End of and Era

I remember that first day arriving in Asuncion. It was so hot and I was in my suit. I remember being in a van looking out the window and seeing the bustling city around me. Even at 6 in the morning it was so warm and humid. The whole country of Paraguay seemed a little post-apocalyptic to me. The dated and falling apart buildings all overgrown with vines and branches. Tons of trees. The power lines that seemed so tangled and messed up. Everything seemed slowly decaying. And it seemed that even though I was brand new and just starting, things were also ending.

And in a way they were.

I remember President Hansen taking us to the temple hostel where he told us that he only had 6 months left. He also said that even though he would leave before most of us reached a year on our mission, we would always be like his kids. Looking around at the mission office, with a ton of elders, I felt like I was home. I had parents and brothers and sisters and a place to stay. It was a good feeling. If only I had known that the last time I would see President Hansen was that day, through a jumbled mess of bus tickets, luggage, and a crowded terminal. I always felt like I was going to come back and see him or he was going to come and see me but it never happened. Nevertheless, I have always felt love from him. 

Presidente Faundez and his wife arrived about a week before President Hansen left. There is no formal changing of the guard when it comes to mission leaders. Really all that happens is they give the new couple the keys and introduce them to the assistants. That is pretty much it. I included a picture showing the Faundez's coming in and the Hansen's leaving.

I have been called to be a trainer in the mission. Which means that the Lord has trusted me to be the first companion of a new Elder in the field. Any question he has or any thing he needs to learn is my responsibility. I was initially really excited about the opportunity, but I am also a little anxious. I just remember how well I was trained almost a year ago.

Before I got to meet my new companion I was in a trio in San Ignacio for a week. It was awesome being with two other American companions. Then I got to travel back to Asuncion to pick up my companion. I'm losing time so I will cut it short right here but I have many more stories to tell for the next one.

tchau