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Adventures in Siguatepeque

 Lots of fun things to share this week. We got an "interesting" email from Elder Jarman, and then got a chance to talk with him over zoom last evening. First the quirky.

Those that have known Chaz for awhile know that he has a tendency to lose things. When he would come back from scout camp, there were always missing things. His leaders said they would find his clothes along the path back from the showers at camp. So, true to form, Chaz somehow lost his wallet between the Miami airport and Honduras. Lost his debit card, temple recommend, ID (not passport), cash he was carrying, and even his mission debit card. In typical Chaz fashion he takes it all in stride and just adapts. He had other dollars in his luggage and will be able to manage fine until we can replace some things.

His weekly email reads like a weather report, so I thought it might be fun to just share some of his highlights:

  • It was a three hour drive to the mission office in a crammed vehicle (The mission taxis are just 12 person vans 6 people - immigration secretary and companion, someone who couldn't leave the country, and the three new Americans- plus luggage is alot)
  • Had Wendy's on the way to the office and I couldn't understand most of what the president said during the interview. 
  • Went to the mission home (crappy place by Honduran standards. Stairs were falling apart, you were NOT supposed to touch the railing. No toilet paper for like 10 elders and really warm at night) Had pizza and Fanta banana (Fantas popular here) and went to bed.
  • Had orientation the next morning and it was translated by one of the President's assistants. 
  • Took a four hour bus ride to Siguatepeque and a taxi ride to Carmen (a neighborhood in Siguatepeque)
  • Taught a lesson (investigators husband spoke some English)
  • The apartment here is nice. Hot Water for showers, beds comfy and the sink has a water filter if you want drinking water
  • Standard day of missionary work. We "knocked" on doors. (Said buenas through gates. Gates are common).
  • We attended a branch activity. We had cheese pizza even though we already had dinner (Two dinners happens alot)
  • I was sick to bed all day on Friday. Vomited the dinner from Thursday and lunch from Friday. We think it's because of lactose intolerance because the cheese pizza was really milky. (Cheese here is different). My companion did find someone to teach
  • Saturday, had meeting with ward mission leader at a pretty nice Café. Talked with some members as well.
  • Church is at 9:00 but always starts late. Everyone wore masks (people here don't have a problem with wearing masks all day) it was broadcasted via zoom.
  • The church building is really small and the chapel can divide into classrooms.
  • After church we did door knocking. Met a guy from the Iglesia de Pablo (Church of Paul) who believed Paul was the only apostle Jesus called.
  • Met a Jehovás Witness who had a problem with Joseph Smith, and don't know why.
  • Had a lesson with an investigator. They live in an area where the dogs are aggressive and will try to tear you apart. You just pick up a rock and they'll scatter.
"We have lunch and dinner at our Pensionista's house. (We pay her to feed us lunch and dinner every day).  Lunch is whatever she feels like and dinner is tortillas, eggs, beans, fried plantains and meat of some kind. Baliana - this is a very Honduran food which is a tortilla with scrambled eggs and refried beans."

We learned more when we talked on zoom. He is serving in a suburb of Siguatepeque called El Carmen. He says it is cooler than the city and less humidity. Super nice weather. The city is about the size of Queen Creek. His companion doesn't speak much English but has been out for 20 months, and is from Honduras, so he knows what he is doing. "We use Google Translate alot. I don't understand the accent of most of the locals and I understand my companion's Spanish most of the time. The district leader and one of the zone leaders are American. Very random people have very good English. I am getting  better quickly but it's hard to understand people."

Chaz was super cheerful when we talked, and you can tell that he is enjoying himself.

Siguatepeque







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