Photos from the Deep South

I wrote a short letter today because I needed the time to send these photos. Also I shrunk them all down so i could send them. (lo siento)

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Airport in Buenos Aires

 Buses in Asuncion

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This is how we ride!!!

Our Washing Machine

The Nice Little Chapel

On the Trail with my Companion

These are the trails we take to get to our area (40 - 50 min.)

Mission Address

PLEASE NOTE!!!  Elder McShinsky did not send us this address.  I found it on the site for the mission at: http://www.mission.net/paraguay/asuncion/missioninfo.php

Mission Home Address:
2881 Del Maestro c/ Caballero
Barrio Herrera
Asunción, Paraguay
United States

Mailing Address:
POUCH
Paraguay Asuncion Mission
PO Box 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150
United States

General Phone: 011 595 21 601 392
Fax:
2011417@ldschurch.org

Dec. 17 - It's all Good

Dear Family,

The flight was good, and long, but we did arrive in Paraguay in the end.  We ate that night with President Callen and stayed at a hotel in Asuncion.  The then the next day we found out who our new companions where.  Everyone's trainer was there except for the companions of 2 elders.  One of those Elders was me.  So I had to travel with a group and then with another Elder all morning on buses to Caaguazo where I met my trainer.

My city is about dead center of south Paraguay and a long ways away from anything else.  Next to our pension is another one with 2 more Elders, and I´m told its the only one in the mission to have 2 companionships so close to each other.  I´m also told its about the worst housing in the mission. But it's all good and I just feel like I´m at a some kind of camp all the time:).  My area is actually outside of the city in whats called "New City".  It's a really interesting place, but the people are friendly... as far as I can tell... using my limited Spanish... (I understand more then I thought I would), but that is at about 0.0001% on top of that because I´m out in the jungle so there is a ton of Guarani mixed in.  It makes pretty much no sense to me an the moment. 

Asuncion was hot, but here it is HOT. I´ve already kinda grown accustomed to all kinds of sweat pouring off me all day.  Even my companion from Argentina thinks its way hot and we´re both sweating all day.  But it's all good.  My companion is Elder Bermidi. The people here have trouble with saying my last name and the have no idea where to start with my name.  So if it sound remotely close to our names, we respond, that or if its got an Elder tagged onto the front of it. :)

Love you all,

-Elder McShinsky

P.S.  Quote of the week,  "What are you talking about laws for? Your in Paraguay, there are no laws!" (Its really kinda true, you can do pretty much anything, especially drive however in the world you want to.)

P.P.S.  Next week I´ll see if I can get some pictures sent to you.  Its a really interesting place here in Paraguay.  You see some crazy stuff:)

So...

We decided to start the letters now.  That is, from Paraguay and on...

First Letter - October 27th

Dear Family,

Thank you for your love.  Now, Where do I start?  So much happens at the MTC that you hardly have a moment to breathe.  My first day we were ushered around to this place and that, and then off to our classroom to meet my companions; Elder Buhidar and Elder Hewitt (The guy we met at R.E.I.).  That night we finally got a quick moment of spare time in which we met the other Elders in our zone.  To my surprise, Elder Stollic from BYU Youth was in my zone as well.  The next day, one of our elders was moved to a higher class and Elder Hansen was assigned as my new companion.  Elder Hansen is from Texas and has been attending West Point for the past two years.  He’s a big kid. 

In that same day, we learned to pray and testify in Spanish.  The Spanish is hard.  There is so much to learn and no time to learn it, but I keep working at it.  Elder Hansen has a torn ACL, so we go off the MTC to physical therapy for him every couple of days.  It’s a good time to read doctrine and practice my Spanish.  On Sunday, the branch president called me as a district leader over our district.  I have learned a lot and feel at home with these other elders.  I hope to do my best.

I know that our Heavenly Father loves and cares for us.  He listens to our heart and feelings more than our voice.  He feels for us. And because he feels so deeply for us, he has provided a way for us to express ourselves to Him.  He wants us to pray and feel his love.  I know that if we do pray and ask for that comfort, He will bless us in ways we can’t imagine. 

Abraham 2: 7-8  “For I am the Lord thy God; I dwell in heaven; The earth is my footstool; I stretch my hand over the sea, and it obeys my voice; I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot; I say to the mountains Depart Hence- and behold, they are taken away in a whirlwind, in an instant ,suddenly.” 

The Lord has all power and a plan set forth.  This plan can only go into action, however, if we ask for his help.

By the way, the oldest Elder McShinsky is Elder Phil McShinsky. J

Oh, and my P-days are on Thursdays.

-Love Elder McShinsky

Welcome

Welcome to the mission of Elder James McShinsky.  We're sorry this started so late (just a few weeks), but we hope you will enjoy seeing updates about James's mission in the field.