Week Seven - Rioja "The Dream Spot"

Parker's first area is Rioja in the Moyobama zone.  It is in higher jungle closer to the Andes.

Plane ride to the mission

So we left the MTC and went straight to Iquitos. That place is the hottest place known to man! I stepped off the plane and was soaking wet. It’s so humid. 

The mission home was cool it was the biggest group to ever go to Iquitos. There were 21 missionaries total.

I’m in Rioja and my companion is Elder Doloriert. He’s super chill. He’s from Lima but he speaks perfect English. It’s great but he knows how to make me work and to speak Spanish. It’s crazy how much you learn every day, but it’s still not pretty. The people talk so fast and some people mumble so it’s super hard but it’s chill.

Ride to Moyobama and Rioja

These first couple of days were kind of hard but it’s been fun. The language is coming but it takes time. We’ve taught like 10 lessons! The people are so receptive. It’s crazy how strong the Spirit is and when you don’t worry about yourself the words just come. 

Rioja is super nice - it’s not nearly as hot. People call it the 'dream spot' because it’s actually cool at night. Elder Jackson, one of my buddies from the CCM, is with me here. It’s so cool to have someone going through the same stuff as you. We have a pensionista who cooks for us. The meals aren’t that bad but I’ve mastered the “pill technique” where you put it in your mouth and then chug your drink. Its hard some days but it’s mostly because I get down on myself and the language.

The CCM was lit I made so many friends and met so many cool people. We went it Iquitos for like 2 days and some people stayed there but I went to Rioja (it’s right next to Moyobamba).

My apartment is small - 2 desks and 2 beds. The shower is like a faucet - no shower head or hot water but it’s not bad because you’re hot all the time. It has only rained once. I was only able to take one suitcase with me - the Timberland duffel - but the moto car burned a hole where the handle is that pops out - so no big deal. But that was like the first day - it was kind of funny. 

There is a branch here, not a ward. I’m in the jungle - it’s crazy there’s like moto cars. It smells like Glenwood just because it’s like dirt bikes. There are a ton of dogs here. The people are so nice. It’s super poor here though like some people have dirt floors - it’s crazy. But I haven’t felt like I’ve had that culture shock yet.

It’s crazy though you are working 24-7. I’m having fun (you have to make it fun too). Just gotta get lost in the work. I haven’t got sick yet - knock on wood - so I’m good - just gotta keep going.

It’s crazy how fast it’s been. I love you so much.

Elder Moore

Elder Moore and Elder Jackson in their new Rioja Apartment

Rioja

Rioja from the apartment window

Week Six - Iquitos!

Parker traveled by plane to Iquitos this week and did not have time to email.  This mission home gave them some paper to write a letter, which they scanned and sent to us - see picture.  Below if a transcript (Punctuation added by Dad).

I just got to Iquitos today.  It’s so hot and so humid here.  I got off the plane and I was drenched!  The last couple of days were awesome in the CCM.  We met President Li and his wife today – they are sweet and really nice.  

 I don’t know where I will be in my mission, but I’m in Iquitos right now.  I’m scared but I know I’ll be fine.  It’s just gonna take some time.  The Spanish isn’t great but it’s enough to get by and teach.   

The district in the CCM is so tight it’s gonna be hart to see them all go.  The people are so nice – they are just  accepting and helpful.  

I want you to know that I love you guys tons and I’m always thinking of you.  I know it is going to be tough for a little while but I just gotta push through and keep working. I love this gospel and I love my family.  It’s crazy how much they go together.  I know that I will be with you guys forever.  I know this is where I need to be and that I can do all things if I rely on Him. 

Tell Blake I love him too.  I love you guys so much and I’ll talk to you as soon as I can.

