Weekly Letter February 8th
2016
Well, it's been another good week here in Teculutan.
On Monday after emailing we went to a restaurant called Chalip's that's located here in Teculutan. We rented out a private room with a television and watched a church movie while waiters served us steak, pork chops, chorizo, and chicken. The room was nice and air conditioned and the food was great. We payed about 10 bucks a person (around 80 quetzales), which is comparitively expensive to most Guatemalan meals, but it was nice to treat ourselves a little bit. After the meal we went shopping at the Guatemalan version of Goodwill which is called Megapapa where they sell all of the clothes Americans think they are giving away for free to poor people. I found a couple pairs of athletic shorts for like 40 cents a pair and a tie for the same price, among a few other things.
This week I was able to talk a little bit with a member whose name is Maria Lobos. 11 years ago and living in poverty a pregnant Maria Lobos left Teculutan on foot to look for a better life in the United States. After a month of walking, hitchhiking, and train-hopping she crossed the border with a large group of immigrants only to be scattered by the border patrol. She and a few others were able to flee but were soon lost in the Sonoran Desert. After days of trying to find civilization in the United States they were forced, due to hunger and thirst, to return to Mexico. Once again they crossed the border and this time made it to Phoenix. Maria Lobos and her husband lived in Phoenix for about four years. In that span of time they had two children born to them and attended church. However, they were eventually deported and Maria and her husband wait for the day when Jared, their oldest son who lives with them and was born in the United States, turns 18 so that he can move back to Arizona and reclaim his parents so that they can also return. The sad thing is that this story is so common it's almost cliche here in Guatemala. It's amazing that people will go to such great lengths to live in the United States.
Missionary work here is moving steadily and one of our investigators whose name is Carlos came to church on Sunday and he enjoyed it.
In our branch this week a beloved member and former branch President passed away due to complications with cancer. We had been visiting him frequently before his death and he wanted to live long enough to see his son come home from the mission field. His son is scheduled to come home next month and received special permission to call his dad but when he called his father had already passed away.
The day before his death, my companion and I arrived and sang them the hymn "How Firm a Foundation":
In every condition - in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea...
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand...
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
This man, Oscar Gongora, was one of the most faithful and courageous latter-day saints I have ever met. I am positive that he, like I, has been "Called to serve Him, heavenly king of glory."
Karen Lynn Davidson expresses my thoughts well in verse:
Each life that touches our for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessing from above
Through words and deeds of those who love.
What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
Love you guys; have a great week.
- Elder Dawson
 |
| A fried burrito thing thats called a gringa. The drink is made of ground pumpkin seeds. |
Are you still a zone leader after your transfer?
Yes.
Have you had your interview for your Ecclesiastical endorsement yet?
No, I think I should have it in the coming weeks though. I`ll remind President Crapo about it.
What do you need? I was thinking I would send some of Grandma Rainy's toffee or cookies to you, but now that you are further from the Mission home it might take a longer time to get to you.
They now send us mail here every week so if you want to send me some toffee that would be cool.
I wanted to send you some new white shirts or can you easily buy them there? Is the size you have good? Should I go up or down a size? How about your belt? Holding up?
I can buy them easily and we have a lady in our branch who will sew clothes for missionaries for free. I got her to shrink the waist on some of my pants. I bought a new belt a while ago for like $2 and it`s holding up fine.
Did you get Rich's package yet?
No, still haven`t. Not sure what happened, I don`t know what exactly the office missionaries do to receive packages and stuff.
No comments:
Post a Comment