Still Quarantined

Jake was able to call Monday and Wednesday.  He only has a short time, so no emails.  He is doing well and seems to be in good spirits.  He is getting somewhat bored and looking for more things to do.  I uploaded some coloring pages, activity pages and new songs.

This picture is blurry, but they were moving mattresses around and wrestling. 

He went by the store to get snacks and "good" food...

I'm so proud of him staying happy and doing the best he can right now.  We're just patiently waiting for more information on what is going.  We know he will be coming home for a short time.  He definitely does not want to.  Once he gets home, we will "self isolate" as a family for 2 weeks before he is reassigned to somewhere in the US.  I am looking forward to spending this time together as a family and hearing all about Jake's mission so far. 

Home Quarantine

Home Quarantine

Jake called Monday afternoon.  They have been quarantined to their homes. He didn’t have much time, so he didn’t send an email, but gave me the run down on his week.

Monday – walked a lot and found 3 new people to teach.  FHE with a member who brought 3 friends.
While at Family Home Evening  and dinner they got a phone call telling them they had to be home by 7pm.  He got a call from the zone leaders telling him he had to pack his bags because he was going home.  He was disappointed and they told him they were just kidding.  Late in the night they got a call telling them they needed to go to the church the next day and get 2 weeks rations and water.  They were also told to buy medicine for the next 14 days. 

Tuesday – walked even more, this time to the edge of town and realized that the missionaries have never been to that area.

Wednesday – District meeting, found two new people to teach
They can’t shake hands anymore and have to tap elbows.  It’s hard to teach on the streets and meet people, but they are working at it.  

Thursday – he had Ice Cream and popsicle.  They were supposed to have a Family History activity at the church to prepare for the temple the next day, but that evening everything got cancelled…

Friday – Meet with the Bishop to plan for the ward and members
Saturday – planned more.  He’s taking more of a leadership role.  He said his Spanish is good enough to boss people around.

For his rations he mentioned canned tuna, crackers, and peaches.  They were able to continue to go to the pensionista’s for meals but are given and hour each meal. They can’t go to member’s homes for sacrament meeting.  They study at home.  He's trying to stay entertained.

COVID-19

March 16, 2020

We haven't heard from Jake today yet.  Given recent developments in Peru, I'm not sure if we will for a couple weeks.  I sure hope he is writing in his journal and recording his experiences.  I want to hear all about what he does to keep from being bored.  I'm guessing he will get a few good naps in, plenty of study time, and time to connect and build relationships with the other Elders in his house.

We got a nice email from his Mission President yesterday reassuring us that they are fine.

 For our part, the following measures and actions are being taken:

- Missionaries have been trained and are being reminded to follow standard preventive health practices.

- The Mission Department is closely monitoring the development of COVID-19 worldwide and is in close contact with Area Presidents, Area Medical Advisors and health professionals. We receive their periodic recommendations on how to proceed.

- We have provided each companionship with two weeks' worth of food and supplies, in case isolation (quarantine) is required

For their part, the missionaries are calm, optimistic that all will go well, and remain very focused on their Mission Statement.

As we speak with them, we are touched by their faith, hope and devotion.

We are grateful for their fervent prayers. We know that the Lord listens and cares for His faithful servants around the world.

News article from Peru:

President Martin Vizcarra on Sunday night reported that the Council of Ministers approved a Supreme Decree, which declares a state of national emergency for a period of 15 days and implies mandatory social isolation due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Peru.

The measure aims to prevent the disease from further spreading in the South American country.

In this sense, the top official indicated that —during this period of time— the Executive Branch guarantees the supply of food, medicine, as well as the continuity of the services linked to water, sanitation, electric power, gas, fuel, telecommunications, cleaning, solid waste collection, funeral services, and others.

Border closure

The President also announced the total closure of the borders, suspending international passenger transport, by land, air, sea, and river. It must be noted the transport of cargo and merchandise is not included.

"I want to emphasize, once again, that these measures, in no way, contemplate the closure of commercial establishments selling basic need products, pharmacies or banks, which will continue to operate and will be permanently supplied," he added.

Circulation

People allowed to circulate in public include those who are in charge of the provision of services and essential goods related to the acquisition, production, and supply of food items and pharmaceutical products; health centers; those who return to their place of residence; and people who take care of the elderly, children, dependent adolescents, and disabled persons.

Also exempted from the mandatory social isolation include financial entities; insurance and pension systems, as well as complementary and related services that guarantee their proper functioning; production, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of fuel; the media; and call centers.

Remarks were made from the Government Palace in Lima.

As is known, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 71 in Peru as at Sunday afternoon.

Mi cuarto cambio

Mi cuarto cambio

Hola madre,

Tuvimos un buena semana. Tuve intercambio, noche misional, noche de hogares, y dos milkshakes.

La primera cosa es tuve un intercambio otra vez. Pero esta tiempo fue con líder de zona en Casa Grande. Primero tuvimos un consejo de zona y aprender más acerca de nuestro objetivo como misionero. Todos los cosas nosotros hacemos es por bautismal y ayudar otra personas entre la puerta en la camino de JesuCristo. En 2 Nefi 32:21 aprendemos hay no otro camino pero JesuCristo pueda salvo. Después eso consejo de zona. Regresamos a Casa Grande. En este cambio yo aprendí más en cómo enseñar personajes y planificación. También en Casa Grande hay un tienda vende milkshakes. Y muy rico.

