El Salvador trip June 6th and 7th

With six other Senior Missionary couples we headed out to El Salvador to see some ruins named Tazumal and to attend the San Salvador Temple.  The trip was put together by Elder and Sister Sheppard who will be leaving us by the end of June.  The trip to the ruins itself was three hours. We stopped for lunch after the ruins and then headed for the hotel in San Salvador.  We took in a typical El Salvadoran dinner before retiring to our hotel. Next morning we went to the 7 am session of the Temple.  The Temple is an amazing structure that features the history of Centro America.  The structure was to reflect the pyramids and the outside fixture on the wall featured the Salvadoran flower.

On the Bus going to El Salvador

Hector our tour guide. Notice he has his passport....we all had to have our passport going from one country to another

 A Group of teenagers wanting to have their picture taken with me.

 Al and I at the ruins

Artifact of jewelry worn by the then natives. Found amongst the ruins

Me on top of a ruin looking out

Flowers and shrubbery are so beautiful

 Everyone wants their picture taken with us.

 Latin beauties

 These ruins were underground for sometime.  They were found by a local in El Salvador and then contacted archaeologists to continue the dig.  These ruins were well preserved for over a thousand years by ash from a volcano.  It is called Joya De Cerén.

 It was described as dwellings, religious rooms and storage rooms.

 Joya De Cerén

Joya De Cerén Ruins



 Us at dinner.

Dinner with our Missionary companions at a restaurant for typical food.

This incredible statue is in the center of San Salvador City. It represents The Savior on top of the earth.  We were told that the memorial is relatively new.  It is called appropriately El Salvador del Mundo.

San Salvador Temple

 In front of San Salvador Temple before a temple session

Getting our instructions from the guide 

For most people faith is important in their lives.

Galería Guatemala magazine featuring the Guatemalan Temple

Guatemala Temple of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were one of many churches presented in pictures and articles in the magazine Galería Guatemala published by the Fundación G&T Continental, a nonprofit and non-governmental organization.  The beautifully designed magazine is published on a quarterly basis and highlights many historical and cultural aspects about Guatemala. for the May 2014 issue the architecture of churches in around Guatemala were respectfully featured.  It is pleasing to know that a well-designed and refined magazine recognized the freedom of religion and respected all beliefs.  It honors all Guatemalan people for their choice to practice their religion as they please.  The purpose of the magazine is to"Investigate, document and disseminate natural heritage and various cultural and artistic events of all Guatemalans, to promote knowledge and appreciation". The Editorial President Estuardo Morales wrote on the editorial page: 
Religion reveals to the person a higher power that, among other things, explains the phenomena that are beyond his understanding, which in turn gives you peace of mind. For most people faith is important in their lives.

This reflects what the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote in 1842 in the 11^th Article of Faith…..”We Claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

The article and pictures of these Temples are beautifully displayed and explained and so appreciated by the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 Picture of front cover of the Galería Guatemala Magazine

 Karen Rodas an employee in our office that we used as our model.  

Picture of the Guatemalan Temple

A belated post of something interesting

About two weeks ago May 18, we attended a branch about an hour away from Guatemala City with two other Senior Missionary couples that were assigned there.  We had no presentations or training's  that day so we asked to go along with them.  We were told briefly what to expect about the appearance of the rented edifice that the tithe paying faithful members were meeting in.  So we were somewhat prepared but really, we had no idea about the severe disrepair we would see.  The other two couples said that the reasons for the disrepair and non maintenance of the facility could be varied but they figured that what they experienced may be just one of the things you see and cannot do much about.  My experience from working in the area office in the Philippines is that there IS something that can be done about it. My heart-broke for these people and felt that it should be reported.  The next morning while having a meeting with our director Julio Alvarado I relayed the experience I had in viewing the meeting area and how it made me feel.  From his encouragement I reported it to the DTA, Director for Temporal Affairs through email and he responded quickly and asked for the name and location of the Branch in question.  Brother Duran, DTA said that the conditions rented or not, in disrepair is unacceptable and that he would have the appropriate people see to it that it was taken care of.  Description of what I saw: Ceiling in the meeting room had a ceiling covered with corrugated tin that had holes in it. A classroom had acoustic ceiling tiles missing and evidence of leaking.  A toilet that did not always flush. And other items not to mention at this point.  The next Sunday the two missionary couples, Elder and Sister Hill and Elder and Sister Harris reported back to me that many repairs were made and plants and flowers adorned the grounds around the edifice and made it much more inviting since we visited it one week earlier.  The Hills and Harris´s said they didn´t know who to contact and didn´t know if anything could be done.  I don´t take credit for this at all but glad that the information got into the right hands and the issues were resolved. Gratefully.

