña, Elder Zavaleta and I hiked up the mountain, President contacted a vigilante for Claro Telephone and he is interested in having the missionaries visit his home in Huamachuco.

Our new friend explains what he does for a living

A beautiful butterfly

A little girl dancing in the streets of Huamachuco

We had hopes of going to the Markahuachaco ruins, but a mud slide changed our plans

But look at the gorgeous view of Hamachuco from up above

Here President Marler is helping a lady find her child's shoes in the mud.  

Meanwhile Sister Marler washed off the little girl in the mud puddle

Elder Zavaleta and Elder Atuña with a giant Cuy

President Marler Posing with a Llama

Just a lady walking her sheep down by the river

We couldn't resist this cute little pig, playing hide and go seeks with us.

and some sheep along the river banks

After Church on Sunday, we took a picture of the Huamachuco Branch.  It was a beautiful day.

Here we are with Elder Mollo

…and here with Elder Harris

Sister Romero and Sister Wisa love their new little friend

On the way home, we saw a couple of herds of Alpacas.  

So we got out in the 8 degree weather (it is the Andes, don't be so surprised)  and walked among  the Alpaca…aren't they so cute!!!

…and this darling little baby

…and here with his mama

A big male looks over the herd.

The Alpaca Family, Dad, Mom and Junior

Here the Assistants are, begging to be adopted by the family of Alpadas.

This is a tent city…these houses are made of a blue tarp over some cut tree trunks

This is a picture of a Palas Celolu- a tree that has gifts on it.  The men dance around with machetes and and take one chop at the tree.  When the tree falls everyone rushes in to get a gift…watch out fore the machetes!  The one who actually makes the final chop before the tree falls has to purchase the gifts and provide the party for the community the following fiesta.   It must have been some festival day yesterday as we saw two of these trees in the small mountain communities.  We were invited to participate and dance with them, but the amount of cerveza flowing and the machetes kept us at a distance. 

and then one more waterfall
We sue loved our weekend in the Sierra
What a lovely way to spend a weekend