El domingo Part 1

Wes’s, Folks, and I got up and headed to breakfast at Pollo Campero since they’re the early opening restaurant around here. Most open at 8 or 9. There’s a Cafe Dali Selvin told me was the best but it opens at 11. They’re all starting to understand the restaurant language and can order on their own with a menu. Hash browns are the same word in both languages . Sunny side up was a little more difficult.

   I came back and ate a tamale that Eddies had gone to Vilmas and reheated for breakfast. It’s a seasoned corn pudding type that’s put in a banana leaf with h saucy meat put on it. When they fold up the banana leaf and tie it the meat stays inside. They steam it it until the corn is set and meat is done. It was one of the best I’ve had. They said Vilma makes them to sell. She’s the mother of the new bride.

   One interesting thing here is how much healthier the dogs here look compared to Panajachel. And you see a lot of plates outside on the ground by restaurants and water dishes on the sidewalk. The dogs mostly have collars and don’t have that hungry take me home look.

   Dad needed antibiotics so got some at a local corner pharmacy.

   Church service was strictly youth. It was beautiful. I sat by Sheny since there was a little spot there. They sang songs they’d practiced and read an essay one of them wrote about the marvel of creation. There was also a scientific reading about the wonders of the human body and the way the kidney cleanses the blood. All the readings and introduction were read in both languages . If someone talked it was translated.

   Then two girls took turns reading Hermano Felipes conversion experience. I’m gonna see if I can get a copy of it and put it here. I always enjoyed listening to him tell it because of the visions he saw.

  The themes of the morning service were the wonders of Gods creation and how In His Time He works miracles . We just need to wait on Him.

   I quickly changed in the church bathroom and then walked with Gaby to the teacherage. Then I went to Sheny’s house to drop off her gift. They all live really close in the same lot. Sheny lives on top of the cheese store. Ronal was there resting in a hammock. She showed me the little balcony out her bedroom and the flowers by her porch patio and her kitchen. Her house is really cute. They use wood or a PVC type material that looks like wood on their ceilings. I walked to the regadío with Flor and her sister in law Naomi. If you walk in step across the swinging bridge it really stays quite still. Teresa carries her groceries across it and she says it hardly even moves for her anymore. If people walk out of step it  starts rocking pretty good.

   I got to meet some of the new families and their little children. It’s so neat how the church is growing and taking care of its own here. Lunch was carne adobada, rice, tortillas, and pasta salad. The carne adobada was amazing. Ferdnanda makes it now since Delfinas girls are all busy with other stuff. It’s pork pieces rubbed with that red achiote paste I have at home and marinated in a tomato sauce. Then they bake it. It can also be grilled or fried. The juice is so good with rice. By the time Bernas are there was only meat juice left and Berna was serving himself and saying the juice was the best part anyways. We were around 180 for lunch. We played volleyball in numbered off teams all afternoon. It was a lot of fun because the youth made a lot of noise. The best games are always the loudest. Berna’s sisters cheered loudly for one side the whole time and their brother was on the other side and his wife joined the cheering for the other side. They all stayed happy though.

  I’m gonna have to do the rest of this day a little later cuz now it’s time to go. I got back really late from Flor’s house and my phone was locked in the van, Wes had the key so I just let him sleep and asked front desk for a spare key. So I only got my phone at 7 this morning and quickly typed this and now we’re ready to grab some coffee and drive to La Libertad. It’s a little town up the mountain where Felipe lives with Jaime and Corina. Felipe asked if we’d come and see him and it’s hard to turn down when one knows that years will go by and he may not be here when we come again.

   So have a great day, girls. I’m sure your calves are staying fed and so are you. I’ll see you Wednesday , I’m looking forward to hugging you and chatting .

mastuyoquenunca