Week 9 - September 27, 2021

Crazy, it has been two months already.  

It feels like I got set apart a month ago, but I also feel like I've been in Guat for much longer than three weeks.  Another crazy and long week.

Tuesday, said goodbye to my first ever companion, Elder Juarez.  It was more sad than I thought it would be, but right after I met my new comp, Elder Alverez who is from GC.  He knows 0 English and cannot pronounce anything I tell him in English.  But, we have got along really well.  Always laughing and joking but also working much harder than I was before.  It is great.  My Spanish has skyrocketed since being with him this week because I have to use it and more words to be able to do anything.

That night on Tuesday, I was able to listen to Ella H open her mission call . . I'm still in shock.  Antigua Guate haha.   After the call we went to eat dinner at the member's house who always feeds us, and they could tell something was up, so they asked what happened and I told them.  The whole rest of the night they kept making fun of me saying I was excited which is "emocionado" in Spanish.  So, the whole night they were saying "emocionado emocionado!"  It was funny.  Now every time we go over they say, "emocionado??"  And I respond, "Si" and every time they crack up.  I think I've heard them say "Su novia . . ." And then a question, more than we have been to their house to eat, ha.

Wednesday, washed my clothes for the first time since being here.  Actually first time ever washing my clothes by hand.  Elder Alverez had to teach me how to do it like a Guatemalan. You have to use the pillas outside and scrub super hard.  Also, as I turned on the water to start, a spider as big as my palm ran up my arm.  So, the next day me and my comp bought spider spray and went around the whole church property that we live on and killed probably 25 spiders.  All were massive.  A lot of them were on the walls outside our apartment. 

Thursday, a lot of studying and then contacted, pretty normal day.  But on our way back, these two ladies needed their motorcycle pushed up the hill because it was out of gas, so we pushed it for around 30 minutes when my comp said, "I think there is gas in here" . . . There was gas, we tried to start it and it worked.  So we pushed it for 30 minutes up a hill when it had gas the whole time . . .

Friday, woke up and Alverez had a massive spider bite on his leg.  So red and big, luckily the spider didn't come to my bed.  But, we were sorting our books and a shelf we have, and I found a Book of Mormón in English.  Which is big because I forgot to bring some in English from home.  So I read the first 15 chapters of 1 Nephi and then finished 1 Nephi the next day.  It was cool to re-read the stories that Nephi had with Laban, and then with his brothers.  Nephi was so connected with the Spirit and was able to receive so much guidance and strength when he needed it.  To break the cords and to build a boat.  Even when his brothers were mocking him the whole time.  It was empowering to read because sometimes we get made fun of out here.  I don't recognize it right away, but my comp will tell me after some of the words they used when we walk by or try to contact them. 

Saturday, we did service all morning by a big rotoplast water container (look one up) from one side of a mountain to the other.  It was so heavy and nasty and muddy.  I was the strongest one so I was underneath it while we moved it through trees and over a stream.  It was very hard.  Later we gave a member a priesthood blessing for the sick and afflicted because her husband has recently passed and she is going to get the Covid vaccine soon.  It was really cool to do my first priesthood blessing here.

Sunday . . . Might have been the craziest day since I've gotten here.  First, we had church for the first time since being here as well.  The night before the branch president asked us both to give our testimonies.  So, I didn't have much time to prepare (use Google translate).  But, it went really good, gave my testimony on Jesus Christ's love for everyone and sticking to the iron rod.  Also, because I just read 1 Nephi.  It went well because there was a total of 17 people in attendance, including the President and First Counselor and us.  President plays the piano and gave a talk, and the first President presides and passes the sacrament.  I'm not sure how they did it before without missionaries because we blessed the Sacrament, and there were only two people who could possibly have the priesthood in attendance.  Very crazy. 

But afterwards, Alverez asked if we wanted to go to Xepon, which is another area in our district with other missionaries.  He said they needed food because they don't have money and it's Sunday.  So, I said sure where can we get a truck to go?  He said, "Caminando" which means "walking."  And instantly flashbacks of walking to Canquixajá came back to me.  So, then I asked how far away is it to walk.  The phone says 3 hours and 58 minutes.  Unbelievable.  After 20 minutes of discussing if we should go, we went.  I'm not joking, it was worse than Canquixajá.  By far.  Somehow it was hotter, more rocks, more uphill and downhill.  Also, we took some wrong turns because the roads don't show up on Google maps because they aren't really roads, so we just have to guess which one and hope for the best.  It was not the best.  We came across a pretty big river that was about 20 feet wide that we needed to cross.  Could not find a way to get across, so we had to back track a ways to find a bridge.  Also, my water bottle was gone after about two hours.  It was very, very challenging.  But we made it, had lunch and rested, then called a member to come get us and take us back, we told him we would pay big bucks because there was no way we could physically make it back by walking.  After a 45-minute car ride back to Panca, we get in the apartment and my comp, who rarely speaks English says, "That walk was good, but . . . Never again!"  It was hilarious.  So, hopefully now, my extreme walking adventures are behind me, and only stories now.  But we will see.

