August 20, 2009
Hello family,
Last night we had a burglar enter our apartment while we were sleeping. We weren't hurt, but my computer, camera, translators, watch, phone, purse, wallet with credit and debit cards, keys to the apartment are all gone. I am at the bishops store using the computer. But I don't have a way to be in touch with you for a little while. When I can figure out what to do I will get back to you.
Love,
Mom, Jeanine

Hi family, September 20, 2009
I came to the computer lab yesterday to write you an update--half way thru there was a power outage. Puff! Today I was several paragraphs into it when the same thing happened. Hopefully I can write a quick report now.

We are still waiting for a computer--hopefully in another week or two. Keep your fingers crossed.

Our little branch in Esquipulas is struggling. We spent the weekend there. For now we have lost the Elders´' Quorum President and family and the Branch Clerk because of choices involving sin. The only other endowed brother (besides the Branch President) is really hit and miss in attendance. We visited his family on Saturday with a message. It was well received. But on Sunday only the wife came to church. She is the RS President. Part of the problem is a lack of understanding on his part about his covenants with the Lord. Every time we have visited their home, he doesn´t have his garments on. He is a leather worker and works at home. Maybe he was new to the church and had limited understanding of the temple. I don’t know. But I do know that each one of us covenanted with Heavenly Father to wear our garments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Obviously we remove them for bathing, swimming, basketball and intimacy. But otherwise we made an important covenant. We didn't bargain for other exceptions--like, certain cute clothes, or working in a hot sweaty environment. It is very hot here--just like Arizona--but that doesn’t negate the covenant--or the blessings of eternal magnitude we are promised if we keep our covenants. When I am miserable, I just remind myself that my discomfort is nothing compared to the Savior's suffering for me. Our garments protect us and help us keep our thoughts pure. They are important. Juan somehow doesn't understand and we don't quite know how to just say "Why aren't you wearing your garments?! Your life would be blessed if you did, and you would be keeping temple covenants required to have your family for eternity." He was very proud to show us their framed marriage certificate from the temple, so I know he values it--but he is missing out on blessings by disobedience. Sigh.

When Sacrament Meeting started, we had 6 missionaries, the Branch President, two other adults and one child. By the end of the Sacrament song, we probably had 30 there and before the meeting ended about 40. Obviously there is a lot of work to be done.

We are going to the temple in the morning. That is a very special treat for us, every time.

This week has been very different. The dentists are here from the USA. We went to a very remote village with them on Monday. The children only spoke Chorti. In was in the are where malnutrition is a major problem. The government provides funds for a bowl of oatmeal or rice for the kids at school (only in the poorest areas) so the kids get at least one meal a day. Many have no other food at home. But the good thing was that they don´t have sugar, so their teeth were in much better shape than we expected. There was no electricity, so the dentists couldn´t do fillings, only extractions. We had lots of those, mostly the adults. The school director helped translate to Chorti. So we had English--Spanish--Chorti all being spoken all day. It was awesome. On Tuesday I went out again and Spencer stayed and worked on locks at our apartment, so that it will be more secure when we leave town.

This village was less than an hour away and much more urban. The kids were drinking pop and eating chips while they waited. Needless to say, the teeth in this aldela were horrible. I would love to have seen the statistics of how many extractions and fillings were done. We served over 80 people and had to turn at least 20 away. We stayed an hour longer than scheduled and I was late for my 6 PM class. But I got it covered by my ayudante--who is only 9 years old, but is bilingual and helps me a lot. I had Spencer take my bag and there was vocabulary Bingo and Flash cards for her to use until I arrived. She did a great job. I could visualize some of our granddaughters being able to do that. It was great. If I had more time, I would give you more details--maybe on another day.

These days in the aldeas are truly highlights. I love the change of pace and I love feeling like we are serving the most impoverished people in the area. It is beautiful.

We love all of you so much. Sometimes I have a physical ache to hug my grandkids. We miss the adults, too, but oh the younger generation--they are growing so fast and I am really lonesome for them. But I am answering a call from the prophet and the Lord and I know there will be blessings for us and for you as well, because of our willingness to serve.

Love,
Mom/Jeanine