THANKSGIVING DAY

Thanksgiving isn't celebrated as a holiday in Honduras. There is no great rush on the purchase of turkeys or pumpkin pie.  Stores don't close and families don't gather together.  Work goes on as normal - both for the people of Honduras and for our missionaries.  But, we were amongst the fortunate few who found a way to make this day special. For us, Thursday was quite a milestone.  It not only was Thanksgiving, but it marked our 18th month as missionaries in Honduras.

It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without pie.  It is funny how certain things forge themselves into being more than just pleasant traditions.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie are more than just food; they are the anchors that hold us firmly to our roots as Americans. Partaking of them on this day is as emotionally important to us as it is delicious. 

And it just isn't Thanksgiving without family!  We missed our children and grandchildren today.  But, the people we have met here in Honduras and who have now served by our side in this mighty work have become more like family than just friends.  What a blessing it has been to be with the Desters and the Kleins.  This Thanksgiving we also had President Dester's brother and sister-in-law, John and Debbie Dester, with us.  Together we ate, talked and laughed until the day had passed.  Some of the chatter was business, but most of the day was passed just enjoying the blessing of getting to know each other. 

John and Debbie Dester were kind enough to bring us a special gift from LaRae's brother.  The airport custom official really gave them a hard time bringing it into the country, but these seasoned travelers were able to squeeze it through.  What a nice way to end a Thanksgiving day - a little Ghirardelli's chocolate.  Thank you, Rodney and Mischel.  Your thoughtfulness made our day even sweeter.

HONDURAS VOTES

The fate of this wonderful nation hangs upon the decisions that will be made this weekend by the people of this country. Candidates from eight political parties are running in the election that will take place this Sunday morning.  However, the actual struggle appears likely to be between the conservative ruling party's candidate, Juan Orlando, of what they call the National Party and the left-wing candidate, Xiomara Castro of the "Libre" party (Freedom).  She is the wife of former President Mel Zelaya who was ousted from his office in 2009 and is widely blamed for the economic collapse of Honduras.  His name still carries a lot of power, but there are definitely more people who hate him than that admire him.  A third party (the Liberal Party) is also expected to make a lot of noise.  Their candidate is Mauricio Villeda.  You can't turn your head without seeing a poster of his face.  He apparently has a reputation of being an honest man. A huge amount of money has been spent during this campaign by all three of these parties which contrasts with the impoverished lifestyles of millions of Hondurans who can barely survive. 

 

The streets are flooded with posters of the Honduras presidential candidates hanging from every single possible post; from street lamps to electricity posts to trees… you name it.  We are counseled to stay completely politically neutral as missionaries and to avoid, whenever possible, political discussions.  For the most part we have done that. But, the election is in the forefront of the minds of every Honduranian.  The few conversations we have had have been divided.  Our dentists strongly feels one way; our security guard feels the other way.  We really don't know.

 

A political poll was taken a few months ago wherein the people were asked what are the most important issues facing them at this time.  The response was direct and overwhelming: security and unemployment.  A second question asked which they would prefer: a corrupt leader who would fix the problems, or an honest leader who would probably not be able to fix the problems.  The answer was nearly unanimous - give us someone who will fix the problems regardless of how they accomplish it!

For safety reasons, and as a precaution, all missionaries throughout all of Honduras have been ordered to stay inside of their apartments for the next three days.  All were told to gather enough purified water and food to last these three days and perhaps a little bit longer if necessary.  We are permitted to attend sacrament meeting this Sunday but then are to return immediately back to our apartments.  There is a great deal of uneasiness and anticipation.  Being "locked-up" in an apartment for three days is viewed by most of our missionaries as a prison sentence.  "What will we do?" "We'll go crazy!"  However, as a whole, these young men and women are incredibly obedient and will do as they have been asked to do.  It is important to know that we are not expecting any incidents of violence.  These efforts are precautionary only.  Actually, we are excited about this because we hope they will take the time to clean their apartments. The two of us are looking at these three days as a much needed vacation!

