This is a continuation of the last entry. We had the opportunity to go back to the place that Jason and I visited several years ago with his pre-med club. We have some very dear friends there that we lived with during that visit. We called to let them know that we would be in the area and they told us to please come by.
While the APs visited an apartment in the area, we had time to sit in their home and visit for about an hour. They live about 3 1/2 hours from the capital in Chiquimula. When we got there, it was so good to see them. Their daughter had been in medical school when we were there. She has since graduated and is awaiting work here in Guatemala City next January after finishing a couple of tests. When I hugged her mom, she didn't want to let go and neither did I. We had spent lots of time together and I met many of her siblings there. We both said that we didn't think we would ever see each other in this life again. The men of the family came home from work and we got to see everyone. The neat part was that Mary speaks English so even though the rest of her family doesn't, she could interpret for them and I could interpret for Dale, so we were able to have a wonderful visit! They kept saying how much Jason looks like Dale. Isn't it wonderful that we can know that if we live the gospel we can continue those relationships for always.
They invited us to come back and investigate some ruins by them named Cirigua. We will probably take them up on that, along with another couple who would like to go back to Chiquimula where he served about 40 years ago. The thing that impressed me about Chiquimula the first time was how happy the people were. I saw the same smiles there this time.
Monday we spent in Zacapa at Zone Conference. This was our first experience with that and it was great. We got to hear Elder Amado of the 70 talk to the elders and tell them how to teach the gospel to their investigators and some tips for their lives. He is the longest serving 70 at this time and was the first Guatemalan missionary to serve out of his country. His mission was to Canada. He was a mission president at the age of 33 here in Guatemala City. He has much experience in the gospel and much knowledge to share.
We were able to spend the next three days with him and with the mission pres. and his wife in meetings with every missionary in the mission. After each conference, we met with those who needed some encouragement or a little bit of help with their health. The missionaries have such enthusiasm and when they sing in a group it almost takes your breath away.
Despite the fact that we (APs were driving) got lost on our trip from Zacapa to Jalapa (an hour 1/2 drive) and ended up almost in Escipulas, five hours later we did arrive at our hotel 5 minutes prior to mission curfew. There were a few times we doubted that we would ever get there. The APs had taught me earlier that day how to use the location finder on the phone and we just happened to check that and notice that we were quite a ways from where we were hoping to be. There was one road where I felt very uneasy. There were no other cars on the road and it was very dark. Thankfully, we didn't have to backtrack on that road to get going in the right direction. After a prayer and several stops to ask directions, we made it safe and sound.
The last 2 days we have spent at the Brigada. Dale has put some pictures on the blog to give you a visual idea of what it is all about. Elder Martino who is the Area President gave the opening prayer and made us all aware of the Lord's hand in helping this to happen. There were several points when they felt like they would never be able to pull it off but things worked out and there will be many missionaries come from their work.
Future missionaries come to the Stake center where a portable dental lab is set up with about 25 dentists and several oral surgeons, along with doctors and many support people. They get a hair cut, labs drawn, physical from a doctor, dental check up-work, and have their wisdom teeth pulled. Many of them have come from other countries. Some came from about 7 hours away. The premise is that they are able to get the medical work up which they can't afford to put their papers in.
I was working in the recovery room where they bring the youth who have had their wisdom teeth out to make sure they stop bleeding and give them instructions. One of the youth came up to me and asked if I remembered him. We had met him as we were inspecting missionary apartments in the Cuilapa area. He was working with the missionaries. He had been a member for about 9 months and was so excited to be able to go on a mission. He ended up coming through the Brigada and will make a most excellent missionary. I have not heard one complaint among all of those youth.
We met the mission secretary of health for the north mission?. She is an older sister (27) who is not a nurse but they have called her to that position. The mission nurse has the opportunity to go out of the city and do some proselyting for a time. This sister has taken her place and is doing a great job along with her companion. Her Spanish was most excellent and she has a way about her of explaining to the missionaries so they know that she means what she says. Her mother is a nurse and her father taught her a lot about chemistry and why things work the way they do. She and her companion were very impressive.
