IGSS Pediatric Hospital & UNOP Cancer Hospital

IGSS Pediatric Hospital

Friday, 5 April, 2013

Today, the Johnson's & Jensen's made a second visit to the Pediatric Hospital to receive a smile from the young patients.  The dolls given today were made with love from a group of dear friends in Spanish Fork and the cars made by the 3rd Ward High Priest also from Spanish Fork.

This young man was too big for these small beds -not enough room to stretch his legs.

Isolation Unit
When we entered the Isolation Unit, the taller boy on the left noticed us and started
shouting 'Gringo, Gringo' over and over running up & down the hall.  He was so excited to see a gringo.
It might be gringos bring gifts which caused the excitment; we're not sure the reason for his greeting but it put a smile on our face and made our day.

Lots of  smiles, hugs and thanks received today during our visit.   

Chicken Pox - huge poxs all over this precious girl.

UNOP Cancer Hospital

Thursday, 11 April 2013

Unop is an affiliate of St. Jude's Hospital.  Sister Murray takes a UNOP jar to FHE each Monday and the Senior Couples contribute money to UNOP.   The money goes to the hospital to help provide meals for parents who need assistance.  The hospital is impressive; fairly new facility,

bright colors, clean and an excellent staff members.   Rocio, Volunteer Coordinator, is holding a picture of Dakoda, our grandson who is fighting cancer since the age of 10 months (he is now 2 1/2).  Our visit was in his honor to  cheer and love to those suffering too.  We had coloring books, crayons, hats and cars that the 3rd Ward High Priests make in our garage.  

Rocio graciously gathered a few children from the lobby for a photo with our bag of gifts.

Rocio had us take our gifts into the lobby to hand out personally to the patients waiting for their appointments.   It was just like Christmas greeting these precious souls suffering at such a young age and putting a smile on their face.

A little one hiding in the carrier...

This little one reminded me of our Dakoda - naturally drawn to him.

Our last child to receive a gift.   A beautiful young girl with a positive attitude, contagious smile of hope, total determination to fight and conquer this dreaded disease.  In giving service these past 17 months, we are the ones that are blessed the most.

"Count your many blessings, name them one by one."

San Salvador Temple Excursion

 San Salvador Temple Excursion
February 1, 2013

Guatemala Border crossing over to El Salvador.  Three cars, three while shirt Elders with badges, three gringo,  perfect target for these men who swarmed on them as they left their cars proceed the process of crossing the border.  The hustlers left with Q300 and $10.00 per person to expedient the crossing.   Lesson learned just a little too late - there is a 'sucker' born every minute.  The last hustler tried to get another Q100 to spray our car for bugs - didn't fall for it this time.  Good laugh was had by all.....

Bienvenido a El Salvador
Welcome to El Salvador

San Salvador Temple

Lee Ann Call, Kent & Teri James, Doc & AL, Jo & Ralph Bower, DeeDee & Wayne Wilcox

Jo Bowers, Teri James & Dee Dee Wilcox

San Sandres en Mesoamerica Map
Luis Abrizu, a friend of Elder James was our personal guide for the day. 
 Luis is CES Director in San Salvador, and former Mission President in Costa Rica.  

San Andres Ruins -  beginning stages of excavating the site.

2nd stop of the day 
Joya De Ceren Ruins
A village buried by volcanic eruption

Loved this man's apartment - chair, bucket, bed, great view - all the comforts of home.
His home is ocated on the corner of the Institute Building

Abbi Pupuseria - lunch time - typical foods.
Pupuse -all time favorite of Guate people.

Pupuse - most delicious - tortilla, beans and meat in the middle topped with another tortilla
topped with marinated shredded cabbage and a spicy tomato sauce.   Delicioso!!!!!

Christian and Crystal - guides for the afternoon - 
They were so fun, willing to show us a great time.
Puerto de Diablo  (Door of the Devil)  - popular tourist & local attractions
A mile walk to the top of the lookout for a panoramic view of  the city.

Elder Bower & Elder J. hiking to the top of Diablo

Panoramic view on Diablo   - invigorating hike.. breathtaking view.
Pacific Ocean behind us - 

You can't beat the feeling you get when you're handing out
cars.   It brings the biggest smile to the little ones.

A car is a joy!!!!!

Last stop of the day, Renacer Fernado Llort Art Gallery.   He is a famous
Guatemala artist.   It was getting dusk and Christian talked them into 
keeping the store open until we arrived.

Murial outside the art gallery - it was well worth their time to keeping 
the gallery open.   Everyone purchased several items.

Temple view from our room at the Hilton Park Hotel.  
Sunday morning and time to return to Guatemala City.

We were looking for a chapel to attend church Sunday morning on our way home  and discovered the
Tazumal Ruins.

Viewed the ruins through the fence.
Great trip to San Salvador - checked off the 'bucket list'.

Pacaya Trek

Pacaya first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago and has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish invasion of Guatemala.  Elevation 8,373 - In 1965 a violent eruption took place and also in May 2010.  The eruption in 2010 caused ash to rain down in Guatemala City, Antigua & Escuintla.

Sister J & Johanna - owner of the horse.

When we arrived their were several young children trying to get you to buy their stick
for the hike.  Men & horses clamored around the cars getting you to rent
their horses.   The Bowers' had hired a guide before we arrived to save the
hassel.

Group Photo before our trek began.  

Happy Trails  - starting our ride to Pacaya

Elder Bower & Elder Jensen with the guides.   They were making sure
Elder Jensen & horse made it to the top.

Johanna holding on to the tail to get her up the hill.  The guides
make the walk up the hill a couple times a day.   She was in
great shape.  Lots of stamina!!!  Not an easy climb & steep.

Elder Jensen with Elder Bower behind him.  

Sister Jensen getting help from the horse to get up the hill - she
finally let go of the rope because she couldn't keep up.

Lava store located at the top of the hill.  Take crushed lava rock add sliver and you have unique jewelry.   Proceeds  from the sale of the jewelry supports the local school.  

Fifteen minute walk after we left the horses across the volcanic rock  to our destination.
Not as easy as it looks...

E/S J. enjoying the volcanic rocks & trying to stay upright walking across the
rocks to get to our destination.

Our guide - 

Amazed at the heat generated  from the rocks - fabulous marshmallow roasting.
Good thing I remembers the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers.

Dynamic threesome are making the smores for the group.
Elder & Sister Bower & Elder J. 

Finger lickn' good. 

Just like being at girls camp - cooking over the rocks.

E/S J.  enjoying a smore.  Shared our marshmallows with a group from  Europe.
They loved the experience of roasting the marshmallows over the open fire.

3 minutes on each side to cook the pizza.   Two men carry four sheet pans filled with pizza to the top.
They just started this business of selling slices of pizza - Q25 per piece.
 Entrepreneurship at it's finest .

Couldn't resist the pizza - so delicious.

E/S Jensen didn't realize the dog wanted a taste too.

E/S J. enjoying the moment -

Group photo - E. Standage, Jensen's, Johnson's,  Alisha Bower
E/S Bower &  dog...

Loved watching the locals enjoy roasting their marshmallows.
Colorful picture.

The white rock fell from the hillside a couple of weeks ago.

Volcanic Cave

Six months ago you could not enter the cave because of the heat.

E. Johnson

Head em up - move em out!!!

There is a trail but it doesn't look like it.   

Volcanic rock covered the fields below after the eruption.

E. J bought these two young boys a coke when he and Sister Bowers returned to the car.
One coke is hidden under the sweater - when S J. arrived  they're trying to get a second one from me.

Unique front of the community church...
Beautiful day for a horse ride!!!