A Packed Couple of Weeks
It has been two weeks since we wrote and time has just gotten away from us. We have made numerous medical appointments, participated in three baptisms, done five baptismal interviews, purchased one knee brace, helped a sister get a tooth pulled and so on.
We had one especially memorable baptismal experience and will include it only to avoid making this into a Russian novel.
We went to the baptism of Rocio and Abigail in the nether parts of San Gabriel. We left with just enough time to be there at 7 but the baptism actually happened at nearly 8. That is such a small part of the story.
This part of Lima is up in the Andean hills. The Andes are so precipitous as to render places like the Rockies mere foothills. The way up can only be loosely called roads. The houses are all partially built. One looks around in some awe at the rustic quality of everything.
It is a zone that is notorious for every thing from drive by purse snatching to down straight up pistolero-type hold ups. One of our missionaries up there has been held up at gunpoint twice. Needless to say, we had a bit of angst.
We have been told repeatedly that some Uber drivers won't even go up there to pick you up because they are afraid of being robbed. Our driver was full of stories of the type, “I’ve been robbed but, what-are-you-gonna-do?!” He spared no time in pointing out that there are literally no police in this part of the world. When we drove by one of the police stations it was closed up tight.
Getting there involved a psycho-drive up into the hills with traffic of semi-trucks, busses, cars and moto-taxis (called tuktuks in some parts), that cannot be imagined by using adjectives like congested. The general Limeña, black dust was mixed with exhaust fumes that started headaches and nausea. This was compounded with abysmal condition of jarring detours forced by main road repairs. At one point our driver exclaimed, “We are in wolf country now!”
By the time we got to the stake center, we were a little worried that no one would come for us. I suggested we might end up sleeping in the church if we could not get out of there. In the end, we got a spectacular welcome! The baptism was for a mother and her 16 year old daughter. It was wonderful.
In the end, we had no trouble getting a ride and got home with no incident…
Whenever we go for a ride, we spend time explaining who we are and what we believe. We especially focus on the Book of Mormon and always carry copies of it with us. People in Perú are intensely interested in the message of this book. We teach them that it is evidence of the love God has for all of his children despite origin, race, color or beliefs. We get to testify that the book is true in nearly every taxi ride or other encounter. It has been powerful in strengthening our own, already deeply felt witnesses of this book. What a joy this has been in our mission. We love our mission!
Missions are amazing. There is no doubt that the Lord protects missionaries. Two of my grandsons in South America right now have been held up by gunpoint and knife. I laughed when I saw Deborah W. and her daughter-in-law. We have been friends for a long time. Keep up your good work. I still have give away Books of Mormon in my car, left there from our missions. 😊 Jill Rushton
ReplyDeleteThat must have been same Uber ride!
ReplyDeleteThe drives in Armenia are challenging, but not on the level of dangerous that Peru has. We were discussing that the other day as we traveled on pothole ridden streets. Stay safe, amigos!
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