El Dia de Independencia!

At the evening program, I was moved by the display of patriotism during the National Hymn. It was sea of people with dark hair and hands over their hearts in the manner that you see in this picture. It was also touching to see the ROTC or young military--I don't know stand at attention by the stands throughout the entire parade and evening program. They didn't blink an eye (or so it seemed). Independence is a wonderful thing to celebrate in any country. I'm grateful for both independence and agency.

Independence Day Parade

I loved the Independence Day Parade. There were many, many bands, floats, costumes, dancers, Independence Royalty from schools, posters of traditions, bird, flower, songs, history and culture. There were no horses. It was completely different than the 4th of July in Prescott--except there was a parade the day before featuring the younger schools and the older schools and adults were on the actual Independence Day. Spencer thought we should just stay home all day, but I think he was actually glad, once I coaxed him out to enjoy the day. In the evening there was "war of the bands" around the park. You would have been impressed at the marching, dances and music. Oh yeah, in the parade the bands often danced as they played music--no simple marching like everyone else does. It was awesome.

Hi everyone,
We just returned from Esquipulas this afternoon so I thought I'd write a note to the people I love the most--and you made the list!

We have pretty much recovered from being burglarized. We have replaced the computer, camera, watch, credit/debit cards, and telephone. We can't get electronic translators here, so we will live without them. We have also added so many locks and deadbolts to our apartment, that it is like getting into or out of Fort Knox. We now have to carry four different keys on our rings to get from the street to the house and out the back yard. We gave Tere (who comes to clean once a week) three of the four keys--but the one for the dead bolt was wrong and she and Sofi (four years old) sat out on our door step for two hours waiting for us to get home from class last Thursday. Sigh. Both of us had fun harassing Spencer about it (who of course tried to deflect the responsibility). She now has all four keys.

A couple of weeks ago when we were in Esquipulas it rained off and on during the afternoon and evening. We had taken our little portable DVD player (the thieves didn't get it because it was in a cupboard). We didn't take the extra speakers because of bulk. We had a DVD to share with our message of encouragement for our less actives. At two different homes, it started to rain during our visit, making it almost impossible to hear the small DVD player. At the first home, they provided a solution. Since our previous visit, their DVD player had been repaired (they repair everything here). We were able to use their TV and DVD player--problem solved! At Benedicto's home, they don't have a DVD player (maybe not even a TV--we've never seen one there). They have a corrogated metal roof and cement walls and floor, so the sound of the rain echoed and filled the room. It was impossible to hear the DVD. I just said a silent prayer to Heavenly Father to please abate the rain until after the DVD (I think Spencer was probably also praying). Prayers are answered! The rain became a trickle and then stopped completely--right until the DVD ended and then it became a downpour. What a wonderful answer to prayers and a testimony builder. We were able to give our message to the family and Benedicto attended church the next morning--for the first time in a year or more. Reina (his wife) attended the next Sunday--and today they were both there together, for the first time since we started attending in the Branch in February! It gave me goose bumps to see them both there together. Progress is awesome to behold.

