Friday, May 25, 2007

Natalio Satellite Picture

I put a link to a satellite map of the area where Clancy lives. He said that Natalio is a small town that is a strip of about 3-4 blocks wide. If you click on the link found on the right hand side of the blog (just below the "links") labeled "Maplandia" you will be able to see it. It is marked by a red marker point. You can also click on the following link and it will take you to the same site. You can zoom in closer by by clicking on the + sign on the left hand side of the map. Have Fun!!http://www.maplandia.com/paraguay/itapua/natalio/

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Mother's Day 2007

Hi -- I fell a little behind on blogging. I think in the last blog I told you that I'd write how Clancy sounded over the phone. Mother's Day presented a little bit of stress about county codes and confusion on time zones. We were supposed to call Clancy at 12:45 his time, but there was a misunderstanding about what his time was compared to ours (they are on the same time zone). Well, we weren't able to contact him and needless to say, I (his Mom) had a little meltdown.
After church there was a message on our answering machine from the mission secretary telling us that Clancy would be waiting for our call at 8:00pm. We called and talked to him for a bit. He sounded good. He was on a bus headed for the zone leaders apartment 1 1/2 hours away. They ride the bus there every Sunday evening so they can meet with the other missionaries to play sports on Monday, use the computer, etc. Clancy is learning about life in a rural area.
The above picture made me think of Clancy. They walk (or ride, now they have bikes) at least 10 miles a day and he has already worn through one pair of shoes.
This picture was taken 11/28/06. The kids thought I was crazy taking a picture at the airport A&W. I figured that this was kind of like Clancy's last meal of "all American food". I wonder if he appreciates this yet? He may not, he's pretty content eating his soup and bread ;-)
I am sure Clancy misses being surrounded by creative, artistic people such as his brother, Levi, displaying some of his finest work using the medium of ketchup on a potato round (what a fine example of "all American food").
WE MISS YOU CLANCY!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Area Transfer

Clancy was transferred to a new area. He is now in the region of Itapoa, the district of Natalio. From what I can tell, it is a more rural area and it is close to the border of Argentina. The mission home is located in the capital (Asuncion) and Clancy is now about a 8-9 hour bus ride from Asuncion. He tells us that most of their contacts are at least a 25 minute bike ride away.

Clancy has a new companion. He is from Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. He and his companion have to go and spend the night at a member's house for two nights so they can attend church on Sunday's. This area sounds like is will be a bit more of a challenge than when he was before. (I always told you Clancy that you would get sent to the middle of nowhere).
This coming Sunday is Mother's Day and so we get to talk to Clancy on the phone. I will update this blog to let you know how he sounds.