Tuvimos un noche misional también viernes. Y por nosotros muy last minute. La noche misional fue por la quórum de los élderes y ninguno de ellos ven.  Entonces nos misioneros ayudamos en esta noche. Yo enseñe un lección de El Libro de Mormón y mi compañero tuvo un juego. Muy divertido esa noche.

Y ayer tuvimos la ultima dia en cambios entonces nuestro pension hizo milkshakes por nosotros. Pero la page por milkshakes fue un poco cena. Como un paquete de galletas. (a package of saltine crackers)

This last week was lots of fun and full of learning opportunities. I was glad to help people out as well in teaching the gospel. My scriptures for this week is in Alma when he raises the title of liberty. Think about why you live the gospel and fight the day to day temptations.

Love Elder Cormack

Google translate didn't do a very good job translating Jake's message, so he wrote it again in English.

Otra vez

We had a good week this week. I had an interexchange with Elder Canaza, missionary night, Family night, and two milkshakes.

The first thing is I had was the interexchange again. But this time was with the zone leader in Casa Grande. First we had a zone council and learn more about our goal as a missionary. All things we do leads to baptism and helping others enter the gate to Jesus Christ. In 2 Nephi 32:21 we learn there is no other way but through Jesus Christ can we be saved. After that advice as a zone. We returned to Casa Grande. In this exchange, I learned more about how to teach others and planning day. Also in Casa Grande there is a restaurant selling milkshakes there are very good. I got the Oreo milkshake.

We had a missionary night also Friday. And for us it was very last minute. The missionary night was for the quorum of the elders and none of them showed up. So we missionaries help out. I taught a lesson from The Book of Mormon and my partner had a game. Very fun that night. And lots of Spanish practice.

And yesterday we had our last day in changes so our pension made milkshakes for us. But the price for these milkshakes was a little dinner. Like a package of crackers. (a package of saltine crackers)

Cinco de Mission

Cinco de  Mision

March 2, 2020

Buenos Días, Buenas Tardes y Noches. Depende cuando usted leyó esta correo de electrónico. Este semana fue bueno. Mi razones por esto Uno un intercambio, Dos mi espanol es mas mejor que el primero semana, y Tres mucho servicio.

Primero en este intercambio yo fui con el líder de distrito. Nosotros visitamos un investigador listo por bautismal y pusimos un fecha. Fue lo maximo. Okay now to English. I have done enough Spanish for you mom. We did a lot of walking because it is easier to contact people in this way and we found some amount of new people to teach. The most of this week is looking for people to teach and help`people know the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Faith is achieved step by step

Dos mi espanol es mas mejor que el primero semana. Por que yo se mas grammatica principios. Como (Yo he caminado más este semana que los pasado semanas).

 Bueno y mi tercero razón. Mucho servicio. Mi primo servicio was fixing a roof. and then the second was cleaning a school. It was interesting to fix this roof and lots of fun. We first showed up to cut a tree down and I have seen how a couple times so I was ready. But that wasn't available so we  went to fix that roof. Took off the old plastic and put on new plastic and then this bamboo to hold it down. The second service is what I did for a job collect trash. I was such a pro and remembered the reason to go to school. But it is always good to help others out and shows them the trueness of our gospel.

One more thing I am a pro chef now here in Perù. I made pancakes and milkshakes both opening an unfillable desire. But there is my week for yall. Love you and continue to do good. We are an example to this dark world. We stand out and help others find happiness.

Love Elder Cormack

Noche Misional (Mission Night)

Noche Misional  (Mission Night)

Feb 24, 2020

This week was packed and so much fun. Had interviews, zone conference,  a mission night and then preach the word.

It was great. We invited people to get baptized and had they accepted. It was great because when one person accepts and complex the invitations we give. They act on faith and repent in their lives. Repentance is a change of your life in the will of God.

Starting with interviews. That went very well. I understood everything the president was saying and able to return words back to him. The more time I spend here, the more I learn my language to preach. 

Next would be zone conference. Let me tell you something, when you teach someone use doctrine and the scriptures. When you teach the why we do a certain thing in the church or mandamientos. We are more likely to accomplish it and understand it. So I have been trying to teach doctrine in the lessons like the deep down whys. And it works. We were teaching one lady and started with law of chastity after a couple visits and she didn't believe in marriage, living together was okay. After we taught the doctrine of repentance and baptism she realized how important it is to be married. It is great to help teach the people in Peru. I also saw my MTC companion and talked to him for a little while.

Then we had noche misional (missionary night). We showed a video about the tree of life and it was the old animated stories. A funny, cheesy video but very true in lessons. We must hold on to the rod in the ever so troubling world. Where temptations are getting stronger and harder. The rod will lead us to the desirable and delicious fruit. And we may fall away at times. But I promise there will always be people to help bring you back to the rod. It is never too late to return and reach this tree. And once we have tasted of the fruit we must continue to strengthen ourselves so that we may help others.

That was the bigs of my week and not much else to occur but my daily studies and contacting the people of Peru. I did make french toast. So don't worry I can cook.

Love Elder Cormack.

Outside Church