January 11, 2010

Hola Family!
Wow it’s hot here. We landed and when we got off Pres. Wade was there to meet us. As soon as we got off the plane we realized what we were getting ourselves into haha. The HEAT!! I understood the term. Sweating like a river haha. Well my trainer’s name is Élder Hanchett. He is from Florida. My first area is a place called ¨Kennedy¨. There are some really small homes and very bad living conditions. Chickens and dogs running everywhere, more chickens though. But I have not had a single problem with a dog yet haha. He has been out about a year (in two days) He helps me a lot with Spanish and with teaching and contacting. He is a great missionary.
So I have the address for sending letters.

Elder Lucas Rodgers
Paraguay Asuncion North Mission.
Capitan Miranda 1681
Casilla de Correo 1871
Asuncion, Paraguay 1831
Paraguay

My trainer told me that the address has worked fine for him. I believe I copied it right, but if not you have the information somewhere. But that is the address. The people in Paraguay are awesome. They are so relaxed. There are not many laws here and the ones they have are not really enforced. I can see a lot of corruption here and they are about 9-10 years behind the rest of the world. The monetary system is so low in an exchange rate compared to the US/Canada. I met Bishop Peterson’s nephew on my second day here, the day I got my new companion. Sorry, I am jumping all over the place. But there are mangos everywhere. They are just all over the ground. They fall randomly. We will be sitting teaching a lesson (that if I didn’t know any better I would think that I was in Fish Creek) and a mango will just fall to the ground haha. There are some ¨jungle¨ areas in my area that we just walk along a small path just as if it was a hike haha. I am reminded so much of hiking here, its crazy haha walking around with a straw hat. I am sending some pictures on email. But I will be sending my memory card home in an envelope because it will be more likely to make it with a letter than in a package. And then you can put pictures on the card and send it back. And if you send a package put a sticker of Christ on it, or Virgin Mary, if you want. I think the chances of it arriving are better. But my companion said that he has no problems with the mail system. I sleep with no covers with a fan on high pointed right at me haha. Our laundry is done by a member in our ward. I have a homework assignment for you guys. Look at the hymn 335 Brightly Beams our Father’s mercy. And then try to find on the internet the story behind it and the symbolism in it. It has become one of my favorite hymns. It is a great hymn. And the scripture John 15:18-19.
Well everything is good in Paraguay. Its hot! And I love cold. I think I will come to an appreciation of the heat.
Well I have to get going but I love you guys. Thank you for everything that you have taught me and helped me with. Thank you for all the love that you have given me.
The Church is true! (La iglesia es verdadera)
With Love: Elder Lucas Rodgers