Some weeks seem like you are flying at full speed...This week was one of them! We went down to Guatemala City to have the Dentists check on Elder Spradlin's tooth, he had lost part of a filling. We were able to have them fix it on our way into the Capitol. They then told us about the Central Market and we went there and played for about two hours. It was so much fun! Three stories tall, you park on top, and inside each level has different things, handcrafts, ceramics, food, traditional clothing. We were able to buy some Christmas presents for some of our Elders, and a Christmas Nativity for the house, now we know where to go for cute souvenirs if we decide to get some before we go back stateside!
The neat thing while in the capitol was all of the things we were able to accomplish that weren't planned. A refrigerator for one set of Elders up here in the Polochic had gone out and Sister Watts called us while we were there, and we were able to pick it up for them and bring it back up (amazing that the little fridges fit in the back of our vehicle). We went early in the morning to the Temple and the Temple President was minding the Desk. We spoke with him and found out they need some Temple workers who speak Kekchi and Spanish from our Districts up here. We were able to get the specifics and the paperwork so we can give them to our three Districts that speak Kekchi. On the way home we stopped in Coban and had a meeting with our missionaries from the Zone there on the importance of learning English. Challenged them, so hopefully it will help them with setting and reaching new goals.
This morning we met with two different sets of Spanish Elders in Seamay and worked with them on their English. Then this afternoon we met with 9 of the Young Women from one of our Branches here in Senahu and started the Personal Progress program with them. I am so excited! We had picked up the materials for it when we were in the capitol. I think we will probably have between 16-20 doing it with us eventually. One of the Branches here had never started it, so I am working with their Branch President to help them get it going. Working with the Future Missionaries also and have an appointment down in the Valley tomorrow to work with one Sister's file. Tomorrow afternoon District Conference starts here in Senahu - it is going to be a busy weekend and we are grateful! .
Friday, November 30, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
realities
Picture tin hut, dirt floor, little fire in the middle of the one room surrounded by a few dishes - one with tortillas, a bucket of water. A 97 year old lady huddled on a rock next to the fire in her sweater with her hands over her face. She was cold, had a light cough and the chills. I rubbed her back, rubbed her chest with oils, then rubbed her hands to get warmth back in them. There was nothing more I could do for her. Hard to walk away again. We shall visit her again on Monday.
We had just been visiting her grandchildren and great grandchildren next door where the Mother has a new seven day old baby. I worked some with the mom who was hurting all over from the labor and laying on the hard bed where she stays with the baby, the majority of the day. The ten year old daughter has asked us to sing and read with them so that has been promised for when we go back on Monday afternoon.
Went to make Lebkuchen and saw a recipe calling for Cardamom seeds. It is one of the major exports from here, although the price has sunk very low for them. I went to the market to find some and no one sells it here in the market. Someone then pointed me over to one of the drying sheds and when I went there they were very kind and gave me a small bag full. Cookies will be great.
Saw for the first time on the market a Cocoa. it looks like a squash almost, cut it open and the seeds are covered in this sweet/sour membrane that I liked, Elder Spradlin didn't. The seeds are now in the drying process if we ever get any sun.
Went on a visit last night to teach a couple, the Dad wasn't home, but we were able to sing a couple of Christmas songs to the lady using our flashlights as she held her candle.
Our little 4 month old will be having her eye surgery on Monday! Praying all goes well and they will be back to Senahu by Friday.
No plans to go back to the capitol probably until May, then Elder Spradlin lost part of a filling so we get to make a fast run down this week, coming back through Coban to work with Elders on their English there, then stopping in Tuccuru to help teach a Brother how to use the Missionary program online.
Learned this week how to layer my clothes better, double shirting is helping keep me a lot warmer, and I have switched to wearing my rubber boots when we are out, not just for the mud but they are much warmer. A lot of the people kind of laugh when they see it, I'm setting a new fashion trend, where the ladies here wear little sandels and only the men wear boots. Definitely not complaining, I have blankets and clothes to keep me warm and am very very grateful.
We had just been visiting her grandchildren and great grandchildren next door where the Mother has a new seven day old baby. I worked some with the mom who was hurting all over from the labor and laying on the hard bed where she stays with the baby, the majority of the day. The ten year old daughter has asked us to sing and read with them so that has been promised for when we go back on Monday afternoon.
