Week 22, Primero de Julio - Quema Del Diablo!!

 "The family where the kid got baptized a month ago and the dad got baptized two weeks ago more or less. 
They are super Pilas!"

Here is Elder Walbom’s weekly email:

Well folks,

This week was the burning of the devil. We were just going about our daily business, we knew that this day was a holiday but we didn-t know what would happen. Well exactly at 6 pm on the dot the explosions started. And most of it was not fireworks, it was literal firecrackers that made car alarms go off, hurt my ears, made me jump and punched my chest. Honestly I didn-t feel safe walking the streets at that time. Then the fire. The devils went up in flames and every corner had a big fire where the devil burned. Its supposed to be a catholic tradition round these parts. It was super interesting. On another note, the people here really like fireworks, more than any other group of people I have met.

We also had a super sketchy situation this week. We had to go bless a house that was supposedly haunted. We went and they started telling us their creepy stories about ghosts walking by and ladies in the corner. We prayed to dedicate and bless the house and as I prayed and taught these people I realized something. As long as we are doing what we are supposed to, obeying the commandments and honoring and loving our father in heaven, we will enjoy protection from all the forces of evil, whether it be temporally or spiritually. For all those who are afflicted just remember that turning to Christ will always help and especially reading the book of mormon and praying to our Father. Peace is just a prayer away.

One of the Hnas [sister missionary] in my ward went away this week to her real mission. She was just here waiting for her visa. I am going to miss her mucho because we were good friends.

Anyways we-ve been helping and consoling and calling people to repentance and we are going to keep doing that down here in the Great State of Guate.

Adios!!!

Pics: [Lots of pics- got his camera working again]

 

1. this guy is an inactive who we have been working with. He was wearing this awesome overwatch shirt and I just could not pass up the opportunity to take a picture.

2. Some members let us pose with their fireworks. Side note: Guatemalans are more obsessed with fireworks than any other people.

 

 3-5. We helped this old lady who has been interested in the church for a while decorate her house for Christmas. She can-t walk around very well so she was super grateful to us for that.

 

6-7. Some member had some really cute and clean pets (rare here) so I took advantage of the opportunity and unleashed my inner pet whisperer.

8. My parents sent me some decorations for Christmas and this is the nativity! I got creative and added the candles.

9. Some members had this cool carving of one of the images from the pearl of great price. Its called a hypocephalus.

10. We helped another inactive family decorate for christmas by helping them make their nativity scene. I was pasting decorated paper on the wall. Side note: The people here go way all out on their nativities, every house has one and usually it involves a full corner of the house from ceiling to floor.

11. Quema Del Diablo!!! They like burning the devil here. Its a catholic thing.

12. My makeshift game of stratego with playing cards (We were bored)

13. Best paca buy every. #agrumpycatchristmas  #grumpychristmas