Week 31 - February 28, 2022

 Sr. Comp Cope

What a crazy week.  Tuesday was one of the coolest days ever.  We woke up to a bus full of gringos hauling bags into our chapel.  We were so shocked about what was going on and to see white people again.  We found out that they were a group of dentists and hygienists of like 20, who come down to Guatemala once a year to do dental work for people out here in aldeas who usually wouldn't have the chance to get it done. Also, for future missionaries out here who can't afford it either. Super cool.  Once we walked in, we asked how we could help. I told them my dad is a dentist and first thing they said was, "Oh, he knows everything" haha.  So, I helped put fluoride on everyone's teeth and translate for some dentists in Spanish and Kiche.  Almost every person that came to have work done were members, so it was fun to joke and comfort them with the scary white dentists.  It's hard to imagine being a member out here, never knowing about the technology that dentists have, and having them put all these machines and noises into your mouth.  So being there for them and comforting them really helped everything go better.  The trust they had for us was really cool. 

Wednesday, transfers.  A sad goodbye to my comp Elder Peterson as he went home this week.  I really enjoyed my transfer with him and am thankful for the things he taught me. Patalup is not the same without him.  But now I'm Senior comp!  My comp's name is Elder Harris and he has a transfer less than me.  It's been fun and different teaching him the area and how to speak Kiche and everything of senior comp.  I enjoy it.  We walked all of Patalup in a day, and he met all the members in about two hours.  The excitement of another gringo here has brought the kids out to play soccer, and we have had some fun games with them. 

This week has been super up and down in the work.  We have a baptism date!  First day as senior comp haha.  Not 100% sure if it will happen this week but soon.  We also have a whole new bishopric, new everything in the ward.  Lots of work. There have been a lot of less-actives coming to church regularly--it's awesome.  The ward is super upbeat right now and have been working and having activities all the time. 

Also, there are two future missionaries here who have been asking us all the time to go on visits with us so they can learn from us.  And the mission just gave us two new bikes so we have four.  So us four have been going on visits and it has been so good.  I'm thankful for when I was able to go out with missionaries during MTC and how much that prepared and helped me.  It's crazy that now it's me with 7 months as a missionary doing the same to other future missionaries.  Time is crazy. 

Busy week coming up with a lot planned, loving every second and all the blessings I have in my life.  We've heard/seen a little about Russia and Ukraine and how sad it is.  Please count your blessings and be thankful for the things you have in your life.  We are so blessed.

Love you all and be safe.

-Elder Copeland 

Week 30 - February 21, 2022

 6.8 Earthquake

What's good everybody?  Crazy week in the trenches of Guate.  Tuesday did the toughest push workout day of my life.  The two cement bars here are money.

Anyways, Wednesday at about 1 am, I guess there was a 6.8 earthquake on the coast which shook our house pretty good for about 60 seconds.  I slept through the whole thing hahah. My comp the next morning told me, "What a crazy earthquake," and I swore he had told me that already.  Turns out he told me the same thing at 1 am once the shaking stopped, and I sleep-talking to him just saying nonsense haha. I don't remember it, but I'm sure my dream was crazy that night. 

Zone conference this week as well.  My comp gave his final testimony to the Zones that were there and it was one of the best I've heard.  A lot of the last testimonies that I've heard have been how they don't ever think they will ever be the ones giving their last testimonies, and here they are now.  For me, I just know that day is never coming haha, so far away. 

 

Thursday, we did service all day long for different families. One of them we raked a big field of corn rows and then burned everything in a huge pile.  The fire was like 10 feet wide. 

This weekend, Paxmaramac (Patalup) had a huge soccer tournament right outside the church grounds on a cancha. Literally everybody came from like a 40-minute drive and in. Huge speakers, venders, fireworks.  Fun time.

Saturday, we walked down and up to the Chuijnajtajuyup mountain.  Spelled correctly.  Dripping sweat.  We went so that my comp could say goodbye to some members there before he goes home on Wednesday.  Then we walked all the way back.  That night as well they had a big concert with blaring speakers which shook our house every time the bass went off until like 12. 

