Election Day in Bolivia

 Today, Sunday October 12 is Election Day in Bolivia. The past few weeks have been full of bands and parades in the streets, and people passing out flags, or posters, or flyers for the candidates at the busier intersections in town.  Beginning Friday gatherings of more than 8 people were against the law. So we had to be cautious with our interviews this and asked the missionaries to come to the mission office only in companionships and not as districts crowding into taxis (as they like to do to save money.) Today there were no church meetings held in the chapels because of the 'no more than 8 people gathering' rule. The missionaries have been in their apartments today, just as a precaution. But they were out teaching tonight 

Everyone over the age of 18 is required to vote. If you do not vote there are penalties, like a freeze on your passport, inability to use banks, or a fine. You also need to go to the place you registered to vote (unless you planned ahead and transferred your registration). Cars, taxis and buses are prohibited from driving today so families are out on the streets walking to vote.

Since I am writing about Bolivian things - - -
This is one of the Bolivian national flowers (yes they have two).
The Kantuta. They were given to Mark and I after a stake conference that we spoke in by a sweet woman welcoming us to Bolivia. The flowers are the three colors of the flag.

 Back to Sunday, We walked down to the temple this morning (since there are not gatherings in chapels) to meet with a SMALL group of temple missionaries to hold a little sacrament meeting. It is awesome to see the sacrament blessed by older men with white hair who help each other up after kneeling. 

   It has  been a beautiful, quiet Sabbath. 

This family, (and missionaries, and an investigator) came for family night on Monday. Often missionaries will bring new converts or investigators for a family night here with us. 

This family came up last week from Tupiza to go with their son through the temple and to have their son set apart by Mark to serve a mission in Paraguay. It is a very long trip by bus (probably 20 hours) but they were all smiles.

This week we are beginning our 'entrevistas' - our interviews. While President meets with each missionary individually, I talk with them and encourage the latin missionaries to learn english . Thee Elders are studing english . . . and this photo was NOT posed. They are fun!

 I just had to close with this darling little girl. We were at a baptism, and she just couldn't stay awake any longer. We are off to Sucre, Tupiza and Potosi this week. Interviews and a district conference:)