Week #11

Week #5 in Obligado, Paraguay

September 30, 2013

Zac forwarded an email that was sent to him on special instructions on packages. Check "Mailing Information" for the update.

Email 

Hello everyone!

So for some reason I always have the hardest time remembering what I did over the past week, so writing this letter each week is super hard, but I will do my best! 

On Wednesday we did some service for a member in the branch. Service is always really great because you're able to wear regular clothes! It's a lot better to sweat in regular clothes than in a collared shirt and tie. The service was nothing too strenuous so that made it even better. So they're building two more rooms and another bathroom onto their house for their daughter and husband to live in. It's quite interesting to see how they build their homes down here compared to back at home. They build them a lot simpler without insulation and it's all made out of bricks. Anyways, we sanded down the walls in the bathroom to make them smooth to paint. We did that for a couple of hours and then went back to the house and showered. Oh and I forgot to mention I got my first haircut here in Paraguay! It was better than I thought so that was good. It was a little difficult to tell him what I wanted though.... but my mom knows I had troubles knowing what I wanted without the language barrier. So yeah I just showed him with my fingers and using the few Spanish words I know. The haircut costed 20 mil so about $4. 

On Thursday we went and talked with Rosa again! She seems to be progressing pretty well, it's just difficult to get the message through that our church is the only true church. Because like after we share with her part of our message she stops us and goes off on what she believes and it's all correct for the most part. We went by her house on Saturday night to see if she could come to church with us the next day and to also talk with her about her baptismal date, but she wasn't there, she was at some activity for the Catholic Church so yeah as you can imagine that kind of made us a little frustrated. We went on Sunday afternoon to visit her again and she was there so that was good. So like she is really starting to enjoy the Book of Mormon, she mentioned how it's like a continuation of the Bible. So we're really proud of her for that. We told her to continue to pray about the Book of Mormon and what not. We asked her if she will continue to work towards her baptism, but she's still a little shaky about being baptized. Next time we meet with her we plan on giving her a baptismal date and hopefully she agrees to work on being prepared to be baptized then. 

On Friday I went on divisions with Elder Bingham, my district leader, so that was nice. We went around tracting, but didn't have too much luck. We did come upon this one lady named Maxima, she was really sweet. She mentioned how the missionaries have come before, but years ago. So we talked with her for a bit and taught her the first lesson, the Restoration. We plan on going back and visiting her sometime this week. 

Later that night when we were back in the house I did this crazy ab workout with Elder Bingham and jeez it was rough for me, being out of shape and everything. I'm still a little sore from it today.... haha. 

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting, so that is always a good day. It was really neat, so there were 16 members at sacrament meeting and everyone bore their testimony except for the two little kids which were like 2 and 5 years old. It was a sweet experience! I bore my testimony and it was about as long as the 8 year old kid's but hey, it was pretty good and I think everyone understood it. It's funny because I think of all these things I could say but as soon as I get up there I forget it all and just have to go off scratch. 

Oh and some good news I found out yesterday, for General Conference we will be going to Encarnacion; and in the church building there, they will have a room where conference will be in English! I was worried about that, whether it would be all in Spanish or not. So now I'm super excited for conference  I hope all you back home are able to watch it all and get your very own personal revelation from it :) Anyways that's all I have for now, have a good week and good conference weekend! I love and miss you all!

Love always,

Elder Thayn

Pictures 

A picture of the entry to Obligado, as you can see it has a lot of German influence.

My first haircut in Paraguay!

My first haircut in Paraguay! Part 2




"NOTICE: These email messages and pictures are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited."

Week #10

Week # 4 in Obligado, Paraguay

September 24, 2013

Email

Hello,

I would just like to thank everyone for all of their prayers, love, and support! I'm so glad I have a great family and friends that have been awesome examples in my life. Things have gotten a little better but not much. I'm just trying to focus on my purpose as a missionary. 