Some pics from this week and the hike to Xepon.

- An excited Elder Copeland  

Week 8 - September 20, 2021

Last week's letter was very rushed and thrown together, I'll make sure this one is much better.  But, this week was amazing.  So many instances where I saw Heavenly Father watching out for me.  And feeling El Espíritu Santo con nosotros también. 

Tuesday was interesting, travelled back to Panca from Momostenango because we stayed with the Zone Leaders Monday night.  Then did our daily studies and went to the members' house that always feeds us.  They are so good to us.  But, usually the food is so good and I eat everything they give me.  But, this time, they gave me some meat-looking item with green sauce drenched over it.  I leaned over to my comp and asked what it was, he said, "pollo."  So I was like, oh ok great; they always make really good chicken.  Took a pretty large bite of this piece of chicken . . . Was definitely not chicken.  So, I quietly leaned over to my comp and said it, "esta is no pollo."  He then asked the members what part of the chicken it was . . . . . They pointed to their hearts . . . "Corazón" . . Unbelievable.  It was so slimy and chewy.  I'm not sure how I didn't throw it up right in that moment, it was a battle.  It was nasty.  However, there was another piece of chicken that did not look the same as the heart, so I figured any other part of the chicken has got to be better than the taste that is in my mouth right now, took a bite.  . Also extremely nasty.  My comp says, yeah that's the liver. Unbelievable.  For sure I thought I would be sick next couple of days, but I was fine so very grateful that, that experience is behind me.

Wednesday was probably the craziest day of this week.  We decided we were going to our other area that is assigned to us called Canquixaja.  Left around 8:30 and walked for about three hours to get to the chapel there.  Three hours through jungle, over mountains, through gangs of dogs, a bull pasture, over big and fast streams with only a log to cross, weaving through spider webs.  It was worse than what you can imagine.  It was literally the jungle from Avatar.  It was really fun and exactly what I wanted in a mission.  

Then we stayed in Canquixaja for about 15 minutes to check on the chapel, apartment, and then walked three hours all the way back.  Plus, it is extremely hard to breathe here because of how high we are here.  I jump rope every day and workout and I still get out of breath scaling these mountains.  Later that day, I cooked some carne that I had brought from the meat store.  They cut off the piece of meat right off the skinned cow that was in the shop and handed it to me.  Cooked it a little too long because I didn't want to undercook it and get sick.  So, a little chewy, but I put it in a tortilla with cheese and BBQ sauce and it was great. 

Thursday, after studying, the church maintenance guys came to refill our paper towel supply and change our showerhead. They were the funniest guys ever.  They were joking the whole time and laughing at everything.  They love to say gringo and ask some question about what gringos like to do or eat, and everything I said they would laugh, it was funny.  Then there was a massive thunder and lightning storm which was sooo loud.  I got some videos but you can't really tell how loud it actually is.  Sounds like a concert speaker is blasting thunder noises in our apartment, it's really cool.  That night we had caldo from members' house and then they needed some service done.  They needed a large water container moved from one side of the mountain to the other.  So, we helped them move that.  I was on one side and there were three people on the other.  So, I heard the word "fuerte" a lot.  Me working out everyday helped me a lot there.

Friday, we had to go to Momos to have an Elders' meeting with our whole Zone and President Roden.  He interviewed all of us to see how we are doing and what we are seeing in our area.  I told him I've adjusted greatly and have somehow always known that I would be serving in a remote area like Panca where I would just have to figure it out.  He said I am one of the most culturally and mentally strong, prepared gringo missionaries he has ever seen.  He then told me that he has to make some changes so I will be getting a new companion. Elder Juarez will be going to Xela and I will be staying in Panca, which I am very excited about.  I'm not sure who my next comp is, but I know he is from the capital and was in a remote Village outside of Xela before.  I think it will be good for me to learn from a different trainer so soon into the mission. The AP's told us it will be happening Tuesday, so we will see how tomorrow goes and how my new comp is.  Then we went to San Francisco Alto with the Zone Leaders because there aren't any trucks back to Panca after 1, usually.  There was also another companionship staying there, too, so for our contacting, all six of us switched companions and we went and contacted to see who could get the most in two hours.  My competitiveness switched on and me and this other gringo got 25 contacts in 2 hours.  It was really good to contact and be immersed in a town with a lot more people than Panca has.

