I have been in El Palmar*,*(Los Lotes), Santa Cruz, Bolivia for a little over two weeks now. I left the MTC on Monday Morning, March 27, 1995 at 8:30 a.m. I went to the Salt Lake airport with the other missionaries departing at that time. After I had checked in my luggage, I saw my family for about two or three hours. They gave me several various items - candy bars, etc. The last time I get to see Chad until 1998.-June or later. Chad will be an RM when I see him aagain! Wow! I traveled to Atlanta, Miami, La Paz, + Cochabamba. Each flight was different. Each airport was different. When we first took off I was extremely amazed, especially when I saw we were moving at 600 mph at 33,000 feet. I never realized it was that much. Almost before I knew it, I had traveled further than I ever had before. I went through Colorado, Kansas, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, + Florida. I tried
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April 13, 1995
to talk about the gospel with several people--but didn't. When I arrived in Cochabamba, we met Elders Robles + Bernald--the assistants to the President, + President + Sister Rubio. It was difficult to understand everything. We went to the office -- where we got confused, an upper room--where we slept and ate, The President's housee--wehre we ate + got confused, *and* the town-where we - got pictures + formal gov't stuff, adn the bus station--where we left. I traveled all night by bus, arriving in Santa Cruz at about 8:30 Wednesday, March 29, 1995. *-* (The time is 3 hours ahead here). I met my companion + zone leaders. Elders Morresi + Vasquez are the zone leaders, and Elder Bravo + I are the district leaders, and Hermanas Rocabado and Bueno are the Hermanas. Elders Jepsen + Rivera are the other district's leaders, and the others are (approx.) Elders Jackson + Chuvas + Elders Fonsec*o*a + Komadin*o*a. We are from Utah, New Mexico, Missouri, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Argentina. I think. There are many great people here - members + investigators a few - members Flores, Gutierrez, Sanchez, Cejas, + Bishop Torres families, and investigators-- Oswaldo C. + family, Aidaluz + hermanos, and Gregorio _____. I am still confused most of the time about the language, but I can see progress. The conditions are poor-- especially here.- My shower is a pitcher and a bucket of well water - with a piece of tin for privacy. The toilet has to be flushed with well water as well. Therefore, basically, there is very little electricity, and even less running water. It's Great! The people are generally surprisingly receptive. I baptized a little girl (11) on April 2, 1995. That really felt special. Marianela Torrico. My companion, Elder Bravo, is a good missionary, + has been here for one year. *At* I have missed regular scripture study, conference, potable water and all of the other necessities of life. Yesterday, I went on a split with Elder Morressi. It went very well - I enjoyed it. It's great to testify of the gospel to others. I know that its the work of the Lord + will continue to *to* spread to all the earth. Gospel's True.
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