Our Work in Oaxaca (Wa-ha-ka): October 2016

It's amazing, yet not surprising, how the Spirit guides missionary work. Over the past month we have had a few "no show" appointments and yet positive things have come along to replace them. We want to always be ready for those moments; they are so rewarding. In addition, the joy and emotion we feel when members we have been regularly visiting return to church is humbling. We know that we are only instruments in the Lord's hands and are grateful to be part of this great work. The branch is also growing with new members. The young missionaries here are so diligent, hard-working, and obedient. They bring joy into our lives as well.

The four elders who live here still come for lunch on Mondays. Occasionally the two elders from Santa Maria Huatulco join us. We recently had a small table made which seats six people so we would feel comfortable inviting friends for dinner, and to use when our family visits. Two of the elders helped us move it to our apartment (on top of our car) and were the first to try it out. We do have a very nice dinner table made of cement and tile but it is outside and it's too hot for us to want to eat out there--ever.

General Conference three weeks ago was extra special for us as we were able to focus our attention on only those messages for the entire ten hours. We met in a small room in the church where we were able to watch it in English while the local members were watching in the chapel in Spanish. Watching conference at the church with no distractions made it more meaningful. Our son's previous stake broadcasts the entire conference at their stake center and encourages the members to watch at least one session at the church building. If you ever have the chance to do so, try it. It will make a difference.

After the Priesthood Session on Saturday evening, we had the six elders over for the traditional banana splits. Brent was their designated father for the evening. Have I said how much we love these young men? Also, after the Sunday afternoon session, we had two families and two temple missionary couples for dinner. The Mexican people love to visit and are seldom in a rush so we ate, talked and laughed for four hours.

Last Sunday we visited the branch in Rio Grande and inspected the elders' apartment while we were there. Rio Grande is a three-hour drive at the opposite end of our mission zone (La Costa). We left Saturday afternoon and spent the night in Puerto Escondido, then drove the hour to Rio Grande on Sunday morning. When we got home Sunday afternoon we went straight to Belén's house. She is a 20 year old young woman who was waiting for her mission call. The call arrived last week. She opened it Sunday at church in Sacrament Meeting in front of everyone and we felt bad we weren't there to see it. What a sweet experience and blessing for her, her family, and the branch. She was called to the Mexico Ciudad Juarez Mission.

On our way to Puerto Escondido on Saturday we stopped at Ventanilla for another little boat ride in a lagoon with crocodiles, birds, and an island of iguanas. We saw two crocodiles, several birds, lots of iguanas and beautiful scenery. We will definitely take our families there when they visit.

On Tuesday, we made another trip to Puerto Escondido for Zone Conference. This is a three hour meeting where all the missionaries (18) from the La Costa Zone gather for instruction from the zone leaders (or the mission president when he attends). It's a powerful group and they learn much from each other.

Our days each week are filled with visiting people, helping the elders, attending meetings, and piano responsibilities. In addition to playing for choir practice twice a week and Primary program practice twice a week, I have started teaching group piano lessons twice a week to seven students (adults, youth, and children). It's going quite well and most of them are very dedicated. Those who don't progress will have to return their keyboards so others can have the opportunity. The purpose of the program is for the students to be able to play hymns at church from the Simplified Hymn Book.

While all the piano duties are going on, Brent stays at the church fellowshipping, chatting, playing with the children, and, of course, being available when I need a translator. We make a pretty good team! And when we visit people, Brent does the teaching while I listen and try to understand, which I'm getting much better at. Reading people's faces and body language is certainly a big help.

We continue to exercise 4-5 days each week and it must be doing some good since Brent is loosing weight and I don't think I've gained since the first three weeks we were here when we were trying new foods everyday and not exercising at all. (I do think it's unfair that men can loose weight quicker and easier than women!)

We haven't had any rain here for almost four weeks. Supposedly the dry season is beginning which will last until March or April. The temperature varies about three degrees (90-93) from day to day; the humidity varies about 20% (70-90%) from day to day. The days with the highest humidity are the most uncomfortable although we have adjusted some. I can last about an hour before my body is craving the air conditioning in the car or at home. I never realized what a blessing air conditioning is. The locals say the temperatures will cool off in December but the charts show only about a three degree difference. ¡Vamos a ver! We shall see.

All in all, we are very happy here and enjoying our service. The active members are strong and the district's efforts towards becoming a stake are making a difference. We love our friends here and are grateful for their acceptance of two strange old people from Utah.

STILL BEAUTIFUL AFTER 3 MONTHS

This is cruise ship season and on this day there were two ships in port. The port is just minutes from our house and within walking distance. It's an impressive site.

Our little boat ride in the lagoon with crocodiles, birds, and iguanas.

This is a view from our church building.

This is Puerto Angel, a little fishing village about an hour from Huatulco. There is a branch of the church here.

Brent took this cool picture of hatched turtle eggs on Escobilla Beach.

The newest addition to our garden, Rose of the Desert.

MISSIONARIES

Brent likes to take the elders to see nearby sites on Mondays. They loved seeing the cruise ships.

Playing Chubby Bunny at weekly District Meeting.
There was a missionary principle related to the game.

The elders in Rio Grande, the branch farthest away in La Costa Zone. Huatulco is at the east end and Rio Grande is three hours away at the west end.

Our new table. Thanks to the elders for helping us transport it to our apartment.

And to be the first to try it out.

We are so amused by this site at zone conferences. The elders have it down. They line up the cameras, count to three, push the timer buttons, then run to their places for the photo.

CHURCH MEMBERS AND ACTIVITIES

Teaching piano class. I love that there is so much interest and dedication.

Primary Program choir practice.

Belén and her mission call to Ciudad Juarez.

This family is always serving and at the church whenever there is an activity or meeting. We had an extra cake on Monday so we took it to them in appreciation. (No Hermano Fabián is not in a wheelchair!)