Nahuala vs. Ixtahuacan
Crazy week in Nahuala. Had 23 lessons and lots of new people we're teaching. But every time we get close or feel like they can be baptized, something comes up that prevents them. The usual is they work on Sunday which they can't give up, and not being married with who they are living with. A lot of the non-members here aren't married, which makes it really hard to baptize. There always seems to be something.
This week we had a Kiche' seminar with a former missionary that can speak English, Spanish, Kiche' and Mam. I was watching it on Zoom while all of the Elders who are in Xela right now were there in person. And I made a comment to everyone on Zoom and in person that I know I have the best Kiche' of any Gringo in the mission. And that got everyone wanting to learn Kiche' because I called them out. So now everyone is coming for me, so I've been studying a bunch haha. I can now say a normal sized prayer, give my testimony off the top of my head, and do a full contact all in Kiche'. I also found a English to Spanish to Kiche' dictionary that I bought, which has been great. This week with a member I also learned the many differences between, K and K', Q and Q', L and L' , Chi and Chi', which I was told make all the difference in speaking. It's very cool how intricate this language is, and how little a difference can change everything about the sentence.
Other thing, which I know my mom won't love, is that here in Nahuala, there is a really bad "war" going on with the people of Nahuala vs. the people of Ixtahuacan and Citijux which neighbor Nahuala. All the people here are very nervous for themselves and even more for us missionaries. This past week,15 people were killed on Friday, including a member of the Citijux ward, in the conflict here that has been a thing for almost 25 years. But now it is ramping up big time. Yesterday we were eating lunch with the first counselor of the Xeraxon Ward, and he said that it is very scary to go to Xela right now if you are from Nahualae cause you have to pass through Citijux to get there, and that's where these killings are happening. He also said that if he was on the bus to Xela and someone from Citijux or Ixtahuacan recognized him and knew he was from Nahuala, they would shoot and kill him. So everyone is on edge here and staying put for now. Hopefully things get better soon. Also great news is that we have Zone conference tomorrow in Momos, so we will have to go to Xela on the bus . . . Wish us luck.
Saturday, we had a lesson through a phone call, an Investigator from Ixtahuacan. And we asked if he would want to come to a sacrament meeting here in Nahuala this week and he said absolutely no chance because of the conflict. Don't blame him. It's pretty bad.
This week, broke a new record of 11 total borrachos coming up to me. (Drunks). Completely wasted. Some nice and some not so much. They either come up to me like I am their best friend they haven't seen in a while, or come up to me and say every bad word in English they know. Both are hilarious. All have never showered a day in their lives, but I'm used to it now. All of them at the end, nice or not, ask for money after they say what they want to hahah. Here in Nahuala after 6pm, it looks like a Call of Duty zombies scene, just zombies barely able to stand up or sleeping face down on the road. There are so many. It's probably why there is a lot of fighting happening.
Pretty exciting week haha, but looking forward to having Zone Conference and Christmas this week, all of our lessons with members have revolved on the true meaning of Christmas and remembering our Savior. He is the light of the world and our message to everybody. Remember his birth in your homes this week and enjoy being with your families. It will be interesting for me being in a War rather than at home this year, but I know this is where I need to be.
I love you all and Merry Christmas!!
-Elder Copeland
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