It has been more than a week since we wrote, so we are now past due! We are getting settled into a little bit of a routineexcept that everyday is different! J The kids will enjoy one fun thing Spencer did. Last Monday night I noticed that of our four chairs with vinyl backs and seats we had one black and one brown downstairs and an identical mismatched set upstairs. I asked Spencer if he would please take the brown one upstairs and bring the black one downthen it would be coordinated and match the black table the computer is onI know, I know, the guys are all thinking that is rather obsessive. But it was bugging me. He was totally cooperative, took the brown chair upstairs, set it down, picked up the identical brown chair and brought it back downstairsI just about died laughing. He couldn't figure out what he had done that was so funny! Oh well, his heart was in the right place.
We have tweaked a few little things in the apartmentadded towel racks and hooks, etc. We are getting one more study table for Spencer and a couple of lamps, but that is so minor compared to what we had to do in Alamosa and Garden City. It is just funny that our apartment here is so much nicer than what we lived in in Kansas. We have to come to a third world country to live in a nice place! Such is life. But we loved Kansas in spite of how we lived.
The contrast in housing here is dramatic. You can't usually tell where the poverty homes are compared to the really nice ones, because everything is behind a high wall and a gate. Also, the homes can be side by side in the same neighborhood. We have been in homes with dirt floors, homes that have concrete floors, cinder block walls and only plastic chairs for furniture (which are carried from room to room). But we have also been in beautiful, elegant homes. It is pretty amazing!
Homes are generally built with either adobe bricks or cinder blocks. If the adobe isn't stuccoed it doesn't last very long because of the long rainy season.
Last Saturday the Limburgs returned with wheelchairs for two young girls in the ward who are crippled. Dave was very sick, so he crashed here at the apartment and we helped Suzanne deliver them. It was a great experience. The 11-year old, Kimberly was able to wheel herself all over and was completely liberated. Vicky, the 2nd recipient, is profoundly retarded and will not be able to wheel herself, but it is a great blessing to the family. In both situations, the family has been carrying them everywhere. Vicky's father and brother attended church on Sundayfor the first time in forever.
We had to find a doctor to see Dave last Saturday night. The one that was available only speaks Spanish. So with no notice at all, I had to grab the lesson materials that Spencer had prepared for out Saturday night class and strike out on my own to the church. He stayed here to give Dave a blessing and translate for the doctor. He also picked up medicine for Limburgs and then joined me at the church later.
I was able to wing it and we had a great class, only I had to make up a homework assignment on the spot. Adult learners are highly motivated and want something to work on at home between classes. Tonight (Tuesday) we each have two different classes to teach, because we have had others start, who don't really have the skills for the ongoing classes. It is getting busier.
Yesterday, we went out to find the less active families or just members that need love and support the bishop has asked us to visit. We hopped on one bus going to the general area. But his route wandered through a neighborhood we didn't recognize. It is in a poorer part of town and we were pretty disoriented. As he was headed back to Chiquimula, he asked where we wanted to get off and Spencer told him on Centraland then we learned we were on Central already. We laughed at ourselves, disembarked and started walking back up the hill. Fortunately a member of the ward was on his way home for lunch, stopped and gave us a ride to the right area, and we observed the buses and learned it has to say not just "Molina", but also either 5a or 8a to go the SW corner of the municipality. We will get it figured out as we explore more and make mistakes.
We also visited a home where a 13 year old young man lives. The whole little area is his extended family. He and his mother are members. He says one aunt and two cousins were also baptized, but they attend a different church now. His mother can't come, because she is the 24/7 caregiver for her bedridden mother and her brotherwho appears to be much older than he probably is. He obviously has some form of mental illness and is blind in one eye. His hair is pretty much shaved off and he spent the entire time squatting on his haunches like toddlers do when they playonly he didn't play. He just sat a looked around. You had to almost step over him to get in the doorway. He had a rope around one ankle that was attached to the side of the house. He didn't ever move from his spot, but it would protect him from wandering off. As you can tell, there are no social services for the mentally ill in this area. It is an incredible burden for the families. I think the Lord will understand why Maribel doesn't come to church. She has no respite from being the caregiverever.
I miss the quietness of the Benson house. It was on a secluded street. Here we are on a busy corner of downtown. Every night in December there is a parade for a "Posada." Part of the Catholic Christmas celebration. It goes right past our house. There are also fireworks going off every night. Last Saturday there was a party going on just in back of our wall, by the next apartments over the entire night longseriouslyuntil 6:00 AM! Long night for us!
However, the up side of being on a busy street, is that we can just step outside our gate and catch a busjust about any minute of the day. And we do still hear roosters in the early morning hoursbut no parrots.
Spencer came and joined me at the class before it ended on Saturday night. Afterwards we had a great cultural experience. We had been invited to the Quinciniera of one our students. It is a big celebration when a young woman turns 15. They spend about as much on it as we would on a wedding reception. She had her mass in the afternoon and the reception started at 5 PM. She assured me that it would still be going long after we finished teaching at 8 PM. Spencer was not enthused about going. But is was only block away from our route home, so he agreed to stop for a few minutes. Diana was dancing with her father and the second we came in they came to greet us. There were probably 50 people dancing and at least 100 sitting at tables eating. Spencer was going to just say hello and turn around a walk back out. But her father asked us to come sit at the family's tables. So we did. I am so glad. It was an incredible cultural experience. There was a cake like a wedding cake that hadn't been cut yet and a table full of gifts (oopswe didn't know enough to bring one, Oh, well!) They had a live band with two incredible marimba players, drums, two saxophones and an occasional trumpet (one of the saxophone players). The dance reminded me of old family reunion dances or ward dances for the whole family in the 50's. The old and young danced together, male and female, girls with girls, fathers with either sons or daughters. It didn't really matter. Everyone just participated and laughed and talked together. The music wasn't so over powering that you couldn't carry on a conversation. Some were doing salsa type dancing, but not all. None of the dancing was vulgar and tasteless. Little kids were trying to jump into the spots the strobe light would go next. They had a catered meal, but we had already started our fast. We couldn't turn everything down without being rude, so we accepted water and/or a soft drink. I couldn't believe the energy of some of the dancerswho were a lot older than either of us! They never stopped. Eventually a man that I thought was Diana's grandfather coerced me into dancing with him. It turns out he was her great uncle and he flew in from the states just three days prior for the festivities. Her dad also works in the states and flew down for the celebration. Diana's mother pulled Spencer out for the same dance. It was fun. And her uncle was a good enough dancer that it was easy to follow himeven though it was a moderately fast beat. Spencer commented that the dance seemed to last at least 15 minutes! I had to agree, but I'm sure our bodies were tricking our minds into an exaggerated number. After that I told Spencer he better dance with me too! We really loved the marimba music. Before we left, Diana wanted a picture taken with us. She really appreciated us coming to support her. Once again I was impressed with how much Latinos (or Ladinos as they say here) enjoy just being together. There was alcohol served, but no one seemed to have over indulged and they had fun without it. By the time we left, Spencer was really happy that we had come. He had a very good time.
My birthday was great. We had given the bedroom to the Limburgs, because Dave was so sick. So we were a little bit delayed in getting to the showers, so Spencer didn't get downstairs to bake the birthday cake. However, Suzanne baked it for me. I had a roast cooking in the crock pot and we had lots of fresh fruit to cut up. We had a nice birthday dinner. Spencer gave me a Guatemalan stable and some nativity figurines. I was able to talk to lots of the kids on our new internet phone number. I also received several email wishes and funny, funny e-cards. All in all, it was a good day. I loved having chocolate cake, because I have been so good and I haven't had any cola drinks or candy since we arrived here. Therefore, I was past due for a chocolate fix. I haven't even seen any black licorice, so I may have to get off of that as wellbut I'm not sure why I would want to!
