Bucket brigade

I finally had my camera at the right time to take a picture of a bucket brigade. Of course I had an advantage--I was standing in a front bedroom, 2nd floor, in our apartment. Our neighbor Rony is adding a second floor to his house. It is interesting to watch cement buildings built with lots of rebar. They should be standing when the 2nd coming arrives.

One of our favorite families

This is Benedicto and Reina Martiniz and their two sons. We meet with them 1-2x per month (in Esquipulas). They have a wonderful spirit in their humble home. They answer all the questions perfectly and have great discussions. But the youngest son has never attended and never more than two at a time of the other three. It is so frustrating. I'd be so happy if the entire family attended Sacrament Meeting. Just once! (Well not really, I want it all the time)!

I love the colors!

This lady was just sitting on the sidewalk selling her wares. If there isn't enough room on the sidewalk, just put some of the merchandise on your head--it all works out just fine. I asked her permission to take the picture and you can see that it pleased her!

Zapatero

Hermano Juan Ramos is a prospective elder in the Esquipulas Branch and he is a zapatero (repairs shoes). Here he is working on my shoes. He lives behind the curtain. His shop and home are one little room. You can see how small he is next to Spencer. What a kind, gentle person he is.

October 21, 2009
Hi family,
All is going well here in Chiquimula. We are counting our blessings. If you ever want to feel blessed, just go to a 3rd world country. Last week we went to visit Gladys Ramirez. They have been working on getting the framework built to make a palm frond roof so they can put up plastic walls and have a covered shelter of their own for their family to sleep in. Some problems have developed between cousins sleeping together in their inadequate, crowded conditions. They have the palm roof up over her raised cooking fire. And they have strung an extension cord to that area. The posts are up for the house roof, but they haven’t been able to afford the poles that go across yet. They have the palm fronds drying. But that is only one problem. Portfirio was working on building construction and while he was working in one area, all of his tools were stolen (about Q5000 or $650 worth) from a different area in the building. You have to have your own tools to work, or else rent them from other people. Then, Gladys and her 8 year old both got Malaria. So she can’t go to church, until the department of public health says her blood test is OK. We took them a few pounds of rice to help them out. The kids were disappointed that I didn’t bring sweets. One of the little toddler cousins has obvious signs of malnutrition. The kids were eating homemade corn tortillas while we were there and it appeared to be all that they would be having that night. Next problem: While she was taking care of her dying brother, her two youngest school children didn’t keep up with homework and didn’t pass this year (school year ends this week), so they have to repeat this year’s work. There is not social “passing” here. Kids take very hard tests at the end of the year. It is very common to be 20 years old before you get out of high school.
However, she had one wonderful thing to report. Her brother who recently died came to her in a dream and told her the path I taught about in FHE was the right path and she should follow it and stick with it. Months ago, when we were teaching the unbaptized children, I created a path on a long paper that started with birth and ended up returning to Heavenly Father. There was a gate (built with cardboard) that had scripture quotes teaching that baptism was the gate. It had steps that needed to be followed after baptism (sort of like holding to the rod). Her brother wasn’t there for the FHE, but he knew about it. She was very emotional when she talked about it. That was a tender mercy—both for her and for me.
We spent last weekend in Esquipulas. We had some nice visits. I was looking forward to going out to the family with the ducks (who are becoming active again). But the person who was going to drive us didn’t get back in time, so Spencer took one of the missionaries (they have a three some there now) with him and took the bus. When you get out to the little aldea, you have to hike about 1-2 miles to their house. That didn’t seem like something that I would be able to do. So I missed out once again.
Tuli has found a chiropractor for me that she trusts, in Guatemala City. There are very few in this country. I have an appointment for this Friday afternoon. It can’t come soon enough! I have had terrible back spasms and my ankles and feet aren’t a whole lot better. Oh woe is me!  But nothing is life threatening, so we just keep trudging along.
Spencer and I read up on “rebound headaches” and realized we were using way too many analgesics; so we have not been using them this month while we get them out of our systems and then we will be very prudent. We have definitely had lots of different pains, but the headaches seem to be lessening.  Boy do we sound like a couple of old fogies or what? Maybe it is all of the years we both had to burn the candle at both ends just to survive and it is now catching up with us. Oh to be 50 again!
We have finished our CUNORI classes with students. They are taking midterm and final exams. We still have our classes with faculty members. And the classes at the church are still gung-ho. It is amazing how many people come just from word of mouth advertising.
Each Sunday we attend in Esquipulas having read the Sunday School lesson in advance and RS/Priesthood one if we know what it is. Probably about once a month, Spencer ends up teaching Gospel Doctrine, because the teacher just doesn’t show up. It is crazy. How hard is it to call and say “I won’t be there”? It is usually part way thru Sacrament Meeting when we realize she isn’t there, that Spencer starts to panic and give the lesson more than a cursory once over. The branch is still struggling. Our attendance continues to be less than we had come to general conference. I’m so glad they were here for that Sunday.
We have a stake conference for all of Guatemala coming up on November 15th. It will be a satellite broadcast. I am looking forward to that. They included the districts and branches. But I doubt if the branch can afford to pay bus passage again, so it will probably be a very sparse attendance.
I’m going to cut this short and try to put a few pictures on the blog.
We love and miss you all!
Mom/Jeanine

