Guatemala

Just before we had this picture taken with the parrots, Paul bumped into the feeding tray and his back was covered with wet, messy food, and you know what else. I had to dump a bottle of water on his back and clean him up before we could take the picture. 45 minutes earlier, a waiter dumped an entire glass of coke on his back. He was just lucky I guess.

This is where he had the pop dumped on him!

Humanitarian Sunday

Missionaries from one stake with their packets

Only restaurant we went to

sterilization area

Paul with Elder Falabella

Paul and I went to Guatemala in May to help with an effort to get about 900 young men and women 18-21 from all over Guatemala(mostly young men) ready for a mission. It was an amazing effort by all involved. The young people who had already been interviewed by their bishops, brought their packets, registered, had haircuts, received a couple of shirts and a couple of ties, had all their medical exams and blood work done, were diagnosed and x-rayed, had all dental work in their mouths completed (sometimes 3 or 4 hours worth including wisdom teeth, cleaning, endodontics, etc). We worked from about 8:00 in the morning until about 10:00 at night, eating lunch and dinner in shifts (if we could break away from patients). The oral surgeons were usually there until 11:00. Silly us. We thought we would exercise everyday in the hotel gym and soak in the hot tub. We were so tired by the time we finally returned to the hotel, it was all we could do to clean up, sink our old bones into bed, and sleep until 6 in the morning. It was a wonderful experience to be involved with. After hurting these young people all day long, they hugged us and thanked us. Wow! We had dinner and meetings with Elder Cordone, Falabella, and Elder Clark. We visited a small village ward, took pictures of each family, printed and framed them. For most it was the only family picture they had ever had. Each family got to choose a quilt and there were games and toys for all of the children and hair ribbons etc. for the girls. We traveled on the plane two days, went to church and a fireside one day, had a clinic for 6 days, and had one day to go to an orphanage in Antiqua, out to lunch and two hours in the market. That was not long enough to shop for 31 grandchildren. I did pretty well but I couldn't find the right sizes for a few, sorry, maybe next time. Sorry Alli. (She had to bring her blouse back--too small) I couldn't find sizes for Allie and Ella on up. Blaylocks, Widdisons--your stuff is coming. Don't get too excited. It isn't that exciting. Dad probably won't even let me shop in Siberia. But, if you have any particular requests, let me know. We leave the first Tuesday in June and return the 12th in time for church. The rest of our group went to the ruins for a day trip but we came home a day early to be here in time for church. Dad met the son of the man who was stake president when he was on his mission. The youngest son was assigned to our young adult when he was here on his mission. Quite a connection. It wasn't exactly a cruise but it was certainly memorable.