This week our classes at the church started again. We had huge turn outs. I hope not all of the kids' class returns--does that sound awful?! I now have 30 on the roll and that is to many kids at too many various levels and ages to prepare for. I have to pick a target audience. I had told them in December we would start at the beginning again, and some of the advanced students haven't been here this week--and I hate to say it but that is a good thing!
Friday we left very early and went to the temple. We are back onto our every-other weekend schedule. It was nice to see all of our friends and wonderful to be of service. This morning we led a session. Many of the participants had come from Quezaltenango--leaving on the bus at 12 midnight and arriving before 8 AM. Many of them were really struggling to stay alert. I've been there and done that - and I didn't have such a good excuse!
One very special experience was when one sister looked up at me and said "You look like an angel! You are all white and you are always smiling! You make me feel happy inside." What a kind and wonderful thing for her to say.
It is still a surprising cultural experience to live in Guatemala. In a calendar we had from last year it says the 18th - 25th is the presentation of "Danza Drama Rabinal Achi Patrimonio ....." We aren't sure what the whole paragraph means, but last Sunday we noticed lots of people going to church in very formal black suits and white shirts - men and women both. In the evening there were firecrackers and they were blocking off the traffic on 5a Ave. about when we were going to bed. At midnight, a procession and band started from the Calvario Church a block away. It was very loud and coming down the street outside of our apartment, so we got up to look. They were carrying the HUGE platform with the Savior struggling under the cross. The people carrying it had on purple robes and did a sort of swaying dance as they walked. Nathan and Christena saw this type of procession during Semana Santa before Easter--but we had never seen on here in Chiquimula. The one they saw was during the daytime. There were pine needles scattered all along their path. It was such a huge platform that it was a major undertaking to turn to corner. My camera was down stairs, but I should have run for it anyway. That must have been the beginning of this "Danza Drama..." Then tonight our door bell was rung and we could hear a band. I peeked out the front gate then ran upstairs, so I could see from our little balcony. There was a band and lots of spectators, but right in the middle of our intersection, there were people in costumes with masks dancing and having a good time. It was a fun dance to watch and had happy music. It must be part of this same week and it is drawing to a close.
I will have to ask my students what this week signifies. I did try to take pictures this time. However, it is night and I'm pretty far away, so you can't see much. You just have to be here to experience it.
Thanks for letting me share our experiences with you--both the good ones and the hard ones.
Love,
Mom/Jeanine
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