2/7/22: Blockade Fiasco

 Biggest news of the week is that I'm now training! I had to say goodbye Elder Callata this last week but got to meet my new companion Elder Nuñez. He's from La Paz just like my own trainer was and they actually knew each other so that was funny. He's a great missionary and ready to work hard so

what we've been doing. 

The trip down to Santa Cruz for transfers was quite an adventure. The trip normally takes about 40 minutes. It turned into an all day event. There was a blockade on the freeway about half way to the city. A blockade happens every once in awhile, where some group or another piles stuff— could be tires or sand or semi trucks or concrete pilings— in the middle of the freeway to shut down traffic in order to get attention for their cause. We had no choice and had to turn around and go back to Montero to wait for the police to disperse the event. Then when we finally got moving hours later we got a flat tire so that was a whole thing too. Not to mention there was 9 missionaries and a lot of luggage (transfers) packed into the trufi that would normally hold about 5 people and it was about a million degrees out and the windows wouldn’t roll down. Frankly, we were all relieved that the flat tire happened, since it gave us a chance to stretch our legs and breathe some fresh air for a while. After the tire was fixed we all piled back in and finished the trip to Santa Cruz. We arrived around 4pm (only 8 hours later than scheduled). But it was all worth it, because we got to eat at president's house, and his wife Sister Hawkins made some amazing lasagna and cheesecake. 

Leading the area and training has definitely been an adventure but I have definitely seen the Lord bless us. I have really high hopes for this transfer and I think me and my new companion can get some good work in. Pray for my area, Guabira, and the lost gringo there trying his best to be a missionary. 

Talk to you all next week
Elder Allen




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