Today begins another week…Oh how fast they roll past.

Today we were caught in a true Paraguay rainstorm. We walked into our apartment a though we stood in the shower fully clothed. And to think we just about did not make an extra trip to the office to retrieve a second umbrella before venturing to the Molina ward, about 1 hour away by collective(bus).

We always feel so blessed when someone offers a ride after church, to the bus stops (many chapels are way off the beaten path). Little did we know how great of a blessing the offered ride today would be until we were standing at the bus stop literally within 1 minute after being dropped off it began to sprinkle.. One minute more it was pouring down…We stood under an already consumed bus stop shelter and used our umbrellas to keep the water from soaking every one from behind. One minute later the water began to rise, the street was like a river (serious) another minute and the water had risen high enough into the bus stop that everyone was moving to higher ground (incredible). Within the next minute we were all butted up against the bench….and still no bus. As bad as this was…it was still better than to be walking on a red clay, soupy, sloppy road…in the middle of no where towards the bus stop.

The gutters began spewing 3 foot water fountains. The storm had not only become photo worthy but this was so hard to believe that only a picture could offer a true description. We all continued to find even higher ground and watched in the direction of the bus…I am sure the prayers of the little old drenched catholic (crossing himself) man (or that I had just taken my camera out.) brought the bus to us.

By then (even the bus driver moved in as close as he could) however; each of us had to cross a 4 ft wide river. Each had two choices…forge through a foot of water or wait and get just as wet. We chose to forge. By now the temperature had dropped too.

Our shivery ride home was longer than usual. Due to the severity of high water the normal route had been altered (bus drivers hate it when their engines get wet). Water was up over the sidewalks ,driveways and at many store thresh holds.

We noticed how nice the driver was being to get people as close as possible to the covered bus stops. He dropped us off at the corner! This spared us an extra block of walking home in the down pour (bless his heart). We jumped off the bus into another foot of water…we both hummed “oh well”….and dashed for home.

I don’t know who was stripped down and redressed in warm clothes the fastest. We quickly turned on the heater, we decided on a meatloaf because it would mean turning the oven on (contribute to the warmth). Oh we were both soaked and dripping. Water was even dripping off our eyelashes!

Now…..We are warm and comfortable with all the wet clothes on the line stretched through a room in our apartment…Awe……………..Life is good.

(side note) This storm has really confused us…after a 3 week winter. It has already become necessary to turn on the air conditioner due to the high temps.

Friday night we attended the Paraguay Expo (like a state fair). We went with the idea of connecting with some of the Indian artisans from throughout the country. Instead we ended up watching Paraguay make the longest hotdog in the world. Yep…I would have never believed it had I not seen the process. It was one continuous 203 mt (1/8 of a mile hot dog). It was such an entertaining event that we toughed out the boring parts. The jubilance at the end made it all worth it…My goodness they were singing their National Anthem and dancing with a pig mascot in the pathways. Miss Paraguay was prancing up and down the strip allowing pictures of her to be taken with anyone that wanted and with all do respect the little inspector guys where a hoot. They where taking their job intensely serious and were demanding lids to be opened and temperatures to be changed throughout the whole process. Crazy….so crazy it was fun.

This past week we visited Iguassu Falls and had dinner at the Romero’s. Both were incredible experiences.

We visited the Falls with the Ken and Ruth Larsen, temple missionaries from Orem Utah. No matter how I try to describe the falls…it only comes out lame… Not only did we love the falls but we will forever be grateful for the incredible feeling we had as we were reminded of the greatness and power of God…and the power and greatness that lies within each of us.

While at the Romero’s…Dad spent time diagnosing a couple of sick trees. Mom spent the time going through and organizing all of Sister Romero mother’s medications (about 20). Sister Romero can now set up her mom’s meds on a weekly basis.

Our mission work goes forward with another new assignment. We must have looked relaxed at the training in Buenos Aires a couple of weeks ago because the President de Area made a few changes to how we will function on the weekends. Instead of just trying to get to every ward and train every bishop in the country. We will now be visiting and revisiting the wards with the greatest amount of non repayment students. It makes total sense to us and we are anxious to get started. Now that the service center is up and running we feel like we can be away from the office a little more and be able to spend more one on one time with the bishops and more importantly…the students.

