Zacapa Zone Conference

On our way to Zacapa for a zone conference in the Guatemala East Mission, President Crapo. Spence had always wanted to go there since he was a young missionary. It had quite the reputation as being a haven for "guerrillas".
We went the day before and stayed overnight. The next day we drove into Zacapa. What a busy little town.

No excitement. No rebels. Just a busy day in downtown Zacapa!

                                  It was a rare opportunity to spend the day with the missionaries.

       This area is well known for its melon production. So, when in Zacapa, buy melons...and we did!

RIO DULCE Trip

At different times throughout the year, the Senior Missionaries will take trips to various places. Spence could not go so my friend, Paula, became my travel buddy.

Our first stop was the Quirigua Ruins which is located in the middle of a large banana plantation. There is a sense of antiquity when you step into the jungle and literally walk back in time. At Quirigua there is a collection of ancient architecture represented by seventeen monuments that were carved between 426 AD and 810 AD. They partially made up this great city. Quirigua is one of the major testimonies to the Mayan civilization. For reasons which are not clear, it then entered a period of decline.

      Sisters Trapnell, Cragun (Kelli's daughter-in-law), Brereton, Me, Wood, Cox, Cragun, and Daly

Next stop, Rio Dulce. Rio Dulce flows from the banks of Lake Izabel. The next morning we boarded a boat and traveled down the river.

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• The Castillo de San Felipe de Lara is a fortress located at the mouth of the Rio Dulce to Lake Izabal in eastern Guatemala. This castle had three functions: to be a military fort, a prison and also a customs center, with multiple warehouses serving as a center of trade between Guatemala and Spain.
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       As we continued traveling down the river, we unexpectedly had visitors via canoe...selling their wares! Not uncommon for this country.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      We soon realized the river has its own community. There are no roads. The only way to travel is on the river.
      
      
      
      
      
       People travel by boat to collect fresh water. They come up beside the tire and fill their containers boat side. They have their own "drive through"! There is a hose that brings the water down from above. It is rather ingenious.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      Finally we arrived at Livingston on the Atlantic Ocean...the Caribbean side.
      
      
               I am constantly amazed at this beautiful country with its rich history! 

The American School

The educational system is varied here in Guatemala. Those who can, choose private schools. There is a member couple who started a school years ago to educate their 10 children. As a result, it has grown and become a very well respected school here in the city. They educate children from Kindergarten to 12th grade. I was invited to come to "I Love to Read" day and share a book and activity with 4th and 5th grade students. It was wonderful to be in an education setting. I read a book and then the students did a simple art activity I had done many times with my own students.

Students are required to speak only English at this school unless they are taking a Spanish, French, or German class. To be bilingual (including English) makes a huge difference...from poverty to prosperity. Obviously, these students come from more affluent families and varied ethnicity. To speak like a native is the standard at The American School.

Popal Vuh Museum

The Popal Vuh Museum in located on the grounds of a beautiful university in Guatemala City. This museum is dedicated to the history of the Mayan people and culture. We went with our friends, Mark and Paula Wood. Mark is the General Counsel for the Central America Area. They are becoming dear friends. The great thing about it is, they live in Sandy about 10 minutes from us! 

Maternity Hospital Humanitarian Project

Many of the senior missionaries try to get involved in various humanitarian projects. Several of them are helping to supply new mothers with 'newborn' kits. These kits are rather simple but very  needed. Inside a gallon size ziploc bag is a newborn outfit, cloth diaper, baby pins, cap, booties, washcloth, soap, and receiving blanket. However, this is more than most mothers have for their babies. The hospitals do the best they can with meager and archaic resources archaic but their standards leave much to the imagination. I was able to go with a few other sisters to deliver these kits. It was quite humbling but oh so worthwhile. The newborns are in the same room with other patients such as this little boy who was recovering from burns. We brought him a toy and a blanket.

Sister Petri is a wonderful humble sister who is giving all she has, which is not much, to help relieve some of the burden these people face. We try to support her with our donations. Stacie, Susannah, and Saunie are coming in the fall and bringing kits with them for us to take to the hospital. I look forward to sharing this experience with them.

April 2015 Hinecapie...the Mystery Road

Hinecapie...the MYSTERY Road...Solved! 

We like to explore on Saturdays. Many times our exploration is to find a store. We hate wasting our Saturdays shopping when we could be out in the country exploring!

 So, on this particular Saturday, we decided to find out where Hinecapie Road actually went. Everyday when we drive to work we turn right but were so curious where we would go if we turned left. There were always so many cars coming from that direction, we knew something was that way. So, we set out to explore. We have also learned that the best day to travel anywhere in Guatemala is on a holiday. Easter weekend it was!

 First, we went down this winding death defying road. Later, we learned that on regular work days it is closed to only one way traffic going into the city a few hours and then reverses and goes one way out of the city for a few hours because it is so steep and narrow. It is very steep and rather dangerous.

We drove through the country and saw acres of fields with mountains and volcanoes in the background. It was gorgeous.

 

Practically in the middle of a field on the outskirts of this little town, we came across an LDS meetinghouse. You can find them in almost every town. They are like an oasis in the desert.

On our way out of town, being the explorers that we are, we turned right instead of the way we had come to see what was further down the road. We were not disappointed! We drove through the most beautiful mountain terrain. Almost at the top there was a look out so we decided to stop. There before us was Lake Amatitlin in the far distance. There is beauty all around!