Today I saw another little miracle occur. I mentioned in a recent email about our sorrow at seeing endowed members not wear garments. We were at the Nero's home yesterday, and again Juan was working without his garments--and this time without even a shirt. I just felt sad. But today, in Relief Society, at the end of the lesson (JS lesson #42 on Family: The Sweetest Union for Time and for Eternity), the discussion turned to endowments and garments. I couldn't follow all of the comments, because sometimes the sisters speak too rapidly, but I could get the "gist" of everything. Hermana Nero talked about how much she loved her garments because they are an "armor" for her. One other sister (who I didn't know was endowed)--the sister from out near the border to Honduras, where Spencer went and had the ducks biting his pants and where they sang by the light of candles in a little humble home--just to help you remember) also shared her testimony about the blessing of endowments. Another older sister also joined in and I piggy-backed on her comments to mention that in addition to being a protection to us, wearing garments is also a symbol of our love for Heavenly Father and our commitment to keep our covenants. A wonderful discussion followed--and that is when they became more animated and talked faster and lost me at times. It touched my heart. It made me happy to know that even if Hermano Nero doesn't quite "get it", his wife does and he has a wonderful role model in his home. My happiness must have been visible, because Hermana Nero asked if I wanted to say more. I declined, because I had become lost in the discussion and didn't want to mis-step or detract from the great spirit. When I didn't add a comment, she said, "That is OK because your smile (sonrisa) says so much!" Then they all had comments about how much they loved my smile and my spirit. It was touching. I mention that, not to draw attention to me, but because it confirmed to me once again, that the Gift of Tongues is sometimes the Gift of Tongues in the Language of Love. They know I love them and they appreciate my efforts and presence--even when I feel like I will stumble or actually do stumble with spoken communication. I have learned to accept and appreciate whatever spiritual gifts I receive--even if they are different that what I thought I needed. When I compared my language skills to the young missionaries who have been out the same amount of time we have, I feel discouraged--until I remember that it is Satan who wants me to feel that way. When I compare myself to myself, instead of others, I feel blessed. I am so much better than I was at this same point in our first mission and I am so much better than I was when we arrived. I am sure that the tendency to compare ourselves to others is a tool of Satan and I need to avoid it.

Saturday, Spencer told that Branch President that I had a talk prepared. I didn't really--I just had the resource material with me. So of course, he asked me to speak today. But the other speakers both came and with our late start, there wasn't really time, so I am speaking next Sunday. Spencer spent some time last night helping me with the introduction and ending and a couple of segues. My theme is on teaching and learning by the Spirit. It brought to mind something I want to share with all of you as we approach General Conference week-end and the RS broadcast.

During our first mission we attended a mission conference with Elder Ballard. As the meeting was starting, he interrupted and asked that we have a few minutes of silence so that everyone could prayfully consider two questions they would like to find answers to--one should be about our personal life and one about our missionary work. Then he promised, as a apostle of the Lord, that we would receive answers to our questions during the conference. He explained that it might come from something from the pulpit, or a conversation we overheard (maybe not one that even involved us) or a thought placed in our minds by the Holy Ghost--perhaps guidance to a certain scripture. He counseled us to follow this practice before every meeting or class we attend--and the Lord would never let us down. When I have followed that counsel, I have always received the answers I sought. Unfortunately, I haven't made it habitual in my life. But, since then, I have always done it before General Conference. It works. I would suggest that parents discuss this principal with your children prior to Conference. Encourage your kids to have an idea about something they want to understand better or a problem they want to have help with. It gives them a motive to be more attentive, but is so much more than that. It is an opportunity to follow the counsel of an apostle and have their lives blessed in infinite ways. They don't have to share with anyone what their question is.

President Packer gave similar counsel in the Worldwide Leadership Conference in Feb. 2007. Elder Jay Jensen recapped it in the article that is the foundation for my talk (The Power of Diligent Learning, Ensign Sept 2008). I'll share just one quote "...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." I love this thought and felt like it might benefit one/some of you as much as it did me. Elder Ballard and Elder Packer are pretty reliable sources for instruction.

This week is Zone Conference. I always love opportunities to meet with President and Sister Alvarado. They are a blessing to everyone in this mission.

Things are going great at the temple. I am now completely certified at the veil (in Spanish), I will lead a session this Friday, and I am in the process of being certified in other preliminary ordinances. I love our time there. The Spirit is strong. The saints are wonderful and patient and diligent. They ride for 10-12 hours on buses for their excursions to the temple. They wait for hours to get into a session. What faith we see every two weeks when we join them in the House of the Lord. I always leave feeling inspired.

I see that Spencer sat down and started writing a letter (which I will need to type) so I won't write more--I'll let him give you more details on some things and hopefully we won't be redundant.

We love you all and miss you. Write to us when you can. For having such a huge family, we actually receive few emails.

