Week 14, Pueblo Nuevo Viñas - 1st Choir Performance

Elder Alex Walbom and his companions had to travel to Guatemala City so that his companion could get some more medical tests done.  It is a 3-hour bus ride each way, so he had very little time to talk and did not have time to send an email this past week.  He asked me to send everyone a quick update for this week.

A highlight of this past week was that the little choir Elder Walbom started (and is conducting) had their first performance at their branch conference, singing “I Stand All Amazed” and actually did very well.  He was quite pleased that he was able to help them learn the music and also have the ability to direct them.  We will continue to pray for his choir’s success and growth.

He also commented on a couple of things regarding Guatemalan culture. First, Elder Walbom said that he never knew so many people could fit on a bus. The seats are smaller than those on our school buses, but they fit 3 people per seat and then at least 2-3 people in the aisle standing in between each row.  That’s a long way to be crammed on a 3-hour bus ride. Second, he mentioned how people put up little religious signs all over their homes and businesses.  The signs are everywhere and say things such as “God bless this home/business/everyone who enters in here/etc.” He says they tend to be a little superstitious about the signs though, as though the signs themselves are imbued with godly power.  Sadly, he was reminded of the scripture that says that the people worshiped God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him.

Two more random things: 1. They set their first baptismal date for someone they are teaching, but then promptly had it canceled. Too bad. 2. Elder Walbom has begun eating spaghetti for dinner, instead of tortillas and beans every night.