Spencer gets homesick for the dairy

This is a Brahma cow that Spencer thought was really typical of the ones we see all the time. They wander all over the areas where homes are, just not downtown in either Chiquimula or Esquipulas. Brahmas are a very common breed. Many farmers only milk once a day because of the poor feed and Brahmas can tolerate the once a day schedule

The midsize buses:

These are the buses we ride to Esquipulas every weekend. Jeanine is boarding one of them to return to Chiquimula and the other picture is taken from a side view. I hope you can see that it isn't really very big--and we have often traveled with 40+ people crammed in it. In the USA it would probably be a 15 passenger van. But we aren't in the good 'ole USA! It is an adventure.

The city buses:

This is a typical bus that we catch everyday as we move about in Chiquimula. There are often people, generally boys, hanging out the door. Sometimes they are really crowded, but generally there aren't too many people. However, the buses are very old, the seats are ratty and the drivers are crazy!

Spencer's latest observations:

October 11, 2009
Dear loved ones,
I’ll take a turn this Sunday evening to write a report of our efforts the past few weeks.
Wednesday about noon or neighbor and former bishop sent some workers to pick up his window air conditioner unit from our kitchen/DR window. It does belong to him and he helped the Limburgs out by installing it for them. We didn’t have any warning about the change.  Sort of caught us by surprise. He did send us a smaller unit, which means that I had to scramble to get a larger piece of plywood and hardware to secure the unit in the window (so that we wouldn’t have an open access for thieves). I fixed it up really good, but ran a screw into the tubing on the unit. It sounded like “air brakes” on a truck. Fortunately, I had developed a working relationship with a refrigeration repairman and he came to the rescue. He took it home to work on. He wasn’t able to return it until Friday morning (when we were scheduled to leave for the temple). We were anxious to get it installed and be on our way. When he arrived (an hour later than he’d told us) we removed the unit from the housing so that we could put in screws from the inside out so we would eliminate the problem of piercing the tubing. We got the unit housing and the plywood really solid in the window then proceeded to put the unit into the housing. The tube he had fixed wasn’t tucked in very well and we broke another tube. The “brakes on the truck” went off again! He went home for supplies and came back and repaired it here and we got it done. We immediately left for the terminal and boarded a bus at 10:30—three hours later than we had planned. We had planned on leaving early so Jeanine could see a chiropractor because she is having lots of problems with her back. With the late departure, that was out.
The buses:
The big bus lines were probably first class greyhound buses. When they aren’t in use in the US they sell them down here, where labor is cheap and they can keep them running for a long time. The air conditioning is generally driving 70 mph with the windows open. The seats vary in quality (a few are good, most are mediocre and many are poor or broken). There is a BR/toilet in the back, which usually functions (but there is no water to wash your hands). After waiting to get started and the stops for passengers all along the way, it takes about four hours to get to the City. On our trip Friday, our seats were very uncomfortable and we were pretty miserable. That made Jeanine’s back problems worse, but she is a trooper.
When you get to the terminal coming back, the workers from three bus lines all compete for your business and are immediately in your face trying to get your luggage from you so they can put it on their bus. They are pushy and obnoxious. I chose a different bus line to see if there was any improvement.  Our normal bus line was starting to pull out, Jeanine suggested we switch, but this one said they would be leaving in 15 minutes. Three different lines left before us, while we were sitting there waiting. We sat for a full hour before it pulled out and started the long trip home. My knees and hips and low back were killing me from being cramped up for so long.
The midsized bus lines are used going to and from Esquipulas. The make a seat where there isn’t a seat and then shove people on top of people. When they can’t shove anymore into the seats, they all just stand in the doorway with the door open and hang on for dear life. They carry a half ton of bags and other things on the roof. This afternoon, I sat next to the driver with one knee doubled up to my seat. That added to my hip pain. Jeanine was already really hurting and had come home on an earlier bus. It isn’t always that crowded, of course.
The local bus when we return to Chiquimula we usually get on a city bus, which are vans with the side door removed and extra seats installed. I rode one of those to the apartment. When I got off of that bus, I wanted to cuss. I think there is some rule that a preacher can cuss under extreme circumstances.
It seems to me that the pattern of our best missionary work to date has been to “stop up the holes” or gaps in struggling branches. This was the case in Alamosa, CO, Garden City, KS and here In Esquipulas. There are three men there that are trying to overcome their spiritual problems. One of them is the couple that live way out of town with the ducks. Another one is a man who lives in an area just outside of town. His wife has been very ill with diabetes and renal problems. She was totally inactive and one day we found her when she was ill and gave her a blessing. Her husband was working out of town. At least we did that much. His daughter’s family recently moved in after the death of their child. The wife and daughter and grandchildren are now coming with him to meetings. That is real progress. The third is a man who is a brick/block hour builder. We’ve visited his family many times and he has been attending. His oldest son and his wife also attend sporadically. It doesn’t matter who gets credit—we work closely with two sets of elders there. There has to be a change of heart. Sometimes even a change in leadership is required. There has to be a desire from within the branch to progress. Otherwise, they will just continue to be a dysfunctional unit in the center of the religions of Babylon (Esquipulas is the regional center for the Catholic Church and is known for the Black Christ Crucifix)
As for the teaching at CUNORI, it’s there and we’ve tried. It is a project that is under the wing of the Benson Institute, which is under the presiding bishopric. The school hasn’t made our classes a requirement and so the attendance has dropped way down. That’s a problem the school and our leaders will have to struggle with. As long as the students can come or go without any consequences, it won’t improve much. It was that way for the couple that preceded us. This is the last week of student instruction until the end of January or first of February.
Our temple experiences have been wonderful. I’ll talk more about that another day.
Love,
Dad/Spencer

Sister missionaries in the Oriente

The oriente is the eastern side of the country. This was at our activity day. Sister Alvarado and I are the only "old" sisters in the mission.

"Sawdust Painting"

One Sunday morning it was a festival day at the local Catholic church. Starting about 4:30 AM men started gathering in the street right outside our apartment. They started with firecrackers and songs and proceeded to spend the next many hours creating a painting of sawdust. It reminded me of Native American sand paintings. It had scriptures and religious symbols. It was a lot of work and actually looked pretty good. That night there was a short rain and that was the end of all the hours of work.

Report to Stake--a good summary so far:

