Preparing for the Caminata

Six months ago President Blas started dreaming about this caminata (trek). We really didn't expect it to come to pass, especially after we couldn't make the March deadline, and postponed it till July. Our blacksmith drug his feet so badly it just didn't look like the handcart wheels would ever get done. Then all of a sudden at the beginning of July he finished them. Maybe he finally needed the money. So Ken rounded up lumber and a drill and collected his trusty work crew. I revived the sewing efforts, so the young women got together and cut out skirts and bonnets for me to sew. It's a week away and we have 89 youths signed up to go. We even recruited the 14 elders in our zone to come along and help. It looks like the fun is just beginning.  And if that's not enough, we get to speak in church on the 24th of July. I guess we'll talk about pioneers.

Five handcarts lookin' so good

A mountain of skirts and bonnets

Here they are: Zona Virú, ready to help with the caminata...and celebrate a birthday for Elder Ortiz.

You can really pull these handcarts. 

We painted the wheels to give them a rustic wooden look. 

Here's our blacksmith putting on a fine show. With enough patience he finally came through for us. 

Ken and President Zanelli are just getting started. 

This is just before they lifted the carts onto the wheels. 

They actually fit together quite beautifully. 

It was a challenge, but that just made it more fun for Ken. 

President Zanelli insisted they didn't need an electric saw. 

Whatever doubts I had about these young women were quickly forgotten. 

They had a great time cutting everything out. 

Soon they took charge and pushed me out of the way. 

Maité's a beautiful pioneer. 

What a smile! 

Winter in Virú

Virú packs so much activity into these cool winter months. Festival after festival takes over the town with visiting dancers, bands and artisans selling their crafts. Many dancers and musicians are school groups competing for prizes. Like a comedy routine, we watched band after band march around corners and up and down the streets one after another ... and here comes another... and over there one more. When I walked to the market the street suddenly filled up with dancers one after another parade style. It's a good thing we don't get in a hurry because the entertainment just bursts onto the scene spontaneously. Also spontaneous, exploding fireworks sound off like bombs in a war zone all day and night with a brief rest from 1:00 am to 4:00 am. We'd jump awake thinking at least it wasn't an earthquake.
We finished up meeting with missionaries in Chimbote, then came home to build some more caromatos, handcarts. The caminata, trek comes up in just 18 days. I'm helping everyone sew bonnets and skirts again and Ken's busy with planning meetings for the "parents." The weather's been cool, just perfect for a trek.

The king

...with his warriors

Some kind of wild cat

Bloody sword

And the wolf drums on

As the black cow laughs

And the red queen watches

Here come the blue dancers led by that cutie in red. 

Cha cha cha

Swing your partner. 

All around the circle 

Dos si dos

Bell Ringers!

 Virgin of the Puerta...she always makes an entrance. 

Litter control

From the artisans...Incas verses Spaniards

The corner video store: new releases 2 soles, 60 cents

Joining the festivities

Fruit market 

I thought I was buying a watermelon. 

Maracuya makes the best juice ever. 

Practicing selfies...see the hummingbird behind us? 

Selfie with the Catholic "temple" in Chimbote 

Selfie with our office experts

We finally gave up on selfies and had someone take this: Elders Alcazar, Mexico; Millet, Utah; Maldonado, Equador; Ramos, Arequipa. 

Adios y Hola

As we say goodbye to June, we can't help but remember its many sad farewells: President and Sister Marler, the Fackrells, and 17 missionaries. It feels so empty without them all. We've also passed our half way mark...only 11 months till our June 6th departure. Time does fly. However we also welcomed new missionaries, what a super group.  This last week it seems like we've done more than we could describe. Fortunately we have photos. We spent time in Huaraz, Chimbote, Casma, Trujillo and Virú interviewing Elders and Sisters and helping them complete their area binders. We attended a branch conference and a family history fair. We even ate lunch twice in Tortuga Bay, on different days that is.
What a joy to have piano accompaniment Sundays in church. After only eight months of lessons, Mary and Samantha have really put their hearts into learning to play hymns. It makes such a difference in Sacrament Meeting as the congregation learns to sing their hymns to correct melodies, not to mention the delight these gals' proud parents feel.
Our District had a temple day last Wednesday, and almost 100 people attended including three personal endowments and one family sealing. Such a crowd overwhelmed the regular temple schedule, especially since it was a holiday, and groups came down from all over the surrounding mountains. We arrived at 9:15 am and everything was filled up until 4:00. What to do? Then I saw Sister Casós, the temple president's wife. Between the two of us, and her husband, a special session was created just for Distrito Virú. President Casós gave our group a special welcome. Elder Hartman from our lunch bunch officiated, and Sisters Hartman and Casós assisted. It's hard to describe the feeling, but it was one of the most spiritual sessions any of us had ever been in.
We started building  handcarts Saturday. After working into the early afternoon, one of the members invited us to Puerto Morin for a beach side lunch. The good times never end!

Farewell despedido for President and Sister Marler 

Last lunch with the Fackrells 

The lunch bunch sees the Fackrells off at the airport.

Wave goodbye, everyone!

Bye to these elders upstairs. 

Elder Whitney tells the "Clap three times" story.

Remember the part about the ice cream cone?

Goodbye Ellder Talbot. He is so skilled...or maybe it's just a windy day.

Elder Miller, isn't it about time you packed?

Here come the new missionaries. They look pretty good from the balcony of our room at the temple albergue.

Selfie at the office. We had Elder Sanchez take this one. He's skilled. 

The new missionaries see the light!  

Tortuga Bay

See the white spot at the top of the mountain to the right of center? President Rios says, "That field is white and ready to harvest."

Family History Fair in Huaraz 

It's us.

What a good-looking family tree! 

Gals at the temple

Most kids are afraid of the white-haired Gringo.... unless he has Cheetos.

Lunch at Puerto Morin with Roberto & Eliza and their kids Sam and Robert jr.

How are we going to eat two more courses after all that ceviche?

The beach at Puerto Morin

Another Fast meeting....I just love these children's testimonies.