October
is quickly approaching us, which is when we will be finishing our
Mission. We are hoping and praying that more couples stateside
will turn in their papers to serve, and some will be called to our
Mission. The people here and our missionaries need more senior
couples and the valuable life experiences they bring to the mission.
Members stateside have seen how things like Primary, Young
Women's, Young Men's function. Things we take for granted are
experiences that strengthen greatly the church in areas like where we
currently serve.
Our
training meeting on Saturday was great! The members that came
from Coban to help train were wonderful, and even more fantastic is
that our Chulac and Senahu Districts had gotten complete
Presidencies called for their Auxilaries. Chulac District even
arrived early for the meetings - some of their members getting up at
4:30 in the morning so they could be there! I worked with the
Primary and one of my highlights was that Mike Peck had sent me the
children's song “If the Saviour Stood Beside Me” in Kekchi and I
was able to teach it to everyone. It is in the Primary program for
this year, but only in Spanish. I love it's meaning – How do we
judge the things we do each day – because the Saviour is near and
watching over us.
Underneath
the motor on our car is a big piece of hard plastic that is attached,
but not with real screws. A part of this came off, was just hanging,
when we got to our meeting. Elder Spradlin tried putting it back up
and bending a nail to re-attach part of it. When we headed home, it
came lose again. We pulled in to the one gas station between the
meeting and home, asked them if we could use their ramps, where
people can wash cars, to try and look under the car. They gave us
permission and we drove partly up the ramps to take a look. Just as
Elder Spradlin was getting out his gloves to see what could be done a
mini-van (transport) drove up and parked beside us. The young helper
came over to see what the problem was, walked right in and started
helping! He took off the dangling part, then got cord out of his van
and tied the rest of the plastic back up. Best that can be done at
the moment. When I told him thank you and what could I offer him for
his help, he just said, “No sister, don't worry about it”. He
wouldn't accept anything.
We
got turned around and lost in Guatemala City on Tuesday looking for a
business. We had an address and a map that was pretty useless once
we were lost. We stopped to try and get directions from a couple of
people on the side of the road. They spoke by telephone with the
tailor we were trying to find and he explained the directions.
After they spoke with him, one of the people volunteered to go with
us and show us the way. They told us we would never be able to find
it on our own, because of all of the turns. They were very right!
When
we finally find the location we offered to give the man a ride
back when we finished, or to pay for his transport back, a taxi or
tuc- tuc or whatever. He told us “Taxis charge too much, I will
just take a bus.” When I asked him how much the bus would be he
said it would probably be one quet (13 cents) We gave him a 20q and
told him how grateful we were. He then said, “You are Christians,
and I am a Christian. God doesn't charge.” He then took my hand
and tucked the money back in it. I was overcome by his kindness and
example.
Elder
Spradlin and I got fitted for matching suits at the Tailor. Many of
the Elders here in the Mission have had suits made by this Brother,
so we are very excited. They will be finished in April, then he will
give them to the missionaries there and they will send them out to
us. Mine of course is with a skirt, Elder Spradlin's will have
slacks - and the coat lining for his is the Guatemalan flag!
Friday
night we were able to help with a Missionary night in one of the
homes. We took our computer and speakers and were able to show a
video on the life of Christ. Saturday evening after we came home
from the training meetings we were able to attend a baptism. Since we had to go down to the Capitol on Sunday we were able to
attend the Break the Fast with the Senior Missionaries there, this is the first time since we have been in Guatemala to attend one. On Monday
they worked on the car. They were able to fix one of our key locks
and said the underneath will be okay till they do the next oil change
and maintenance, then they will try and secure it better. Hope the
rope cords hold up!
On
the miracle side, Rosi will be having her lens implant surgery for
her eyes the end of this week. Two people from the states sent the
money to make this possible, and hopefully enough left over to help
the family start saving for the surgery she will need when she turns
five. So many amazing, giving people all over the world!