Saturday, we got groceries in Momos and then waited for a truck back to Momos for about two hours.  On Saturdays, there aren't many cars back to Panca,so we weren't sure if we were even going to find one.  But, I had this feeling to pray for a truck to pass that was going to Panca.  So, I did and about three minutes later, we point to a truck passing, "donde va", "Panca" they said.  I knew it was because of my prayer that we were able to get one so quickly.  On that ride back to Panca, I really reflected on myself.  I reflected on how lucky I am.  That I am serving in Guatemala.  I still think it's so crazy that I'm just in this jungle with no clean water teaching people the gospel. The Spirit was strong with me on the back of the truck, thinking about how thankful I am to have the Holy Ghost with me and the gospel In my life to guide me and for me to rely on.  And then we hit a pot hole and I hit my head on the steel bars above the back of the truck.  That was fun.  Also, my comp found a cockroach in his cereal which isn't surprising because I sweep out probably 20 bugs everyday that are on the ground in our apartment.

Yesterday, another day of scaling mountains and over streams because we were taking people the sacrament because there is no church meeting right now with the pandemic and Covid numbers.  And the branch president is getting over Covid right now, too.  Got to meet some other members in our area and bless the bread and water with them.  We were so high up at some of these houses that I got out of breath from reading the blessing haha.  And from going uphill with no walkway for like 40 minutes to get to some of the houses out here.  Literally scaling the mountains.  Yesterday, was also a checkpoint day for me, I looked at how far my Spanish has come and how much better I've gotten.  Also, in my knowledge for the scriptures and how to use them to teach.  I still have a long way to go to be really effective in lessons and get to where I want to be, but I know God reveals line upon line, so I'm being patient and working hard.

One thing I forgot to add is during our devotional with President on Friday, he talked about how the mission is hard, and what we need to do to be obedient missionaries and be good missionaries. (All in Spanish btw)  But, what I got from it is that, yes, the mission is hard, but if it wasn't, how would we grow?   If everyone said yes to our message, would I become a better missionary?  If everyone came to church, would the members grow in their testimonies?  If the mission was easy, would my testimony, mental strength, or my dedication grow? No. It has to be hard for us to grow.  You can't get muscle without working out.  I'm happy knowing I'm in one of the lowest contact, baptism and lessons taught area in the mission.  It makes me want to work harder and make those numbers go up.  Or maybe because I'm just competitive ha.

Excited for this new week with a new companion and to learn more. 

I've got pictures that I've uploaded to my Google photos from my camera, but I can't get them onto this phone we have to make emails.  But I will put some of the ones I have from this camera on here.

Love you guys and for the support you guys give me.

- Elder Copeland 

Week 7 - September 14, 2021

Made It to Guatemala. 

Woke up early at 3 am to get to the airport.  Was so sad saying goodbye to my family and grandparents.  It will be all worth it to come home and tell them all the stories that I have. 

Then flew to Denver and then Houston.  Met five other Elders there and flew to our mission together.  Once we landed and went through security, there was nobody waiting for us so we didn't know what to do for a second haha.  But then there was a guy holding a picture of Angel Moroni, so we walked over to him and he said we are staying the night in Guate City and then will go to Xela manana.  So we stayed in a hotel, which was fun getting to know the other Elders and comprehend that we are all in Guate now as missionaries.  So crazy.

Also, it has been a challenge to make this email because the church internet is having difficulties lately, so I'm currently in Momostenango writing this email on someone's computer. Also, if I were to go into detail on everything, this email would never end.  So, I'll only include the most important parts.

Once we got to the mission home in Xela, President Roden helped us off the bus, which was a 5-hour bus ride from GC. Very bad with many ups and downs.  The mission home is very nice, we stayed for the night and had interviews with President.  Then he told us where our assignment is . . . Mine is the hardest in the mission.  In Panca.  President told me that we would be the first missionaries in the area in three years. That we will be re-strengthening the area and members there and finding investigators.  Then stayed the night with the  five other missionaries from the states in the guest house at the mission home.  The next morning, we had eggs, refried black beans and platanos.  Which they served at the hotel, too, for breakfast the day before.  

The next day we met our companions, my comp is from Escuintla in Guate.  

