Dec 14, 2015

Well right now I really miss Mexican food. Mexican food is 100% different than South American food. My companion and I are doing better getting along. He´s still a difficult nut to crack but we´re ok. I love the work. I just wish that our mission was more fun. We aren´t allowed to go to the ward Christmas party and we have to be in our house earlier than normal days for safety. I get so bored on Pdays because all we ever do here is play soccer gets kinda lame after more than a year straight. I am sure Kelly would love it but I miss basketball too. I am missing snow and the fun things you do at Christmas time. I hope your package gets here soon and no one opens it. Sorry having just a downer day. Everything is really fine. Looking forward to Skype call on Christmas.

Elder Jones

Dec 7 2015

So here in Bolivia "all" let's say many people from La Paz hate the United States. The President, Evo Morales took out the US embassy here and in all high schools, kids have to take language classes but they have to take a class on native languages from here. There are 3 big ones, Quechua, Guarani, and Imata. I have learned some words in Quechua but it is a super hard language. Pres. Morales doesn´t like the United States. He´s not entirely communist, he´s more like a Socialist. A lot of people like to complain about their way of life and there quality of life and how corrupt Pres Morales is. There are a lot of people here in Santa Cruz that do like the States. There´s an internal war here between La Paz and Santa Cruz. They do not like each other and seeing as how President Morales is a native from Bolivia (first native President since 12 years ago) he has made life crappy for the people here. All of the presidents before him were of Spanish decent or from Spain. You should look up what´s happening there.

When we enter a lesson or a house, some people want me to teach them English but it´s not too popular. Kids take english classes because they realize that it will help them better their lives but it's hard for them. I have seen many textbooks and the books do not give good enough information, neither do the teachers speak it very well.

Everybody here prepares to go to the Catholic misa or sacrament meeting on Christmas Eve. They also celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas day. That´s when they do all of their parties and drink and stuff. The 25th, nothing really happens. There are no trees, no wreaths, no snow, a few presents but not much. Probably like a new pair of shoes and shirt or pants. I don´t know why the 24th is special. In spanish it´s called La Noche Buena or The Good Night. I don´t know if Catholics from the States are different from here but here they worship a ton to Virgins. Every city has it´s own Virgin. They do parades with a little virgin doll on a pedestal that they carry around.

There is the history lesson for the week.

Nov 30, 2015

The baptism was scheduled for this Saturday the 5th, but it looks like it´s fallen through. She´s still gonna get baptized but now she´s decided for January. Her baby came a month early and now they´re in a small financial bind. We´re gonna see what we can do for them. My comp has only been a member for 2 years and a month now. He is 24 years old he has been on his mission for 9 months now. Hope you all are doing good.
Elder Jones

The mission home just sent this about how to send packages.  Must be mailed through US mail,weigh less then 4lbs.   phone number to mission home 591 3-333-7072 for customs form

Elder Jones
Misión Bolivia Santa Cruz
Casilla de Correo 2042
Zona Central
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Bolivia