Patriotic in Peru

 Here are some flashback photos.
Junior High Elections in Elko.

2 1/2 years Later Still Patriotic
He passed out paper bow ties when he ran for student body in Utah.

"Here in our area, they are having elections for "Alcalde," more or less like mayor. The cool thing is that here the elections are more like student body elections. The candidates march through the streets with music and wave flags. They also go door to door meeting people and talk to them about their problems and what they want the government to change or do. They also hand out free stuff but  instead of paper bow ties they give out free watermelon and fresh fish! Another great thing they do is play bingo in the street with giant crowds and hand out money and food. A lady even won a baby pig. 

Today we had a district P-Day and so we had a Thanksgiving lunch. We all put in and ate a bunch. We had grilled meat (thanks to the Argentine) hot dogs (Chilean style) brown gravy (made by the one and only, Elder Johnson from packets I found in my last room) mashed potatoes, chicken and fries.

The work here is progressing. We are finding more people every week and working with the ward better every week as well. I love you guys tons and I hope you all have a good week. " Elder Johnson

Peru

No photo this week so here is a flashback of
Matt as Flynn Ryder from a Halloween.

When I started my mission, I felt like Peru was just another country where people speak Spanish, but now I really feel proud to be here in Peru. The people here are fantastic and have an amazing history. I know I am working with the descendentes of Lehi and Nefi. I love reading the Book of Mormon and teaching it to the people because I can really testify to them that it was written for them more than 2000 years ago.

Just Another Day

Wake up, read our scriptures.

Mind the pothole.

Drive to the office. 

The view at the office.

Grind up some spices and

and pick up some vegetables for dinner.

Mow the lawn.

Say goodbye to a son.

We haven't put many photos on lately because we basically just do the same things here that we do at home. We are enjoying our time here and hope you all have good days there!

"We can be Completely Clean"

"First off, the epic story of the week took place in our room during weekly
planning. I was hungry so I ate an apple and it was super good but I was still hungry.
I started eating some chocolate and when I was about half way through, I realized that
my tooth was really sharp... I felt it with my finger and what do you know, my tooth
was broken. Haha, my tooth didn't break when I was eating chocolate, but it was the
tooth I broke during hockey and the fake part fell off. Don't worry, that was last
Thursday. Today I went to the dentist and got my tooth fixed, my teeth cleaned and
it only cost 13 dollars."
"My spiritual experience for the week was a baptism that we had in the district.When
I did the interview, I couldn't pass him and he needed another interview. I honestly
didn't know if he would be able to be baptized but we all prayed a lot that he would
pass. On Thursday, he passed his interview and on Saturday, he was baptized.
Watching him be baptized was something really touching because I know our
Heavenly Father has forgotten every sin and every mistake that he has made. Thanks
to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, he is completely clean.
I love the gospel, I love the Savior and I love you guys!"      Elder Johnson

Super Awesome Family in Peru

"These shoes are made from tires."

"Wow, what a week it has been. I always love fasting because miracles
always happen when you trust in the Lord. I got to work with my
companion from the MTC. We invited 5 people to be baptized in one
day. We have a family here who are super awesome. They have been
going to church and reading but recently the husband got a job and had
to work on Sunday so they stopped progressing. This week was fast
Sunday and so we decided to fast that he would be able to get his
schedule changed. When we got to the church, we were really surprised
to see him and his family there. When we asked them what had
happened, they told us that he got permission to go to church on Sunday!"

Ventanilla, Peru

"I am now in a place called Ventanilla which is right by the ocean and super awesome. The ward I am in is called Arenas, or in English, The Sands, ha yes, it is Sandy. My companion is from Bolivia. I am now a district leader instead of a zone leader so I am really excited to learn new things and be able to work closer to the elders. This week we were pretty busy getting to know the area and the members but we were also able to work and find people to teach and I really feel good in my area."