October 7, 2009
Dear President Campbell and Bishop Evans,
This has been a hot and busy summer in Chiquimula, Guatemala. There has been very little rain, however humidity is suffocating in the air. The drought conditions have been severe and the first crop of corn and beans did not survive. There has been a second planting and we are praying for rain. There are already serious consequences. Many children (mostly under the age of two) have died from malnutrition. Not only do the farmers rely on beans and corn for food, but it is also a cash crop. Even the people in the cities are beginning to suffer because prices have gone up. It will be far worse if this second crop fails. The church did send a shipment of food which was sorted and distributed to members and some nonmembers who were destitute. There is no Bishop’s Storehouse here and the people mostly “just survive”. Even the leaders often have to do without the basics in life. People in the United States feel very “entitled”. I would probably not be such a compassionate Relief Society President with those wanting food orders on a regular basis, after seeing how the rest of the world lives.  So maybe it is good this mission came after that calling.
We have continued teaching five English classes to the medical students and employees of the university. We have four classes at the church as well. The school year is about to come to an end (the end of October) and a new year will begin the end of January. We have witnessed an increased knowledge and better pronunciation with the students who have attended even somewhat consistently. It is great to provide this serve.
We live in Chiquimula because of the location of the university; however, by special assignment from the mission president we are attending and serving in the Esquipulas Branch. Spencer is really needed because you can count on one hand the Melchizeidek Priesthood holders. We spend every other Saturday there, visiting less actives, having FHE’s, and generally supporting and encouraging the members. Several of our families have gradually begun attending meetings. Those Sundays are a missionary’s pay days. When we are there on Saturday, we spend the night in a hotel that has great accommodations—and costs $31 (Q250). On the “off week-ends” we travel up by bus on Sunday morning to spend most of the day. The bus rides can be an adventure all their own—and yes sometimes we travel with chickens, produce and other sundry items.
One new assignment is that of serving as temple workers. Our English classes for the week end on Thursday night, so every other Friday morning (opposite weekends from our Esquipulas trip) we arise early and take a bus to Guatemala City (a four hour ride). The church owns several homes that provide housing for temple patrons who have traveled a great distance. We spend Friday night at a “Casa de Huespedes” (for about $10) and fulfill a shift on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday morning (two of the busiest times in the temple). It has been both humbling and fulfilling to learn the temple ordinances, word perfect, in Spanish. We have lots more to learn, but “poco a poco” (a favorite expression here), we are learning, line upon line.
Temple attendance is an inspiration in Guatemala. Many busloads of saints are there every weekend. During the week before Easter (Holy Week) and the weeks before and after Christmas, many businesses are shut down, so members are free to attend. For this reason, we will work full time at the temple during most of December. There are often 200 saints waiting for the temple to open at 5 AM. They wait patiently in line (that winds through the parking lot, onto the street) until they reach the recommend desk. After presenting their recommend they receive a plastic chip that lets them know which ordinance room they will be in and are given an approximate time to return. Then they sometimes wait another hour and half for their session. Workers keep sessions going as rapidly as a room empties—the every 30 minute schedule is meaningless –it might be every 15 or 20 minutes, depending on the available workers to assist at the veil. Some members wait more than 3 hours just to attend and endowment session. There is an annex and Distribution Center across the street for those waiting. The temple even provides umbrellas to go back and forth between the buildings (there is a lot more rain in Guatemala City than here in the eastern part of the country). You can’t just turn around and attend a second session—because others have been waiting their turn, so you have to get back in line for another “chip”. Saints may have traveled 12 hours on the bus (renovated school buses) and only be able to attend 2-3 sessions during their visit. Fortunately there will be a new temple in northern Guatemala (Quezaltenango) and one in El Salvador in about one more year. One has been announced in Honduras, but the political unrest has delayed construction.