I can't say enough about the Brigada and the work that they are accomplishing. Along with most things of this sort, there are several opinions about it and people can see pros and cons. The people who have come have spent much time and effort in preparing and donating their time and money to the cause.
On our plane flight here, I may have commented on how many people there were on the plane who were donating their time and efforts for the people of Guatemala. The Lord has blessed them in many ways with outside help to make their lives better.
The first night as I was waiting for Dale to come back and pick me up (He had gone with the elders in the area to inspect their apartments) I walked up to a group of youth and told them I was a missionary. They proceeded to tell me that they had always wanted to know more about the Church. I assumed that this was a young womens group because they were waiting outside the chapel, talking quietly. Several times, I joked with them that they were just teasing me. In reality, they were not. They were interpreters that had been taking an English class from a member and had come to practice their English at the Brigada. I was able to answer some of their questions and give them a Book of Mormon. There are people here who are just thirsting to know more about the gospel. I guess that is why we are here.
Dale has been busy finding things to repair and being a chauffeur for some of the Brigada people. We love what we are doing. It is definitely work but it is the Lord's work and we are grateful to be a part of it.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Mixco Stake Center converted into smiles for Guatemala 3 rows of 10 chairs, oral surgery is on the stage and in the R. Society room. Classrooms were Dr. exam rooms over 30 professional + their helpers. Each brought their own tools and paid $2500 to came and serve.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
You have a picture record of some of the things that we have done over the last several weeks. Now I would like to write down some of those things. We have had many firsts. We had our first trip to the temple with the Stake. It is amazing to me how much you can feel the Spirit in whatever temple you are in no matter where that temple is. We have been in many temples in several countries and the Spirit is always very strong but it hit me here that we are in the heart of the Book of Mormon land and the people here are direct descendants of the people of that book. It brought tears to my eyes to think of that.
When we went to go through the veil, the American sister who took me through encouraged me to do it in Spanish. Dad had translation headphones during the session but he was the last one through the veil. It was the Stake Pres. who was taking him through but he didn't speak English, so he got to go through in Spanish. It was a challenge but he did it. It was beautiful and we would love to go again soon.
We also attended our first baptism this same day. Three young men from one family were baptized in our small Branch. Their father was baptized 30 years earlier. Their mother and sister weren't quite ready yet. Elder Walker and Elder Garcia have been working extra hard in our area to build up the branch and create more unity there. The week before the mother sat by me in RS. I shared the lesson manual with her and after the lesson I asked her if she would like to have the book. She was hanging on every word of the lesson and was thrilled to get the book.
When we arrived for the baptism, Elder Walker asked me to talk to the group while he and his companion were changing their clothes afterwards. So, I got to talk for several minutes about the restoration of the gospel. It was a good thing that they had a pamphlet to help me with some of the words I didn't remember. It is amazing what we are able to do sometimes when the Lord needs us to step up.
We expected a few people for the baptism but when we finally began about an hour and a half past time to start, almost the whole branch was there. We had scheduled a branch activity for that night right after the baptism. Because of that, there were so many people there to welcome them into the church.
Our activity was to hide candies around the church yard and have the kids look for them. This was an introduction to the Easter Bunny which they do not know about and may have been better off not knowing about, have hot dogs and chips, then watch the talk by Pres. Uchdorf about STOP IT. Elder Walker ran himself ragged working to accomplish everything. Despite the fact that we (we work with the Johnsons in this branch) forgot the computer to show the talk on, and had to ask someone to bring it, it came off as quite a success. We need to forget the relish next time and remember to bring more cheese dip that was for the chips but ended up on most of the hot dogs. We had a great time and it brought back memories of what my children acted like after eating tons of candy at one session.
Many of the neighborhood children participated in the activity and we really couldn't discourage them from being there. We just had to keep reminding them to be quiet as they played outside the open windows of the church. It was a nice opportunity to introduce them to the gospel.