Today I had my first chance to evaluate a medical problem for one of the elders. I feel pretty overwhelmed by that part of our responsibilities, but the church has provided a wonderful internet resource for medical information. There is also a great mission network. There are mission nurses that are the link with SLC, so they have to approve any doctor visits, since the paper work goes thru them for the reporting. I just have to be their eyes and ears in the eastern part of the mission.
I was glad to get a report on the family Christmas party. Sounds like Ben was a great Santa. Thanks Ben for covering for the Santa who was missing in actionsomewhere in Guatemala.
That brings you up to date once again. I hope everyone is surviving the madness of December. Don't lose sight of the reason for the season. We love the Lord and we are happy to be here.
I will try to put some pictures on the blog.
Tuesday, December 9
Monday, December 1
To all of my loved ones!
The list of "Family and Friends" is just a link to the blog addresses of the kids who have blogs. We truly do love all of you, even the ones who don't have blogs!
When I was thumbing through the blog site, I accidently stumbled onto a "Blogs I am Following" or something like that. I guess it would be better if the links were listed there. Then I could list all of our kids and grandkids in the list of people we love.
Obviously I am technologically challenged! But hey, at least I have a blog! Who would have every guessed? Brian, Ben, someone smarter than me "help"!
The list of "Family and Friends" is just a link to the blog addresses of the kids who have blogs. We truly do love all of you, even the ones who don't have blogs!
When I was thumbing through the blog site, I accidently stumbled onto a "Blogs I am Following" or something like that. I guess it would be better if the links were listed there. Then I could list all of our kids and grandkids in the list of people we love.
Obviously I am technologically challenged! But hey, at least I have a blog! Who would have every guessed? Brian, Ben, someone smarter than me "help"!
We have a home (at last)!
Hi family,
Today we started the month out on the right foot. We moved into our apartment. We have been living out of suitcases for six weeks now--with nights spent at Dennis & Sandy's (x2), Lynda's (x1), Kathy & John Palmer's (x2), the MTC x16), Casa de Huespedes (x5), and Benson Istitute House (x14). Today I actually unpacked everything for the first time since we left home. I'd already forgotten some of the things we brought. It was sort of like an early Christmas. Tomorrow I am actually going to put up a little Christmas tree that Suzanne and David bought for their Christmases here.
We do have a physical mailing address for those who want it:
Elder y Hermana Brown
5a Calle y 5a Avenida
Apt #7, Zona 1
Chiquimula, Chiquimula1
Guatemala
We also have cell phones. We have to prepay the minutes.
Spencer's cell phone is 011-502-5060--4474-6401
Jeanine's cell phone is 011-502-5060-5060-6408
The best way is still to sign up for Skype. Our Skype address is jeanine.spencer.
I hope to put some pictures on the blog this week. That is, if I haven't forgotten how to do it while I was waiting to have a computer with the internet.
Love you all!
spencerandjeanine.blogspot.com
Today we started the month out on the right foot. We moved into our apartment. We have been living out of suitcases for six weeks now--with nights spent at Dennis & Sandy's (x2), Lynda's (x1), Kathy & John Palmer's (x2), the MTC x16), Casa de Huespedes (x5), and Benson Istitute House (x14). Today I actually unpacked everything for the first time since we left home. I'd already forgotten some of the things we brought. It was sort of like an early Christmas. Tomorrow I am actually going to put up a little Christmas tree that Suzanne and David bought for their Christmases here.
We do have a physical mailing address for those who want it:
Elder y Hermana Brown
5a Calle y 5a Avenida
Apt #7, Zona 1
Chiquimula, Chiquimula1
Guatemala
We also have cell phones. We have to prepay the minutes.
Spencer's cell phone is 011-502-5060--4474-6401
Jeanine's cell phone is 011-502-5060-5060-6408
The best way is still to sign up for Skype. Our Skype address is jeanine.spencer.
I hope to put some pictures on the blog this week. That is, if I haven't forgotten how to do it while I was waiting to have a computer with the internet.
Love you all!
spencerandjeanine.blogspot.com
Monday, November 24
A few more first or early impressions
Hi kids,
It is Sunday night, 11/23/08 and I have been studying for the past five hours and I am tired of it, so I am going to write to you! Obviously, we are still at Benson Institute. We will be moving into the Limburg’s house after they leave (next Sunday). We meet with the landlord tomorrow morning. He plans on repainting, so I’m not sure when we will be able to move in. But once we do, we will have internet. Then I can use Skype to call you! I hope more of you will sign up by then. If you do, just email me your Skype number (sign in). I will also have a chance to check your blogs to see if any new pictures have been added. I feel isolated, because we haven’t heard from you. But it has been hard for us to keep in touch as well. I feel awkward tying up the computer in the office for very long—even though the three employees (Zuli, Brenda, and Danne) are all wonderful and go out of their way to make us feel welcome. Who would have ever guessed that I could become so dependent on the internet? I guess wonders never cease.
The paint here does not have mold inhibitors in it. Therefore, to keep things looking nice, you have to paint every year or two. That is why there has to be gap before we can move into the apartment—even though we are using all of the same furniture. With the humidity here, mold and rust are both big problems.
We had to scrutinize our budget to decide where our greater priorities were. The Limburg’s apartment actually has three bedrooms upstairs and a sort of small living room downstairs. It is more space than we need. However, that space will enable us to continue to host FHE’s and invite students and “menos activos” over. We could have found a smaller apartment, but it would have been impossible to do the things we should do (as mentioned). With a smaller apartment it would have been easier to justify the expense of a car. However, we have been using the buses for several days now, and I think we will be fine around town. We have also done lots of walking. I feel very blessed, because my Plantar Fasciitis hasn’t given me even a hint of a problem. Waiting to send in our application was the right thing to do, so that I could get all of the required treatment. I did my part and now Heavenly Father is blessing me. The walking is good for us anyway— we both need to burn a few more calories.
We haven’t traveled to the capitol on the bus yet; but the AP’s said that whenever we do, they will pick us up. I’m sure Tuli would, too. In fact, I am thinking we may want to go to the city the first weekend in December. The senior missionaries (including the Area Office) have a “Break the Fast” potluck and it would nice to get to know some of them better. But the other reason would be because then I could celebrate my birthday with Tuli (only we would have to celebrate on Saturday instead of Sunday). We will just have to see what happens with our schedule. We might find we want to wait until a little later in the month.
There are a few things I touched on, but glossed over with my last blog entry. So, please excuse the disjointedness.
When we rode the bus to Zacapa for Zone Conference, in addition to being amazed at how many people we could cram into the bus, I was also amazed at the politeness of the men. When I boarded, a man gave me his seat. Three other women boarded after me and each time a man gave her his seat. We had four men standing in the entryway. One of them was rather tall and stood with his head bent for the entire trip. But it was the most natural thing in the world for them to do. I don’t think that would happen in the States anymore. Sigh… Aren’t “Equal Rights” great?