The Esquipulas Branch is not part of a stake and there are no districts close, so they fall directly under the mission president. There is not a satellite dish in their chapel, therefore, they must travel the hour and half on the bus to Chiquimula for all satellite broadcasts. Many saints do not have the means to make the trip. Last April, only 10 members came to conference on Sunday morning and then returned to Esquipulas. So-o-o-o, this time we told the branch president we would provide lunch to the members who attended so that they could enjoy two sessions of conference. With that offer, he decided that the branch would pay the transportation (about $4/person round trip). We announced it for two Sundays. The week before conference I asked in Relief Society who planned on coming and how many there were in their family. The sisters started answering, “six in my family”, “seven in my family”, etc. Normal sacrament meeting attendance is in the 40’s (including six missionaries). I thought I’d better cook enough for 40-50 people. I spent the entire week preparing, chili corn bread, Spanish rice, and chili beans with lots of hamburger. I loaded everything with lots of vegetables to bless the lives of those who are undernourished (a high percentage of the branch membership). Spencer had to make many trips to the open-air street market for more vegetables and spent one morning helping chop bell peppers and celery. We were very busy in between our classes. A member helped us transport the large containers to the church on Sunday morning. The church kitchens here don’t have refrigerators, utensils, pots and pans or any dishes—just a stove and counters. There isn’t even potable water. We had to bring everything with us. When I saw the many branch members in attendance I became a little worried. One brother reported to me that it took two buses and there were about 80 of them. The branch president paid bus fares for 51—but you don’t pay for children on laps—and there were a lot of them. [It was sort of like “if you feed them, they will come”] It was truly like living the miracle of feeding the 5000. We fed at least 60 branch members (including many of our less actives and one family of investigators), then we fed 14 missionaries, some children from Chiquimula that sneaked into the line, two families from Chiquimula that were waiting in the chapel, without lunch, for the next session to begin. I’m sure we fed at least 80 people and we still had food left over to bring home. One, very skinny little girl from the family of investigators, came back four times for additional servings. I suspect it had been a very long time since she had been able to eat to the point of satiation. Everyone loved our southwestern recipes—a different way of preparing foods that are common here. We laughed together because I had to bake cornbread—I do not have the skill to make corn tortillas (which they live on). It was wonderful to be a part of this little miracle, but the most rewarding part of the day was knowing that these many saints were able to hear the prophet and the church leaders speak to them. Our hearts were touched.
One other recent special experience—and then I promise to stop . In September we had another visit from LDS dentists who came and performed free dental work for a week. We were able to assist on two days. We went to one village very high in the mountains. The young children only spoke Chorti. The school director translated. Some instructions went from English- Spanish-Chorti. This village is very poor and one of only a few that the government provides food to. It is one of the areas where starvation was high. When we arrived the children were drinking their cup of Avena—watered down oatmeal. For many of them, that is the only “meal” that they will receive in a day. There literally is no food in their homes. We are richly blessed in the USA.
Please give our love to the saints in Prescott. Also, please encourage more couples to serve missions. The need is significant—and the rewards are great. Anyone is welcome to visit our blog to see pictures and read past experiences. spencerandjeanine.blogspot.com
Love,
Elder and Hermana Brown

