Its go Forward day!!! March Fourth!!!

I guess its an omen that all is well!!!  Got to email chat for a long time with Jesse today.  His companion had a lot of emails to answer.  I guess when you've been out a while you keep up with all the other companions you've had.  He seemed in great spirits too!  He's doing great!!!

Mom and Dad;
The mission is going great we are finding investigators and all are pretty much golden. Most of our investigators that progress are referrals from the ward, but occasionally we come across a window with someone looking out and are able to get them to progress. On Saturday we found a woman and her daughter that way, who when we committed them were excited for baptism. They were not able to attend church Sunday because they were going to be visiting family, but it made me laugh because when we asked when a good time to come back would be the daughter immediately jumped to wanting us to come back tomorrow and the mother had to remind her that they were visiting family so we will end up visiting again tomorrow. The ward here is amazing though and very friendly there are a few families that when we have the time we are usually able to sit down and talk to them for a while and usually get a reference from them.

When it comes to meals there are members that we have on rotation for missionary visits. Meals consist of always soup, rice, beans, and some type of meat, mostly the meat is chicken and we have had no guinea pig yet. We always have soda with dinner to because no one has filtered water. In our house the tap and shower are both unsafe to drink, but we have water-bottles with a filter so we can drink anything with them and they need to be changed about every year.

Our area is a pretty good sized area and it is apparently one of the best in the mission, which I believe. Our mission, right now because it should change soon, has 11 zones, ours has twelve districts and our district is 3 companionship's. the language is coming great I can understand almost all of what people say, when they speak clearly otherwise I am lost. The problem I have is thinking of responses and just actually speaking because it takes me a minute to think of how to word something and by that time the moment is gone. The lessons are going great though and we are a great companionship with some top numbers in the zone this week. So it has been pretty good. I love all of you back home.

love, Elder Jesse McCammon

Here is some info I gleaned from our email chat...I asked how much his monthly allowance is and what all he has to pay for...he gets $160 a month, for food, cleaning supplies and laundry supplies...a ward member does their laundry, but they have to buy the supplies. He said they have ants and mold everywhere...nothing ever dries out because its so humid. He said he has a fan that goes from his desk to his bed morning and nite.  He had a pair of shoes that got wet when they were out in the rain 2 days ago and they were finally getting dry and they sit by the fan the whole day while they are gone.  They have a temple in Ecuador but they don't get to go unless one of their investigators go.    In his shopping around down there he told me he found some fun pants he might have to bring me home...Zumba is everywhere there, he said they hear the latin music everywhere even when they sleep and it makes him smile because people are Zumbaing all around and he thinks I would love it there and it makes him smile. He said "by the way you should look up the addidas F50s  I can get them for 6 dollars here I have a pair that are light blue with orange striping and they are sick. Every time I see these pink ones with blue striping I think wow those would make great zumba pants for mom!"  I told him he might have to pack a bag just for me when he comes home! I told him I sent an Easter package and to let me know when it gets there, and how it looks and not to get his hopes up to high its not too amazing.  He said they don't have kool-aid, jerky and taco seasoning there.  He had a story "there is a member down here that some missionaries let him try kool-aid and jerky and he is in love with them. Every time new missionaries come in or we stop at his house it is always where's my jerky and kool-aid. I don't care for jerky but the classic missionary kool-aid packet would be nice."  He said so far he hasn't found much that seems to be unique to Ecuador, but he is in a very Urban part, I told him to keep an eye you never know what you might want to remember.  He's not homesick, just really enjoying himself!  He sounds like the language is coming along pretty good and he's doesn't sound frustrated by it, so all in all a great letter!!!

 A salamander they found in their apartment

 A light snack of cheese and crackers and gatorade.

 Emelec Soccer Jersey, a local team in Guayaquil

 Jesse's Desk

Yes, Yes that is a game system...broken or at least it has no cords, but it makes him feel at home!!!

Mission Week 10

Wow the craziness of it all...already 10 weeks down and 94 to go!!!  I also got to do a little chatting while he was online...I wish the chat feature wasn't turned off on his email though it would be much quicker, and easier and I could probably ask more questions and get more answers!!!

