Saying Good-bye in Aguzul.

We visited the branch of Aguazul for the last time.  They are special people, and are meeting in a casa capilla.

A good-bye lunch with friends.

With a beautiful view from the hills of Chia, we enjoyed lunch with friends.  President and Sister Santa Cruz from the Bogota Stake.   President and Sister Lozano, mission counselor, President and Siter Mantilla from Granada Stake. 

Good-bye to Elder MacKay.

Elder MacKay was one of our tallest missionaries.  We had him sit down for the photo so we didn't look so short.  We wish him well, and know he will do great in life. 

A painful memory.

This is the very spot where I fell and broke my arm 1 1/2 years ago.  The photo doesn't show how step the sidewalk is.   I try to avoid walking on this side of the street now so I don't repeat the painful event.

A conversation with this rock snake.

Often in our mornings walks, we pass this park with this huge  fake snake that looks like it is coming over the wall.   We stopped for a little conversation. 

The Henderson's fresh tamales.

Dr. and Sister Henderson love to cook the local Colombian food.   These are fresh tamales made in their kitchen.  We were grateful for the invitation to share them.

An enjoyable evening in Barrancabermeja.

We enjoyed visiting with our District president, President Castillo, and his wife, and Elder and Sister Martinez from Honduras.  Sister Martinez fell and broke her wrist, but it did not slow them down. 

Our newest zone is Barrancabermeja.

We are excited to have a new zone in Barrancabermeja.  We now have ten excellent missionaries in our new zone, but we also have one adult couple from Honduras there as well. 

A Spanish Dance for the San Gil party.

Sister Lemue danced a Spanish dance for the San Gil program.   Latin dancing is always fun to watch if it is from Spain or Latin American.

The members from the branch of San Gil.

These are many of the members that attended our despedida or Good-bye program in the little branch in San Gil.  This is one of our independent branches that meets in a casa capilla.

This is the beautiful garden around our hotel in San Gil.   It is so quiet and peaceful.   We love staying here.   This is what we look at from our breakfast table in the mornings. 

The last area council.

For the last three years, these men have met every three months to discuss the area and to get updated on new policies from the church.   From left to right: President  Navarro from Terraza,  President Morales from Duitama, President Wakefield the temple president, President Arrieta from Salitre, President  Mantilla from Granada,  President Castilla from Barrancabermeja,  President Hacking,  Elder Inbanz the area seventhy, President Gallego from Dorado, President Manasalva, President Bareno from Bucaramanga, President Moreno from Suba, and President Santa Cruz from Bogota.

The biggest hat rack I have ever seen.

When we go out walking in the mornings, we often pass this interesting metal tree,  It looks like a giant hat stand.   It is advertisement for the company that makes things out of this type of metal. 

Stake Conferences with the Canos'.

We have enjoyed partricipating in many stake conferences with President and Sister Cano from the temple presidency.   They are from Colombia, and they are very special people.

Our grandson, Garrett, sent us a photo of Flat Garrett to visit us in Bogota.  We enjoyed showing him around Bogota.   As you can see, the lady selling the candy was not very happy with Garrett's visit. 

Our first Canadian missionary.

We have added Canada to our list of homes for our missionaries.   Elder Valle Heigh arrived to join our mission, and we are sure we  will enjoy working with him. 

Welcome to our new missionaries.

This was our first group to have the North Americans that attended the Bogota MTC.  We have from the back from left to right, Elders Andino, Perry, Lam, Westerhyde, Avila.  Second row, Elders Aviles, Kirby, Veil, Ortiz, and Sister Fernandez.  We always enjoy the enthusiasm of the new missionaries. 

Saying Good-bye to our next to the last group.

This was our last group to say good-bye from our house.   They ate Ajiaco and enjoyed the evening with laughs, good food, and lots of good memories.  We have from left to right Sister Vanegas, Elders Sossa, Nunez, Godoy, and Sister Ribera.  We wish them well.

A great missionary

Elder Wilburn has been one of our excellent missionaries.  He returned home for some health issues, but we hope to see him soon back working with us in the mission. 

An unforgetable evening.

While in Lima, Peru, for our Mission President Seminar, 14 of our special returned missionaries paid a visit to us at our hotel.  front from: girl friend of Elder Garcia, Elders Garcia, Huaita, Gamarra, Machacuay, Sisters Loayza and Abinagorta, Elder Reyes and Mucha.  Back row:  Elders Justiniano, Zari, Mejia, Peche, Butron, Fernandez. 

The Old Timers.

                            It was so special to have so many of our special returned missionaries.   We have Elders Zari, Fernandez, Peche and Mejias.

Did you say Inka Cola anyone?

                       They said they would show up any time if there was Inka Cola to be served.

Our two beautiful sisters.

   Sisters Abinagorta  and Loayza were our two only sisters in the group, but it was sure fun to see them.

Elder Garcia, Elder Peche,  Elder Fernandez, Elder Zari, Elder Mejia, and Elder Butron were  full of smiles.  They all seem to be doing well.

Yea! Chocoramo.

All was happy with Inka Cola, nuts, chips, ans for sure chocoramos from Colombia

Granada Stake Conference

After the Granada Stake Conference, we were hosted to a yummy dinner of buffalo.  A good way to end the day.   President and Sister Mantilla are in the corner. 

Leaving for their missions.

These two sharp girls are leaving for their missions. Sister Mayda Rangel from Barancabermeja is going to Chile, Concepcion South, and Sister Leidy Parra from Yopal is going to Peru, Lima East. These two beautiful girls will represent our mission very well.

They came and left and came again.

Sister Pacheco and Elder Andrade came to the missionary training center from Ecuador, but they had to return to get their visas and then they returned again. These are two dynamic missionaries.

Our April departures.

We said Good-bye to Elder Espinal, Elder Ramiriz, Elder Acosta, Elder Balboa, Elder Montero, and Elder Montenegro. Sitting is our Sister Armijo. We love them and will miss them.

What a good group of new missionaries.

We love the new missionaries. Here we have on the back row: Elder Ruiz from Nicaragua, Elder Velasquez from Costa Rica, Elder Gallegos from Nicaragua, Elder Sales from Utah, Elder Gillette from Arizona, and Elder Ludi from New Mexico. Sitting in front are Sister Peralta from Peru, and Sister Suarez from Argentina.