15th Birthday for Marlen:

One of our English students celebrated her 15th birthday on Saturday. It was at an area we didn't know existed--pools, playground, clubhouse, etc. She was dressed so much more modestly than you usually see in Guatemala. It was very interesting. There was an evangelical religious service prior to the reception, with prayers, scriptures and songs. Fun cultural experience.

A weak and tired senior missionary:

Everyone thought with Elder Brown on the team they would win for sure. But he just couldn't manage to pull his own weight. It was sort of sad to see the demise of my athletic husband!

A really old sister missionary:

Spencer says I don't look old--that I really look just like this picture. Ugh! Of course, then he added, "After all we are in our 70's aren't we?" At that point, I hit him.

Feeding the Rama Esquipulas

For General Conference, I told the branch I would provide lunch after the morning session, so that they could attend both sessions. In April about 10 people came. With my offer, the President said the Branch would pay the bus fares. There were well over 50 members there, plus about 12 elders, and a several hungry people from our Chiquimula Ward. It was like the miracle of fishes and loaves. I never ran out of food and brought some home. We had a good Southwestern meal--chili beans, Spanish rice, and chili cornbread. They loved it. One skinny little girl filled up her plate four times. She looked half-starved. What a great experience.

Public Health "Congress" with our students and staff

Friday, 10/2/09 I attended a wonderful program with our students and listened to some great public health presentations. The research they did for their projects was wonderful.. Here are the "big wigs" in medicine and administ.at CUNORI. It was a great day.

Missionary Activity Day 9/21/09

We had two zones and a district together for an activity day with President and Sister Alvarado the day before Zone Conference. It was a lot of fun. Spencer laid in a hammock most of the time. And I cheered for all the young athletes. This is a picture of the Zacapa Zone.

