Hello Jungle of Quillabamba!

Remeber how I said in my last email that I would be training in Puno? Well an hour after I send out that update, the Zone Leaders called to tell me that they would be moving into our house to open a sector, and that I would be sent to the selva. Last Monday was a whirlwind trying to run errands and meet with people. I felt so blessed to have Hna Hollingshead with me, because she didnt complain once, even as I was crying and writing down a list of the needs of the people we taught

As much as I wanted to go say goodbye to everyone, there just wasnt enough time to do everything, and it was raining, so we didnt dare go hiking up the mountain. But at least my last Sunday in Puno was special, because I felt the need to pull Deysi, Jheysi, Abraham, Carlos, and Maricela aside to tell them how much I loved them and how proud I was to see them following the Savior. And there was time to make some phone calls that night to say goodbye, so I was grateful for that. 

The next day I left at 8am for Cusco, and the whole family of Mama Rosalia came to say goodbye. I can never fully thank them for all of the love that they showered us with. Saying goodbye to them and our investigators, converts, and less actives felt like I was leaving the States all over again. It is always hard to do, but what I have learned from the first time is that Heavenly Father watches over our loved ones. He has yet to let me down in that. :)

I stayed the night in Cusco with the other Hermanas who had also recieved the assignment to train, and two of them were Hna Hoskins and Hna Hunter from my group! We were so happy to see each other. And that night felt like a slumber party :D 

The next day we woke up early and them went to a training with President, and then received our hijas!

My companion for the next 3 months is Hna Jesperson! She is from Florida, and came to the mission speaking a ton of Spanish. We are pretty much at the same level, so we know that learning the language is probably not the reason why we are together, but we found our from the very start that we have a lot of things in common. One of them is the reason why she decided to serve a mission. We have gotten along really well since the beginning! 

After that training and planning for the week together, we ate lunch and then went out to contact in Cusco, like my group did when we got here. 

The next morning we took a bus to Quillabamba, which is a province 14 hours or so from Puno. It´s climate is just the opposite of what I have been in for 6 months, with humidity, heat, and tropical flours. It is next to the jungle! Other missionaries like to describe the climate like that of Hawaii, the only thing missing is the ocean! Needless to say, it is beautiful, and the people are really friendly. 

The only difficulties we have had lately is getting to know the investigators and less actives because the houses dont have exact numbers. But we live with another companionship of hermanas and they have showed us around. 

Another thing is, Hna Jesperson has been feeling kind of homesick, so I have been doing my best to show her how to love the mission and have fun. I dont know how Hna Chipunavi did it when she trained me, because I went through something really similar to Hna Jesperson. The only thing is, I am seeking to receive revelation like I have never done before in my life. This new assignment has made me realize how very inadequate I am without God, especially in trying to know the needs of my companion and our investigators. But I take things a day at a time, and He has been with me every step of the way. I am also learning so much from Hna Jesperson. She has been a real blessing to me in so many ways, and I love her so much already! 

I have to go now, but until next week! 

Hna Arroyo