I did my first ordering of medicine for the mission. A woman from the pharmacy the last nurse had used, called me and introduced herself. She asked to come and meet me in person. This is interesting how it all worked out. I had just made a list of the medicine the mission needed and I was able to hand it over to her and she then gave me a list of the costs. I asked her to deliver the meds on Thurs.
In the meantime, we received word that Elder Amado, the longest serving 70 in the church at this time, would be touring our mission and wanted to go with us to Zone Conferences. We had planned to do this the following week. The APs and Pres and Sister Stay got busy and arranged the conferences for the following Monday. Thursday and Friday were the only days I had to get medicine ready to take out for this. The missionaries flock to you after a conference with all sorts of ailments. I had those medications to use because I had just ordered them. It became very clear to me that the Lord was in charge of what was going on, not me.
I would like to continue but I am waiting at what is called the Brigada to help recover the young people who have had their teeth removed in preparation to serve missions. I will tell you later about our trip to Chiquimula and the opportunity to visit the most dear friends there. Also about having zone conference taught by Elder Amado, getting lost on the way to Jalapa, and the prayer that was given prior to the Brigada by Elder Martino who is the Pres. of the Area, the sister missionaries we have been working with, and the contacts that I was able to talk to while waiting for Dad to pick me up at the end of the first day at the Brigada. We are doing great and we love the work. It is definitely work!!!
Dale has inspected many apartments and has taught the elders in countless rides in the truck. What a blessing it is to have a great companion on the mission.
When we went to go through the veil, the American sister who took me through encouraged me to do it in Spanish. Dad had translation headphones during the session but he was the last one through the veil. It was the Stake Pres. who was taking him through but he didn't speak English, so he got to go through in Spanish. It was a challenge but he did it. It was beautiful and we would love to go again soon.
We also attended our first baptism this same day. Three young men from one family were baptized in our small Branch. Their father was baptized 30 years earlier. Their mother and sister weren't quite ready yet. Elder Walker and Elder Garcia have been working extra hard in our area to build up the branch and create more unity there. The week before the mother sat by me in RS. I shared the lesson manual with her and after the lesson I asked her if she would like to have the book. She was hanging on every word of the lesson and was thrilled to get the book.
When we arrived for the baptism, Elder Walker asked me to talk to the group while he and his companion were changing their clothes afterwards. So, I got to talk for several minutes about the restoration of the gospel. It was a good thing that they had a pamphlet to help me with some of the words I didn't remember. It is amazing what we are able to do sometimes when the Lord needs us to step up.
We expected a few people for the baptism but when we finally began about an hour and a half past time to start, almost the whole branch was there. We had scheduled a branch activity for that night right after the baptism. Because of that, there were so many people there to welcome them into the church.
Our activity was to hide candies around the church yard and have the kids look for them. This was an introduction to the Easter Bunny which they do not know about and may have been better off not knowing about, have hot dogs and chips, then watch the talk by Pres. Uchdorf about STOP IT. Elder Walker ran himself ragged working to accomplish everything. Despite the fact that we (we work with the Johnsons in this branch) forgot the computer to show the talk on, and had to ask someone to bring it, it came off as quite a success. We need to forget the relish next time and remember to bring more cheese dip that was for the chips but ended up on most of the hot dogs. We had a great time and it brought back memories of what my children acted like after eating tons of candy at one session.
Many of the neighborhood children participated in the activity and we really couldn't discourage them from being there. We just had to keep reminding them to be quiet as they played outside the open windows of the church. It was a nice opportunity to introduce them to the gospel.
I did my first ordering of medicine for the mission. A woman from the pharmacy the last nurse had used, called me and introduced herself. She asked to come and meet me in person. This is interesting how it all worked out. I had just made a list of the medicine the mission needed and I was able to hand it over to her and she then gave me a list of the costs. I asked her to deliver the meds on Thurs.
