November 22, 2009
Dear Family,
This afternoon we returned from our weekend in Esquipulas. When we arrived at home we found that our electric water cooler that supports a 5 gallon bottle of water (which I changed right before we left on Saturday) had leaked all of the water out onto the kitchen floor. Other than that, it was a great weekend experience. We were able to make visits to six families on Saturday and attend church meetings at the branch. We were surprised to find the mission president and his wife at church this morning. It is a 4½ hour drive from Guatemala City and they were here for an 8:30 meeting with the branch presidency. It is nice to get caught doing what you’re supposed to be doing as opposed to the alternative.
Last Sunday was the Guatemala and Belize Conference over the satellite. The Branch came in to Chiquimula for that. The attendance was a lot less than it was for General Conference. President Packer and two 70’s (Elder Spencer Jones and Elder Clayton) spoke as well as Sister Margaret Lifferth (Primary General Presidency). When the general authorities speak to them as Guatemalans they feel more connected to the church. President Packer has been here on many trips for key events. He was part of the dedication process of many chapels. He has been present for many special occasions. He told them that while they don’t know him, he knows them. The two 70’s served as area authorities and temple presidents in Central America or Latin America and spoke excellent Spanish and could speak to the culture.
Tuesday, the stake president contacted me to inform us about food commodities that had been sent from church welfare for the Esquipulas and Ipala branches. The church welfare department had provided large bags (60# apiece) with equal quantities of corn, beans, rice and milo maize. A couple of months ago commodities were distributed to all of the stakes in the country. We were concerned that Esquipulas and Ipala branches were left out. They are not attached to any stake or district. I mentioned it to President Alvarado at Zone Conference. Low and behold, another shipment was sent for these two branches. On the blog we have a picture or two of the people receiving their grain. Just a side note, milo is the round seed that is grown in our country but is used for cattle feed. Here they grind it and mix it into the corn tortillas, especially when corn is in short supply. Very often they feed the same tortillas to their chickens and ducks and receive their food in the form of eggs and meat.
On a slightly different topic, the Benson Institute, under the direction of the presiding bishopric is promoting a vegetable garden and chicken project for families who need more food and to encourage self-reliance. They are at-risk families. The program provides materials and help/instructions for them to build the chicken coops as well as the chickens. The coops are supplied with feeders and water containers. Each family receives 24 chickens and feed for the first six months. It takes six months for baby chicks to mature enough to start laying eggs. The family agrees to pick up the ongoing feed costs when they can sell half the eggs (and keep half for their family’s consumption). At the end of a year, they can butcher and/or sell the hens (who have passed their laying prime) and with the proceeds, they agree to start a new batch of chicks. The coops are compact and secure. The manure can be used as fertilizer in their small vegetable gardens. The church provides seed, fertilizer, insecticide and basic tools, if needed. There is a person who provides instruction and guidance for the chickens and the gardens. The chicken coop looks like a rabbit hutch. I plan to build one myself when I get home. I will put mine on pipe skids to move around as needed.
Back to the weekend, We always go to Esquipulas with the basic lessons studied because we could be asked to talk or give a lesson on a moment’s or a day’s notice. It happens often. Jeanine talked in Sacrament meeting the Sunday before the area conference and always leads the music. I teach the 1st and the 4th Sunday priesthood lessons from the Liahona (equivalent to the Ensign). It is good to be needed.
We always pray for all of you back at home. We’re prayful about your well being and hope you are also prayful about your families. May the Lord prosper you where needed and keep you well.
Love,
Spencer/Dad
PS Note from Jeanine: I always do the pictures and then I don’t have time to write a letter. But Spencer said I could add anything I wanted.
We have had good experiences recently presenting certificates to both the medical students and the employees who completed the English classes this year. The certificates were beautiful and had our picture as a watermark (I think that is what it is called) in the background. On both occasions, students thanked us in Spanish and in English for our generosity in giving our time to help them grow and develop new life skills. We included a couple of pictures from the faculty dinner and presentations on the blog.
One very “different” thing happened Friday night. There were great musicians that provided entertainment. Then there was a comedian to perform. I’m glad I don’t know any bad words in Spanish because I didn’t get any of his jokes and didn’t know what he was talking about. I could tell from the mixed responses, that some people were very unhappy. Apparently he was excessively vulgar and crude. Finally, the assistant to the director of the school came up and told him to stop. “At this school we have respect for women.” The guy just kept going! Nery told him again and the creep acted like he was going to challenge him to a fight. Nery went over and had the sound technician disconnect his microphone from the sound system. There were many employees applauding to support Nery. Finally, some woman came up took the guy by the arm and they left (in a huff). Perhaps his jokes would be appreciated in a bar—but not a university banquet. Sigh. No matter where you go in this world, you see both evil and good—in stark contrast to each other.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, take time to reflect on our many, many blessings. We will be celebrating late, because of teaching conflicts.
On Fast Sunday, December 6th, many people are asking that we unite in fasting for our country. No matter what your political alliances are, I think you can agree that our leaders need the Lord’s guidance in bringing us out of this economic crisis. We definitely need guidance in knowing how to best bring about the changes in our personal lives and in our nation that would be for the best good. There is power in united fasting and prayer.
Love,
Jeanine/Mom
Today (Monday, Nov, 30th, we celebrated Thanksgiving (on P-Day instead of after District Meeting). It turned out fantastic. It is a lot more labor intensive to cook Thanksgiving dinner here. You have to whip your own cream -- no Cool Whip; make your own pumpkin pie spice -- after looking up the recipe on the internet; snap your own beans; improvise for items not available (lemon jello, Romaine lettuce, Craisins); cook in an oven where it is a wild guess to gauge the temperature and pay $1.50/lb. for the turkey. But we loved it anyway. We had turkey, dressing (such a yummy recipe from Janae), potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, green beans w/ham and onions, corn on the cob (can't do that in the US at this time of year), 7-up fruit salad (there is no lemon jello here--it is lime, so we used lime and pineapple--it was a big hit), yummy salad with caramelized almonds (a recipe from Aunt Lynda) and a pumpkin cobbler (crunch) from a recipe that Rachelle uses and Janae sent me one addition--nuts on top. We even had ice cream to top it off. They scarfed it all up. I have some left overs, but not tons and I have my Weight Watchers crustless pumpkin pie to enjoy, guilt-free at my leisure. I have to admit, I am tired tonight. I cooked all afternoon on Sunday and all day today. The missionaries went home raving about the meal. We are thankful for the opportunity to share this holiday with them. We have much to be thankful for!