We love what we are doing…sometimes…no…...most nights we go to bed dog tired. Sometimes we wonder what on earth are we doing? And then the thoughts of the many ways we have been blessed throughout our lives, flood our minds and we quickly fall asleep so we can go at it another day. We feel blessed to be serving. We are grateful for the ways and means that make this possible (each of you are part of this) Thank you each one for the things you say, the kindness you show, the ideas you lend and for your constant support. We were told before coming that we would be blessed in way unimaginable…we are.

We love Heavenly Father

Love

Your Paraguayan Missionaries.

Febrero En Paraguay

Time is flying. We have been out for six months as of last week… and yes, still having new experiences.

Mangos are everywhere and ripe. They fall off the trees and if one is in the wrong spot at the wrong time it is easy to be bombed by falling mangos. One would naturally think … just open your mouth and….enjoy…but no kidding, they are deadly. We watched one fall and dent a car the other day. We have just missed them on several occasions. Some are becoming over ripe and the stench is pretty bad is some places. The locals just ignore it. The adults do not eat them as often as foreigners because they grew up on them and in their minds eye…there are better things to eat…sounds like oatmeal at our house. The missionaries, on the other hand, scarf them up. The locals have taught them to suck on the big seed inside and most will say, “ it is the best part”.

Chippa

Terere' - Paraguay's Take on Matte

This week we tried Chippa …..cheesy hard bread. I suppose it could be quite delightful dunked in cold matte but we have decided we have had our missionary experience and will move on to go on to bigger and better things.

We found a Mexican food restaurant the other day... yummmmm! It kind of reminded us of home. It was expensive so we wont do it often but the fajitas and the tortillas were wonderful. It was a great place for our Valentines date.

Pao de Quiejo



Finished Product - Muey Beun!

Friends from Brazil taught us how to make pao de queijo (translated as bread of cheese)this week. We called Lalie and let her talk with the Nunez’s. Sister Nunez was so happy to speak in her native language and be understood. We will for sure make pao de queijo when we get home. Some may ask, “How can this be from someone that doesn’t like cheese?” Easy. You can’t taste the cheese.

We have sister missionaries living with us again. They have both been sick and it was decided that it might be a good idea to keep them busy in our office and out of the heat and sun. The mission president was thrilled and that is one of the reasons we are ahead of schedule in our PEF reports department. The sisters made root beer floats for us the other day…it was a first since we left in August. They found the root beer at a store that sells some American items. Every spoonful was an absolute delight.



Dad & Bro. Nunez

One highlight was getting pictures of the new baby....thanks Trish. This is 8 for Shawn and Trish. We have appropriately showed him off. The pics are perfect.



Elder Richins & The Avocado He Jumped Up & Picked Off The Tree

This week we received a call from an Elder Richins who was calling for his ill companion. Ihad taken care of Elder Richins the previous week and now it was his comps turn. He said, “Sister Lucas, where are you from?" I responded, “Coalville…even people from Utah don’t know where Coalville is.” He said, “I do…We are neighbors…I am from Henefer”. His dad is in our Coalville Stake Presidency and he interviewed us for our temple recommends just before we left home. Elder Richins has been here since January and is making the best of his time. He is a good missionary. We’re not so sure who was happier to run into someone from home; him or us. But it was great.

We know lots of you kids have games this weekend and we want you to know we are thinking of you. Good luck! We are cheering for you.

Before we close... We love you. We are appreciative of the support and care you give to us. We are grateful to be involved in the work, to have the experiences we are having and we love the Lord. We are constantly amazed at how He is truly in charge of our lives. We get many opportunities to recognize the changes we should make and are encouraged as we watch others participate in the gospel and make changes in theirs. We love watching happiness and joy take place of the discouragment, revenge and hurt. There is hope for the Lucas couple…always.

Love
Hma y Elder Lucas, the Mom and Dad and brother and sister…and friend.

January 23,2011

Que Tal Family and Friends;

This past week has been filled with fun and new adventures. The rain storm of this week was by far one of the biggest one yet. We thought we knew what Paraguyan storms were all about until this one. It began blowing about 3 AM and we thought we would turn the cooler off and enjoy the fresh out door breeze. About ten minutes later Vicki thought she better check to see if the rain had started and if things were getting wet. Oh my Oh my. What we thought was a light sprinkle in the dark was in actuality sheets and buckets of rain as though someone just through it in the window. We spent the next 2 hours mopping the floor of almost an inch of water. The walls were soaked and the drapery was sopped. While trying to get the shutters closed we were both soaked to the point we had to change into dry clothes. Along with this storms havoc it also created an awesome lightshow. The thunder was incredibley loud and we decided we were up for the rest of the day. It was a bonus when the storm dropped temperatures into the 80s and we actually could stay outside for several hours at a time. The humidity was extreemly high making it difficult to breath but we have discovered we can deal with that if we don’t have to deal with the heat at the same time.

