Last week we made a trip to Guatemala City. The bus was as good as any in the good ‘ole USA. It even had a bathroom on board. At each town, the door was opened and the helper we call out (like a circus hawker) “Guatee, Guatee, Guatee.” Passengers would join us and we would be off again. We enjoyed the trip. It was interesting, because at one little village on the main highway, the “Adelante” (helper) called out “Lunchee, lunchee.” The bus stopped only long enough for food vendors to hop on the bus with their baskets of food on their heads and hips. The bus kept driving as they walked up and back in the bus selling their food. In about 15 minutes the bus left them off and they awaited a bus going back in the other direction. Actually, it is an efficient system.
The AP’s picked us up and we were able to take care of some mission/passport details at the Area Office and visit the Mission Office. Santa’s Elves (the four office missionaries and the two nurses) were busy wrapping presents for all of the elders in the mission. They bought white shirts and ties for all of the ladino elders and just ties for the Anglo elders—since they would also be receiving packages from home. We spent the night at the mission home. Spencer and the President went out on splits with missionaries and I helped Hermana Alvarado wrap Christmas presents for all of the Sisters in the mission. It was actually fun visiting in Spanish. She is very patient with all of my questions. She doesn’t speak any English.
Friday morning we went to the temple. It was packed. There were excursions there from both El Salvador and Nicaragua. It was great to see so many people with the tags on indicating they were there for their own endowments. Once again Spencer and I were the witnesses. This time at the veil, I spoke English, but both helpers spoke in Spanish—that was different. They had a lot of faith that I was saying everything correctly. One of these days I will use Spanish—but I’m not to that point yet.
President Alvarado was holding a leadership training meeting with the five companionships that serve as Branch President and Counselor in the mission. All of them report to the mission president—not to stakes. We arrived back for the end of their training and we had lunch with all of the leadership/office missionaries at the mission home. It was very enjoyable.
Ipala is only about 30 miles from Chiquimula so we figured we would be on the same bus with those two elders going back. We thought it would be the same line and go thru Chiquimula and then to Ipala. They thought it would go to Ipala (since they knew they were on the more southerly route to the city) and then to Chiquimula. The APs only have a double cab truck, so the office elders (who had not been involved in picking us up at the end of the trip on the Guerra Line) drove us to the bus station. I thought something was wrong when nothing looked familiar—as in it was nothing like the place where we had disembarked.
The Ipala elders directed the elder to a location close to the terminal. It was congested with a Mercado and we couldn’t get close so we all hopped out and walked the last two blocks. Hmmm. Something was definitely wrong. NO nice buses—only converted, very old school buses. But we no longer had transportation to the other terminal area. Also we learned that this bus did not continue on from Ipala to Chiquimula, but went a different direction. We would need to catch one of the little van/buses to Chiquimula. We were OK with that (especially since we had no other option). I hopped on and so did one of the elders—but Spencer didn’t get on. Elder Guerra sat by me and the bus started driving off. I asked where our companions were and he said we were on “divisions” (Spanish for “splits”). I didn’t know what to do except sit tight, because our luggage was strapped on the top, so I couldn’t hop off and look for Spencer. Apparently, at the last second, Spencer decided to go use the bathroom and Elder Gonzalez, stayed with him, knowing the bus would leave. As soon as Spencer was available, Elder Gonzalez showed him where to cut thru the block and they caught the bus when it circled to get on the exiting road from the Mercado. I was relieved to see them get aboard! I appreciated the young elders for quickly spitting up so that one could “take care” of each of us! Spencer and I were able to sit together; the Elders were split up, but across the aisle from each other and behind us.
