A Thousand Pair by Spring

Our new motto...as we are trying to accumulate 1000 pair of reading glasses of all powers by spring. There is a need! What we are doing is to encourage buying reading glasses at a Dollar store in Salt Lake, anywhere in US, and sending them down to us with the people who are visiting. It's unbelievable how much traffic there is from all the senior missionaries families, the Area Presidency, Seventys' going back and forth. We have found a humanitarian source as well. As people accumulate the glasses Marci has volunteered (?)to be the courier to get the glasses from whomever is donating them and getting them to the people who are going to Guatemala. They can't be mailed...they would never get here, at least that is what we think. Actually, we could try it and see what happens with a few glasses.

We are the oldest, by far, of all the missionaries in the Area. Most are in their early 60s. We don't feel like the grandparents for a couple of reasons: 1. these people are so accomplished that we learn from them. and 2. everyone is so nice and we all bring such diverse talents to the group that it seems that age doesn't matter.

There are two young ladies in our office who want to learn English. They are about 19. Pamela and Laura (although you'd never know the names when said in Spanish) want to learn English, so we have decided we will memorize scriptures - they in English and me in Spanish. We take turns picking the scriptures and usually it takes a couple of days. Then we get together and I give a treat if we can all do it. They do it well, I stumble a lot, but they are patient. One scripture we memorized is the one where Nephi says that if the Lord commanded a way will be prepared...and I am counting on that for learning Spanish.

The Spanish computer keyboard is quite a challenge for me and I still make lots and lots of mistakes. Dad usually uses this one so I have to press keys in certain arrangments to make the accent marks of text in Spanish, which I'd rather do anyway.

We have volunteered to help with the Lion's Club International. Their specific mission is VISION, and we have observed their program around the world. We found a chapter in Guatemalea City and will go to their breakfast tomorrow morning. I am excited about just helping children stand in line as they get seen by doctors, etc.

Traffic is efficient although crazy. No one observes stop signs, but the semaphores are strictly watched. Drivers are generally nice and will let you in during the horrible traffic hours...and they are horrible. Mudslides of hills, accidents, and so on just bring traffic to a halt from time to time. Dad has it down pretty well but most of the time I shut my eyes and pray.

One story, and if thee is any doubt about the expansion of our testimonies - let there be none, as we feel the hand of the Lord continually in small and large things. We are amazed at the guidance we feel from the Spirit. Here is a story for the children. Last week, a wonderful old german gentleman came to visit Kim in the office. He was gracious, dignified and very distinguished. He kissed my hand, and so of course, I was instantly impressed. Brother Gert told his conversion story and I would lie to pass it on to you. He had owned a major airlines, but he also took tours from all over the world to Israel, Greece and Rome. He loved the Bible as a story and knew every word. But, he was a dedicated, committed athiest. The Bible was the most beautiful book in the world and the steps of the prophets in the OT and the travels ofJ Jesus and Paul, particularly, was his passion although he regarded these people as if as in a beautiful story. Over the years he took thousands of people on tours. He is so talented at telling stories that the time he spent in our office seemed to fly. In 1992 a friend who was LDS invited him to their home. They showed him a video from the church and he though it nice but not relevant to him. The second time he was invited to dinner. The father asked the little 8 year old son to give the blessing on the food. This child gave the standard blessing on the food...as all 8 year olds do. Brother Gert was impressed and listened intently at the words this young boy said. During the prayer he had a witness that Christ lived and further, that he WAS the Son of God. Joy infused his soul and he said that when he opened his eyes after the prayer he was a Christian. Later he joined the church. Because of a simple prayer by a child hundreds and hundreds of people in Guatemala, where he has lived the past 20 years ,have been influenced. He is a friend of the Area Presidency and has served in many capacities...all because of a child.

Evidently he has been part of the Family Home Evening Group for many years,but due to very poorhealth has not attended since we have been here , until last week that is.

A quiet week, but a dear one.