So last P-day for dinner we all (My district leader, his companion, and my companion) decided to have a little fun and we bought pizza and brought it back to our house. It was great to have some fun like that, even though the pizza isn't nearly as good as the pizza back home. On Wednesday we went back to one of our investigator's house and talked to her more. Her name is Rosa and she seems pretty interested in our church. She knows a lot about the bible and the Catholic Church. But she even told us she doesn't believe the Catholic Church to be 100% correct. So I'm hoping as we have talked with her and will continue to talk with here she will be able to feel the Spirit and know our church is the true church of Christ. We gave her a Book of Mormon and we told her to read 3 Nephi 11 and pray about it. Oh and we also committed her to come to church with us. So yesterday we brought her to church. I think she enjoyed it, it's hard to know since I only understand parts of what she says. But during Sunday School she even participated and answered questions. I hope she comes with us next week! 

On Friday we met a guy named Victor. We talked to him about the Restoration and how Heavenly Father loves us and answers our prayers so we asked him to pray about what we have talked about. It was so weird cause I thought he was like 29, 30 years old, but it turns out he was only 20 years old! He even had a wife that he has been with for the last 5 years. She was at school when we visited so we weren't able to see her. But we're suppose to come back this week and visit again and she's suppose to be there. 

On Saturday we had a Mission Conference with all the missionaries from the Paraguay side of our mission. It was so great because I was able to see everyone from the MTC. We also got delicious pizza to eat, so yeah it was a great day. The area president and his wife spoke to us but of course it was all in Spanish... haha so it was super hard to understand. It seems like everyone from the MTC has been going through the same problems and struggles, so it's good to know I'm not the only on having a hard time. And sometime soon we're suppose to all go to Asuncion to sign some more paper work but we haven't heard of when it will be. I'm excited for that cause that means I will see everyone again! Well that's all for now. This past week has been hard because we haven't been able to work for certain reasons.... but hopefully we will be able to start working hard as soon as possible cause I know it will help me feel better. Anyways I hope everyone is well at home :) I love you all!

Love,

Elder Thayn

Pictures 

Elder Thayn send several pictures I've posted a few of them 

Obligado, Paraguay

Our pizzas, yum!

Oh yes 6 slices of pizza all for me!

A cute little puppy we found! He waddled behind us for like 4 blocks!
I kind of just wanted to break the mission rules and take him home as a pet and keep him!
I mean after all I understand him just about as much as Elder Aguinaga, haha!

 "NOTICE: These email messages and pictures are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited."

Week #9

Week #3 in Obligado, Paraguay

September 16, 2013

We were surprised to hear from Elder Thayn so early today, maybe he was making up for being so late last Monday,haha.

Email

Hello everyone!

As you all probably know I've been having a rough time out here. Mostly because I've been feeling really lonely and I have no one to talk to so all I can think about is home and how much I miss everyone. I'm just trying to keep a positive attitude, its just so hard to do for such a long period of time. 

So on Tuesday and Wednesday I did divisions with our district leader, Elder Bingham. It was so nice because I was able to talk to him and was able to express to him anything I wanted to. I went with him to Encarnacion because he had a meeting with all the leaders in our zone. It was really cool cause Elder Averett's companion is a district leader as well so I was able to see him and talk with him once again. So all of the companions of the leaders all went on splits while the leaders had their meeting. We had to walk quite a ways to get to the area we would be working at. There were 6 of us and we first went to a lady's house and did some service and then after that we ate lunch at a member's house. After that we headed back to where the leaders were. I met up with Elder Bingham again and then we took the 2 hours trip back to his area. I stayed with him overnight again since it was too late to head back to Obligado. 

Thursday morning we headed back to Obligado and met back up with our companions. Elder Bingham left with his companion so everything was back to normal after that. So Elder Aguinaga's back has been really hurting him lately. So that has been the story for the last couple of days. I think that's why the last several days have been so hard because we haven't been able to go out and work that much because of his back. So we've just been taking it easy and resting. We've just been meeting with Hermana Presentacion and her family. So as you could imagine I was really bored, I mean I tried my best to listen but I can only do it for so long. So yeah that's when I would think about home. Well hopefully this week will be better and I won't feel so terrible as these last 3 weeks. 

I love all you guys back home and hope everything is going well there. I would like to thank you all for all of your love and support! 