Went to make Lebkuchen and saw a recipe calling for Cardamom seeds. It is one of the major exports from here, although the price has sunk very low for them. I went to the market to find some and no one sells it here in the market. Someone then pointed me over to one of the drying sheds and when I went there they were very kind and gave me a small bag full. Cookies will be great.
Saw for the first time on the market a Cocoa. it looks like a squash almost, cut it open and the seeds are covered in this sweet/sour membrane that I liked, Elder Spradlin didn't. The seeds are now in the drying process if we ever get any sun.
Went on a visit last night to teach a couple, the Dad wasn't home, but we were able to sing a couple of Christmas songs to the lady using our flashlights as she held her candle.
Our little 4 month old will be having her eye surgery on Monday! Praying all goes well and they will be back to Senahu by Friday.
No plans to go back to the capitol probably until May, then Elder Spradlin lost part of a filling so we get to make a fast run down this week, coming back through Coban to work with Elders on their English there, then stopping in Tuccuru to help teach a Brother how to use the Missionary program online.
Learned this week how to layer my clothes better, double shirting is helping keep me a lot warmer, and I have switched to wearing my rubber boots when we are out, not just for the mud but they are much warmer. A lot of the people kind of laugh when they see it, I'm setting a new fashion trend, where the ladies here wear little sandels and only the men wear boots. Definitely not complaining, I have blankets and clothes to keep me warm and am very very grateful.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
little things
It is cold here. Not bad cold, but at night you definitely want an extra blanket on and makes you wish sometimes for a heater. Heater wouldn't really do any good, since there is no insulation. Then we think of our brothers and sisters here in the community who live in the stick houses with mud floors and laminate ceilings, it is a different perspective. We walk through the market or go into homes where we hear the children coughing and see the beginning of much sickness. Right now there is sunshine in the mornings, so that helps. Some of our weeks will be worse, when it is misty rainy during the days and the cold seeps in.
Yesterday we went to one appointment, but the family wasn't home yet. The family next door came out to greet us and we went and sang and visited with them, by the time we finished the first family had come back home. On our way back to their house another family from down below us called out and asked us to come and give his Sister's baby a blessing, because it was sick. That was fun because the way down was by a ladder! We only had one appointment scheduled yesterday, but as we walked through the area the day filled with opportunities to serve. We stopped by the family's home with the sick child and had a prayer with them, telling them we would return when we could find the Elder's to help us give the blessing. The Elders we needed don't have a phone, but when we went to eat, there they were and were able to go back with us. Coming back out, another family called out to us and we stopped. They have now scheduled a cottage meeting for this Saturday to invite in their neighbors and have the Elders come teach. We offered to help make the refreshments, so hopefully there will be several families that attend.
Yesterday we were able to buy ground beef at the market, and we had bought Pumpkin in the capitol. We currently have six Elders here close and all of us will eat lunch together tomorrow of Spaghetti with meat sauce and pumpkin pie. We then have a few appointments scheduled to work in the afternoon so it will definitely be a great Thanksgiving.
Yesterday we went to one appointment, but the family wasn't home yet. The family next door came out to greet us and we went and sang and visited with them, by the time we finished the first family had come back home. On our way back to their house another family from down below us called out and asked us to come and give his Sister's baby a blessing, because it was sick. That was fun because the way down was by a ladder! We only had one appointment scheduled yesterday, but as we walked through the area the day filled with opportunities to serve. We stopped by the family's home with the sick child and had a prayer with them, telling them we would return when we could find the Elder's to help us give the blessing. The Elders we needed don't have a phone, but when we went to eat, there they were and were able to go back with us. Coming back out, another family called out to us and we stopped. They have now scheduled a cottage meeting for this Saturday to invite in their neighbors and have the Elders come teach. We offered to help make the refreshments, so hopefully there will be several families that attend.
Yesterday we were able to buy ground beef at the market, and we had bought Pumpkin in the capitol. We currently have six Elders here close and all of us will eat lunch together tomorrow of Spaghetti with meat sauce and pumpkin pie. We then have a few appointments scheduled to work in the afternoon so it will definitely be a great Thanksgiving.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Interviews, Miracles and Pacas!