Dear Family
The internet lounge I am at is about 5 min from our Casa, and my Spanish is feeling much better. The pictures you have our of our rain this is the second day we have had to deal with it. Elder Martinez (my companion) said that was the first time it had flooded to the door. The other photo is some local artwork of Bob Marley and on the other wall him as a lion, I assume high, but I thought it was interesting and you might like to see.
My area is about 20 minutes away from the mission office in an area called Puerto Liza, we are in the sector Amazonas 2. Me and my companion get along great. An average day consists of us waking at 630. An hour of personal study at 8, then companion study which never happens because we have so many meetings with zone and mission since we are so close to the office. At 11 is an hour of language study which usually gets pushed til after lunch because of the meetings. Lunch is at 1 with a member. Lunch is soup, rice, onions with tomato with green pepper with other vegetables, and a random meat, mostly chicken, but some others have said in other areas you just hope that it is beef. Then we go talk to our investigators after and visit with members and gain references. That is usually how we get new investigators because there is not much time for proselyting. Other areas in a recent multi-zone conference had reported their next four weeks and their numbers were huge, one zone did not have a week with less than 50 commitments. We come back at nine have daily planning and then prepare for bed.
On Sundays the difference is we have church at 4 til 8 and then we talk with investigators about their church experience. On p-day it is the same process but with no meetings and hour of companionship study and a half an hour of language study then p-day starts at 1030 and ends at 600 then an hour of proselyting and family home evening the rest of the night. Today for p-day we had to do some passport stuff and then we went to the mall and bought some ties for 3 dollars. The mall was supposed to have a taco bell too, but did not and I was disappointed.
Another cool part about our area is every morning from 630 to 1230 is like a giant farmers market/ garage, clothing sale. people sell phones, soccer jerseys, fish, vegetables, recently killed and pluck chickens, alive chickens, kitchen utensils fans, junk, i saw some Nintendo stuff, lots of womens underwear and bras, and just all sorts of random stuff. it is cool just to walk around and see. the fish and chicken is funny to watch when they are cutting it because they just smack the knife on it until it goes in.
So far having fun and enjoying every minute.
Love and Miss you all
Elder Jesse William McCammon

Surprise!! Snail Mail!!!

We received a letter in the mail Thursday that was sent by Jesse on Feb 10th...2 days before he left the MTC in Peru...he was probably hoping we would have got it before he was able to write again.  But when ever we get mail from him is okay by me!!! I think he sounds great!!!!

Mom,
Thank you for you letters and updates I really miss you and being able to talk and text updates and the convenience of the 'real' world.  Everyone says the mission goes by fast and it will be over before you know it, but I don't think I want it to go by fast.  Which is difficult because there are already times where I want to call home and talk with you, dad and the girls.  Even though I am making new friends and growing my family, I still miss home.  In Alma 56:47-56 it speaks of the stripling warriors and their faith in God and their strength that they had because of that faith.  They gained their faith from their mothers.  You have had such a wonderful impact on my life and your testimony and love of the gospel have strengthened my testimony and my love of the gospel.  I know in 22 months I will be disappointed I have to go, but joyous because it is back to my family.
Love Your Boy,
Jesse

Dad,
I have been thinking about how you are not able to golf for the next little while and how that puts you in the same boat as me.  As I thought more about it I found you re in the worse of the two situations.  In mine at least I get my tan, you just have to work more! :p   I miss being able to hang out with my dad.  I miss fight night, football and even though it is not golf season there, it is here and I miss it! There are days when I am out here and just wish I could have you with me or at least just talk to you.  I cannot wait until I have the next opportunity to call, hear voices and actually have a conversation with my family.  One of the new elders here has a quote by a photo of his family.  It states, "missionaries give up two years of their lives to others can be with their families forever."  I love that quote because even though I am out here away from all those fun things I miss out on with you, I am doing it so others don't have to miss out on those same things for eternity. I love you and the great example you have set in my life as a worthy priesthood holder, a great father, and a great friend.
Your best friend and son,
Jess

Here it gets a little shifty!!!  He wrote the girls in Spanish !  I will type what he wrote and then what Google translator told me it said!!

Abbie,
Yo escribire toota carta para usted en Espanol.  Yo amo usted mucho.  Usted sera un bueno ejemplo para su hermana esta muy amigable.  Como esta su escuela?  Todo A's espero.  Yo espero que este planeando en servir un mision. Yo no se mucho espanol, pero yo amo y miss usted mucho.  Yo estoy muy triste porque yo no puedo ver usted, pero usted es en me corazon y pensamientos y oraciones. Yo amo usted mucho.
Su Grande Hermano
Jesse

I will write to you (toota?) letter in Spanish.  I love you , very much.  You will be a good example for your sister is a very friendly.  How is your school?  All A's I hope.  I hope you're planning on serving a mission.  I do not know much Spanish, but I love and miss you very much.  I am very sad because I cannot see you, but you are in my heart and thoughts and prayers.  I love you very much.
Your big brother
Jesse

CeCe,
Yo escribire para usted en espanol tambien.  Come es escuela? Usted esta aprendiendo mucho?  Yo espero que usted sepa que yo ame usted mucho.  Yo quiero ver usted mucho, pero you puedo solo escribir a usted.  Necisita escribir tambien.  Si?  Yo amo usted.
Su Grande Hermano
Jesse

I write to you in Spanish also.  How is school?  You are learning a lot? I hope you know that I love you very much.  I want to see you very much, but I can only write to you.  I would like you to write me too.  Yes?  I love you.
Your Big Brother
Jesse

First letter from Ecuador!!!

First letter after two weeks of not hearing, it does a mothers heart good!!!