Love,
Mom/Jeanine

Second Day with the Dentists

There was a great demonstration to teach the kids about brushing and flossing teeth. Notice the living "teeth and gums" that were brushed and flossed? They even moved up and down to simulate chewing. The kids love it. Now if they will just apply the knowledge. The diet in this aldea was not good--lots of junk food and the dental hygiene was terrible. People waited in line for hours to be seen and we still turned many away. We had kids involved in a clean up project to get rid of some of the trash before we gave away stuffed animals and little gifts from the United States. It was a good day.

Going Home

Some of the Chorti headed home after receiving dental care. While we were headed back to Chiquimula we stopped at a Hardware Store to buy parts for the compressor for the dental drill, so the two of us "chilled" for a few minutes. It was end of a long and fulfilling day.

Mayan Numbering System

This poster on the school room wall where we set the dental clinic was fascinating. School is taught in Spanish and in Chorti.

You can see that we traveled high into the mountains to bring dental care to a Chorti aldea. Notice the corn patch on the side of the mountain. I would hate to cultivate at that angle--you would need to have one let shorter than the other! :)

A Panorama of the dentists at work.

Spencer didn't know he had switched to panorama, but it turned into a pretty cool picture anyway!

Mi querida familia, September 20, 2009
I don’t always know what Jeanine writes about, but I think it’s important that you get the word from a second source. If there are discrepancies you’ll know down in your heart which one of us to believe.
The front and rear iron doors (big gates in block walls) have new double locks and are double locked at night or when we are gone. We’ve installed an additional deadbolt lock on the front door. All of the locks in our apartment have been re-keyed and I have installed inside pins with padlocks on them. We put a sheet of plywood next to the window AC unit that makes that secure. Someone could conceivable get a lift up over the 12’ walls of either patio, but unless they knocked out a window, they can’t come in. Everyone seems to have an expensive solution, i.e., install an alarm system, which would be connected to a telephone service, or put iron bars on the windows. I think we’ve done the best we can and we’ll have to rely on the Lord’s help with the rest. We do sleep better at night with the reinforcements we have made on the doors.
The El Niño weather phenomenon has hit Guatemala very hard this year. This is especially true, here in the eastern part of the country. We almost haven’t had a rainy season. Consequently the corn and bean crops have been very poor. There is genuine hunger out in the agricultural villages. We were talking to some people who make their living with fishing on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Because of the warm water the fish have gone back out into the ocean to find cool water and so fishing is out. So, “Eat your food! Because little children in eastern Guatemala are starving!” On a side note when we went out this last time on the dentists’ trip to the country schools, the kids were drinking a big glass of oatmeal mush, which they receive before going home. That’s right. School lunch is a glass of liquid oatmeal. If there isn’t something at home to supplement it, that’s what they are living on. The government only provides this in the very poorest areas where starvation is a major risk. We took a bunch of pictures of them with their glasses, but they didn’t turn out. OK, you’ll have to take my word for it. I inquired about it and school principal said that if they want another glass of mush, they can request it, but generally their stomachs are full with one glass. Now my grandchildren: I hope you could live on a glass of mush and a tortilla or maybe a few boiled beans. You can have all the salt you want. Worry, no chocolate milk for Carter Raymond! Sorry, Alexander’s, no Bear Claws for birthday breakfasts. Sorry all, no pizza for anybody. Just mush!
There is a neighborhood here in Chiquimula that we visit, where the kids go down to the river to get a drink. They have had major diarrhea. There is also a little epidemic (yellow alert) here with Dengue Fever. Our medical students were canvassing the city with the Public Health Officials this weekend delivering insecticides to put in their washing facilities (pilas) to help eradicate the mosquitoes. Dengue is carried by mosquitoes. Bad stuff! The second contraction of the disease can lead to hemorrhaging. There are several children in this part of the country who have died with it. We are pretty careful to put on strong insect repellent for protection. We also treat our clothes with Permetherin every six weeks.