In the meantime, we received word that Elder Amado, the longest serving 70 in the church at this time, would be touring our mission and wanted to go with us to Zone Conferences. We had planned to do this the following week. The APs and Pres and Sister Stay got busy and arranged the conferences for the following Monday. Thursday and Friday were the only days I had to get medicine ready to take out for this. The missionaries flock to you after a conference with all sorts of ailments. I had those medications to use because I had just ordered them. It became very clear to me that the Lord was in charge of what was going on, not me.
I would like to continue but I am waiting at what is called the Brigada to help recover the young people who have had their teeth removed in preparation to serve missions. I will tell you later about our trip to Chiquimula and the opportunity to visit the most dear friends there. Also about having zone conference taught by Elder Amado, getting lost on the way to Jalapa, and the prayer that was given prior to the Brigada by Elder Martino who is the Pres. of the Area, the sister missionaries we have been working with, and the contacts that I was able to talk to while waiting for Dad to pick me up at the end of the first day at the Brigada. We are doing great and we love the work. It is definitely work!!!
Dale has inspected many apartments and has taught the elders in countless rides in the truck. What a blessing it is to have a great companion on the mission.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
We went to the Mall with a Museum in it yesterday. It is such a contrast a huge 4 story mall on top of a pre Columbian City site. Here is a pic:
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
How they cut the Hermans purse. She was told not to take it.
The picture I took when we were pushed and my pocket got picked. My arms were in the air taking pictures and it's like saying "now pick my pocket".
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Each person has to lift about 70 to 100 lbs. They trade off with others in a few blocks. There are people everywhere. It is quite a spectacle. People camp out in line to pay for the opportunity to do this.
One of the volcanoes that's around the city.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
We made it to Church! It only took us a few extra turns and streets, but we made it. It was the getting home that was traumatic. We had to call the AP's and ask where we were. Driving is always a challenge.
It was fast Sunday and the people in the branch bore some special testimonies. The elders who are assigned to the branch are great! They had a meeting after church to teach the auxiliaries how to have a ward counsel meeting. We volunteered to make some visits with them. We'll keep you posted on that one but it will be a while because of conference this weekend.
Between visiting missionary apartments for inspections and calls from sick missionaries we seem to keep very busy. Two times each week we have gone with the assistants to visit different zones and do apartment inspections. I met the sweetest little man while Dale was in doing an inspection. He was across the street working in his garden. His garden wasn't very big but it was pretty. I told him how beautiful it was and he asked where we were from, said he had a daughter or son in the States that he was going to visit soon. I ended up giving him a pamphlet about families and he said he would read it and keep it close to his heart.
The people here for the most part are very sweet and kind. When you greet the women, they give you an arm shake and a hug and kiss in the air over your shoulder. Most people are happy and easy to talk to.
The missionaries shop at what is called the Dispensa Familiar. I have been told that instead of having a bishops storehouse here in Guatemala, the Church has partnered with Walmart and these stores are scattered throughout the city. If someone needs a food order, they take a voucher to the Dispensa and fill it. Instead of having to carry all of those things from the storehouse home on the bus, the Dispensa is in their neighborhood and they can easily get things home. Also if there is some type of disaster, the things that people need are much closer and more accessible. We stopped at one the other day and I was surprised how many things were available there and the prices were very affordable. Their shelves were full of a great variety of things. Of course you still have the open air fruit and vegetable markets close by and the neighborhood tiendas.
It is a privledge to work with the missionaries. They are doing a great job. We got an e-mail from Pres. Stay who is our mission president. He said that they had 87 (I think) baptisms in the mission last month and 24 of those were families. They are trying really hard to start at the churches and work out from there instead of baptizing people who are very far away and who can't afford to get to the church. As the gospel spreads, they will eventuallly reach the people there and maybe by then there will be a church close by. It all makes sense. They want families if they can get them and they seem to be busy teaching all the time.
Our neice is married to a young man who is from Guatemala. We gave his grandmother's name to a special set of missionaries in her area a couple of days ago after we inspected their apartment. I happened to think about Elliott's note to us and when we took the address with us it was for that area. Maybe they will be able to do some seed planting if nothing else. Things like that seem to happen quite often. It only helps to reinforce the idea that this is the Lord's mission, not our mission and we are here participating in it.