 

Elder Thayn

Extra tidbit -
I asked Elder Thayn how much money he received a month for expenses. His reply: "750 mil guarani."
I did the current currency exchange rate for the Paraguay Guarani (PYG) and it turns into about $168.64 US dollars.                        

Pictures

El Campo, by Encarnacíon, Paraguay

El Campo! When I went on splits in  Encarnacíon.

That's where I slept when I was on divisions with Elder Bingham

 "NOTICE: These email messages and pictures are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited."

Week #8

Week #2 in Obligado, Paraguay

September 9, 2013

P-day (Monday) we waited & waited to hear from Elder Thayn. It wasn't until 5pm that he finally emailed. He had been at Zone Conference in Encarnacíon, Paraguay and wasn't sure he'd be able to make it back in time to email. Yay, he was able to make it back in time!!!

First Baptism!

Email

Well as a lot of you guys know I've been having a really hard time here. I think it's just because it´s such a big culture shock and the language of course. It´s hard cause since my companion only knows Spanish  and I can´t really communicate with him that well.  Because of that, I feel so lonely and whenever we have down time I have nothing else to do except think about home and how much I wish I were there. Anyways, I hope everything will get better soon. 

So totally on a different subject guess what? 2 days ago on Saturday I got my first baptism! And I was actually able to baptize her. I had the words memorized but I just needed help with pronouncing her name right. Her first name was Yolanda and she was 13 years old. It was such a neat experience to baptize her. The baptismal font is basically a plastic tub, haha. The water felt great though!

Saturday was the best day here so far, not just because of the baptism but also because our district leaders came down for the baptism and one of them speaks English. So I was able to talk to him for a long time. They actually slept over at our apartment on Saturday night and left early Sunday morning for church. Ah I just wish I had someone to talk to and help me feel better. I mean Elder Aguinaga is a great missionary I just can´t really communicate with him. Anyways its hard to remember all that happened earlier this week. We just have been tracting around Obligado, we haven´t had any luck with new investigators this week so that´s too bad. We are just both trying to get used to the area since both of us are new here. The members are really great, I mean as much as I can understand. haha. Anyways yesterday was church and I had the opportunity to bless the water, so that was really cool. Today we had a zone meeting in Encarnacion. It was awesome because I was able to speak in English and see Elder Averett again! Since he's in my zone. But we were only together for like 3 hours. Well hopefully tomorrow I will start feeling better. I love you all at home and miss you all so much. Have a good week!

Excerpt from my email answering some questions I had asked: 

So yes we're on foot and we actually don't have to walk too far. Like probably 7 miles throughout the day. The food is pretty good, its actually a lot of noodles and rice and meat and stuff. I ate a chicken heart and that was pretty gross just really bloody and it had a weird texture. So that was the crazy food I have eaten so far. And we have one a/c in our room but no heater, it's been hot so we don't need it. Yes we have gone shopping but no they don't have top ramen. Haha I just buy sandwich stuff. I'm starting to get used to the money and stuff. (Laundry) No we have this sister in the branch do it. We pay her 300 mil a month to do our laundry and she provides lunch everyday.

Pictures

A member's home in Obligado

Hermana Presentacion's home, she does our laundry and we eat lunch here every day

My First Baptism

Yolanda and Me by the baptismal font

Elder Alguinaga, Yolanda, me

Elder Alguinaga, Yolanda, district leaders & me

Zone Conference in Encarnacíon, Paraguay

Elder Averett, Sister Wilde & me

 "NOTICE: These email messages and pictures are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited."

Week #7

September 1, 2013

Elder Thayn's mission president said Monday was his...

so...we waited...and waited...to hear from him. 

It was the first time we've heard from Elder Thayn since he left the USA. He was able to find a place to use the internet and email. 

Email 

Wow a lot has happened over the last week and a couple of days! So I will try to get everything in. So we left the MTC at 6 in the morning on Tuesday the 27th. We took the Frontrunner, then tracks to the airport. Our plane left at 12:30 PM so we were all able to call home which was awesome! We took off from SLC to Dallas, Miami, then finally Asunción, Paraguay. That last flight was super long but I was able to get some sleep which was good. 

