March 30. 2014 Sunday

Part II of our PASEO to Quetzaltenango will be the subject of this post.

 The laundry after being hand washed is laid out to dry as shown on this hillside. We were trying to leave Quetzaltenango, but kept getting lost. We think we just needed to get this picture before we could leave.

                                                                                                                     

        
Friday night we stayed at a hotel in downtown Quetzaltenango. The streets were so narrow around the hotel. We were relieved when we finally parked the car in their parking lot. After we checked in, we decided to walk around a bit before it was dark.

 

There was a central park area about a block from the hotel. After we had walked around for a bit we heard music. It was music that sounded more like a funeral. Then we noticed this procession going down the street. It was a school practicing for the parade that will take place during Holy Week. Notice the little boys carrying the float on their shoulders. Their float depicted the multiplying of the loaves and fishes. The girls came next. Their float had an image of Mary. It was fun to see. Then we ate at McDonalds. Our first time eating at McDonalds since we've been in Guatemala.

 Saturday we went to Huehuetenango, a city north of Quetzaltenango. Elder Pitcher served there a few years ago. When he served there, there was only one branch and two missionaries. Now there are two stakes, soon to be a third. He didn't recognize much but the ruins at the edge of town. The ruins are called Zaculeu. These were great ruins to visit. Again, we saw local people having a religious ritual on the ruin site.
   On our outing it was interesting to see homes covering the hillsides. Some were rolling hills and others were very steep. The interesting thing is that there are not many roads even close to most of these home. You do see narrow paths leading to the homes. Obviously, that is how the people travel. It was a beautiful trip.
   The Area Presidency left last Friday for Salt Lake. They have a week of meetings with the various departments. They can elect to attend specific ones that they wish to attend such as missionary, public affairs, temple etc. They will return April 9th all fired up and ready to turn things up side down! For the next 2 weeks we will have less to do than usual because of their absence.
  We continue to enjoy being here and serving the Lord. We see and feel his hand in our lives daily. We appreciate your faith and prayers on our behalf.