Sunday, June 02, 2013  GP

My 6:00 AM up and down walks every morning remind me of the movie “Ground Hog Day.”  Like Bill Murray, I see the same people at the same time doing the same thing every morning.  I’ve made a point to say “Buenos Dias” to everyone and I always get a very amiable reply whether they are members or not.  

About half of my loop is outside the compound so rather than the usual temple goers and groundskeepers inside the compound, I meet the same people every morning waiting for buses or taxis on the street or security guards.  They’ve all become my friends and want to talk.  

One fellow, wearing a University of Kentucky shirt, sitting on the curb waiting to board a bus to peddle bread, wants me to get him some New Balance shoes like mine.  One young man wants to tell me about the house construction project he protects at night.  I told the Hermana Missionaries about him.  Two security guards, one at each gate, want me to stop and talk to them in English so they can learn and upgrade their job qualifications.  One Hermana who works here hails me down to give me my daily lesson on conjugating Spanish verbs and has given Beverly two Spanish books and is praying for her to learn Spanish.  I’ve had several fellow temple workers independently offer to take us anywhere in the country to show us the beauties of Honduras, even though they usually have old, beat-up cars and not much $ for gas.  Honestly, around this people, I feel we are as close to Heaven as we can get.

Yesterday in the temple I was working at the desk, checking recommends, directing traffic, and getting a bus load of youth ready for baptisms when one of the Hermanas pointed out a “Norte Americano” couple who had entered and were in the outer waiting room. They wore shorts and he had a pony tail.  They didn’t speak Spanish so I spoke to them in my broken English.  They said they were members from Connecticut and had recommends but not with them. Their appearance caused somewhat of a stir among the natives.  One of my security guard friends even came up to the temple and asked me if they were giving trouble.  I was friendly with them and told them to come back Tuesday with their recommends.  Maybe we’ll see them again, probably not.

Testimony meeting was great today.  I really look forward to the time when Beverly can understand more. She is progressing and her pronunciation is good.  When she recites the words in the temple the people understand her. She played a keyboard today for a music class taught by an Hermana.  These people love singing and they all sing out but no parts or knowledge of music in general, viz. leading.  They have a wonderfully fun attitude to learn.  One who was raised in Utah but married a Honduran is bi-lingual and wants Beverly to teach her piano and music in English. This will give Beverly a boost.

Beverly and I did our usual Sunday evening walk around the temple gardens.   It was beautiful.  Tomorrow we will hail down a taxi and go to the Wal-mart Mall.  Love you all.  GP