Crazy two weeks! We did "English Interviews" with all of our missionaries for the Senahu, Polochic and Peten Zones. We were working to help our Spanish Speaking Elders set goals for improving their English. The follow up visits will now be by phone, and then in person when we do the next housing inspections. We are really excited about this program, hopefully it will help our missionaries focus and work on their English skills. The daily study goals are important, but the biggest goal is to listen and understand the Prophet and the general authorities without having to use a translator - that is a very exciting goal!
In between the zone conferences we made it to Guatemala City, did our major shopping for the next few months and dropped Natalie off at the airport. After having her here for the last six weeks, we will definitely miss her.
Exciting follow up news is that our four month old little girl from Senahu that was diagnosed with cataracts will be going down to the capitol next week with her parents to see a specialist, if all goes well she will be having surgery to remove the cataracts. This is a very difficult decision and time for her family, Guatemala City seems like a world apart for her parents who will be traveling the nine hours by bus to take her, and not to know until after they see the Ophthalmologist there, whether the surgery will even work. This is a big miracle in the happening, thanks to many people and their love and support. A family and Ward in the US who is paying for the trip and surgery, a doctor willing to do the surgery at cost, missionaries in Guatemala who will be making sure things go okay there, the Doctors from Choice who found the problem, our Area Doctor who found the Ophthalmologist in the city for us, our District President who talked to and worked with the family - so they decided to go, a branch who is standing behind and supporting them emotionally to take the trip. This is a miracle that involves lots of people, each doing what they can to help bring it to pass, I find it amazing. We are hoping and praying that the Doctor finds the surgery possible and that all goes well.
In Peten we went to what is called a Paca. It is really like a huge DI or Goodwill, full of clothes and stuff that have been sent down from the US from places like Deseret Industries or Goodwill. Companies or business here get it, (not sure how that happens) and then they sell it. Some people have really big Pacas, then there are smaller ones, and sometimes just out in the markets. Clothes, shoes, and all sorts of stuffs in a huge range of prices. The Elders here collect "Paca Ties" These are ties they buy in the Pacas for 5 quetz, (about 75 cents) Some of them are really nice, some are quite hideous. The ties and collecting them is quite a fun game between everyone. We bought some ties this time, so that we can take them back up to Senahu to give to future missionaries and to give out in Wards where they don't have ties. I also bought me a new sweater for $1.25, We have started the season in Senahu where it mists a lot, or light rain during the daytime and cool, so a sweater will be quite a wonderful thing to have. Last time we were in the Paca I was looking for cooler shirts because of the heat!
While we were in Peten we also shopped for the missionaries in Senahu, they are setting up two new apartments and needed a refrigerator, pillows, white boards and a blanket. Things we would just run to Wal Mart for in the states become quite a searching adventure. We had to stop part-way home from Peten this evenign in El Estor where we made a couple of deliveries and are picking up some things to take up to the other Elders. Spending the night here because it is too late to finish the trip. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Panzos Branch on our way through, they have an average attendance of only about 25 members right now. Stopping in Teleman to drop more things off, swinging by Sacsuha to pick up a clothes rack, then up to Senahu to deliver things and make it to choir practice!
In between the zone conferences we made it to Guatemala City, did our major shopping for the next few months and dropped Natalie off at the airport. After having her here for the last six weeks, we will definitely miss her.
Exciting follow up news is that our four month old little girl from Senahu that was diagnosed with cataracts will be going down to the capitol next week with her parents to see a specialist, if all goes well she will be having surgery to remove the cataracts. This is a very difficult decision and time for her family, Guatemala City seems like a world apart for her parents who will be traveling the nine hours by bus to take her, and not to know until after they see the Ophthalmologist there, whether the surgery will even work. This is a big miracle in the happening, thanks to many people and their love and support. A family and Ward in the US who is paying for the trip and surgery, a doctor willing to do the surgery at cost, missionaries in Guatemala who will be making sure things go okay there, the Doctors from Choice who found the problem, our Area Doctor who found the Ophthalmologist in the city for us, our District President who talked to and worked with the family - so they decided to go, a branch who is standing behind and supporting them emotionally to take the trip. This is a miracle that involves lots of people, each doing what they can to help bring it to pass, I find it amazing. We are hoping and praying that the Doctor finds the surgery possible and that all goes well.