Elder Juarez, Elder Copeland's First Companion in Guatemala

My dad served in the same area he lives and actually knows his family and him.  (The young boy in the striped shirt is Elder Copeland's companion now.)   He stayed with them when he went back a few years ago.  Which is so cool and a revelation to President Roden to pair us together.  (Elder Copeland's dad is top right.)  Once I got to know him, he asked if I had seen the movie "Avatar."   I said yes, and he said, "The jungle in that movie, yeah that's where we're going."   He wasn't joking.

That day we were in a tiny, tiny truck for four hours to Panca where we are living now. My legs went numb every 10 minutes and had to stand up in the truck and lean over the dashboard from the back seat.  It was awful.  

Then we got to Panca. Literally nothing besides the church which is very nice even compared to American churches.  Not as big but really nice inside.  The branch president lives just outside the gate of the church across the dirt road.  From there, we unpacked, got settled, and went and talked with the branch president and a member family close by.

I don't know if there are more dogs or bugs here.  Already have killed four spiders and who knows how many flies.  It's crazy.  There is this Doberman that follows us everywhere that likes us.  

We come to Momos to get our groceries and any supplies because there's nowhere to get anything anywhere near Panca.  We have to take a small Toyota truck with bars on the back, 45 minutes to the closest store.  The roads are so bad and have so many potholes, and it hurts to go on that ride.  But getting used to it.

There is so much more I wish I could tell you guys about my time so far here.  But, I'm loving it.  Feeling good, enjoying how hard it is because it's exactly what I wanted.  Oh also, our showers are freezing, and we are not allowed to drink any water that does not come from our filtered water bottles. So brushing our teeth, I have to sip some water from the bottle, and then spit it on my toothbrush to get clean water on it and rinse after.  We are, also, assigned to another area called Canquixaja.  We have to go back and forth between our area and manage the members and investigators there as well.  So many other things that are different and harder here that we take for granted in U.S.

Overall, doing good, learning a lot, Spanish is horrible compared to the Guatemalans who talk fast, but I'll get there.

The pictures on my camera would take hours to upload to this computer here, so I am going to upload them to my Google photos, and then my dad can send it as a link in another email after this one.}

Love you all and hope you guys enjoy your warm showers.  Also, I had account problems yesterday, so now I am sending this today (Tuesday).  Also, need to figure out how to get pictures from my camera to you guys.

- Elder Copeland

Letter From Mission President to Elder Copeland's Family - September 10, 2021

 Dear Copeland Family,

 

We in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission want to inform you that your son, Ethan Kent Copeland, is doing well!! Elder Copeland has arrived in the mission field happy and healthy!

Attached are photos of Elder Copeland today in Quetzaltenango

1.  With President and Hermana Roden 

2.  With his companion, Elder Juarez, Pte Roden & Hna Rode           

3.  All the new missionaries today

 

Please know that we are available for you, whenever it may be necessary. We are here to serve you and your family.

 

May our Heavenly Father bless your family for the sacrifice that you and your son are making.

 

Hna. Carpenter, Executive Secretary

Mission Guatemala Quetzaltenango

Week 6 - September 5, 2021

 Last email in the U.S

A wild, great, blessing-filled six weeks of home MTC has come and gone.  These past six weeks have been so amazing.  I've proven to myself that I can learn a language, increase my testimony, and meet many missionaries just like me--all from my home, without having to be in Mexico.  I am so grateful for the chance to spend these six weeks in my own home, with my family, and have my last weeks with them in the United States. 

My whole life has led up to September 8th, 2021.  Every experience, trial, success in my life has prepared me to be able to serve a mission and be the missionary that I am going to be.  I know that Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost have molded me into who I am today and have helped me to become someone worthy to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to serve a mission, and in three short days I'll be doing just that In Guatemala.  How lucky I am to be able to do that.  How lucky I am to have been raised in the church and raised being taught these truths that I know.  How lucky I am to be healthy, worthy, and fit to teach others.  Especially somewhere where it's hard like Guatemala.  To be able to have the endurance and strength to work hard and know that what I'm working so hard for is the best thing that I can be doing on this earth at this time.  How lucky I am to have a testimony of the gospel that I will be teaching.  How lucky I am, to be who I am.  Without my Heavenly Father, I could not be who I am.  Without the gospel, my family, my trials, I could not be who I am and the missionary I will be in three days. 

I am so grateful for how the MTC has prepared me.  In my Spanish, testimony, and knowledge of the gospel.  I will never forget the six weeks that I sat in front of my computer, itching to get to Guatemala and start being a part of the people there.  My district and teachers are people I will never forget as well and hope to see in person one day and thank them face to face for the time we had together.

