June 20-21st Public Affairs Seminar which included Public Affairs specialists from all of Central America

Dinner at Altuna. Elder and Sister Bingham attending

On June 20th Public Affairs representatives from six Central American Countries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gathered together here in Guatemala City for a Seminar.  Brother David Watson from Salt Lake who is the Director over Latin American countries came and conducted the seminar.  We had 20 in attendance.

All representatives from each country were met at the airport and shuttled to the Crown Plaza Hotel for their overnight accommodations for two nights.  Elder Burningham and myself were one of three drivers that drove the attendees from the hotel to the Area Office where the Seminar took place.  Friday night there was a Welcome Dinner and get acquainted meeting held at The Altuna restaurant where a delicious dinner of beef steak and rice was served.  As a special guest that evening, Elder and Sister Bingham of Humanitarian Services came and spoke of their work and how all countries can participate in the Church´s Humanitarian service when the service is once identified.  The Church encourages partnering with other religious organizations and charity organizations in getting help to all people regardless of their religion or their status. Their message was well received.

At the Seminar in the Area Office

Saturday morning and afternoon consisted of instructions and power point presentations by Brother David Watson of Salt Lake.  Training on the Corus Program for Mormon Newsroom Central America was held and ideas were shared.  All instructions were worthwhile and well received.

Saturday evening all of traveled to the Cayala Mall here in Guatemala City for an evening of Italian dinner and socializing.  It was enjoyed by all.

Julio Alvarado inspecting how his cake batter is doing.

 Cayala Mall - Beautiful place

Al and I at the restaurant

 Alejandra Funes, one of the attendees from El Salvador and myself at the mall.  She works in a Call Center and speaks English very well.

Luis Vallarino from Panama who was assigned by our director Julio Alvarado to translate for me. He told me he had been speaking English and Spanish since he was a little boy.

 Cayala Mall

 Cayala Mall

Tower at Cayala Mall

I felt particularly blessed to have become acquainted with Luis Vallarino from Panama who speaks English and Spanish very very well.  He was assigned to me to translate the Spanish to English.  As nice of a young man I have ever met and so very well educated.  He works for the church in the capacity of Seminary instructor.

Our Public Affairs Group at the Cayala Mall for dinner

Sunday morning we met at the area office for more instruction and we were further enlightened on how the Church Public Affairs department helps the public and public opinion leaders to better understand the mission of the church which is to assist and help all people with their needs and to bring others unto Christ.

There was an awards segment for the Sala De Prensa Newsroom for Central America.  Each country got an award for the "Best of Category" in their contributions to the Countries Newsroom for the Church.
The following are pictures of recipients and their awards.

The seminar ended about 12:00 noon and the attendees headed to the airport to travel to their various destinations.

I was so impressed with the love and good feelings we all had one to another.  Some spoke English and Spanish and some just Spanish only.  For me who is learning Spanish I felt a great spirit among all of us that I know I will always remember even though I am limited in language skills.