During our lunch break at Zone Conference, I visited with Elder Gonzales. He is a Guatemalteco (I hope that is spelled correctly—who knows? Nathan? Kathy?) from another part of the country. He speaks only Spanish, but we were able to have a great conversation. He is a convert of four years. He was the only one in his family to join the church. His family owned (I think—but it could have been that he just worked at J) several fast food establishments and Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the busiest days and he couldn’t get off work. The night he told the missionaries he believed their message and wanted to be baptized, they explained that he would have to come to church. He prayed very hard that night to plead for help in finding a different job. The very next morning at 5:00 AM someone knocked on the door and asked if he wanted to work for him—and he had Sundays off. That was his first miracle. He became active and after a while he began preparing for his mission. He received his call. He had limited funds to buy the necessary clothes and supplies. He really wanted a digital camera so that he could take pictures of his mission. He prayed about it and the Spirit told him not to worry about a camera. Within a week, a missionary serving in his area knocked on his door and handed him his camera. He explained that he was leaving to go home to the United States and he wanted to give his camera as a gift to this missionary preparing to go out. It was so touching to hear his testimony of the Lord’s love for him and the miracles in his life.
Currently he is serving as the Branch President in a little Branch just west of Zacapa. His companion is his counselor. There are only four brothers with the priesthood. There are lots of women and almost no children or youth. Previously there were about 10-15 in attendance each week. Over time there were Sundays with 20-25. Last Sunday there were 40 people there! You should have seen his face light up when he told me that! I asked if many of them were investigators and he said no, most of them were menos activos that he and his companion had been visiting. Both he and his companion are “nativos” (his comp is from Honduras) who will have many leadership opportunities to serve in the church in the future. But as we visited, his greatest happiness came when he told me that he received a phone call on Wednesday night and his parents were scheduled to be baptized this Saturday (yesterday).
I have a few more first impressions to share with you. In the city, I was surprised to see that basically every business, every parking lot, every housing area, hospital, etc. is guarded by a guard carrying a shotgun. It must be a major form of employment. Even the church employs guards by the temple/chapel and Distribution Center. Only they wear side arms instead of carrying shotguns. We haven’t seen that here in Chiquimula. However, it is not uncommon to see just ordinary citizens with side arms or a machete (I have only seen one of those, but I am told it is common).
Traffic: In addition to crazy drivers, another hazard here is the “motos” (basically anything with a motor—mostly scooters). They zigzag in and out of traffic; they turn left from the right side of your car and vice versa. They compete with pedestrians for the side of the street. They go very fast and they often have two adults and several children or babies on them. I haven’t seen any evidence of a helmet. Now you may be wondering why pedestrians walk on the sides of the streets. The side walks are very uneven. You will have a smooth stretch and suddenly a driveway into a gated part of the house (where the car is parked in the courtyard) cuts through the sidewalk. Or the sidewalk drops down/goes up a step to accommodate for the change in elevation (we are in the hills). You have to really watch where you are walking. If there are lots of interruptions in the sidewalk really close together, people generally move to the street and walk around the parked cars. Occasionally, there will be someone asleep on the sidewalk. Saturday when we were walking back from the Mercado, there was a boy—probably about nine years old, lying on an Indian blanket, with his head on a step going into a building. He appeared to be asleep, but as I stepped around him, he sort of opened one eye—I guess to be certain he wasn’t stepped on. I have seen men asleep in the same way—but generally in the park or Mercado. Everyone just carefully steps around them. It is no big deal.
Oh yes, the highways are paved, but the streets have blocks that are hexagons or octagons instead of paving. It looks nice, but it has a few more hazards for walking.
Businesses and houses are completely intermixed. We have been in a home where the cars are on the first floor, the living quarters on the 2nd and the laboratory on the 3rd (the home of the local pathologist—he used to forensic pathology, but had so many threats on his life, he gave it up and just does normal pathology now). Lots of stores are on the first floor and there is living quarters above and a courtyard to the side. Every arrangement you can imagine exists.
I love it! It provides an opportunity to experience the world in a whole new way! People are kind and always great you. There are many open displays of affection. Fathers and sons kiss on the mouth as well as mothers and daughters. Most men and women greet each other by putting cheeks together and kissing (either the air or cheeks) when they know you. If you want to shake hands, you have to stick your hand out right away. Even then, a more intimate hand shake is to grab the other person’s wrist and forearm instead of their hand. It increases the closeness. They are a very loving people. It is so fun to learn another culture.
Last night we had dinner at the home of Dr. Perez. He and his wife are both physicians. He is a surgeon. She is OB/GYN. He is the Director of the Ministry of Medicine for the Department (State) of Chiquimula. He says he will invite us to some of the medical meetings so that we can become familiar with the system here. He will also invite us when he travels to some of the outlying villages (especially in the mountains) where the Chorti (Mayan descent) Indians live. There are a lot of needs in those areas.
Not all of the Chorti or other indigenous people are poor and uneducated. Actually the top administrator of CUNORI and also the head of the medical school are both Chorti. Many have been to there village schools and then come to “town” and attended high schools (called “Collegios”) and have learned Spanish. Some of the English students are now learning their third language.
Christmas celebrations begin in mid November here. They don’t have Thanksgiving to set the time for the music, so it starts whenever the community puts up their gigantic Christmas tree, somewhere near the center of town. We were in the City when the lighting occurred there. The missionaries were counseled to go home early and stay away from down town because there would be lots of drinking. We are singing Christmas songs in church—which is actually nice. I love Christmas music and never bet enough of it in church when we have only about three Sundays in December to sing it.
Guatemalans love very loud music! We can hardly converse even in Paiz (Walmart in Guatemala—does that make you happy, Nathan and Adam, to know that Walmart is alive and well in Latin America? We have Paiz and Hyper Paiz). There are six foot speakers blaring by the door. Friday night we went to the staff Christmas party for CUNORI. The music was so loud that it hurt your ears—but they loved it. We couldn’t even converse. And the volume made it impossible to try to translate what they were saying. Limburgs were given recognition for their hard work and their contribution to the school. It was nice to share that. We were introduced and welcomed. There were six speakers there and the walls were cinderblock—so everything echoed. Wow—I am going to buy earplugs, since I can’t converse in that environment anyway.
Spencer found a gym, so he is happy. He went on Saturday. They have all of the machines he loves. If I go, I need ear plugs there too. The music is not obnoxious (like it is in some gyms in the states), but is just loud.
Speaking of noises, just over our courtyard wall are some parrots and other birds. We can’t see them, but we hear them. They often squawk in response to noises in the area. Saturday morning (our first morning to hang around at home) you could hear them saying “Hola, hola!” Mama, mama!” “Hola! Hola!” At first we weren’t sure if it was the birds or kids. But we have met the couple and they don’t have any little kids and they said they hoped the birds didn’t bother us. There are also roosters somewhere in the neighborhood. I will miss hearing them when we get moved—but I’m sure I will find other sights and sounds that are enchanting.
One other quick story, then I promise I’ll stop. Previously I mentioned that the Benson Institute House has an open courtyard, typical in Latin America and the fact that you have to go outside to go to any other room. Across the street, there is an addition to the house going up another 1-2 stories. Saturday there were women up on the top balcony—with a straight line of vision into our courtyard. Not 10 minutes earlier, Spencer had taken a shower and come back to our room to dress. I commented that he might want to rethink that process or he might invite the opposite of David and Bathsheba—where women are looking down to where he is bathing—or at least walking after he showers. J
Well, this epistle has become very long. Only those who love us best are still reading. Are you one of those? Let me know if you made it all the way to the end!
We love you,
Mom/Dad/Spencer/Jeanine/Elder/Hermana, etc.
