Sunday, July 29, 2018

Modern-day Pioneers

The worldwide Church celebrates Pioneer Day on July 24, the day when the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah in 1847, seeking religious freedom. We had a Belize City Branch Pioneer Day activity on Saturday, remembering the first generation Church members, or "pioneers", of Belize.
Our pie-o-neer celebration meant everyone was invited to bring a pie.  We had quite an assortment, from homemade apple pie, to meat pie, to lemon meringue pie, to shepherd's pie, bean pie, and many more.  The Young Women organization was in charge and Sister Casanova did a marvelous job coordinating the activity.  
Several members shared their own pioneer experiences of when they joined the church. Others read parts of the church's history in Belize and others shared photos from the past.

Pictured below:  Paul Woods, Jennifer Cadle, Wallace Belgrave, Harold Smith and Evelyn Woods, Julia Smith
Jennifer Gordon, Hilberto Casanova, Branch President Joel Muñoz, Elder Magnusson and Harold Smith sharing a photo from the past.  
Pioneer Day can be fun, but also of remembrance of the sacrifices of our ancestors who left their homelands in order to be able to worship in peace. Elder Uchtdorf explains in this video that not all pioneers crossed the American frontier to the West.
As you click on the arrow to watch the video, 
be sure to click on the full screen button in the bottom right hand corner of the video. 
You can also see the video by clicking here.
Our Skype account was extra busy this past week.  We had three Skype meetings. Below is the zone and sister training leaders being trained by President Adams from El Salvador.
President Adams, and Elders Flake and Magnusson had a Skype mission presidency meeting, each originating from El Salvador, and San Ignacio and Belize City.  Sister Adams (Seminary coordinator), Sister. Flake, and I had a camp planning meeting via Skype to finalize what needs to be brought to Spanish Lookout for youth camp next week.

It's always a treat to join with the missionary leaders and other senior missionary couples for lunch after our Mission Leaders' Council meeting.
As promised in last week's blog, here is the progress on our camp showers.
This week I enjoyed watching the 3 part series titled:  Reyna Aburto’s Story.  The Mormon Channel summarizes the series:  

As a nine-year-old, Reyna lived through the devastating earthquake that hit Nicaragua in 1972. The natural disaster claimed the life of her brother and the home they lived in....She often wondered where her brother was and if she would ever see him again. In a daydream she had, her brother would knock on the door, and when she answered, he would tell her that he was not really dead but alive—just somewhere else. This daydream brought her comfort as a little girl.....
...In 1984 she married a young man she had dated for several years. Together they moved to San Francisco, California, where they both had family. After two years of marriage, they had a son. Not long after their son was born, Reyna’s husband lost his job and fell into addiction. She did what she could to help him, but after a time it became clear that she could no longer trust him. Of this trying time in her life she says, “Those days were times of despair for me, not knowing what to do.” She dealt with feelings of fear, but at the same time she was determined to protect her young son and make a living on her own. “It was very hard to end the relationship,” she says. 

As she faced the future without her husband, she again wondered why God allows bad things to happen. Over time, God granted her understanding. “People make bad choices, and that freedom to make choices comes from God. He has given us that freedom, and that is why He cannot stop people from doing bad things,” she says. She learned through her experiences that if we are patient, God will one day answer our prayers and bring us peace...
...Reyna compares her life to a certain Lutheran church in Germany that was bombed during World War II. When the church was rebuilt after the war, the builders chose to include a number of the old blackened stones as a reminder of the war. Reyna shares the following: “My life is like that church. . . . I have gone through very hard times. The scars are still there, the consequences, the pain is still there. But the Lord has rebuilt my life and has allowed me to have joy.”
You can also see the series by clicking here.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Mérida, Mexico

On Friday and Saturday we traveled to the Mérida Mexico Temple and back.  This was our third trip to the Mérida Temple and as always, it was a trip to be treasured.  
On Friday, our bus left Belize City at 5:00 pm.  As we went north along the highway, members were picked up on the way in Belize City, and the towns of Ladyville, Sandhill, Orange Walk, and Corozal.  After an hour and a half experience of going through Belize and Mexican immigration at the border, we transferred to a Mexican bus. There was a brief stop at a diner for a little 2:00 am snack. We arrived at the temple at 4:30 am.  We did it under 12 hours this time.  

This was our lunch stop in Morelos, Mexico returning from the temple on Saturday. 
When we resided in Duarte, California, we lived one hour away from three temples --Los Angeles to the west, Redlands to the east, and Newport Beach to the south.  When we moved to South Jordan, Utah, we were only a mile and a half from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  I will never complain again about traveling through Los Angeles freeway traffic to worship in the Lord's house.    

A view of the temple spire when we arrived in the pre-dawn. 
This is the temple spire as we left the temple. Why is the angel with a trumpet on the top of most all of the temples?  The angel is not an object of worship for us, rather... well, it's best to read this link to find out!  

