Special event

This week's most special even was the visit of 20 adults and youth with four children from the branch in Esquipulas came to our temple here in Quetzaltenango. We were overjoyed to see them since we worked in their branch during our previous mission in 2009-2010. That was the branch we were called to serve in. Next to Rome itself, Esquipulas is the center of Catholicism for Central America. The branch there has had its challenges and now, seems to be ready to grow, under its new presidency. We were able to officiate their session in the temple and direct their efforts Thursday afternoon. They had been on the road since 11 PM on Wednesday night. They had some unavoidable delays. First their bus broke down. Then they ran into marching protestors (manifestaciones) on the highways and had a hard time getting thru. This put them on the road for 14 hours. After working our morning shift, we spent the entire day until 9 PM organizing them and seeing to their needs. We paid for their breakfast here at the annex). The leaders came to the temple Friday morning before leaving and asked for me. We could not have been more blessed, to have had them here with us. I consider this the Lord's tender mercies and a highlight of our two missions to this point. [It was sort of a blend of the two missions] Congratulations to James and Terry for their special roles in the process of the program and dedication of the Phoenix Temple. We will never know the hours they spent. This must be one of the highlights of their lives. They will be blessed.