It is Sunday night, 11/23/08 and I have been studying for the past five hours and I am tired of it, so I am going to write to you! Obviously, we are still at Benson Institute. We will be moving into the Limburg’s house after they leave (next Sunday). We meet with the landlord tomorrow morning. He plans on repainting, so I’m not sure when we will be able to move in. But once we do, we will have internet. Then I can use Skype to call you! I hope more of you will sign up by then. If you do, just email me your Skype number (sign in). I will also have a chance to check your blogs to see if any new pictures have been added. I feel isolated, because we haven’t heard from you. But it has been hard for us to keep in touch as well. I feel awkward tying up the computer in the office for very long—even though the three employees (Zuli, Brenda, and Danne) are all wonderful and go out of their way to make us feel welcome. Who would have ever guessed that I could become so dependent on the internet? I guess wonders never cease.
The paint here does not have mold inhibitors in it. Therefore, to keep things looking nice, you have to paint every year or two. That is why there has to be gap before we can move into the apartment—even though we are using all of the same furniture. With the humidity here, mold and rust are both big problems.
We had to scrutinize our budget to decide where our greater priorities were. The Limburg’s apartment actually has three bedrooms upstairs and a sort of small living room downstairs. It is more space than we need. However, that space will enable us to continue to host FHE’s and invite students and “menos activos” over. We could have found a smaller apartment, but it would have been impossible to do the things we should do (as mentioned). With a smaller apartment it would have been easier to justify the expense of a car. However, we have been using the buses for several days now, and I think we will be fine around town. We have also done lots of walking. I feel very blessed, because my Plantar Fasciitis hasn’t given me even a hint of a problem. Waiting to send in our application was the right thing to do, so that I could get all of the required treatment. I did my part and now Heavenly Father is blessing me. The walking is good for us anyway— we both need to burn a few more calories.
We haven’t traveled to the capitol on the bus yet; but the AP’s said that whenever we do, they will pick us up. I’m sure Tuli would, too. In fact, I am thinking we may want to go to the city the first weekend in December. The senior missionaries (including the Area Office) have a “Break the Fast” potluck and it would nice to get to know some of them better. But the other reason would be because then I could celebrate my birthday with Tuli (only we would have to celebrate on Saturday instead of Sunday). We will just have to see what happens with our schedule. We might find we want to wait until a little later in the month.
There are a few things I touched on, but glossed over with my last blog entry. So, please excuse the disjointedness.
When we rode the bus to Zacapa for Zone Conference, in addition to being amazed at how many people we could cram into the bus, I was also amazed at the politeness of the men. When I boarded, a man gave me his seat. Three other women boarded after me and each time a man gave her his seat. We had four men standing in the entryway. One of them was rather tall and stood with his head bent for the entire trip. But it was the most natural thing in the world for them to do. I don’t think that would happen in the States anymore. Sigh… Aren’t “Equal Rights” great?
During our lunch break at Zone Conference, I visited with Elder Gonzales. He is a Guatemalteco (I hope that is spelled correctly—who knows? Nathan? Kathy?) from another part of the country. He speaks only Spanish, but we were able to have a great conversation. He is a convert of four years. He was the only one in his family to join the church. His family owned (I think—but it could have been that he just worked at J) several fast food establishments and Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the busiest days and he couldn’t get off work. The night he told the missionaries he believed their message and wanted to be baptized, they explained that he would have to come to church. He prayed very hard that night to plead for help in finding a different job. The very next morning at 5:00 AM someone knocked on the door and asked if he wanted to work for him—and he had Sundays off. That was his first miracle. He became active and after a while he began preparing for his mission. He received his call. He had limited funds to buy the necessary clothes and supplies. He really wanted a digital camera so that he could take pictures of his mission. He prayed about it and the Spirit told him not to worry about a camera. Within a week, a missionary serving in his area knocked on his door and handed him his camera. He explained that he was leaving to go home to the United States and he wanted to give his camera as a gift to this missionary preparing to go out. It was so touching to hear his testimony of the Lord’s love for him and the miracles in his life.
Currently he is serving as the Branch President in a little Branch just west of Zacapa. His companion is his counselor. There are only four brothers with the priesthood. There are lots of women and almost no children or youth. Previously there were about 10-15 in attendance each week. Over time there were Sundays with 20-25. Last Sunday there were 40 people there! You should have seen his face light up when he told me that! I asked if many of them were investigators and he said no, most of them were menos activos that he and his companion had been visiting. Both he and his companion are “nativos” (his comp is from Honduras) who will have many leadership opportunities to serve in the church in the future. But as we visited, his greatest happiness came when he told me that he received a phone call on Wednesday night and his parents were scheduled to be baptized this Saturday (yesterday).
I have a few more first impressions to share with you. In the city, I was surprised to see that basically every business, every parking lot, every housing area, hospital, etc. is guarded by a guard carrying a shotgun. It must be a major form of employment. Even the church employs guards by the temple/chapel and Distribution Center. Only they wear side arms instead of carrying shotguns. We haven’t seen that here in Chiquimula. However, it is not uncommon to see just ordinary citizens with side arms or a machete (I have only seen one of those, but I am told it is common).
Traffic: In addition to crazy drivers, another hazard here is the “motos” (basically anything with a motor—mostly scooters). They zigzag in and out of traffic; they turn left from the right side of your car and vice versa. They compete with pedestrians for the side of the street. They go very fast and they often have two adults and several children or babies on them. I haven’t seen any evidence of a helmet. Now you may be wondering why pedestrians walk on the sides of the streets. The side walks are very uneven. You will have a smooth stretch and suddenly a driveway into a gated part of the house (where the car is parked in the courtyard) cuts through the sidewalk. Or the sidewalk drops down/goes up a step to accommodate for the change in elevation (we are in the hills). You have to really watch where you are walking. If there are lots of interruptions in the sidewalk really close together, people generally move to the street and walk around the parked cars. Occasionally, there will be someone asleep on the sidewalk. Saturday when we were walking back from the Mercado, there was a boy—probably about nine years old, lying on an Indian blanket, with his head on a step going into a building. He appeared to be asleep, but as I stepped around him, he sort of opened one eye—I guess to be certain he wasn’t stepped on. I have seen men asleep in the same way—but generally in the park or Mercado. Everyone just carefully steps around them. It is no big deal.
Oh yes, the highways are paved, but the streets have blocks that are hexagons or octagons instead of paving. It looks nice, but it has a few more hazards for walking.
Businesses and houses are completely intermixed. We have been in a home where the cars are on the first floor, the living quarters on the 2nd and the laboratory on the 3rd (the home of the local pathologist—he used to forensic pathology, but had so many threats on his life, he gave it up and just does normal pathology now). Lots of stores are on the first floor and there is living quarters above and a courtyard to the side. Every arrangement you can imagine exists.
I love it! It provides an opportunity to experience the world in a whole new way! People are kind and always great you. There are many open displays of affection. Fathers and sons kiss on the mouth as well as mothers and daughters. Most men and women greet each other by putting cheeks together and kissing (either the air or cheeks) when they know you. If you want to shake hands, you have to stick your hand out right away. Even then, a more intimate hand shake is to grab the other person’s wrist and forearm instead of their hand. It increases the closeness. They are a very loving people. It is so fun to learn another culture.
Last night we had dinner at the home of Dr. Perez. He and his wife are both physicians. He is a surgeon. She is OB/GYN. He is the Director of the Ministry of Medicine for the Department (State) of Chiquimula. He says he will invite us to some of the medical meetings so that we can become familiar with the system here. He will also invite us when he travels to some of the outlying villages (especially in the mountains) where the Chorti (Mayan descent) Indians live. There are a lot of needs in those areas.