Everything was still OK—not like the bus going to Guatemala City, but still OK. However, that didn’t last long. We just kept picking passengers up. Soon every bench seat built for two people had three—sometimes four if there was a child on a lap. The person added to our bench just kept pushing in—as if that were going to create some more space! It didn’t—but the packing was tighter and part of my bottom was no longer on the seat, but pushed against the metal side of the bus. Even then, the bus continued picking people up. The latest arrivals just stood in the aisles—and this is a long trip—four hours from Guat City to Ipala. After about 1 ½ hours I was wishing I had made the same pit stop as Spencer prior to boarding. My bladder was killing me! Pretty soon I was thinking I might just have to pee on my pillow or something. It was getting desperate. Finally I couldn’t take it any longer. When we stopped at the next town I jumped up and said I have to go to the bathroom! So did Spencer and the other two missionaries, so we put things in our seats and they followed me out. I forced my way to the front asked the driver to wait and where was a bathroom! He said at the corner. There was a bar at the corner—but I didn’t care. I was about ready to squat in the street. We went in and asked where the BR was. The lady said it would cost two quetzals to use the BR. A guy said (in English) “You’re in Guatemala” “Welcome to Guatemala!” For the Q2 I even received some toilet paper. The BR was scary. Spencer and the elders used a trough like urinal. I waited for the BR which was only the commode—no seat and no tank. It was flushed by dipping into a barrel of water with a bucket. At least the person ahead of me had flushed it. I was glad I carried sanitizer for my hands.
By this point, some people were getting off the bus, so eventually we were back to two in our seat. I was amazed at how patient and quiet the children were. None were able to sit in a seat. They only had bony laps and crowded conditions, no entertainment, no A/C, nada. But you hardly heard a peep from them. In the USA the kids all have movies and entertainments, drinks, snacks, and comfortable seats, and still find reasons to complain at times. It is a different world here.
Oh, by the way, the fare was identical on the two buses—Q35/person. Nothing else was identical about it!
When we arrived in Ipala we had missed the last bus out by 20 minutes. I thought we might have to sleep at the elder’s apartment—scary thought if it is anything like the ones we saw in Center, Colorado! But we found a bus driver who said he would make an extra trip for us for Q50. We took it. He drove us through his home town—a pueblo in between. It was very clean compared to here—because everyone comes to Chiquimula for the Mercado—and that leaves a mess in the streets on a daily basis. He said most of the men from the village work in Maryland and NY. The families live here and the men send them money.
We were just glad to get home that night! Now we have done some investigating and we have the address of the Guerra terminal in Guat city entrenched in our brains. We won’t make the same mistake twice!
We have continued having success working with less active families. There are a lot of really good people here. I am impressed with kindnesses shown. We had our Ward Christmas party last night. It was well attended and we were able to meet a few more menos activos. We have lots of work cut out for us.
Brother Jordan, who is battling leukemia, sang throughout the dinner. It took a lot of energy—but he maintained the long-standing tradition for the ward. I was impressed with his dedication/determination and his talent. He even sang some songs in English and dedicated them to “Los Brown.” I discovered that one of the elders who served in the Guat City North Mission under Alan Parry is in our ward. We had fun visiting.
I spent all day at the church yesterday teaching the young women how to make Carrot Cake and Texas Sheet Cake. We also made pineapple upside down cakes (starting with a fresh pineapple that was steamed with cinnamon sticks for a long time). It was a lot of fun and it gave me a chance to get to know the young women. Some of our less actives we have been visiting came to the party. Others didn’t. Sigh.
Today I baked banana bread all day. We are giving loaves to some of our neighbors and some of our less active contacts. It has been fun.
We just finished having a Christmas Eve “Noche de Hogar” with two families headed by moms. It was fun and enjoyable—not like it would be with grandkids, but at least it helped fill up some of the time on Christmas Eve. Later we are going to a neighbor’s for the traditional, late night, tamale dinner. It should be fun. I’m trying to not feel too lonely. Spencer is taking a nap until it is time to leave for Rosa Elena’s house. This is a good fellowshipping contact with a non member. We are expecting to have fireworks and loud noises most of the night. I hope we get a little sleep. The two sets of elders in town are coming over for Christmas dinner tomorrow afternoon. I have the turkey all thawed and ready to put in the oven tomorrow. I also have my Sweet Potatoes ready to go. It will be a traditional Christmas dinner—minus family. L But we are serving the Lord and answering the call of the prophet.
This past Monday we made a second trip to Guat City—but this time we only had to get to Zacapa and the mission had a chartered bus. We currently have 176 missionaries. It was a very enjoyable day. I was asked to bear my testimony and it went OK. Christmas is the only time that the entire mission gets together. I took some pictures that I will share. We watched Wall-E (in Spanish, not that there is much talking). It was the perfect romance for a bunch of missionaries. J Everyone loved it. I hadn’t seen it before. Lots of fun and enjoyment for all.
On this Christmas Eve, I want share my testimony of the life and mission of the Savior. I love Him and I am eternally grateful for His gift to us of the Atonement. I love and miss all of you.
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