In Peten we went to what is called a Paca. It is really like a huge DI or Goodwill, full of clothes and stuff that have been sent down from the US from places like Deseret Industries or Goodwill. Companies or business here get it, (not sure how that happens) and then they sell it. Some people have really big Pacas, then there are smaller ones, and sometimes just out in the markets. Clothes, shoes, and all sorts of stuffs in a huge range of prices. The Elders here collect "Paca Ties" These are ties they buy in the Pacas for 5 quetz, (about 75 cents) Some of them are really nice, some are quite hideous. The ties and collecting them is quite a fun game between everyone. We bought some ties this time, so that we can take them back up to Senahu to give to future missionaries and to give out in Wards where they don't have ties. I also bought me a new sweater for $1.25, We have started the season in Senahu where it mists a lot, or light rain during the daytime and cool, so a sweater will be quite a wonderful thing to have. Last time we were in the Paca I was looking for cooler shirts because of the heat!
While we were in Peten we also shopped for the missionaries in Senahu, they are setting up two new apartments and needed a refrigerator, pillows, white boards and a blanket. Things we would just run to Wal Mart for in the states become quite a searching adventure. We had to stop part-way home from Peten this evenign in El Estor where we made a couple of deliveries and are picking up some things to take up to the other Elders. Spending the night here because it is too late to finish the trip. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Panzos Branch on our way through, they have an average attendance of only about 25 members right now. Stopping in Teleman to drop more things off, swinging by Sacsuha to pick up a clothes rack, then up to Senahu to deliver things and make it to choir practice!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Joyful Exhaustion
We were able to help work at the CHOICE medical brigade this week in Senahu. They brought in Surgeons with full surgical clinic and supplies. Screened, worked with, operated for 3 days straight. Children with cleft palatte, or double cleft palatte, Adults and children with huge cancer tumours, cysts, glaucoma, hernias, hearing problems. Every day they worked steadily from 8am till 5 or 6 at night doing miracles. Elder Spradlin, Natalie and I worked mainly with the vision screening, but did assist some in helping get other people to the right doctor to be seen. We came home exhausted and overwhelmed on a daily basis. One of the Doctors told me that he and one of the other Doctors have been doing this twice a year for the last 22 years, that is major dedicated service!
Two hard things with our little bits during the clinic. One of the little girls we have known since we have been here, always looked like she had a lazy eye, we found out she was blind in one eye, probably because of some sort of illness when she was a baby. The other is our little 4 month old sister whose eyes did not seem to focus right. She was seen by the ophthalmologist and we learned that she was born with cataracts in both eyes, and can only distinguish between dark and light. There is some hope though that if we can find a pediatric opthamologist in the capitol, and if there is no retinal damage behind the cataracts, and IF the surgery is done in the next two months, she may regain her eyesight. I wept with the mother as I translated for her with the doctor, and then went with her to tell her husband. We are praying and helping them to look for the specialist in the capitol, then hoping they can find the means for making the trip, having the consultation and doing the surgery.
All Saints Day yesterday, meant being invited to Caldo twice by member families. That was fun! Today they are supposed to be flying kites in the cemeteries, it has been raining most of the day so we shall see.
Two hard things with our little bits during the clinic. One of the little girls we have known since we have been here, always looked like she had a lazy eye, we found out she was blind in one eye, probably because of some sort of illness when she was a baby. The other is our little 4 month old sister whose eyes did not seem to focus right. She was seen by the ophthalmologist and we learned that she was born with cataracts in both eyes, and can only distinguish between dark and light. There is some hope though that if we can find a pediatric opthamologist in the capitol, and if there is no retinal damage behind the cataracts, and IF the surgery is done in the next two months, she may regain her eyesight. I wept with the mother as I translated for her with the doctor, and then went with her to tell her husband. We are praying and helping them to look for the specialist in the capitol, then hoping they can find the means for making the trip, having the consultation and doing the surgery.
All Saints Day yesterday, meant being invited to Caldo twice by member families. That was fun! Today they are supposed to be flying kites in the cemeteries, it has been raining most of the day so we shall see.
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