After our temple service we enjoyed seeing sights in downtown Mérida.  This sign is at the town plaza. As we approached the sign, we asked a tourist couple if they could take our picture. The kind man (bottom right) immediately told us that his daughter and her family in Minnesota are active members of our faith.  We became fast friends and he even invited us to visit them at Playa del Carmen if we ever were in the area.  
Across the street from the town plaza was the imposing cathedral of Mérida, built in 1598 on the site of Mayan ruins. It was the first cathedral to be finished by the Spaniards on the mainland of the Americas. We entered and learned more of religious devotion. 

The youth on our trip paused for refreshments and shade before we departed for home.
If you want to know why we attend our temples, you can watch this informative video. 
You can also see the video by clicking here.  

Elder Andreason arrived from El Salvador this week and is assigned to Dangriga, two hours south of us on the coast. With most of the missionaries who we pick up at the airport, we stop by this site by the sea, near our house, for this photo for them to send home.
Elder McDonald (far left) and Elders Livingston and Reyes (right) welcomed Elder Andreason at the office. Paul Woods (center) is the employee for the Church in Belize City who handles all the administrative functions in the country.

Later, we and the missionaries happened to meet up with our friend Rodney on the street.  Usually we're in our car, but it also feels good to walk sometimes, too, between appointments.
For district council this week we skyped from home with the missionaries since we happened to be all in different towns. Elder Magnusson volunteered to construct the outdoor showers for the youth camps to be held in August.  Here I'm trying it out...without the hose, and, oops, the all-important tarp to go around it! Read more on the finished product in a future blog.

When it rains it pours at this time of year in the Caribbean.  This was an afternoon downpour, looking out from our front door.  

Sunday, July 15, 2018

The Missionary Hop!

On Saturday we attended the Seminary Graduation celebration.  Youth from the whole country of Belize gathered in the Belize City chapel to honor the seminary graduates, enjoy lunch, dance, and have fun.  
Hmm... it had been some time since we'd done the Bunny Hop... but it came back pretty fast: hop, hop, hop!

But then, not all missionary work is so glamorous...
As we depart Belize City on the water taxi for church in San Pedro, fishermen in the harbor throw their nets for shrimp.  We're reminded of the Lord seeing "Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." (Matt. 4:18-20)  We all can follow Him.
Children in this video were asked to tell  the story of Jesus calling his Apostles to be “fishers of men”.
You can also see the video by clicking here
At San Pedro Branch, Morgan and Wyatt Ross contribute in their Sunday School lesson with their friend who is now attending church. Their mother and teacher, Natalie Ross, looks on.
With Henry Williams, the branch president, on our walk back to the water taxi following church.
As we have our weekly district meetings, the makeup of the missionaries in attendance changes.  On Wednesday we met with Elders Reyes, Richardson, and Phelps at the service center.  Elder Phelps is from the Cayo District and was on exchanges with Elder Eves.  The other missionaries in our district joined our meeting over Skype from San Pedro and Corozal.  
The beautiful Belizean sky on our way to an appointment in Corozal.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Happy (Mission) Anniversary!

Happy one year anniversary to us!  A year ago on July 3rd we entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  A week later we arrived in Belize.  Today, we took a picture to celebrate our one-year mission anniversary.
Having completed a year in the country, we needed to go to Belmopan, the capital of Belize, to renew residence documents at police headquarters. The main parliamentary building in the foreground is flanked by other government offices. 
 I'm holding my yellow umbrella in front of police headquarters. Elder Magnusson is standing under a....ahh, not sure what it is...

The sister missionaries requested a visit to the Altun Ha ruins on their preparation day. While we've posted photos on several previous visits here, we hadn't noticed this particular carved face before that the sisters are sitting next to.   It is located behind one of the tall ruins.  
Sister Arteaga was brave and got the courage to hold this baby crocodile.  

On our way to visit members on Caye Caulker on Tuesday, the water taxi stopped to drop off a passenger at this house on this in-the-middle-of-the-Carribbean Sea-dot of land. The land is no bigger than what is shown here. At least they don't have any problems with the neighbors.... 
Automobiles are not allowed on Caye Caulker island, just golf carts and bicycles.  The bikes got us around just fine.  
I couldn't resist taking a picture of  these sea grapes that were growing along the Caye Caulker shore. 
We had our district meeting on Wednesday which happened to be July 4th.  As we picked up Elders Tupou and Wright from the water taxi , we were greeted with a cheerful, "Happy 4th of July."  What's interesting about these elders is that they are citizens of New Zealand and Canada, respectively.  It was thoughtful of them to wish us, citizens from the United States, a happy 4th of July!  
The Belize City district elders, with sisters tuning in via Skype, are a hardworking, motivated, enthusiastic group.

