Week 9, Pueblo Nuevo Viñas


Elder Walbom says his Spanish is coming along pretty well, and he seems to be in good spirits. He really enjoys teaching the weekly English class, and they usually get quite a few people to come.



 Here is Elder Walbom’s weekly letter:

Our new cook, Cecilia is amazing. She always makes sure we are fed and full and she is always laughing and joking with us. She has a mission to make sure that I learn spanish fast and never speak English again...Well I can live with that for at least two years.

This week has been a week of joy, sickness, and some realizations.

I'll start with sickness. 4 out of the 5 missionaries in Pueblo have been sick this week. There are two companionships in Pueblo and the other one had to stay in their house one day due to their sicknesses. Theirs was due to some bad food, probably the sketchy fried chicken. They also ate some rank lettuce that we were fed. I refused to eat it- it wasn't a situation where it was necessary to eat whatever is put in front of you (plus I care about my own health and the reality is that not everything here is safe to eat)- and they didn't refuse. So they got sick and probably parasites too.
One actually vomited while eating the weird salad.

I got sick also this week but that wasn't from anything in Guatemala. I got a migraine and that caused me to get a fever and it was just a bad two days. Runny and stuffy nose, no energy, and a blistering headache (luckily the 100 degree fever was only in the morning and broke after about an hour and a half) but we still went out to work thanks to the breaking of the fever. Im thankful it wasnt worse. But with the most glorious drug, ibuprofen, I can make it through anything.

Now the realizations. Soyla, we discovered has a less than ideal situation with her partner. He won't allow her to meet with us or be baptized though she wants too. We're trying to help her but it's difficult. We were also denied a visit because a catholic spouse refused to let his wife visit with us. I understand their apprehension but I never realized that some people can't make decisions for themselves. Its interesting working with that limitation.

And the joy. We have found a couple people this week who we believe we can really help! I have found more patience and joy in my afflictions this week also. Every week gets better and I hope that continues to be true. I will press forward because I trust the Lord and I know that I am engaged in the greatest work that this world has ever known: The Gathering of Israel is NOW and I get to help in the harvest! The prophecies of old are being fulfilled and more are yet to come. We are preparing for the Second Coming of our Savior and nothing gives me more hope than that! Adios!

Here are some more pics:

Some of the members in Guatemala

The outside of the church building

The little Tuk Tuks (very small bus)

What they make for dinner every night










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