An assignment I won´t forget

About mid-day today a member of the IT department came into our office and asked if I would help them.  I said sure what do you need?  I was happy to help them as they successfully installed the Language Program called TALL onto my office computer and laptop so I could study Spanish more often than the one hour a day at the CCM or what is also known as The Missionary Training Center  her in Guatemala City.

He wanted to know if I would read a script that is a talk from Sister Mayavel Pineda Amado wife of our area president, Carlos Amado of the Quorum of the Seventy.   It is to be a voice over in English as she was filmed and recorded in Spanish.  I said sure why not.  I just needed to read it in English...no problema.  It last six minutes and Salt Lake will combine my voice over to her film and yes it will be seen all over.  Pretty exciting to my day I think. I tried to find a picture of her but could not find one on the internet.  Anyone that finds one please let me know.

May 14, 2014 Honoring citizens of Guatemala that made contributions to Family Values from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

This is the Week of the Family here in Guatemala.  Last night there was a wonderful presentation at the local Barceló Hotel in Guatemala City to two recipients that made wonderful contributions to the country and community for the good of families.  They are Esperanza Barba and Carlos Vargas.  Ms. Barba has a radio talk show, is an author and family therapist.  Carlos Vargas founded hospitals, orphanages and foundations to help people here that can't help themselves.  He rescued a baby several decades ago and adopted the child.  See the following pictures. More on Esperanza Barba see www.spokeo.com/Esperanza+Barba . More on Carlos Vargas see website www.hopeoflifeintl.org

Frame certificates and porcelain figurines on the table.  The figurines of a family is just beautiful.  Deseret Book Store sells them.

Framed certificates and porcelain figurines of a family as awards

This is Carlos Vargas Junior son accepting the award for his father.  His father is in his 80's and not in good health at this point.

Esperanza Bara receiving her award from President Amodo and Ochoa of the area Presidency

Esperanza Barba a charming person

 Area President Carlos Amado speaking on behalf of the Church

President Amado speaking with attendees. He is a most gracious man and has been an area 70 for 30 years.

Esperanza being interviewed for TV and Radio

Esperanza Barba with President Amado and other guests

 Julio Alvarado with attendee supporting Carlos Vargas with Committee Chairman Cesar Colon

Karen Rodas works in the office and was on the committee for this event.  We have become good friends.

Sunday May 11th Visit to a Primary here in Guatemala City

Primary Children singing Mothers day tribute in Sacrament Meeting

Each Sunday the Primary sings Happy Birthday to a child having a birthday and also to give the Birthday Child a remembrance.  In this case Esta Nina recibir un collar de cumpleaños.

She is beautiful

Primary sings Happy Birthday to her

When there are visitors the Primary sings Hello to them to welcome them.

Primary child helping with song practice

Primary child giving her talk

 Primary Prayer Time

Primary Singing time

Classroom Art to go along with lesson time

 Getting crayons from the teacher

He is looking at the camera

Primary Nursery for 18 months to 3 years old

 Bible Story Time

 In nursery they learn to pray

Lesson time

Classroom lesson for the 6 & 7 year olds

Primary President discussing The First Article of Faith 

You will be interested to know that she is an American from Texas with Hispanic heritage. She is married to an Anglo American who works for the American Embassy here in Guatemala City