The miracles of technology

Today we witnessed our grandson Shane being baptized via Skype.  We saw our oldest grandson Reed operate the laptop computer and dial us in.  You go Reed.  We were able to visit with all the family which were there.  We got to see Jonathan and Tansy, Tyler family and Mike our son in laws sisters.  We so appreciate the counselor in the Bishopric for allowing us to use Skype for this momentous occasion.

A visit to the wet market and flower shopping at our corner

Did you ever wonder what a cashew plant looks like? We are told this is what it is. Doesn't taste very good. 

 I have taken better pictures but Al insisted I put this on the blog.  There is a flower shop on the corner of our apartment building and we stopped to get flowers on our way home from our walk.  Jorge put them together for us and we put them in a vase we had previously bought.  The flowers are significantly better looking than me at this moment.  My apologies.

Kathy in front of MTC (CCM) where I am taking my language class. El labortorio de idomas

Me in front of the MTC or CCM where I take my language computer class

Watching the new Elders and Sisters from Guatemala and other parts of Central America check into the Guatemala MTC (CCM)

After my language lab training at the CCM or the Missionary Training Center in Guatemala we stayed after to take pictures and video´s of the new missionaries coming in.  It was heartwarming to see their families all come to say goodbye and hug them one more time before they leave for two years.  We took pictures of this and will write a story to accompany a News Room story for Guatemala and will post on Facebook of its publishing. As always, pictures say it all. I will be posting videos soon.

Family of Elder Checking in

 Elder checking in

 Sister checking in

 Two sisters from the United States that arrived just this morning at lunch with us.

 Sister from Texas about to depart for her district

Sisters almost ready to depart for their districts

 Elder Juarez Perez and family on his first day at the Guatemala MTC

 The following pictures says it all

Elder Perez shaking hands with Presidente Cox, President of the MTC

March 11, 2014, "If there is anything virtuous, Lovely or of Good Report, We seek after these things" Wheelchair Project for children

Today we accompanied Elder and Sister Bingham, the Humanitarian Senior Missionaries here in Guatemala to a small school on the edge of Lake Atitlan. This small school, which is an hour and half north of Guatemala City became the site where wheelchairs were fitted and distributed.  Elder and Sister Bingham were instrumental in identifying a need which The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints could help with and received approval from the Area Presidency and Director of Temporal Affairs in Guatemala. The LDS Church recognizes that Christian based organizations can combine efforts for the good of all people and their needs. So it is with this Wheelchair Project here in Guatemala and other parts of the world.  Elder and Sister Bingham previously served in Africa as Humanitarian Missionaries for the LDS church and worked on similar wheelchair projects there.  The LDS church sponsored this project with the funds needed for the wheelchairs and combined with Hope Haven Ministerial Organization, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that manufactures the wheelchairs and invites students who are studying physical therapy and some dental students to volunteer their time to help families and children in developing countries. The two schools involved are University of Kansas and Park University also of Kansas.  We spoke with several of the students who have given their time during spring break from school to come help adjust the wheelchairs under the guidance of a pediatric therapist who carefully sees what adjustments are needed for the child to the wheelchair. Each student is enthusiastic to be of help and some spoke some Spanish to each child. Each child and their parents were given a fluoride swab and information on dental hygiene as part of the service given today. The LDS Church partnered with Hope Haven by supplying the financial resource to purchase the wheelchairs.

Hope Haven student volunteers

Picture outside our hotel with a SUV transporting two of the twenty-five wheelchairs that were distributed today.

Rosalie Rodriquez being fitted to her wheelchair. She had never been a wheelchair before

Therapist evaluating Rosalie and said she was eligible for surgery to straighten her leg and foot. Far right is Rosalie's father Cristobal Rodriquez

Students adjusting the wheelchair per the therapists instructions 

 Wheel Chairs to be distributed

Far right are wheelchairs sponsored by LDS church.

Maria just got fitted for her wheelchair with her father

Boy being fitted to wheelchair

Elder and Sister Bingham, Humanitarian missionaries with Mark Richards, Elsa and assistant to Hope Haven

Rose being evaluated for surgery

Rose with a smile

Young boy being lifted into his wheelchair for fitting

Rose with her hygiene kit

March 6, 2014 A trip to a rural town outside of Guatemala City to distribute more School kits

Thursday March 6, we accompanied Julio Alvarado to a rural town outside of Guatemala City.  The school has 600 pupils in attendance.  One of the teachers heard about the Church and the Radio Station Emisora Unidos partnering in distributing school kits to school´s where families cannot afford the notebooks, paper, and other items needed for learning and contacted Julio requesting the help of these organizations.  It was arranged and the following pictures says it all.

This young lad is 18 years old and is a Down´s child who had heart surgery 5 years ago.  He is known for being very loving and helpful. He had to hug us several times while we were visiting here.

 Elder B greeting all the children.  They loved giving him High Five´s and knuckles

 Students lining up to receive their packets. Some wore uniforms signifying what grades they were in.

 We visited class rooms and took pictures. This one shows everyone's faces and packets in the air. They were delighted.

 Back part of school grounds where classrooms are

Teacher with 6th graders.  They were there to unload the boxes and to help with anything needed.  

 

Happy faces waving at us as they wait

 

 

Handing out school kits

 

 

They all say Gracias

 

 

Kindergarten boy loves the camera

 

 

Uniformed kids waiting their turn

 

 

Emisoras Unidas Radio Broadcast live

 

 

School chums with their kits

 

A happy recipient

Pretty in Pink



 

 

Sweet Girls receiving their school kits

Pictures of our comfortable apartment

 

Al's bathroom

Kathy's bathroom

 



 

Dining room

 

From living room down the hall. Bathroom at the end of the hall

 



 

Kathy's walk in closet.  Its pretty big, I just couldn't get it all in the picture

 

 

 The Kitchen one view

 

 

Kitchen, another view

 

 

Living room from dining area

 

 

Another view of living room with TV on the wall

 

 

Master bedroom with dresser and two end tables and lamps

 

 

Second bedroom with office desk and chair. There is a nice closet that Al uses

 

From dining room looking back at the living room and front door.

 

We feel blessed to have this apartment which is on the fifth floor.  We have added the TV, living room rug and a couple of chairs that we can sit out on the balcony with or just use in the living room. The other furniture has been furnished for us.