 

No effort to woo voters has been left undone.  The National Party has made a sudden, last second push of public projects in hopes of gaining favor.  A bridge that was ignored for years suddenly is fixed and painted, several streets now are adorned by walking and exercise paths.  Of course, all of these projects appear in the richest areas of San Pedro Sula.

We won't know for a couple of days who won this election.  And we probably won't know for several months what impact this election is going to have upon the wonderful people of Honduras.  But, small choices often bring about huge consequences.  This election will shape the future of Honduras. We are praying that the people will be guided to make wise decisions this Sunday.

TIME + SERVICE = A PROFOUND CHANGE FOR GOOD

Two days ago fourteen young Latter-day Saint men and women left the mission field for their former homes.  They had faithfully completed their missions.  In a meeting held just hours before, several of them had expressed a deep and abiding love for this country and its people and privately wished that they could stay longer.  "It has been the best two years of my life," was expressed over and over again.

From top left: Elder Limon, Elder Ramirez, Elder Birt, Elder Underwood, Elder Bergquist, Elder Bautista, Elder Perez, Elder Heber and Elder Rodriguez.  Front row: Sister Aguilar, Sister Tanner, Sister Gomorah, Sister Lopez, Sister Williams.

Two of our favorites: Sister Aguilar and Sister Tanner

As is customary President and Sister Dester prepared them a "going away" dinner in their home.  We were lucky enough to be invited and we were treated to a feast - both spiritually and temporally.  In a brief fireside-type chat, President Dester asked them all to share something that they had learned while serving their mission that they had not known before coming on their mission.  Their responses were varied but extremely sincere.  Frequently one would say, "I've learned those things too, but one additional thing I learned was...."  In this blog we wanted to share with you the wonderful reasons why a parent would wish for their child to have this experience of service.  Here is just a small sampling of what these missionaries said:

• Elder Limon said, "I learned that everybody matters - not just me.  These people are all my brothers and sisters.  When I see someone crying, I don't just pass them by, I now go to them to see if I can help."
• Elder Birt (in perfect Spanish) said, "I have learned that happiness is a decision.  My environment or circumstances don't have the power to affect my happiness.  I have chosen to be happy."
• Elder Bergquist said, "I have learned how to talk to people, but probably even more importantly, I have learned that people are worth talking to."
• Many talked of the importance of obedience.  Elder Underwood said, "I have learned that in order to obtain the guidance of the Holy Ghost I have to be obedient to what He has already taught me."
• Elder Perez said, "I have learned patience.  I'm not perfect yet, but I have learned to give people the benefit of the doubt and to let them progress at their own pace.  I am more patient now."
• Sister Gomorah said, "I have learned how to pray - I mean, how to really pray."

Sister Lopez and Elder Bautista

Most of these things, and more, were learned by them all.  However, one thing stood out above the rest.  Sister Lopez summed up the night when she said, "I have learned to know and to trust my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I now know better what He did for us, and I will be eternally grateful."

What a privilege it has been for us to associate with these fine young men and women for these two years.  We have watched them grow up while serving here in Honduras.  Every lesson they learned while serving as missionaries will bless their future lives every single day. 

With every group that leaves, another group of "youngsters" comes to replace them.  On Tuesday of this week twenty-three brand new missionaries arrived in San Pedro Sula.  They are excited and a little bit scared, but they are ready to serve.  It is amazing to know that in just a few short months, these new ones will be as powerful as those we just sent home.

Our new missionaries

One thing is certain - lives will change here in Honduras because these young people selflessly have chosen to serve.  However, the life that is most likely to change is the life of each of these missionaries.  They will be better people for having chosen to come.  These next photos illustrate that truth better than our words can.