We have taken care of several missionaries this week. Athletes foot is on the rise as so are alergies. Several of the missionaries have developed heat rash. They look like scenarios shown in the text books and nurses in their wildest dreams never actually see. For the most part the elders are great not to complain and they get so miserable they are more than willing to follow instructions. It is such a huge blessing for us to be associated with the misionaros and watching them makes us buff up to less comforts as well.

We were able to ride on one of the newer colectivos today after church….just one problem…it was the wrong colectivo. While we were on the bus Vicki got about 5 phone calls. Since it is impossible to hear anything while riding she decided not to answer. The calls ended up being 3 different elders trying to call us and let us know we were on the wrong colectivo (they watched us get on). When we got back to the departamento and returned the calls the elders were shocked we were home. We explained that we realized we were on the wrong ride but we also figured if we stayed on it long enough it would eventually make it close to our home….It did. Besides…how often does one get to ride in a new buggy in Paraguay. This one was probably only about 10 years old. It was somewhat clean and the heat was not bad….We called it a great Sunday drive (tranquillo).


Our office segment is interesting….We have furniture, computadoras, phones, and chairs now. We stopped to take a peak and Vicki discovered water coming from the ceiling right above the desks and the computers…We quickly notified the engineer and computer guy. We think it may be a little longer before we actually move in. We have spent much time this week researching the purchasing supplies. We were shocked when we learned the fabricator was charging 300.00 US for an easel and a couple hundred each for the white boards and bulletin board. Needless to say we are reconsidering our needs. On Saturday we found a cheapy easel at a department store that will get us by for a little while (15.00 US.)

We met an awesome couple from Brazil (now living in Paraguay) this week and had them over for dinner on Monday. They loved speaking English as well as teaching us Portuguese words. He is a District President from the Centro Branch and she works in the family history center and is the YW president. They have a magnificant sprit of love for the people here and offered to help us in the service center when we are up and running. We are now up to three volunteers and we are feeling so blessed that we have met up with people who are willing, ready and able to help in the service center. Brother Nunuez also volunteered to help us with video streaming for video training presentations. He works for a TV station, has helpful skills and knowledge in this area…and since we do not…he will be a blessing to us.


We attended another Youth Conference hosted by the Mariano Rocque Alonzo district…Jovenes (the youth) were singing hymns when we walked in. We accompanied the Temple President and his wife and the kids were very excited to see him. He has been so good to visit with them when they come to the temple for baptisms and many of them knew him. This conference was well organized and the kids were having a great time. One of the volunteers, Liz, from the Employment Center (we visit often) was there and showed us around the camp and with excitement told us all about her time at the conference.


We made sloppy joes this week. We found the best buns that made the sandwich a perfect U.S. treat for us. Dad discovered a brick of dipping chocolate this week too….Of course we bought it. Now we just have to figure out when there will be time to make something out of it.

We visited with the Sister missionary that was staying with us last week. She is back in her area and doing better every day. She still struggles with the heat but is finding ways to work through it. It was a delight to have her in our home and once again watching her helps us to be stronger.

Thursday, it was back to the temple. It has been closed for cleaning and even though we worked extra hard we had a great feeling and were happy to return. We had 35 jovenes show up to do baptisms, and about 40 for endowments (per session). Sealings and initiatory was going full stream too. We were tired when we got home but were so excited that neither of us could fall asleep. We just layed in bed and talked about our night at the temple.

We are stoked about the phone bill this month…last month we did not receive our bill until after it was due. They shut the phone off and poor dad had to go in person 4 times to get it worked out. We were way excited when this bill came 2 days before it was due. This gave us time to pay it and not go through heck getting it figured out. This may not seem like a big deal but if you could see how they deliver bills here. Our different utility bills (along with everyone elses in the building) is dropped on the bottom stairs. Everyone picks them up, goes through them takes their own and drops the rest back on the step. When someone takes a bill home that does not belong to them it can take days if not weeks to get it back… When our internet bill didn’t show up dad called five different times to find out where it was…he was politely instructed to be tranquillo….it will come. Oh well…..we do find comfort in knowing we have real live mail at home.

This about wraps up our week. The operative word for next week is the same as it was for this week. TRANQUILLO.

Love
Alan and Vicki