Not all of the Chorti or other indigenous people are poor and uneducated. Actually the top administrator of CUNORI and also the head of the medical school are both Chorti. Many have been to there village schools and then come to “town” and attended high schools (called “Collegios”) and have learned Spanish. Some of the English students are now learning their third language.
Christmas celebrations begin in mid November here. They don’t have Thanksgiving to set the time for the music, so it starts whenever the community puts up their gigantic Christmas tree, somewhere near the center of town. We were in the City when the lighting occurred there. The missionaries were counseled to go home early and stay away from down town because there would be lots of drinking. We are singing Christmas songs in church—which is actually nice. I love Christmas music and never bet enough of it in church when we have only about three Sundays in December to sing it.
Guatemalans love very loud music! We can hardly converse even in Paiz (Walmart in Guatemala—does that make you happy, Nathan and Adam, to know that Walmart is alive and well in Latin America? We have Paiz and Hyper Paiz). There are six foot speakers blaring by the door. Friday night we went to the staff Christmas party for CUNORI. The music was so loud that it hurt your ears—but they loved it. We couldn’t even converse. And the volume made it impossible to try to translate what they were saying. Limburgs were given recognition for their hard work and their contribution to the school. It was nice to share that. We were introduced and welcomed. There were six speakers there and the walls were cinderblock—so everything echoed. Wow—I am going to buy earplugs, since I can’t converse in that environment anyway.
Spencer found a gym, so he is happy. He went on Saturday. They have all of the machines he loves. If I go, I need ear plugs there too. The music is not obnoxious (like it is in some gyms in the states), but is just loud.
Speaking of noises, just over our courtyard wall are some parrots and other birds. We can’t see them, but we hear them. They often squawk in response to noises in the area. Saturday morning (our first morning to hang around at home) you could hear them saying “Hola, hola!” Mama, mama!” “Hola! Hola!” At first we weren’t sure if it was the birds or kids. But we have met the couple and they don’t have any little kids and they said they hoped the birds didn’t bother us. There are also roosters somewhere in the neighborhood. I will miss hearing them when we get moved—but I’m sure I will find other sights and sounds that are enchanting.
One other quick story, then I promise I’ll stop. Previously I mentioned that the Benson Institute House has an open courtyard, typical in Latin America and the fact that you have to go outside to go to any other room. Across the street, there is an addition to the house going up another 1-2 stories. Saturday there were women up on the top balcony—with a straight line of vision into our courtyard. Not 10 minutes earlier, Spencer had taken a shower and come back to our room to dress. I commented that he might want to rethink that process or he might invite the opposite of David and Bathsheba—where women are looking down to where he is bathing—or at least walking after he showers. J
Well, this epistle has become very long. Only those who love us best are still reading. Are you one of those? Let me know if you made it all the way to the end!
We love you,
Mom/Dad/Spencer/Jeanine/Elder/Hermana, etc.
Saturday, November 22
Our arrival
Hi Family,
I haven’t had any access to the internet, so I haven’t been able to send an email or update the blog. So I thought I would at least record some thoughts and events from the last few days. When I get a chance I will send them on to you in some format.
The last Saturday we were in the MTC was the day scheduled for Spencer’s Aunt Marzelle Brown’s funeral. We made arrangements for a ride and attended the funeral. It was a great memorial of her life. We were able to see many of Spencer’s cousins. His Uncle Harold was there with his wife Nora and we also visited with his Aunt Bessie. Harold, Bessie and Dad (Chester) are the only ones left in that family. Kathy and John Palmer came to pick us up after the funeral. Kathy had a great visit with Harold and his wife Nora. Harold was a very good friend to the Wright’s and they visited in their home a couple of different times. It was a good day. We went out to eat with the Palmer’s.
It was crazy finding out when we would be leaving the MTC. Our departure date changed between November 8th, 11th and 12th a couple of different times. When we were really scheduled for the 12th we were informed that Elder Bednar and Elder Walter Gonzalez (one of the presidents of the 70’s) were scheduled to travel to Guatemala on the 12th and our president would be involved with hosting them and wouldn’t be able to meet with us until Saturday. The missionary department wanted us to wait until Friday the 14th to travel. Fortunately, President Craig asked what we thought. We expressed that if we were just going to be marking time somewhere, we would rather mark time in Guatemala than at the MTC. We really didn’t need lots of supervision or whatever from the president. President Alvarado indicated that would be fine with him and he would have the AP’s pick us up at the airport on Wednesday night.
Tuesday evening, before we left, Kathy Palmer came to pick up the things we couldn’t take with us and take us to run a couple of errands. She always comes thru. She will take things to either Nathan or Chad to store until we return home in 18 months.
With the travel change back to Wednesday, we thought it was likely that we would be traveling on the same flight with two general authorities. True. We also traveled with lots of young missionaries. I think the Travel Office felt bad about jerking us around so much, because on our flight from SLC to Dallas we had priority boarding and we were seated in the exit row (by the emergency door) which gives you lots more leg room. We had copies of our earlier flight plans for the 12th and we weren’t even going to be sitting beside each other from Dallas to Guatemala City. During our short stop over, we bought some pretzel covered hot dogs for a quick meal. Then, I pulled out the boarding passes. We were assigned seats together in 1st Class! This of course, included a meal! [Why did we buy those stupid hot dogs?] We visited with Elder Bednar and Elder Gonzalez between flights. When we were boarding, Spencer was struggling with two heavy carry-on’s and his pants started sliding down his non-existent hips. He had to set the suitcases down to pull his pants up and Elder Bednar chuckled and asked, “Are you getting it all together, there?” Everyone chuckled and went on. Spencer was seated across from Elder Gonzalez. I was by the window and was able to watch the sun go down behind the horizon when we were high enough to look down on the sunset. It was fun to see how the other passengers live. Besides the very comfortable seats and early boarding, we had two flight attendants for only 16 people. First, they brought us warmed bowls of mixed nuts, then warm moistened clothes to wash with. We were served salad as our first course (with rolls and drinks, of course) and then we had a choice of either fillet mignon or shrimp as our entrée. We had steak. I was so full I could hardly enjoy it—but I took it anyway. J We received a chocolate truffle for a dessert snack. The entire 737 was filled and the rest of the passengers only had two flight attendants for their cabin—oh the life of luxury—even if it was only for 3 ½ hours.
The AP’s brought us to the Casa de Huespedes (guest house) by the temple. It is for saints traveling distances to the temple. It is also housing for five temple couples. It is attached and perpendicular to the CCM (MTC) and very near the temple. There were groups here from El Salvador and Honduras. It was fun to interact with some of them.
On Thursday, the AP’s drove us around the city. We visited the Area Office and the Mission Office. We bought maps to help us get oriented. We visited some excavated ruins. The entire city is built on top of ruins of other ancient civilizations. Many Book of Mormon scholars feel that the City of Nephi was in this location. It is called the “Land of Eternal Spring.” In the afternoon we attended a temple session. We were the witnesses (and I didn’t pass out). I even understood the endowment session is Spanish. But at the veil I used English. The brother at the veil had such a thick accent; he might as well have been speaking Spanish as English (for me). It is a beautiful temple. It has four small endowment rooms. Friday, as soon as I could get a phone book, I looked up Tuli’s phone number. I called her and she gave the elders directions to her house. We made arrangements to visit her the next morning, since Cesar had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon.
Friday morning we went to visit Tuli. It was such a happy, happy reunion! Cesar said that after we called, she just kept crying and reminiscing all night and all morning about the years she lived with our family. She expressed so much love for everyone. She had special thoughts of Rachelle and Janae since both of them have visited her in Guatemala. Cesar is retired (due to a benign brain tumor two years ago) so he was home. He was also recuperating from an appendectomy, but was doing great. I was so glad to meet him after all of these years. Mom always called Tuli her little brown-eyed daughter. She is truly a sister in my heart.