Elder Moore

Week Five - The Lord's Team/El Equipo Del Señor

Elder Moore in front of the Lima Peru Temple

  

The basketball hoops are up! We have el equipo del señor [The Lord’s Team] and we’re 3-0, so we’re cold.  Not too much happened this week - one of the girls [sisters] called us out for not looking at them because we don’t talk to them. It’s pretty funny because the whole district treats them like the plague. I’m having fun but it’s getting real. I leave next week to Iquitos so it should be lit. Yeah - that just hit me all last week. 

It’s not that humid in Lima so I think I’m in for a surprise - but I mean it’s still pretty hot here. I’m excited to go out but I’m scared too. My Spanish can always be better but it’s just got to be tested. The days just kind of meld together but it will be an experience. It’s weird to leave everything and just focus on the people and the Lord. I’m happy to be here but the CCM is getting old real quick. I’m gonna miss the people I’ve met and I really hope I can email them when I’m out there. I’ll see these guys in college I know it. I love you guys so much but I know this is where I need to be. I think my district is just a really good group of guys and we’re all going to the same mission which is awesome. 

I struggled with the Spirit a little this week. You just have some days where you don’t have the Spirit in your lessons but the next day you have the Spirit so strong it brings you to tears – it’s crazy. You just have to learn how it works with you. I felt it super strong when I was talking about families. Even though I’m not with you guys right now that’s nothing in comparison. Yesterday was crazy when I talked about the plan of salvation. I was in tears - I knew what I was testifying was true. I’m so happy for that and that’s the stuff that has to push me through when I struggle with the language or my companion. It’s crazy being around the same person for so long - you just learn to let things go. There’s days that I struggle but you just got to push through and thrive on the little things. I know I need to be here I don’t know why but I know.

The temple was great - the Spirit is always there. We have so much butter and jam it’s ridiculous - like the ladies started taking it away in the morning - and all my pants smell horrible because the butter sometimes leaks in your pocket. I haven’t gotten sick again but it wasn’t that bad when I was. 

The people I’ve met have already affected my life. I’m scared to go out but it’ll be fun - just scared of the unknown and the language part, but you have to go fail before you can be great so not too worried. I just know it’s going to be tough. I love you guys so much and when I teach about the plan of salvation I’m so happy all the time. I’m so glad we can be together forever I’m scared of that forever but you just have to trust him and that’s the best gift he has so it’s going to be lit. 

That baby is getting huge!  That’s crazy that Trump won - I was pretty sure he would. I miss Idaho I just want to snowboard!

Love, Parker

Peruvian Scripture Cover

Elder Moore and companion, Elder Whitehead

Week Four - "The Old Guys Now"

Parker at the Lima MTC

 

We went proselyting this week so we got to see how they live and stuff. It was crazy but it was a super cool experience. They had the Virgin Mary everywhere and signs like ‘no soliciting’ except it said this is a Catholic house or stuff like that. The language is coming along. It’s crazy how we can understand what they are saying but sometimes I just can’t put sentences together. But when we are doing the important stuff like testifying the words just fly out. I had an experience where words just came to me and I spoke so fast it was crazy. It is just working hard that will do it. 

The driving is the same way here - there are no rules. They have a ton of roundabouts and if you want to get out there you just go, and were in a bus! 

My district is so tight it’s crazy. We have so much fun - but we know when to be serious. The President and staff think we're the best. I don’t get it - lol.  We’re the old guys now so the new kids think we know everything, but we just know the tricks of the trade. Collecting butter has gotten out of hand. We just fill our pockets - it’s crazy (see pictures). Yesterday was the best day ever. They served burgers and gave us chicken salad - it was so good I had like four of them. I almost literally killed a couple kids because they were eating and they start choking because they start laughing why they are swallowing its hilarious. 

 

Hey Dad I really just want to thank you for acting on that prompting to let me go to Reno. I don’t know if I would be here if it wasn’t for that prompting. It’s in learning to act on the promptings that I get - and we never know what’s going to happen - but the things those impressions can do are crazy.

It’s crazy that it’s almost been a month. It feels like it’s been so long and also so short. I love you guys tons it's crazy the experiences you can have if are doing what you should be. 

The Butter Collection

 

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