Hey,

I made it to Ecuador safely and I am doing well. I am sorry that I was not able to write before I left Peru, I really thought that i would be able to. so I apologize for the false sense of hope. I love it here. When we first landed I expected very similar weather to Peru but it is so much hotter and so much more humid. My new companion and i are getting along great. he went to Utah State and BYU for a while before coming on his mission. he is originally from mexico and has been in the field for 7 months. When I first arrived in Ecuador customs and security took all of ten minutes and i thought it was funny just because of how long it took in Peru  it was a lot shorter than expected. I am also apparently in the best mission on the earth. EGSM is apparently one of the highest baptizing missions in south america. within my first two days here we already had a new baptism commitment for each day from completely new people. The members and investigators both really love the missionaries and think it is funny that i cannot speak good Spanish  but i give it a shot. Tell Abbie to do well in her play and volleyball and tell Cierra i am glad she loves gymnastics and to keep up the good work. I will send pics of Ecuador, the apartment, and companion. I had some emails to catch up on this time so i don´t have too much time left. Tell Rigdon and Jadie hi for me and i am grateful for their letters. As for Easter all i can think of is some more of that prescription toothpaste from Bro. Bell. I love you and miss you all. 

Love Jesse.

PS fun story for the week. I was trackting in those old shoes that i brought just to wear them out and when we were talking with a member he asked to see them for a second, so i took them off and gave them to him and he left me shoe-less for 20 minutes. when he came back he had fixed them. I thought that was pretty cool. sorry i cant email more this week i love you all.

He did not caption any of these so I am assuming this is the view out the front door of his apartment.
[Balcony]

 His new companion...UPDATE:  Elder Martinez (Jesse wrote to Grandma his name, because apparently he has family in Tremonton!)

 His Apartment

 Not sure?!?!
[Hymnbook case]

Off to Ecuador

Well not hearing from Jesse on Monday or Tuesday I started to have a bit of a panic attack, so I email the MTC in Peru.  Apparently he left yesterday.  The MTC President is the one who responded to my email this was his reply: Yes, he left for Ecuador yesterday morning.  I do not know the policy of the mission president of when he will be able to write, nor do I know why he said that he would write on Monday, that usually does not occur.  He is a great missionary and we enjoyed having him here at the Peru MTC and are confident that he will serve well.  Thanks for rearing such a fine young man!

So I guess it doesn't do me any good to worry!!!  I'll just wait for Monday and if I get something quicker I'll be grateful!!!

Group Picture of USA Missionaries leaving Feb 12

Picture of the USA Missionaries in the Peru CCM with President and Sister Cardon

January 9-February 12

RAMA MANTI

Elder Larsen – Elder Fisher – Elder Turner – Elder Murri

Elder Jacobsen – Elder Dowble – Elder McCammon – Elder Jeske – Elder Valdez

Hermana Connors - Hermana Cardon – Presidente Cardon – Hermana Rider – Hermana Ayer

Week 4 in Peru

Last weeks letter sounded like he wanted a package so I ask what he wants and this is what I get!!!

Mom,

I don´t need or want a package, but I figured if you would have wanted to send something you could. Spanish is doing better we just had 6 new missionaries arrive from the USA and it made me realize that I have learned more Spanish than I thought. The fruits so far are the same (Abbie asked if he'd eaten any other bizarre fruits), except the granadilla and the bananas are huge. I do not really have a fun story for the week, but we also did not get to leave either so that could be a reason. I also do not have travel plans, but I do have my Ecuador visa, so I am good to go. The last group all they got was a paper that said flight, when, and where it leaves from. I would not really call them flight plans. Also on Tuesday me and Elder Fisher got pulled aside by the branch presidency, this is last Tuesday afternoon not today, and told us we were the zone leaders. which being a zone leader over 15 people in the CCM is not really a task or different, so yeah. 

I caught him on the computer so we chatted for a few minutes, I asked how come they didn't get to go out this week, and said congrats on Zone leader.   His Reply: we did not go trackting because it was everyone else's first week, we got to leave the CCM just not for trackting, this Saturday we will though. and zone leader is not fun, too many meetings and most of which are pointless.

He sent a few pictures and I told him I thought his face looked slimmer so I asked if he was eating to which he replied Yes, just not as much and I play a lot of soccer.

In my letter to him this week I asked about flight plans, meaning when do you leave for Ecuador.  His reply above makes it seem like he doesn't know.  Then when he says goodbye this is the sentence I get!!!

Love you sooo much i will write on Monday because i leave Tuesday i hope, love you Jesse

So apparently he leaves the MTC on Tuesday...I thought he had one more week there.  Who knows!?!

He attached a few pictures this week.  He looks so good.  Its amazing how much a mom can miss a face!!!

 Jesse and Elder Mejia wearing Jesse's gym clothes

 Jesse with Elder Richards (a roommate, one of many from the looks of the room!!!)  

Doesn't he look so happy!!!

A few pictures of the flowers in Peru and him messing with the settings on his camera!!