Elder Underwood was thrilled when his younger brother was called to serve his mission in this same country.  But, because missionaries can't leave their mission boundaries they were never able to see each other even though, at times, they were only 50 miles apart.  He received special permission to see his brother for one day before flying home.  We were privileged to drive him down to Tegucigalpa where his brother was serving.  We met at the temple there.  The incredible joy they experienced as they met and shared their common experiences and the lessons they had learned underlined what this service does for these missionaries.  Their hearts grow softer; their love grows deeper; and their testimonies are stronger.

A TASTE OF NORMAL LIFE

Our missionary service here in Honduras has put us in a "not-normal" situation.  By that we mean that most of what we see and most of what we do is completely different than those things to which we had become accustomed to over the years.  When something "normal" happens it brings us great joy!  Take, for instance, Halloween.

We only saw a total of three pumpkins for sale this entire year.  We bought two of them.  They were both already starting to get soft, but we had a blast carving them.  Of course, about all we had were a couple of butcher knives and soup spoons, but we had a good time.  We lit them up and proudly displayed them for a couple of nights on our front window sill.  We figured it would be our only taste of Halloween, but we were overjoyed when our doorbell rang.  Outside there were about a dozen little kids wearing the cutest costumes we've ever seen.  We grabbed our camera and snapped shots as fast as the kids grabbed our Tootsie Roll pops, and then they were gone.  They came in a big group accompanied by a whole host of parents, and then no one came again.  It was all over, but it was awesome.  All night long we relished the minute we had of the "normal."

For the first time since we arrived in Honduras we had a couple of friends come to visit us.  Glade and Beverly Peterson may be amongst our newest friends, but they have become dear to our hearts.  We first met them in the Tegucigalpa Temple when we were there a couple of months ago.  We invited them to come visit us while the temple was closed for cleaning - and they did.  We stayed up late, talked until our jaws were tired, and then drove to Copan so they could see the ruins. 

They are serving as temple missionaries for two years.  He speaks Spanish, but Beverly is having to try to learn it now.  They are from the Idaho Falls area.  It was such a joy to be with them.  For a couple of days we felt "normal."

Once in awhile we try to make someone laugh.  One of our very favorite missionaries is Elder Palma.  He is always so happy and full of energy.  For a couple of months now as we passed by his zone with the deliveries he would ask us if we had brought his wife.  He would say, "I have been asking for a wife now for weeks.  Why don't you ever bring her?"  So, we created a little catalogue from which he could choose his wife.  Oh, he laughed and laughed as he read it.  Making someone laugh once in awhile makes us feel "normal" again.

We stay busy. This was our "yesterday."

We taught for a few minutes at a zone leader's conference; then we took Elder Lui to the dentist, got the car washed, spent five hours in the office answering phone calls and solving issues, picked up 25 packages at the custom's office, hauled them up three floors, dropped off the mail, went to four different banks and one lawyer's office paying bills, and then drove to Castanos at 7:00 p.m. to teach a seminar about how to have a successful marriage to a room full of couples. (The couple on the end were new investigators.  We hope it went well.)  To be honest, this is our new "normal." 

IF WE WERE COMING TO HONDURAS TO PICK UP OUR MISSIONARY

Since our time in the office seldom changes, we thought today we would take a moment to answer the many questions that have come to us through our blog about coming to pick up your son or daughter from their mission.  These are obviously only our opinions, but these are the things that we would do if we were coming to pick up our own child.  Some of our suggestions are outside of our Mission's boundaries and might require special permission.  So, check first before you make your plan.

 

FIRST: We would go see the Mayan Ruins of Copan.  These ruins from 400 AD are impressive and well worth the four-hour drive from San Pedro Sula. The roads are twisty and pot-holed and will constantly keep you guessing, but the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.  The never ending greenery is nothing short of amazing to those of us who have lived our lives in the relatively dry Utah desert.  Rain is a definite possibility anytime you visit this area of the world, so bringing an umbrella would be wise.  The locals use umbrellas year round as either a protection from the rain or the sun.