Several weeks ago we showed the beginning of the septic tank and bathroom the elders quorum is adding to this church member's house. George Perteau, an elder in Belize City Branch and a seasoned mason, donates time on this project. He graciously allowed Elder Magnusson to help him, with tutoring of course!
The youth camp steering committee practices with Elder Adams some of the events they will lead at their camps in August.
After our planning meeting, we enjoyed typical chicken, rice and beans, potato salad, and fried plantain for lunch. Branch President Lemus was very happy that I offered him my chicken foot to eat!

After a two-hour drive, the Corozal chapel was our destination for church today. We park on the basketball court in the back. 
During Relief Society I enjoyed studying the General Conference talk by Elder Larry Y. Wilson titled "Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide".    Elder Wilson talked about getting answers to prayers by telling a story that took place during the Korean War.   
Ensign Frank Blair served on a troop transport ship stationed in Japan.  The ship wasn’t large enough to have a formal chaplain, so the captain asked Brother Blair to be the ship’s informal chaplain, having observed that the young man was a person of faith and principle, highly respected by the whole crew.

Ensign Blair wrote: “Our ship was caught in a huge typhoon. The waves were about 45 feet  high. I was on watch … during which time one of our three engines stopped working and a crack in the centerline of the ship was reported. We had two remaining engines, one of which was only functioning at half power. We were in serious trouble.".....

...The captain knocked on Ensign Blair's door. He asked, “Would you please pray for this ship?” Of course, Ensign Blair agreed to do so.

At that point, Ensign Blair could have simply prayed, “Heavenly Father, please bless our ship and keep us safe,” and then gone to bed. Instead, he prayed to know if there was something he could do to help ensure the safety of the ship. In response to Brother Blair’s prayer, the Holy Ghost prompted him to go to the bridge, speak with the captain, and learn more. He found that the captain was trying to determine how fast to run the ship’s remaining engines. Ensign Blair returned to his cabin to pray again.

Elder Blair's prayer taught me that as we pray,  we ought to be seeking more proactive ways of receiving the Lord’s help and committing to act according to the Spirit’s guidance.  He prayed, “What can I do to help address the problem with the engines?”

In response, the Holy Ghost whispered that he needed to walk around the ship and observe to gather more information. He again returned to the captain and asked for permission to walk around the deck. Then, with a lifeline tied around his waist, he went out into the storm.....

You can read the rest of the story about how Ensign Blair's prayers were answered, by clicking here.   
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Some friends of ours who live outside the city dug a well on their land that, in addition to rain water, supplies all their needs. When asked if it ever goes dry, they answered, "Never; the water is endless. The well always has water." 
Their words are reminiscent of Jesus' message to the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well: "The water that I shall give shall be...a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Corozal, Conference, and Camp

Corozal is the most northern town in Belize, along the Mexico border and the coast. We were there for a day and night to conduct mission business, and stayed in a cabaña at the Tilt-Ta-Dock Resort. It was a breezy day.
All the missionaries in the country enjoy meeting together every six weeks for Zone Conference.  Right now we have 19 missionaries and three senior couples serving in Belize.  President and Sister Adams (front row, red tie) came from mission headquarters in El Salvador to interview the missionaries and to train us.
The two zone leaders, Elder Magnusson, and Elder Flake, and President and Sister Adams taught us, and later districts met in groups to practice their teaching.   President and Sister Adams were presented with a card signed by all their missionaries recognizing their two years of service.
I was in charge of the meals for zone conference this time. Everyone was excited over the tacos for lunch.  They were especially happy that there was enough so they could go back for seconds...and thirds!
Sisters Arteaga and Kruyer in our district are dedicated, strong teachers of the gospel.  They also enjoy a home cooked meal every once in a while, complete with watermelon, my favorite!  
As we travel to the different branches each Sunday, it's wonderful to see the youth leaders signing up their peers for youth camp that will be held in August.
The picture on the left popped up on my Facebook wall stating that it was a memory from June 30, 2016.  The caption read:  "It's someone's last day of work.  #retirementherewecome".  Today I say, "What a difference two years makes."  
Prophets spoke for God anciently. Teaching the people of Belize that God has a prophet on Earth today is one of our principal reasons for being on our mission.
You can also see the video by clicking here
You have heard of prophets in the Bible, and you may have heard of modern-day prophets too. Who are they? What is their purpose? 

God told Noah to build an ark before the flood came. He did, and the family of Noah was saved. God gave Moses 10 commandments to teach to the people. Those who follow the commandments were blessed. Noah, Moses, and other prophets found in the Bible were called by God to speak for Him. When they did, it was as if God was speaking.

Mormons believe God still speaks to us, His children, through prophets. Just like prophets found in the Bible and The Book of Mormon, additional scripture, today’s prophet is a witness of Jesus Christ. He testifies of the Savior’s divinity and teaches His gospel. He receives direction from God and often offers warnings in order to prepare us for what is to come.

So who are these modern prophets?  Watch the video to learn more.....