Busy Times

August 16, 2009
Dear Family,
As you know from my note last night, this was a rewarding week-end. Our experiences at the temple were a highlight. We feel very blessed. Spencer is writing a note, so I may have to come back and edit out parts of mine, so that we aren’t redundant. I don’t want to lose our readers, by both covering the same things.  I want to record some of the events that Spencer doesn’t cover. Thanks to those of you who have responded to our emails. It means a lot to us when we hear from you—even brief notes.
This is a busy time of year for all of you. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers. People here are very surprised when they learn that this is the beginning of the new school year in the United States. To them it seems much more logical to follow the calendar year. I’m not sure it matters. 
This past week was the fair in Chiquimula. The schools were out all week long. CUNORI only took Friday off, so it didn’t impact on our classes. We could hear lots of celebrating from the Park with programs at night, but with our busy schedule we hadn’t really seen much of the activities. One day on the bus home from teaching, we drove past the fairgrounds and could see that there were indeed exhibits of bulls and cattle. I don’t know how extensive that part was. I wanted to see the fair. On Thursday during our break between morning classes and afternoon ones, we walked downtown to enjoy it—well, at least I went to enjoy it and Spencer went so that I wouldn’t be alone. It was so great to just absorb the culture. There was a parade of school children that was fun to see. They were from the aldeas in the departmento. Very few of those schools have even the necessities. But the kids were excited to be in town and to be in the parade. Some schools had the students put their hand on the shoulder of the one in front of them. They were well behaved, but energetic at the same time. Their dark eyes were sparkling with excitement. They had a banner to announce each school. The girls were dressed in their very best clothes—some wore frilly dresses, but many wore the colorful dresses that are miniatures of their mothers’ native dresses. Some of the boys had on cowboy hats and cowboy boots and looked like little miniature men. The schools in town all use uniforms, so it was easy to spot those schools. I loved the colors and the energy. Two of the schools had the equivalent of a drum and baton corps. It was cool. There were many, many food booths and vendors of many tipico things. There were rides, but those weren’t functioning during the morning hours. The parade ended at an enclosed arena near the terminal. The people were lined up for about ¼ mile waiting to get in. It would have been wonderful to be inside. Apparently there were performances from different villages—dancers, singers, etc. I felt like I had imposed on Spencer long enough, so I didn’t even suggest we get in the very, very long line to watch the program. But I do love being in the midst of the people and the action. It helps me to feel closer to the people and increases my understanding of their lives and culture.
Next week we will finally be meeting the director over all the Benson Institute programs in Latin America. The teaching of English to medical students is actually a Benson Institute program that is manned by full time missionaries. But we have not had anyone contact us from the administrative part of Benson Institute prior to this.
Thanks for all of your love, support and prayers. We are praying for you on a daily basis.
Love,
Mom/Jeanine