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

The past three weeks have been full of piano and singing. First, we had the annual Primary presentation. The children were amazing with all their parts memorized and singing with gusto and enthusiasm. Then we had District Conference with the branch choir singing at both the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning meetings. The choir had been practicing twice a week for almost three months with nightly practices the final week. It paid off, though, as they did a wonderful job. The Mexican people love to sing.

In addition to playing the piano for the two choirs, piano lessons continue twice a week. Some students are still very dedicated while others just come when they want. I am confident we will end up with 5 or 6 members who will be able to play hymns from the Simplified Hymn Book.

We have a new missionary, Elder Herrera from Oregon, here in the Huatulco district. Elder Orrock was transferred last week during regular changes. We love Elder Orrock. He is a fabulous missionary and we will miss him here.

The families and people we visit are so dear to us. We love them and love visiting them. Just this week we have started visiting two families with young children who are always entertaining. We visit from 15-20 families or couples each week with some being regular weekly visits.

Two weeks ago we went to a baptism in the tiny branch in El Coyul which is about 40 minutes from Huatulco. One set of missionaries here is assigned to that area. The members in these small branches are often very strong and united. We think the entire branch membership attended the baptism of a young boy, which took place in an outdoor concrete font. Of course there was food and jamaica (hibiscus flower) drink afterwards. This is the second time we have had food in El Coyul after a church function. Both times a little strange. This time we were served fish wrapped in banana leaves. When we unwrapped the banana leaves, on top of the fish were two small crabs staring at us. We are not accustomed to eating anything that is looking back at us. Brent tried one but I hid mine inside the banana leaves!

Last Thursday we went to Salina Cruz, a three hour drive to the east, for a shopping excursion. There is a Sam's Club and a Walmart there. We were able to stock up on a few things we can't get here in Huatulco but there are still several items I haven't been able to find. Tina and her family are coming to visit us the week of Thanksgiving so I have sent her a list of things I would like to have--like brown sugar, Dream Whip, and cornstarch. One surprising item we found at one of the grocery stores here in Huatulco is canned pumpkin. It was in the imported foods aisle. We bought all 10 cans! And, both grocery stores here sell frozen turkeys in November and December so we should be set for Thanksgiving dinner.

On our way to Salina Cruz, we encountered a bloqueo (blockade). A bloqueo is a form of protest. When a group of people is dissatisfied with the government, they select a random site and set up a road block which can last for hours or even days. They mostly block commercial vehicles like trucks and buses. They're typically not dangerous, although very inconvenient, but at the bloqueos we've seen, there have always been men with machetes. We arrived at the bloqueo right as they were setting it up so we were the first car stopped. Brent got out and talked to the man "in charge," showed him his missionary badge, and told him we were representatives of Jesus Christ so could we please pass. After a little discussion with his cohorts, he let us through but no other vehicles after us. When we returned on our way home, 6 1/2 hours later, the bloqueo was still there. Many trucks and buses had been sitting there the entire time and vehicles were backed up for miles. We made our way towards the front where they were letting a few cars at a time pass through. All in all, we were delayed less than an hour so felt blessed that we made it through.

We were encouraged during the last week of October with a slight drop in temperature and humidity. But it was just a teaser. The next week it was as hot and humid as the first month we were here. The locals still say that December will be cooler. They have no idea what cool is. Plus, our beautiful green mountains, hills, and jungle are all turning brown from lack of water. We've been told this happens every year after the rainy season passes.

November 1st and 2nd in Mexico is Dia de Muertos. I thought it was similar to Halloween, but it is actually their Memorial Day when they honor family members who are dead. They decorate with yellow and orange mums, skulls, and candles. November 1st is mostly for the children and November 2nd, which is a national holiday, is more for the adults with lots of traditional food. Of course, there were random parades both days which we always see because our apartment is just one house away from the main street through town.

November 20th, Sunday, is Revolution Day and is, apparently, the biggest holiday of the year. Saturday, when we went to the track to exercise, troops of police were practicing marching with drums and bugles, and the children at the elementary school next door have been doing the same. We are serenaded every school morning and evening with drum and bugle music. I hope the parade on Sunday is before 10:00 so we can watch it before church.

We sure do love serving our mission here in Huatulco. This is our home away from home and we are very blessed. We love the people here more and more each day, and are grateful for their friendship and acceptance of us. We have much to learn from them.

Primary Program in the Huatulco Branch. So festive. :)

The Branch Choir at District Conference

All the missionaries in the district at the Huatulco District Conference,

with Pres. and Hermana Madsen

After District Conference, President and Sister Madsen and the Pineda family came to our home for dinner. In true Mexican style, they stayed over four hours. But a good time was had by all!

The baptismal font in El Coyul

Noche de Hogar - Family Home Evening activity

As sisters in Zion, we all work together--at Elder Orrock's "going away Family Home Evening"

My dear friend, Diana, came over to teach me how to make Carlotta, a dessert similar to key lime. She stayed to help with lunch for the missionaries.

And these are good friends who we visit every week. This night they came to

our house for dinner.

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Bloqueo Adventures

Somewhere in the middle of this crowd Brent is trying to talk his way through the blockade. Thanks to his missionary badge, they let us through. :)

Traffic was backed up for miles. This blockade lasted about 30 hours.

These people were probably traveling in a truck taxi or mini bus which was stuck in the blockade.

These people are residents in a little village on the way to Salina Cruz. They approach every car as it drives slowly through and try to sell whatever. This day it was corn on the cob.

This is where we exercise 4-5 days each week. In addition to the track, there is outdoor exercise equipment.

Below is not a picture of my tan line. It is my leg after walking/jogging on the dirt track. You should see our shoes!

This is how drinks are served from the little carts around town.

Picture worth a thousand words--On our way to El Coyul, Brent realized he hadn't filled up the car with gas and there are no gas stations in or on the way to El Coyul. Brent asked the Branch President when we arrived if there was anywhere to get gas. The Branch President got in the car with Brent and they drove a short distance to a shed behind a house where he was able to purchase "black market" gas. That's what the locals have to do. :)

This and That

Hermana Bety made me a new apron.

Fruit, vegetables and flowers

Brent has become obsessed with our garden.

I hope he doesn't plan on growing these back home.

Who needs a ladder? We see this almost every time we go to the grocery store.

Oh, how we love the beautiful children.

The beautiful green is turning brown until next year. :(

The sports park where we exercise is full of beautiful birds (except for the plain black ones which are everywhere). This is a set of parrots which shows up occasionally.