La Capilla in Nueva Santa Rosa

Last week our wonderful dental friends, Bob and Julie Allred invited us to go with them to church about an hour and a half south east of Guatemala City.  They had to pick up church members on the way, so we decided to drive our new Corolla.  It was a beautiful trip through green mountains full of corn and coffee beans.  Since there are no major highways in Guatemala we drove on winding two lane paved roads through little towns.

Every so often we would see the Allreds swerve to avoid a pot hole.  We followed closely behind not wanting a mishap.  Suddenly without warning we hit a large pothole and heard the sound in the right tire.  All seemed well and we slowed down a bit, not yet as experienced as Elder Bob.  When we arrived in Santa Rosa de Lima to pick up the members, someone pointed at the tire and soon Gary and two jovenes were putting on the spare.  We arrived right on time to church.  It was fun to listen to the two in the backseat speak Spanish, not knowing that we could understand.

Gary making himself at home with the members in Nueva Santa Rosa.

After Sacrament Meeting Gary cajoled with the only Deacon.  He had on a brand new white shirt that still had the fold marks in it and underneath he was wearing some kind of bright blue tee shirt.  It was fun to watch him react to Gary's words of encouragement.

Last week during the meeting in Guatemala City I heard fire crackers going off.  This time it was very loud speakers atop a very slow van blaring an invitation to buy something.  Seems like I'm the only one who notices the disruptions.  The meeting continued on even though we couldn't hear a word the speaker said.

The baptismal font behind the capilla.  It was half full of dark water.  One joven told me that they expect a baptism soon and after that they will empty the water.

View of the local Catholic Church from the church soccer field/parking lot.

After church we started another great adventure to return the members in the Allred's car to their homes.  This time our road was a dirt road through cornfields. One of the members insisted that we all stop for some fresh corn.  I stayed in the car but Gary pressed forward mingling with the members and their family. 

Besides, look who came to visit me!