Mission Matters

The Book of Mormon has taken on a new meaning as we talk and work with people who are surely descendants of the people of Lehi. These people proudly acknowledge their heritage and the young men and women we see in the CCM (MTC) are as the Army of Helaman. They are strong, intelligent, bright, handsome and totally dedicated and comitted to the gospel of Christ. Many are third generation LDS and some are converts. Some come with a single pair of garments and one change of clothes, a few come from more stable economic situations; but all of these Latin missionaries (about 70%) come ready to serve the Lord. As we give them their vaccinations and see them in clinics we feel very humbled by their bright willingness and their enthusiasm.

We love our mission assignment. We love the environment of service and being in the Area Office we work shoulder to shoulder with the Area Presidency and have pretty constant communciation with the nearby country Mission Presidents. We have been in contact with every mission president and have discussed many medical issues with most of them. Observing their love for the missionaries and seeing their desire not to lose a single missionary due to illness (some severe) has been touching. They love these young men and women and know they not only will serve others by their service, but they also have a chance to grow personally, and become the leaders of the church in CA. We have seen this over and over. The leaders of the wards and branches are men and women who have served missions a generation ago. The temple is busy, active and is the center for this part of CA. A few weeks ago a busload of people from El Salvadore came to the temple. They wore their native clothes, some spoke only their dialects. Groups of young men and women were being baptized for the dead. The endowment sessions were totally full and there were people standing in line outside to go into a session. These people are very small - 4'8" or therabouts. One day, as we were standing in line at the small distribution center, a man in his bulky sweater (by the way - there is one mountain here in Guatemala over 13,000 feet and many people live in these highlands) accompanied by a few women in their wonderful dress, stood behind us with his arms full of Personal Progress and "Duty to God" manuals. He must have been a bishop. There are a few villages where the LDS population is 50%. The temple is overflowing on Saturdays and brides and grooms come out on the lawn for a photo shoot.

We see members where ever we go. We were in a pharmacy today and were so touched by the clerk. We wanted to give him a pass-along card, but then he told us he was already a member. This is a happy people and they are gracious and kind. They smile first and say hello in elevators. Everyone says "Buenos Dios" to everyone they pass. Many of these people are ready for the gospel. We went to the Anthropology Museum on Saturday. We went with another couple. When it was evident we needed a guide we couldn't find one. Museums don't have any sort of docent program. A young woman, all alone, walked through the door. We asked her if she could come with us and help us with labels. As we questioned her, she told us that she had just taken a friend to the airport and had been driving along the road when she felt compelled to come to the museum. She hadn't been there for years and thought it would be interesting, but just the same the feeling to come in was overpowering. She was in her last year of engineering school and was an agnostic. She said she had so many questions that religion couldn't answer. The museum was similar to walking through the Book of Mormon. When the sister told her about the Book of Mormon and the relationship to what we were seeing she was fascinated. She wanted to read the Book of Mormon and she wanted the missionaries to come and speak with her. The other couple are Executive Secretary (s) of the Area Presidency so they were able to find out exactly where she lived and which missionaries should contact her and, further, will make sure they do. In this museum is a huge mural along the whole wall. we noticed a huge mural on the wall as we were exiting the museum. To our surprise we saw two Mormon elders with their ties and scriptures walking along a street. I don't know when it was painted, but probably in the last 50-60 years, but it represented the growth of the gospel in CA.

Not understanding Spanish is a major handicap for us at work, at home, in stores, and in our branch. Everyone is so accomodating, everyone is so kind; but we do a lot of pantomiming, and often get the wrong information. We have been surprised at how few people speak English. We are the only people in our branch who do not speak Spanish, oh no, there is another couple from the Area who have been out of town. This last Sunday was our 4th week and we are gradually hearing some discrete words. We study the gospel doctrine lesson and the Relief Society lesson from manuals so we can, at least, stay in the ballpark. We smile, hug and kiss a lot...and so far that suffices. I have learned a lot of names, and know the names of some of the Young Women. The children have been great. I visited Primary once and was impressed by the organization. This is a branch, not a ward, yet these people are strong and talented. Our gospel doctrine teacher, a woman, is truly impressive. No one doses off in her class. I am playing the tachleta (which is a small keyboard) for Sacrament Meeting. The chorister who has become a good friend had me note that there were fewer members in attendance last Sunday. The shrinking U.S. dollar has become a problem and they can't afford to take the bus to get to church. Every single penny (centavo) is accounted for and the bus they have hired used to take a group for 3 questzales for each person. Last week the rate jumped to 8 questzales (1 quetz is = to 30 cents) per person, and the families all have children. We are praying and fasting for solution to this problem.