Here's what's been happening--
500 Books
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| We placed 500 copies of the Book of Mormon in one day! Well, that's kind of how it happened. This is a picture of one of about ten all-inclusive resorts located in the next bay over from us. It is a Barcelo Hotel. We tried in the past to go inside one of the resorts just to look around. You would think we were trying to enter the White House or Buckingham Palace. They would not even let us park our car. Well, a few weeks ago we got a call from the mission office asking us to check out a request the hotel had made online for 500 copies of the Book of Mormon. They were requested from the site where you can get a copy for free. The office wasn't sure they should send 500 free copies! We made an appointment with the general manager's assistant, who had placed the order. She met us at the gate and welcomed us inside. She explained that the owner of all the Barcelo properties throughout the world wanted a copy of the Bible and the Book or Mormon in every hotel room. There is a little more to the story but, of course the mission would be happy to send 500 free copies of the Book or Mormon! After our meeting, she showed us around the property, we met the general manager, and they provided lunch for us in one of the restaurants. I think that was probably the best food we've had in the past 11 months. |
Rain!!
We have been complaining that the trees and hills are so brown and dry since we haven't had rain in over 6 months. The locals warned us about that. But they didn't warn us about tropical storms when it rains for days. Fortunately these tropical storms happen only about every ten years or so. Tropical storm Beatriz hit land right on top of us this past week and deterred much of our work for a few days, but at least the trees and hills are green again. I did not know that so much rain could fall so hard and so long in one place. It rained hard for almost 72 hours. On Friday morning, the last day of the storm, we decided to visit several members who we knew may be flooded or not able to leave their homes. We bought some groceries, then went with the Relief Society President to deliver them. The families, of course, were grateful. There were even three families who stayed at the church one day and night because they had so much water in their homes. But now the sun is shining and we are once again complaining about the heat and humidity.
Before and After
Temple Trip
Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, we made a trip to the temple in Oaxaca City with our branch. Although they go by bus overnight, we drove up in the day with our dear friends, Marta Pon and Sergio, which made the drive much more pleasant.
Sights along the way.
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Bathroom stop and quesadillas at this mountain restaurant.
A Bazaar |
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| So this was an interesting event. The branch members were asked to donate clothes, shoes and household items to sell in a little pueblito about 20 minutes away. They call it a bazaar. The money from the bazaar will be used to help a sister in the branch pay for surgery. Supposedly they do this on occasion to help pay for specific needs. We set up under this huge tree in the center of town and someone announced the event over the town's loud speaker. Before long, there was a crowd of ladies searching through the piles of clothes. Turns out it was a successful event and the bazaar has been held again in two other locations. |
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| I even found a new dress! Reactivation Project The leadership of our district, consisting of five branches, made plans to visit each branch and invite less active families to return to church. We, along with the four young missionaries, supported them. The first Saturday of the project Brent and I were able to visit three families in a little town about an hour away.   I carry little coloring books and packs of crayons with me. These kids were thrilled with the books as well as Brent's suckers, which he almost always has with him as well.  Chicken soup after visiting. (Chicken soup made with every part of the chicken including soft, unlaid eggs!)Missionaries  Zone Conference  Hermana Madsen instructs the missionaries on various things each Zone Conference. This time she had suggestions of simple food they could prepare in their apartments. We made smoothies and French toast for lunch as part of the demonstration. When we do apartment checks, we are amazed at how little food the elders have in their apartments for breakfast or late night meals.   
The elders after zone conference carrying supplies with them to the bus station.
Brent likes to take the elders sightseeing on P-day. Some elders who come here have never seen the ocean.
   Waiting at the bus station for new companions. There is A LOT of waiting in Mexico.  People and Activities  Sarah's and Adrian's baptism day. They are not related, just had the same baptism date. Sarah's grandparents went to the temple with us in May.           
We have been so intrigued by this 85 year old couple who sells baskets every day except Sunday. They start out in the park across from the bus station and then, when the sun gets too hot, they move across the street to the plaza outside the bus station. They are from the hills in the north part of Oaxaca. They don't have a home here; they just sleep where they can. Brent paid them for an "interview."
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