New missionaries arrived again last Thursday. The grandson of the Castleton's arrived. What a great young man! We get so attached to the missionaries at the CCM, it is hard for us to say good-bye when their time is finished there. But after six weeks they are so ready to get out in the field and really get teaching and meeting the people in Central America.
Yesterday we decided to take a little ride to the Pacific Ocean. It is only about 2 hours away, unless you get lost along the way. (I suppose you are smiling now because you know that we did get a little lost.) As we were driving along, we saw a beautiful view of a volcano. Elder Pitcher suggested we stop at the side of the road and get a picture, which we did. Just as we were taking the photo, Fuego decided to give a little poof. That is what you see here, the little poof. It is not considered an eruption, just a poof or puff.
This is just a close up of the same poof. Interesting though, on our return trip home later in the day, we saw Fuego give another poof. We don't really know if that volcano does several poofs each day, or if it was just showing off for us.
Our destination at the ocean was Port San Jose. It took us a while to find the ocean because the stores, hotels, and restaurants line the ocean front with no spaces in-between. The sand on the beach was black, but soft. (Sorry, the photo of the beach ended up before the volcano.) Many of the swimmers had swim suits, but some didn't, so there they were in their typical clothing playing in the water. There was a broken wharf that was fun to get a photo of. Also, a cargo ship was off the coast a little.
We had some excitement on Monday morning, July 7. At 5:25 AM we had just woken up, but were still lying in bed. The bed began shaking and the doors on the closet were banging back and forth. Yes, an earthquake. We finally decided that maybe we should get somewhere a little safer, so we stood in the doorway. Elder Pitcher remembered to get something on his feet. He laughed at Hermana Pitcher because she was barefoot, but she did remember to put on her glasses. We found out later that the earthquake was centered on the border of Guatemala and Mexico near the Pacific Ocean and registered 6.9. We heard there were at least five deaths. This is the fourth earthquake we have felt while we have been here.
Great news for Hermana Pitcher. She has not driven a car for over a year now and did not have any intention of doing so while in Guatemala. Today after our 8 AM meeting someone needed to take a quick trip back to our apartment for something we forgot. Elder Pitcher didn't want to chance being late, so, you guessed it, Hermana Pitcher drove to our apartment and back to the CCM. Thankfully, the traffic was light.
We feel so very blessed to be here serving in Guatemala. We have seen the hand of the Lord in guiding and protecting us. We feel the strength of your faith and prayers on our behalf. We appreciate it. Our mission has provided us with so many special experiences that we cannot record them all, but we will forever be grateful that we have given much, as the hymn goes.
We love you all and pray for you everyday.
Elder and Hermana Pitcher
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