Conference was very good today. I love to hear the apostles talk.We realized that we will only have two more conferences here before we go home. The other missionaries that live in the building are great! We spent the day with them watching. It is almost like living the united order. If they have something and you need it, they are more than willing to share. We spend home evenings with them, fast Sundays with them, sometimes weekends, and we are all very close.
Next Friday we are going on a bus to see Semana Santa which is to celebrate Easter. It is in the old Capital of Guatemala, Antigua. They fill the streets with a carpet of colored sawdust and carry likenesses of the virgin Mary and Jesus over this sawdust carpet through the streets. In a way it is like Jesus coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. People who have seen it say that it has been the highlight of their Guatemala experience. We will try to get some pictures on here when we get back. Keep the faith. The gospel's true!
It was fast Sunday and the people in the branch bore some special testimonies. The elders who are assigned to the branch are great! They had a meeting after church to teach the auxiliaries how to have a ward counsel meeting. We volunteered to make some visits with them. We'll keep you posted on that one but it will be a while because of conference this weekend.
Between visiting missionary apartments for inspections and calls from sick missionaries we seem to keep very busy. Two times each week we have gone with the assistants to visit different zones and do apartment inspections. I met the sweetest little man while Dale was in doing an inspection. He was across the street working in his garden. His garden wasn't very big but it was pretty. I told him how beautiful it was and he asked where we were from, said he had a daughter or son in the States that he was going to visit soon. I ended up giving him a pamphlet about families and he said he would read it and keep it close to his heart.
The people here for the most part are very sweet and kind. When you greet the women, they give you an arm shake and a hug and kiss in the air over your shoulder. Most people are happy and easy to talk to.
The missionaries shop at what is called the Dispensa Familiar. I have been told that instead of having a bishops storehouse here in Guatemala, the Church has partnered with Walmart and these stores are scattered throughout the city. If someone needs a food order, they take a voucher to the Dispensa and fill it. Instead of having to carry all of those things from the storehouse home on the bus, the Dispensa is in their neighborhood and they can easily get things home. Also if there is some type of disaster, the things that people need are much closer and more accessible. We stopped at one the other day and I was surprised how many things were available there and the prices were very affordable. Their shelves were full of a great variety of things. Of course you still have the open air fruit and vegetable markets close by and the neighborhood tiendas.
It is a privledge to work with the missionaries. They are doing a great job. We got an e-mail from Pres. Stay who is our mission president. He said that they had 87 (I think) baptisms in the mission last month and 24 of those were families. They are trying really hard to start at the churches and work out from there instead of baptizing people who are very far away and who can't afford to get to the church. As the gospel spreads, they will eventuallly reach the people there and maybe by then there will be a church close by. It all makes sense. They want families if they can get them and they seem to be busy teaching all the time.
Our neice is married to a young man who is from Guatemala. We gave his grandmother's name to a special set of missionaries in her area a couple of days ago after we inspected their apartment. I happened to think about Elliott's note to us and when we took the address with us it was for that area. Maybe they will be able to do some seed planting if nothing else. Things like that seem to happen quite often. It only helps to reinforce the idea that this is the Lord's mission, not our mission and we are here participating in it.
Conference was very good today. I love to hear the apostles talk.We realized that we will only have two more conferences here before we go home. The other missionaries that live in the building are great! We spent the day with them watching. It is almost like living the united order. If they have something and you need it, they are more than willing to share. We spend home evenings with them, fast Sundays with them, sometimes weekends, and we are all very close.
Next Friday we are going on a bus to see Semana Santa which is to celebrate Easter. It is in the old Capital of Guatemala, Antigua. They fill the streets with a carpet of colored sawdust and carry likenesses of the virgin Mary and Jesus over this sawdust carpet through the streets. In a way it is like Jesus coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. People who have seen it say that it has been the highlight of their Guatemala experience. We will try to get some pictures on here when we get back. Keep the faith. The gospel's true!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)