Last night, I was shooting hoops by myself outside which I like to do a lot, to have time to myself and just think about life while doing what I love.  

And I noticed that every time a new chapter in my life starts or is about to happen, there is always a really cool sunset.  Before my senior year, before basketball season, before we moved back to Sunnyside, right before I was set apart as a missionary, and then last night thinking about leaving in three days, there have been amazing sunsets. (Or maybe that's just when I notice them).  But it brings me so much peace when that happens because it shows me a message of, "Alright, what's next." Like I have a chance to take a deep breath and focus myself on what's next in my life, or whatever my next goal I have is. I always think of Cannon during those sunsets as well because I know he's looking at them, too, with me, and is ready to go along with me in my next part of life.  And he'll be right there with me to see all of them in Guatemala as well. 

I couldn't be more ready to be God's hands on this earth and gather Israel.  I liked the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 122 verse 9.  It says, "Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."  This scripture brings me peace because how it says God shall be with you forever and ever.  I know that by doing his work, he will be with me, that he will keep me safe and lead those who are in need of his message through the Holy Ghost.  And I can't wait to do that for him, and for the people to receive that Joy from our message for themselves.

Alright, I don't know when I'll be sending my next email. Whenever my P-day is next week.  But I want to tell you all that I'm ready and am going to work as hard as I can these next 23 months.  Email me whenever you want, I'd love to talk about how it's going throughout.  These emails are in "bcc" as well, so only I can see your responses to my emails.  So feel free to respond anytime to these.  Love you all and will see you guys in two!

Time to go to work.

- Elder Copeland

Week 5 - August 30, 2021

 It's starting to get real.

This week was the first time It really hit me that I'll be going to Guatemala soon.  Before it kind of seemed far away or that what I was doing now is just preparation for when I go.  But now, with one full week left of home MTC, I am realizing that I can't really prepare myself too much more, and that I'll be in Guatemala before I know it.

This week was so good.  The thought of leaving soon has definitely buckled me down more in my classes and forced me to try and learn as much as I possibly can before I go.  Classes have gone well, me and my companion had more role-play lessons that we gave in Spanish this week, which have gotten so much easier than before.  Going out with the missionaries and doing it for real has also made it easier to teach to real members that are behind a screen from my house.  My Spanish has also gotten much better, and I am feeling much more confident about it.  Confident enough to speak to people and ask questions that could go in any direction, where I'd have to respond from what I know and not just the amount that I have written down in front of me to teach.

On Tuesday this week, I had to go to court to hash out some prior misunderstandings about not having insurance in the car while driving (wasn't my fault, and happened before I was set apart) so that was fun.  The judge asked what my name tag said when I was presenting him with the evidence, so I got to say, "It says Elder Copeland'' and saw that he read the words "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" underneath.  So that was cool.

Wednesday I went out with the missionaries again, being able to do that has been such a blessing and has helped me so much about how discussions go and what I'll need to prepare for before I leave.  I am very thankful and lucky that I am able to go with them and learn from them, and I also get to testify what I know to be true here and there, during some lessons.

Thursday, missionaries came at 6 am and we worked out in my garage and got some shots up too.  I finally hit 170 pounds yesterday.  At the end of basketball season this year, I weighed around 152-153 pounds and could never go higher or lower.  But for the past 7 weeks, I've really focused on working out everyday, eating good foods, not eating out, and increasing my calorie intake.  And yesterday, I was finally able to hit my goal of 170.  It's crazy how much stronger I am and feel when working out, I love it.  I just wish someone told me before senior year that I could get to what I am now in about two months.  Probably would have made getting double teamed and face-guarded every game a lot easier ;).

I went with the missionaries again both Friday and Saturday after my afternoon classes and got to be a part of an investigator being asked the baptismal questions.  That was cool to see them choosing to come unto Christ and follow his example to be baptized.  It was awesome to be able to briefly tell him how I know that baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost will bring much joy and peace into his life, in Spanish.  It helped me to get a feel and glimpse of me expressing what I know to be true to others who are looking for that joy and peace that is missing in their lives.  I can't wait to be doing the same thing in Guatemala.

Only 10 days left until I'm sitting on an airplane with no phone, friends, family, or idea of what I'm getting myself into, or anything that I've had with me for 18 years.  But, I couldn't be more ready.  I can't wait to start grinding it out and loving the people here soon.

Love you all and hope everybody is doing great

- Elder Copeland