Saturday all of the Central American Mission Presidents and their wives attended the temple to conclude their conference with Elders Bednar and Gonzalez. After that we met our mission president and his wife. President Alvarado is very friendly and kind. Prior to this calling, he was over CES in Central America. They are from El Salvador. His wife was raised as a member of the church back when there were only four branches in all of El Salvador. Sister Alvarado doesn’t speak any English. President speaks more English than I do Spanish, but I tried to use Spanish so that Sister Alvarado wasn’t left out of the conversation. We went out to eat at a nice restaurant and then we went to the mission home—which is a nice apartment that is owned by the church. The mission president for the north mission (where Alan and Susan served) is right across the hall. They have a beautiful view.
It is up in the air about whether or not we will be buying a car. Limburg’s have used theirs to travel to outlying towns for the program they have had of teaching piano lessons. That isn’t one of our areas of strength, so we might not need to travel so much. There are buses in the town, so we will experience everything first hand before we make a decision. We explained that if it is necessary, we can buy a car, but it depletes our resources and will make it more difficult to serve additional missions in the future. The missionary department in SLC told President Alvarado that our mission is to teach English. What we do beyond that is optional. Spencer let him know that his heart is in proselyting. Of course the president said that would be great. I am also to function as the mission nurse for that part of the mission, since it is several hours away from the city where the assigned nurses and doctor are. I just hope no one gets sick out there. J I could birth a baby—but that isn’t usually necessary among missionaries. We do have one elder hospitalized with pneumonia, here in the city. We visited him with President and Sister Alvarado on Saturday. We also met about 15 elders here at the CCM who will be coming to our mission in December. It was fun to meet them.
Today we attended a ward that meets in a building on the temple property. I could understand some of the speakers/teachers much easier than others. In RS, the teacher was not too difficult, but there were so many side–bar conversations that I couldn’t concentrate. We could hear the Priesthood right thru the curtain, Sisters kept talking—very rapidly, and my mind went into overload. I could empathize with kids with sensory overload issues. I wanted to put my hands over my ears say, “Will everybody be quiet?! And talk slowly!” But I restrained myself and just tuned out the external noises to the best of my ability.
We had lunch with the Williams. They live on the 3rd floor of the same building where we are staying temporarily. They are temple missionaries. Blair Williams was a double cousin to Lenore Jespersen Brown (Harold’s 1st wife and therefore Spencer’s aunt)—so he felt somewhat related to Spencer. He is also a nephew to Orlando Williams, who was Mom and Dad’s mission president. It is a small world in the church. They were delightful. They previously served a temple mission in Mexico City. They were trying to recruit us to extend our mission and serve a year in the temple—and we haven’t even begun yet. It was nice to be wanted.
We are happy to be here and we are excited about traveling to Chiquimula tomorrow. It will be nice to meet the Limburg’s after having so many opportunities to communicate with them, learn from them and prepare a little for this mission. Since David Limburg is Kathy Palmer’s cousin, I already know he must be wonderful. Kathy has told us so many things about them and all of the things they did before their mission. I think we will like them very much.
We love you all. We continue to pray for our family members. We think you are the best there could be. Thanks for your love and support.
Love,
Mom/Jeanine
PS: With the mail/pouch restrictions, Ann Marie asked what they would be able to do about Christmas. I told her to just have everyone keep sending photo discs or emails to Ben so he could send us additional pictures occasionally. Then Ann Marie had a great idea. Everyone should buy themselves a Webcam for Christmas. That way when we talk to you at Christmas time we can actually see you on the computer and kids can share their Christmas with us—and we can visit that way with regularity even after Christmas! We would love to be able to see you when we call you on Skype. Adam and Carolyn and Janae and Stephen are ahead of the game—so they don’t have to worry about Christmas for us.
Once again—we love you all!
I haven’t had any access to the internet, so I haven’t been able to send an email or update the blog. So I thought I would at least record some thoughts and events from the last few days. When I get a chance I will send them on to you in some format.
The last Saturday we were in the MTC was the day scheduled for Spencer’s Aunt Marzelle Brown’s funeral. We made arrangements for a ride and attended the funeral. It was a great memorial of her life. We were able to see many of Spencer’s cousins. His Uncle Harold was there with his wife Nora and we also visited with his Aunt Bessie. Harold, Bessie and Dad (Chester) are the only ones left in that family. Kathy and John Palmer came to pick us up after the funeral. Kathy had a great visit with Harold and his wife Nora. Harold was a very good friend to the Wright’s and they visited in their home a couple of different times. It was a good day. We went out to eat with the Palmer’s.
It was crazy finding out when we would be leaving the MTC. Our departure date changed between November 8th, 11th and 12th a couple of different times. When we were really scheduled for the 12th we were informed that Elder Bednar and Elder Walter Gonzalez (one of the presidents of the 70’s) were scheduled to travel to Guatemala on the 12th and our president would be involved with hosting them and wouldn’t be able to meet with us until Saturday. The missionary department wanted us to wait until Friday the 14th to travel. Fortunately, President Craig asked what we thought. We expressed that if we were just going to be marking time somewhere, we would rather mark time in Guatemala than at the MTC. We really didn’t need lots of supervision or whatever from the president. President Alvarado indicated that would be fine with him and he would have the AP’s pick us up at the airport on Wednesday night.
Tuesday evening, before we left, Kathy Palmer came to pick up the things we couldn’t take with us and take us to run a couple of errands. She always comes thru. She will take things to either Nathan or Chad to store until we return home in 18 months.
With the travel change back to Wednesday, we thought it was likely that we would be traveling on the same flight with two general authorities. True. We also traveled with lots of young missionaries. I think the Travel Office felt bad about jerking us around so much, because on our flight from SLC to Dallas we had priority boarding and we were seated in the exit row (by the emergency door) which gives you lots more leg room. We had copies of our earlier flight plans for the 12th and we weren’t even going to be sitting beside each other from Dallas to Guatemala City. During our short stop over, we bought some pretzel covered hot dogs for a quick meal. Then, I pulled out the boarding passes. We were assigned seats together in 1st Class! This of course, included a meal! [Why did we buy those stupid hot dogs?] We visited with Elder Bednar and Elder Gonzalez between flights. When we were boarding, Spencer was struggling with two heavy carry-on’s and his pants started sliding down his non-existent hips. He had to set the suitcases down to pull his pants up and Elder Bednar chuckled and asked, “Are you getting it all together, there?” Everyone chuckled and went on. Spencer was seated across from Elder Gonzalez. I was by the window and was able to watch the sun go down behind the horizon when we were high enough to look down on the sunset. It was fun to see how the other passengers live. Besides the very comfortable seats and early boarding, we had two flight attendants for only 16 people. First, they brought us warmed bowls of mixed nuts, then warm moistened clothes to wash with. We were served salad as our first course (with rolls and drinks, of course) and then we had a choice of either fillet mignon or shrimp as our entrée. We had steak. I was so full I could hardly enjoy it—but I took it anyway. J We received a chocolate truffle for a dessert snack. The entire 737 was filled and the rest of the passengers only had two flight attendants for their cabin—oh the life of luxury—even if it was only for 3 ½ hours.
The AP’s brought us to the Casa de Huespedes (guest house) by the temple. It is for saints traveling distances to the temple. It is also housing for five temple couples. It is attached and perpendicular to the CCM (MTC) and very near the temple. There were groups here from El Salvador and Honduras. It was fun to interact with some of them.