Once we arrived in Paraguay we had some complications so we ended up staying at the airport for like an extra 3 hours until it got all sorted out. After the airport we did some paperwork then we were actually able to go see the Asunción Temple which was sweet! 

We had to take a 6 hour bus ride to Encarnación which is across the border from Posadas. We spent the night at the mission home but we didn't arrive there until 1 in the morning so it was a very long day. 

The next day we were able to meet all of our new companions. My companion's name is Elder Aguinaga and he's from Peru. He's has been out for almost a year. And so yeah, he only knows Spanish.... haha so that's has been quite a challenge. That night we got to our apartment and let me say it's way different. I'm just happy it's winter still or else I guess there would be tons of cockroaches! 

Anyways the last couple of days we have been talking and getting to know the members. We taught one lesson to Yolanda who is getting baptized this Saturday so that's pretty sweet! 

Yesterday we were able to go to church. I think there were 27 members there. Oh and the Branch President had me bare my testimony so that was fun. Haha. I think everyone understood it. 

It's kind of funny because everyone has cell phones and TVs here and even smart phones but a lot of them have dirt floors in their homes or no indoor plumbing. Seeing all the people here and what they have makes me feel really grateful for America and all the stuff we have at home. Anyways that's all I have for now! I love all you guys so much! 

I asked Elder Thayn what he did for his p-day, like did he go grocery shopping, etc...his answer:

We went to a members house for lunch. We actually haven't gotten any money on our cards yet because I guess there's a problem, so we literally have no idea what we're going to eat each meal. Lucky I have snacks from the MTC still. 

Pictures 

Elder Thayn uploaded a total of 26 pictures using a different method other then emailing. I will just post a few. Unfortunately he did not use the caption on the pictures to let us know what it is/where it is/who it is so I'll do my best to figure them out, some are easy.

Zac at the Asunción, Paraguay Temple

Bus drive to Mission home

Elder Thayn eating at a restaurant in Paraguay (I see the Paraguay flag) with all the new missionaries before going to Mission home in Posadas, Argentina

Elder Thayn on a bus drive to Obligado, Parguay with  his new companion (Elder Aguinaga), maybe?

Elder Thayn in his raincoat (he mention it had been raining)

New apartment pictures

 "NOTICE: These email messages and pictures are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited."

Week #6

August 27, 2013

Elder Thayn left the Provo MTC for Argentina on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.  From Salt Lake City he flew to Dallas then Miami.  We were able to talk to him at each of those airports, and after 6 weeks of not hearing his voice, it was awesome. From Miami he flew to Asuncion, Paraguay, where his travel plans end. How he gets to the mission home in Posadas, Argentina he did not know.

August 31, 2013

He is there!!!

Finally an email...not from Zac but his mission president.  President LaPierre sent us an email along with 5 pictures.

Email #1

August 31, 2013

Dear Thayn Family,

My wife and I had the privilege to welcome Elder Thayn to the Argentina Posadas Mission. We are excited to have Elder Thayn in our mission to contribute to edify the Church of the Lord here in The Argentina Posadas Mission. 

Elder Thayn was assigned to labor in Obligado Area with Elder Aguinaga as their trainer. During his mission, Elder Thayn will have opportunities to work in the Providence of Misiones in Argentina and Paraguay due to the mission having two countries. Although, Argentina and Paraguay are neighbors, they have different cultures and customs.

On Monday, they will have their preparation days where he will be able to communicate with you every Monday. The communication is generally done over E-mail, or to communicate with letters or packages, the direction of the offices of the mission is:

Elder Thayn 

Córdoba 1243

Posadas, Misiones 3300

Casilla 12

Argentina

We are very grateful for sending us a missionary spiritually prepared; he will be an influence in the lives of the investigators that they will teach, members who they will get to know, to his companion and other missionaries.

With love, 

XXX LaPierre

President of the Argentina Posadas Mission

Pictures from the Mission Home

Can't wait to hear from Elder Thayn on Monday, his P-day!!!