 



 
I would plan two days for this trip, not because the ruins will take that long to see, but because you don't want to drive back to San Pedro in the dark.  Plus, the city of Copan Ruinas (about two miles from the ruins) is a wonderful place to spend the night.  The people are friendly, the streets of the city center are clean and relatively safe for tourists.  There are a number of very nice places to stay and to eat.  We chose to stay in the Yat B'alam hotel which is about a block from the city center.  Their phone number is 504-2651-4338.  It is a cozy boutique hotel with four lovely rooms.  The service was nothing short of spectacular.  Your child's ability to speak Spanish will come in handy in asking for suggestions of where to go to eat.

NEXT: We would suggest two days in Roatan.  This island is called the jewel of Honduras and that is for good reason - it is beautiful.  It can be approached either by air from San Pedro Sula or by driving the three hours to La Ceiba and taking the two-hour ferry across the forty miles of water.  Because time is always of the essence in any vacation, we would suggest flying.  TACA airlines has a fifty minute flight that leaves twice every day and usually only costs about $100.  The ferry is quite an experience and is cheap at only $40.00, but the time required for the drive to Ceiba and the cost of parking your car for the two days make the price differential minimal.

You could easily spend weeks on Roatan with its world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, but your child will probably not be able to swim as he will still be a missionary.  Thus, staying for longer than a single night might be torturous.  There are countless resorts begging for your business, but our choice would be Banana-rama.  It is owned and operated by a member of the Church who has blessed this island and the missionaries.  Every missionary who has served here has had the pleasure of feasting on the coconut shrimp at Banana-rama.  It is the very best we have ever eaten.  There are others resorts that cost more, but none that are much better.  Their phone number is 727-564-9058.

THIRD:  Every missionary wants to show off his areas of service and have you meet the people that he or she has taught.  They are proud of what they have accomplished and want you to sense their accomplishments.  They have grown to love this land and this people and they rightfully want to show it off. This is a definite do for any parent.  Likely your missionary's letters have been short on detail over the past two years.  Seeing the streets that they walked, the people that they taught and the chapels where they attended ought to be part of every family's visit.  It will help you understand better what they have done for the past two years. However, the streets of San Pedro Sula and its surrounding areas are not safe for tourists.  Like it or not, you will be viewed as a wealthy American and you will be a target for unscrupulous people.  Visit these areas during the daylight hours only, and one single day ought to be sufficient to see all you need to see.  Sadly, you probably ought to turn-down every offer to eat.  Nothing can ruin a trip like a bad case of stomach problems.  Your child has become accustomed to the food and the manner in which it is prepared, but you are not.  There are a thousand Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Denny's, Applebees and Pizza Huts out there.  They would be the wise choice. 

LASTLY: You ought to take the four-hour drive to Tegucigalpa to see the temple.  Admittedly, that which is done there is identical to any other temple in the world, but for two years your missionary has been teaching, prodding, and motivating people to come to this particular building.  Yet, those missionaries who serve in the San Pedro Sula missions will never have had the opportunity to see it.  If this were the last day of your trip you could leave from here to fly home which would eliminate the return drive.  The drive to Tegucigalpa is very pretty and passes through the entire south end of our mission boundaries - Merendon, Villanueva and Yojoa.  These are places your missionary likely served.  You will pass by Lake Yojoa, the largest body of fresh water in Latin America.  You will have the chance to stop at one of fifty little eateries which dot the side of the lake.  The roads are nice and the drive will be quick. 

Tegucigalpa has a number of amazing cathedrals, but none that will be as special to your son or daughter as this temple.  We personally think it would be a shame if they didn't have the chance to pass through its doors - at least once - and partake of the spirit that is so present there.

Well, there are obviously other places that one could see such as the fort in Puerto Cortez, or the alligator farm in Villanueva, or the waterfall of Pulhapanzak.  But, there are lots of waterfalls in the world, and once you've seen one alligator, you've seen them all.  For those who are coming to pick up their child, we believe that the things we have mentioned would be of most interest both to you and to your missionary.  Drive during the day.  Stay out of the "bordos" - the slums.  Enjoy the kindness and beauty of the people.  Be smart.  Your missionary child has gained a sense of indestructability while serving here.  So, again we say, be smart! 