Jeanine's talk 9/27/09 in Esquipulas

Learning by the Spirit:
During our first mission we attended a mission conference. Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the 12 apostles taught us a very important principle. As the meeting started, President Ballard directed us to observe a few moments of silence. He instructed us to maintain the silence and prayerfully meditate and select two questions we would like to have answered. One question should be about our personal life and one about our calling.
He promised us that during the conference we would reserve the answers to our questions. He explained that we might receive our answer through one of the talks, however it might be in a conversation we overhead or participated in or it might be an idea that was put into our mind by the Holy Ghost.
I testify that every time I have followed this counsel, I have received my answers.
I believe that his counsel is especially important before the General Conference (which is coming next Sunday).
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught “All things whatsoever God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit and proper to reveal to us… are revealed to our spirits precisely as though we had no bodies at all, and those revelations which will save our spirits will save our bodies.”
In the D & C 50:21-22 the Lord further emphasizes His divine pattern for teaching and learning: “Why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth. “Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together”.
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the blessings of following this pattern by explaining what it means to understand and be edified: “The verb understand refers to that which is heard. It is the same message to all. Edified concerns that which is communicated by the Holy Ghost. The message can be different and tailored by the Spirit to the needs of each individual (“To Understand and Live Truth” an evening with Elder Richard G. Scott, Feb. 4 2005 lds.org).
In 2 Nephi 33:1, Nephi reminds us of another aspect of learning by the Spirit: “When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.” This is a powerful promise. Yet it is fulfilled only if we invite the Savior into our lives.
We can do this through our classes, through our scripture studies and through prayer.
To be able to study diligently we need to attend our meetings and classes where we have the opportunity to learn, including Institute during the week. Do not forget the instructions we can receive in our classes after Sacrament Meeting.
In the February 2007 worldwide leadership training meeting on teaching and learning, President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provided specific counsel on how we can invite such diligent learning.
In the September 20008 Liahona there was an article by Elder Jay Jensen about “Learning by the Spirit.” He included many wonderful ideas and he summarized some the things he learned from President Packer on this theme.
“First, being diligent means that we want to learn. We show this desire when we are teachable and when we can be taught without resenting it. When we resent instruction and correction, we offend the Spirit and limit our opportunities for growth and progress.
“Second, we need to pray—particularly in specifics. Pray formally and informally for yourself and for the teacher. The teacher may not say something quite right. He or she may be weak and feeble in words and expression. But the Holy Ghost is not, and each of us can pray for ourselves and for the teacher: “Oh, Father, the teacher does not know the load and burden that I currently carry. Help him or her to teach me directly.” When you start doing that as a learner, you start getting answers.
Third, and this is so significant: listen. In particular… listen to those who are experienced”. There are many members in the branch with experience. Also, listen to those who have a calling over you—the Branch President, the Relief Society President and others.
Elder Jensen continued: “Listen not only to what is said but also to what is not said: the unspoken promptings of the Holy Ghost. Each is important. Hopefully, you are always sensitive to what is not said by the teacher. If you are, the Holy Ghost will tailor the message to your needs.
“Fourth, as you listen, it is important to organize what you learn. Take what you have heard, and then make it yours by writing it down and expanding it. If you really want to ensure that you’ve got it, find somebody to whom you may teach it. Generally speaking, until you can articulate what you’ve learned, you haven’t really learned it. Make the effort to organize what you learn; it will be worth it.”
When I was a child, on Sunday afternoon, my parents always asked each of us to share what we had learned that morning. If we didn’t have an answer, they knew that we hadn’t listened or hadn’t paid attention. It was a motivation to listen when you knew you would have to report.  During our Sunday dinner we would discuss our lessons with one another. I continued this tradition with my children. This is a marvelous technique for learning and teaching.
“In addition to what we do in class, we can do many things to invite diligent learning even before we come to class… Be punctual to your meetings, particularly sacrament meeting, one of the most spiritual meetings in the Church. As you come, be reverent, leave yourself open to revelation. Come and listen to the prelude music.”
I would add: Come seeking answers to your questions.
Elder Jensen said: “We can make a commitment to accept the responsibility for learning no matter how well the teacher or speaker can teach. Several years ago President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) remarked: “testimony meetings are some of the best meetings in the [Church] in the whole month, if you have the spirit. If you are bored at a testimony, there is something the matter with you, and not the other people. You can get up and bear your testimony and you think it is the best meeting in the month…”
It is my desire and prayer that we will make the most of our many opportunities to learn. Listen not only to what is said but also to what is not said: the unspoken promptings of the Holy Ghost. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.