On Thursday, the AP’s drove us around the city. We visited the Area Office and the Mission Office. We bought maps to help us get oriented. We visited some excavated ruins. The entire city is built on top of ruins of other ancient civilizations. Many Book of Mormon scholars feel that the City of Nephi was in this location. It is called the “Land of Eternal Spring.” In the afternoon we attended a temple session. We were the witnesses (and I didn’t pass out). I even understood the endowment session is Spanish. But at the veil I used English. The brother at the veil had such a thick accent; he might as well have been speaking Spanish as English (for me). It is a beautiful temple. It has four small endowment rooms. Friday, as soon as I could get a phone book, I looked up Tuli’s phone number. I called her and she gave the elders directions to her house. We made arrangements to visit her the next morning, since Cesar had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon.
Friday morning we went to visit Tuli. It was such a happy, happy reunion! Cesar said that after we called, she just kept crying and reminiscing all night and all morning about the years she lived with our family. She expressed so much love for everyone. She had special thoughts of Rachelle and Janae since both of them have visited her in Guatemala. Cesar is retired (due to a benign brain tumor two years ago) so he was home. He was also recuperating from an appendectomy, but was doing great. I was so glad to meet him after all of these years. Mom always called Tuli her little brown-eyed daughter. She is truly a sister in my heart.
Saturday all of the Central American Mission Presidents and their wives attended the temple to conclude their conference with Elders Bednar and Gonzalez. After that we met our mission president and his wife. President Alvarado is very friendly and kind. Prior to this calling, he was over CES in Central America. They are from El Salvador. His wife was raised as a member of the church back when there were only four branches in all of El Salvador. Sister Alvarado doesn’t speak any English. President speaks more English than I do Spanish, but I tried to use Spanish so that Sister Alvarado wasn’t left out of the conversation. We went out to eat at a nice restaurant and then we went to the mission home—which is a nice apartment that is owned by the church. The mission president for the north mission (where Alan and Susan served) is right across the hall. They have a beautiful view.
It is up in the air about whether or not we will be buying a car. Limburg’s have used theirs to travel to outlying towns for the program they have had of teaching piano lessons. That isn’t one of our areas of strength, so we might not need to travel so much. There are buses in the town, so we will experience everything first hand before we make a decision. We explained that if it is necessary, we can buy a car, but it depletes our resources and will make it more difficult to serve additional missions in the future. The missionary department in SLC told President Alvarado that our mission is to teach English. What we do beyond that is optional. Spencer let him know that his heart is in proselyting. Of course the president said that would be great. I am also to function as the mission nurse for that part of the mission, since it is several hours away from the city where the assigned nurses and doctor are. I just hope no one gets sick out there. J I could birth a baby—but that isn’t usually necessary among missionaries. We do have one elder hospitalized with pneumonia, here in the city. We visited him with President and Sister Alvarado on Saturday. We also met about 15 elders here at the CCM who will be coming to our mission in December. It was fun to meet them.
Today we attended a ward that meets in a building on the temple property. I could understand some of the speakers/teachers much easier than others. In RS, the teacher was not too difficult, but there were so many side–bar conversations that I couldn’t concentrate. We could hear the Priesthood right thru the curtain, Sisters kept talking—very rapidly, and my mind went into overload. I could empathize with kids with sensory overload issues. I wanted to put my hands over my ears say, “Will everybody be quiet?! And talk slowly!” But I restrained myself and just tuned out the external noises to the best of my ability.
We had lunch with the Williams. They live on the 3rd floor of the same building where we are staying temporarily. They are temple missionaries. Blair Williams was a double cousin to Lenore Jespersen Brown (Harold’s 1st wife and therefore Spencer’s aunt)—so he felt somewhat related to Spencer. He is also a nephew to Orlando Williams, who was Mom and Dad’s mission president. It is a small world in the church. They were delightful. They previously served a temple mission in Mexico City. They were trying to recruit us to extend our mission and serve a year in the temple—and we haven’t even begun yet. It was nice to be wanted.
We are happy to be here and we are excited about traveling to Chiquimula tomorrow. It will be nice to meet the Limburg’s after having so many opportunities to communicate with them, learn from them and prepare a little for this mission. Since David Limburg is Kathy Palmer’s cousin, I already know he must be wonderful. Kathy has told us so many things about them and all of the things they did before their mission. I think we will like them very much.
We love you all. We continue to pray for our family members. We think you are the best there could be. Thanks for your love and support.
Love,
Mom/Jeanine
PS: With the mail/pouch restrictions, Ann Marie asked what they would be able to do about Christmas. I told her to just have everyone keep sending photo discs or emails to Ben so he could send us additional pictures occasionally. Then Ann Marie had a great idea. Everyone should buy themselves a Webcam for Christmas. That way when we talk to you at Christmas time we can actually see you on the computer and kids can share their Christmas with us—and we can visit that way with regularity even after Christmas! We would love to be able to see you when we call you on Skype. Adam and Carolyn and Janae and Stephen are ahead of the game—so they don’t have to worry about Christmas for us.
Once again—we love you all!
Friday, November 21
First Week in Chiquimula
Wow, we are beginning to experience the country! Yesterday we had our first ride on the modern day version of a Chicken Bus. At least it wasnt a remade over school bus. We have seen those, too. Instead it was a 12 or 15 passenger van, with booster seats for the aisle. My best count was that there about 28 or 30 people on it. It had a cargo rack on the top where there were bundles of some kind of grain and other produce. It only cost Q9 for each of us to go to Zacapa. That is just over $1.25 or so. Zacapa is about 30 miles a way. We went for a Zone Conference. We stopped for every one who wanted a ride and just kept cramming them in. I was on a booster seat, which I shared with a tiny Guatemalteca. There was a very crippled man with many birth defects next to me on the other side. Spencer sat by the driver only facing backwards and didnt have a back rest the whole way. When we arrived in Zacapa we had no idea where to get off and the driver didnt know where the church was. Spencer asked around the front, but couldnt be heard in the back, so I had to be very brave and ask ¨Saben, donde esta la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias? And they understood me. The senora right behind me said to not get off yet and she would tell us when we were close. At the next stop she was very excited and pointed out the window of the bus and there were two elders. We jumped off and told them we didnt know where the church was and of course they were also going to Zone Conference so we walked with them. It was sort of fun. Limburgs came several hours later after some classes and a party for them, so we were able to ride home with them.
Please excuse all of the typos. This is an English keyboard, but the program is set for Spanish. Therefore the characters on the keys dont match what happens when you push it. I cant find an apostrophe or question mark in English and I dont know how to put the accent marks in Spanish. So now the person who is obsessive compulsive about correct spelling, cant spell in either language! Oh well. I guess I need a little more humbling.
Today we didnt have any classes, so we were brave and rode the mini buses around the town. They drive like maniacs and have removed the sliding side door and put on bars that are sort of like a gate for you to grab as you get on and off. We did alright!
There have been several English classes this week that we have attended with Limburgs. We have met more people than I will ever remember. We have lucked out and been invited to many farewell celebrations for them. There are more parties scheduled for next week.
The Benson House is very typical of the area. There are no yards. You share common walls with the neighbors on either side. There is gate that is locked on the street. All of the rooms open to a courtyard. So you go outside to go to the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, etc. It is actually pretty fun. I like the ambiance. However, we will be moving into the Limburgs place in December and it doesnt have a central courtyard and is two stories.
I will tell you more about it later and will take some pictures.