We are excited about the new Church Bible coming out. We’ve had the Bible published by the church for a number of years in English, but it’s just coming out in Spanish. We were told it was because the Catholics shad a copyright to the Spanish. I don’t know how we got around that (assuming it was correct info), but now it’s coming out. The inexpensive copy for the members with limited resources is being shipped to the wards and branches for about $1.20 to $1.50. When we get to the Distribution Center we will pay around $27 for a leather bound copy with the thumb indexes. A nice cover with native Guatemalan cloth will be maybe $5-6 more. But it has the footnotes and headings that are in the English Bible. The copy I saw didn’t have the Bible dictionary or topical guide (but lots of the information is in the “Guia” at the back of the triple combination). It does have the Joseph Smith Translation, the maps and the references to the other standard works.
We’re going to have the members from Esquipulas come for lunch on Sunday October 4th between the sessions of conference. The Branch will provide the transportation and we will give them a simple lunch. It’s about six blocks to our apartment. We hope they will come. Their attendance has been poor at conferences and they usually have stayed for only one session. We are trying to encourage them to come to both sessions on Sunday.
We are heartened with the people who came to Esquipulas this morning. With just a few priesthood members it makes a big difference. The few I’m referring to, have disciplinary actions or just have guilt they are wrestling with, but are showing potential. We’re talking about church on the frontier. I can visualize what Joseph Smith was dealing with.
Despite their understanding and lack of “faith”, they have had so many tragedies to deal with. One good brother just lost a 5 year old granddaughter last Saturday. This Saturday he put his wife in the hospital with diabetes and kidney problems. She is in bad shape. Another sister we were trying to seek out had her 16 year old son (a taxi-moto driver) shot and killed in his little taxi-moto about four weeks ago. Another brother’s wife has had surgery in Guatemala two weeks ago. She has to be there for three more weeks. A counselor in the RS presidency has been sick for three weeks (and no one knew why she wasn’t there). Jeanine was taking the RS President around to get reports from the husbands and become informed about these illnesses. One brother, who had been very active, was having relations with another brother’s wife. That hit the family hard and two brothers became inactive. All of the members are “under the cross” as they say with financial struggles. More than one sister makes her living at the market selling candles to the masses of people who come to see the “Black Christos”. Esquipulas is the center for the Catholic Church in Central America.
President Lajpop makes his living repairing TV’s, using old parts in other old TV’s. He can make almost anything electronic work using other junk parts. His wife works at the hospital. Their oldest son (19) ran his motorcycle into a car and miraculously wasn’t killed. After his family nursed him back to health he shacked up with a girlfriend (and calls her his wife). That is such an embarrassment to President Lajpop as the leader of the Branch.
I feel good that we are able to go there pretty much every Sunday and every other Saturday. We spend about $50-60 on each of those weekend trips where there is a hotel involved. The hotel staff has been good to us. We arrive and check in about 10 AM. We have access to a refrigerator and a microwave. We come and go frequently during the day, spend the night. We have a hot shower and we can leave our things in the room while we go to church and not check out until 1:00 PM or a little later. The price for this is about $29. We are getting where we can’t hold up under as much walking and so we take the taxi motos most of the time now with destinations of more than ½ mile. The sidewalks and roads and masses of people near the cathedral are a little too much. With the taxi-moto and the hotel room, we can manage. Also, almost always we will have a lesson or talk to prepare for on the last minute basis. So with a room and tables and lights, we can study and prepare. I’ll leave the stories of noise for Jeanine to tell. That’s a whole new subject. With the pilgrimages of people to the Basilica there is every kind of worldly activity that you can imagine.
Time keeps ticking away. We’re having wonderful experiences, not always pleasant, however we are being blessed and protected. I think we could do without the challenges now, will probably be missed when it’s all over.
Love,
Spencer/Dad/Grandpa and all the other names you may want to use on me!

Working with Elder Godoy and Elder Montague in Esquipulas. Now you can see that it truly is in the mountains. No wonder it is hard to walk there. But we do love the area and the people. They were taking us to a new area and helping us locate the homes of members and menos activos. They were going to come down a trail that was a goat path, but thought better of it--and the way we came down was far more treacherous than this road we went up. The real surprise is that my ankles hold up at all!