Leaving Lima for Cusco, Peru to Finish Mission

We are being sent to Cusco, Peru on January 17th to copy records in the archives. This assignment always has political considerations and a year or so ago there were contract workers filming records. The archives has moved and missionaries have been requested to return to photograph records again.

Cusco is a resort town at an altitude of 12,000 feet in the Andes. Cusco is a main tourist destination for Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.  This area was the center of the Inca Indians civilization. Machu Picchu is in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was one of the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes encompasses the upper Amazon basin and is a site to behold.

Machu Picchu is known as the last stronghold of the Incas and a one of the most superb architectural's examples of the use of natures raw material in Latin America. The stone work of the site remains as one of the world's great examples of the use of rare and ancient material. This stone work is totally designed by the Inca people and is an example of a Inca's relationship with nature. The people living around Machu Picchu continue a way of life which closely resembles that of their Inca ancestors.

We feel blessed and privileged to spend our last five months in such a beautiful place to continue photographing records.  We have found an apartment and will be changing to the Cusco Mission.

Please! Please! Brer Bear Don't throw me in the Briar Patch!

Muchu Picchu

Jim's Family Visits Muchu Picchu 

Cusco

Soon after we arrived in Lima our Mission President assigned us to the LA Molina Veja Ward.  I think the president's idea was for us to help the ward members, but it has been a greater blessing for us.  The members have been beyond wonderful and treated us in an extra loving way. We have been to their homes for Family Home Evening, Sister Bloomer has gave and received cooking lessons, we have attended ward temple sealings, worked with the ward missionaries, witnessed convert baptisms, and have made some very very special friends.  The members help us with our Spanish and made sure we are included in all their ward activities. During one ward activity, I got a pie in the face.  At another activity, I played soccer with the youth and other ward members.  Because of this experience I was later ask to plan in the Area Soccer tournament.  While I am no good at soccer, I now how to play with the enthusiasm necessary for Church Sports.  They showed me no mercy and I was often the victim of their enthusiasm.

This has been one of the best parts of our mission, and a wonderful opportunity to know the members better.  When we depart for Cusco for the last four months of our mission, we will dearly miss the wonderful smiles, wonderful spirits and loving ways of the La Molina Veja Ward.

President Ardila, Thank you for the opportunity and experience.

Brother and Sister Bloomer