VERY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MISSIONARY PROGRAM

   This blog will be different than any other blog we have written.  It doesn't reflect official church policy or the opinion of anyone other than ourselves, but these thoughts come from deep within us.
   There are four tiers of service within the program we call "missionary work."  Each is separate although they have great influence upon each other.  Each associates almost exclusively within their own group, only briefly touching the other groups. Each has a job to do, and by and large, they all do their job extremely well despite great sacrifice.

   The first group are the decision makers.  These include the General and Area Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the mission presidencies and their wives.  They don't baptize anyone.  They don't walk the dangerous streets or sleep in the sweltering heat of some tiny apartment.  But, they carry an incredibly heavy burden.  The decisions they make affect the lives of each of the other three groups.  What they decree is humbly followed by all of the others.  The weight of such responsibility lays gravely upon their minds.  We have only briefly, and from the sidelines, seen the personal price they must pay to stand in these positions, but in those brief moments we have seen great anguish as they strive to know the will of Heavenly Father for each of those over whom they have charge. In exchange for their role in the missionary program they receive the majority of the fame - if you could call it that.  They will be the ones that speak in front of thousands.  They will be the ones who have their names and faces in the newspapers and Church magazines.  Every day there will be thousands upon thousands of people who mention them in their prayers.  "Bless our mission president" is a regular part of our prayers, and we imagine the prayers of most who belong in some way to this great missionary program.



Two of the army of 80,000.

   The second group are the ones we typically see as the "missionaries." They are the massive army of 80,000 young men and women who offer the sacrifice of two years of their lives. They follow the directions of group #1 and bear the brunt of the danger.  If anyone is going to lose their life in missionary service, they will almost always come from the ranks of this group. They are the ones who will climb onto the slick and leaky roof of an investigator to nail down a piece of plastic to temporarily provide some comfort for the widow within.  These are the ones who eat whatever is offered and wear down the soles of their shoes from pounding the rocky and muddy streets of the tiny pueblos to which they are assigned.  In exchange for their sweat and sacrifice they get the lion's share of the joy.  It will be their photograph that will forever hang upon the wall of a convert.  They will also receive the greatest level of personal growth, because in exchange for the countless witnesses they bear of the Savior, they will receive the outpouring of the Holy Ghost which will sanctify them.  Every member of the Church has seen what they call the "glow" of a recently returned missionary.  That, and a lifetime of wonderful memories and life-altering experiences, is their reward.  And it makes it all worthwhile.

   The third group is the office staff and those others who work behind the scenes.  They are the blue collar workers - the truck drivers, the moving company, the rental agency and the accounting firms. 
They sit for hours upon hours in hospital waiting rooms just for emotional support.  They carry boxes up and down flights of stairs.  They selflessly sit at a desk hour after hour entering into the computer the results of group #2's efforts... and so much more.  Like group #1, they baptize no one, but unlike them, they also make no real decisions. They work to increase the effectiveness of groups #1 and #2, but they receive none of the applause. They are just the name on the cancelled check or the expired housing contract.  They are the purchaser of the products, the suppliers of the stock and the managers of the mundane.  They are necessary, but they are almost invisible.  Some members of this group are paid employees; others are unpaid missionaries just like group #2 but with special assignments.  Their rewards come in the opportunity it is to serve.  Just knowing that you answered the call is its own reward.



LaRae and Elder Rangel at the immigration office

Group #3 has one very integral participant that deserves special mention. They are a part of group #1, but most of what they do is behind the scenes. It is the mission president's wife.  Her efforts to keep her family intact while they are away for three years and to keep her husband healthy and happy cannot be overstated. She will sit silently and alone for hours on end waiting in the hallways of chapels while her husband interviews and instructs.  His schedule becomes her schedule.  Both of those we have known personally haven't spoken the language of the people, so they have served only through love.  The reward for them is that they are loved and remembered in return.
 