On the streets(which are narrow and mostly one way) you see lots of native clothing, women carrying baskets on their heads, babies carried in shawls on backs, children carrying children, men and women carrying large bundles on their backs, etc. You also see people pushing or pulling two wheeled carts loaded with goods. It is amazing. But at the same time, there is an indoor mall with many stores and a food court. Lots of stores have American names. I will start taking pictures.
I better close. It is time for the Benson Institute to close. More later.
Please excuse all of the typos. This is an English keyboard, but the program is set for Spanish. Therefore the characters on the keys dont match what happens when you push it. I cant find an apostrophe or question mark in English and I dont know how to put the accent marks in Spanish. So now the person who is obsessive compulsive about correct spelling, cant spell in either language! Oh well. I guess I need a little more humbling.
Today we didnt have any classes, so we were brave and rode the mini buses around the town. They drive like maniacs and have removed the sliding side door and put on bars that are sort of like a gate for you to grab as you get on and off. We did alright!
There have been several English classes this week that we have attended with Limburgs. We have met more people than I will ever remember. We have lucked out and been invited to many farewell celebrations for them. There are more parties scheduled for next week.
The Benson House is very typical of the area. There are no yards. You share common walls with the neighbors on either side. There is gate that is locked on the street. All of the rooms open to a courtyard. So you go outside to go to the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, etc. It is actually pretty fun. I like the ambiance. However, we will be moving into the Limburgs place in December and it doesnt have a central courtyard and is two stories.
I will tell you more about it later and will take some pictures.
On the streets(which are narrow and mostly one way) you see lots of native clothing, women carrying baskets on their heads, babies carried in shawls on backs, children carrying children, men and women carrying large bundles on their backs, etc. You also see people pushing or pulling two wheeled carts loaded with goods. It is amazing. But at the same time, there is an indoor mall with many stores and a food court. Lots of stores have American names. I will start taking pictures.
I better close. It is time for the Benson Institute to close. More later.
Sunday, November 9
Obedience
Another great quote: "The Lord won't make you obey; He will just make you wish you had." Hartman Rector
Adversity
President Boone (MTC Mission President) had a great quote in the fireside for all the missionaries that are departing this week. It is applicable to all of us. It went something like this:
"You should not think that adversity will bypass you just because you are a good person, any more than the man in the field with a wild bull thinks the bull will ignore him just because he is a vegetarian."
"You should not think that adversity will bypass you just because you are a good person, any more than the man in the field with a wild bull thinks the bull will ignore him just because he is a vegetarian."
Saturday, November 8
Siblings at the MTC
This is a picture of Dale & Marial (Spencer's sister) and Spencer and I at the MTC. See all the suitcases in the background? We were wondering how much it would cost us if we were flying with that much luggage. Hmmm. It would certainly be more than any of us can afford. I wish we could get a picture of Curt and Sheryl and photoshop them in to demonstrate the three Brown siblings and spouses who are all serving full time missions at the same time.
Wednesday, November 5
Ten days later
We survived our first week of working out of "Preach My Gospel." It was amazing. The best part was interacting with all of the other missionaries and the teachers young and old. It was better this time because we knew so many people.
Saturday a friend of mine (Cheri Tyler) who lives here in Provo picked us up so that we could go to a couple of different stores and then she took us home for lunch. It was such a pleasant surprise to learn that her husband Tom Tyler worked with both John and Carl in Chile (about a million years ago). He also knew Richard Raymond. He had great comments to make about all of them. It really is "a small world" in the church.
This week our focus has been on medical missionaries. We have four doctors in our group and several nurses. We will be covering a variety of assignments. Three couples are Area Medical Advisors (McIff, Rees and Hamilton). One couple will be serving in the MTC in Brazil (Hall). One Sister is the Mental Health Advisor in Central America (Thiebauld), one (Turner) is teaching nursing in Chinle, AZ, one will be a Medical Coordinator in Chile (Demers) and us! We have a mixed bag of backgrounds--2 OB-GYN docs, an Anesthetist, a Radiologist, Neonatal nurse, etc. Everyone is out of their comfort zone and we will all rise to the calling the Lord has given us. One doctor will be covering all of the missions in Russia (seven time zones)! It has been amazing to learn some of the inner workings of the missionary department.
Tomorrow we will be learning about PowerPoint presentations. Justin Bauer (my computer guru when we served together in Garden City) bought and installed Microsoft 2007 and a mouse for me (we need it for the PowerPoint "stuff"). What a lifesaver! It was so wonderful to visit with him. He also brought several ties for Spencer--they had great fun trading back and forth in KS. Justin gave us expensive ties and Spencer gave him crappy ones. Seems fair, right?
Friday we start on the "English as an International Language" training. We will be in Spencer's area of experience.
Today, President Fotheringham met us at the Church Office Building Cafeteria for lunch. It was WONDERFUL to see him again. He is an incredible person. We love him so much. His wife is in Hawaii with old friends, so our visit on the phone will have to suffice (for now at least).
We have had fun learning to use Skype. We have been able to "see" Adam's family and Janae, Brigham and Aly. Do any of the rest of you have a webcam on your computer? Even if you don't, we can call you and you can see us on the computer if you sign up for Skype. It is free to you and we are happy to "talk" to you with the video going--unless Spencer is just getting out of the shower or something. :)
We love you all. We have loved your blogs. Carolyn what is your blog address? I want to add it.
Saturday a friend of mine (Cheri Tyler) who lives here in Provo picked us up so that we could go to a couple of different stores and then she took us home for lunch. It was such a pleasant surprise to learn that her husband Tom Tyler worked with both John and Carl in Chile (about a million years ago). He also knew Richard Raymond. He had great comments to make about all of them. It really is "a small world" in the church.
This week our focus has been on medical missionaries. We have four doctors in our group and several nurses. We will be covering a variety of assignments. Three couples are Area Medical Advisors (McIff, Rees and Hamilton). One couple will be serving in the MTC in Brazil (Hall). One Sister is the Mental Health Advisor in Central America (Thiebauld), one (Turner) is teaching nursing in Chinle, AZ, one will be a Medical Coordinator in Chile (Demers) and us! We have a mixed bag of backgrounds--2 OB-GYN docs, an Anesthetist, a Radiologist, Neonatal nurse, etc. Everyone is out of their comfort zone and we will all rise to the calling the Lord has given us. One doctor will be covering all of the missions in Russia (seven time zones)! It has been amazing to learn some of the inner workings of the missionary department.
Tomorrow we will be learning about PowerPoint presentations. Justin Bauer (my computer guru when we served together in Garden City) bought and installed Microsoft 2007 and a mouse for me (we need it for the PowerPoint "stuff"). What a lifesaver! It was so wonderful to visit with him. He also brought several ties for Spencer--they had great fun trading back and forth in KS. Justin gave us expensive ties and Spencer gave him crappy ones. Seems fair, right?
Friday we start on the "English as an International Language" training. We will be in Spencer's area of experience.
Today, President Fotheringham met us at the Church Office Building Cafeteria for lunch. It was WONDERFUL to see him again. He is an incredible person. We love him so much. His wife is in Hawaii with old friends, so our visit on the phone will have to suffice (for now at least).
We have had fun learning to use Skype. We have been able to "see" Adam's family and Janae, Brigham and Aly. Do any of the rest of you have a webcam on your computer? Even if you don't, we can call you and you can see us on the computer if you sign up for Skype. It is free to you and we are happy to "talk" to you with the video going--unless Spencer is just getting out of the shower or something. :)
We love you all. We have loved your blogs. Carolyn what is your blog address? I want to add it.
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