 Group four is comprised of the faithful families who go without vacations or new tires so they can scrape together the $400 per month necessary to keep groups #1, #2 and #3 out in the field.  They are the group who lay fearfully awake at night wondering how their "missionary" is doing because the letters they receive are usually short and sketchy.  They are the power that drives this whole program.  Without their money, their prayers and their lifelong diligent efforts to prepare their child to serve, nothing could ever be accomplished.  But, they pay such a price!  For two years they will sit at the football game alone.  For two years they will cry at night because of how deeply they miss their son's or daughter's smile. They are the "pray-ers" - not the "prayed-for."
   Today we are asking ourselves, if we were God, who would we bless the most?  We've been active participants in groups #2, #3, and #4. Admittedly, we know very little of the challenges faced by group #1. However, we think that if we were God, we would choose group #4 - the parents and families of the missionaries.  In our opinion they offer the greatest sacrifice. The offering of their child is so symbolic in our minds of Another who offered His Child so that the world could be blessed.

  May God bless the righteous fathers and mothers whose sacrifice goes largely unnoticed.  May He recognize and sanctify their part in this massive machine that we simply call the missionary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

SAYING "SO LONG" TO GIANTS

Eight battle tested, experienced and weary missionaries went home this week.  Between them they combined for sixteen years of missionary service away from home, family and friends.  Between them they combined for more than eight years of time as senior companions, trainers, zone and district leaders, mission secretaries and APs.  These eight have left their imprint upon this land and this people.  They also left their mark upon us.  They have become our friends.

From left: Elder Christensen, Elder Salcido, Elder Rangel, Sister Fernandez, Elder Anderson, Elder Hansen, Elder Sullivan and Elder Polendo.

It never is hard to get a smile out of a missionary who is about to return home.  Of course, they are excited to see their families again.  But, Wednesday night as we gathered in the home of President and Sister Dester for one last time together they were asked to share a particular lesson that they had learned from their sacrifice and service over these past two years.  They spoke of having learned patience and acceptance of others and their agency. They spoke of a deepened appreciation for the atonement of Jesus Christ and for an awakening friendship with Him.  They spoke of learning how to learn, of coming to an appreciation of the scriptures as a source of truth and answers.  They spoke of coming to love a new land and people.  Elder Hansen perhaps said it best.  He said, "I never knew how happy I could be.  I had never experienced happiness to this level before."  They repeatedly used words like, "grateful," or "opportunity," or "privilege."  We offer an open challenge to the world to show us any other group of 21 year olds who know any better these incredibly important truths.  What is more, they haven't only come to know these truths, they have come to live them, apply them and allow themselves to be governed by them.  You could do nothing better for yourself or for your future family than to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We are so grateful for this opportunity and privilege in our lives right now to be counted amongst this group. 
    Others missionaries also arrived this week.  That is the cycle of this inspired program.  The experienced are replaced by the inexperienced - the proven by the unproven.  The miracle of this missionary program is that two years from now some other blogger will post pictures of these new ones. Just like these eight, they will have shirts and shoes that are worn and ragged and will have become powerful and devoted witnesses for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 

   Each one of these new missionaries has done the best they could to prepare themselves spiritually and emotionally for this time of service.  The sacrifice asked of them will be equal to the sacrifice that was required of the eight that left.  In offering that sacrifice they will be blessed.
   So, what begins must also end.  Suitcases that were once shiny and new are now tossed for the last time on top of the bus.  Their time is now over.  However, what they have learned will stay with them for a lifetime.  They will speak of their mission at nearly every opportunity forever.  So, for awhile, we say "Goodbye, our friends."

The words of a favorite Mormon hymn seem a fitting end to this blog.  "God be with you 'till we meet again; keep love's banner floating o'er you; smite death's threatening wave before you;  God be with you till we meet again."