Sunday, gave a talk on paying tithing.  Just a normal busy week of meetings and being a missionary.  So many times this week, I've stopped and just thought about how grateful I am for all the things I have in my life.  My knowledge, feelings, to be where I am, the people I know.  Everything.  I couldn't ask for anything more.

Also, not getting transferred!  Six more weeks lo menos out here in the trenches.  Love it.

Lots of pictures this week.  Love you all!

-Elder Copeland 

Week 29 - February 14, 2022

Valentines Day

Yo, not a super crazy week.  A lot of visiting less actives and just work.  We had 6 less actives come to church this week which was great!  The average attendance number is about 55-60 here.  But we've only had 1 week this transfer where it was below 62.  So we've been proud about the re-activating that we've done so far.  Yesterday it was 75 people at church! The members like seeing missionaries out here in these areas working hard (especially learning Kiche') which brings them back to the church; also, how we play soccer with them almost every other day when they show up to have their games. 

This week, the average daily meal was six scrambled eggs, maybe some beans and two hotdogs.  

I've also found that tuna and hot sauce is not as bad as it sounds.  

My protein has never been higher.  My comp and I finished making and bringing new cement weights for us to have here.  One a nice curl bar and one a big bench bar.  It's been like a courtyard outside.

My fam sent me a basketball and a net (they don't sell nets here) for me to hoop a little outside of our house.  It has been the best thing ever to zone out and get shots up again like back at home outside by myself.  It's my favorite de-stresser and makes me so happy to be able to have that right outside. We also got the keys to the church so I can turn on the court lights at night and it's the best.

 

Not really an exciting week. No scorpions in my bed this week or black widows knocking on our door. Just working and enjoying being a missionary more and more every week. The sunsets here have been really cool too. Its so peaceful to just pull up a chair outside and just think while watching the sunset. Fun stuff

I love you all and would love to hear from you guys! 

- Elder de Guate 

Week 28 - February 7, 2022

Alacran y arañas

Another good week in Guate.  Time has been flying lately. Even though it feels overall like I've been here for over a year.

Last Monday, we had a paintball Zone activity.  Y'all already know who won that... 

Wednesday, we had an Elders' meeting with President in Momos. 

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, were all work days all day.

Not really an exciting week really.  When we go to visit people or teach, we hear "Estamos occupado" 9/10 times. vThis week we visited almost every single house in Patalup Centro and in our area... we had tw o lessons.  It's tough.  Everybody here has already made their mind up about the Mormons.  They have heard everything of what we believe and have decided that it's not for them.  We even had one lady come out of her home and first thing she says is, "Really Elders, I have a church, I don't need anything thank you."  I was actually thankful for it.  All day we had been trying to talk to people but you can tell they aren't interested at all.  So to hear her say that was like, great thank you, we can focus somewhere else. Obviously, it's not what you want to hear but it's better than trying to teach someone who just says, "Oh, another day" every single time. 

In our Elders' meeting with President, he asked us if we could translate the first three lessons from Spanish to Kiche for all the missionaries to have.  We have been meeting with the 2nd counselor and his family to help us translate that, to put in the Kiche book that we are making.  We already have 20 pages done of it.  My compa goes home in two weeks, so he's been really trying to do as much as he can on this so he can be remembered as one of the authors.  It's great. 

Our bishop had surgery and the first counselor went to Mexico, so it's just us and the 2nd counselor running everything right now, which means more responsibility for us and work.  The Bishop asked us if we could give him a blessing everyday for his health because he could be in bed for about six months. After we did it yesterday, his wife said "Kinwaaj jun tewichibal," which means, "I want a blessing."  I translated it out loud and all of the bishop's family of like 13 were surprised that I knew what she said.  It was pretty cool.  My kiche' has gotten so good and am able to do everything pretty basically.  I'm interested to see where it's at in time.

Fun stuff from this week was as I was shooting hoops one night, I nearly stepped on a 3-inch scorpion while wearing my slides.  

So after we killed it, we went searching for some more and found 2 black widows with 4 big sacks of babies, about 20 feet from our house.  Just great news.  I'll have pictures below.

So pretty good week, already February wow.  Email me if you guys have a chance.  Missing you all!

- Elder Copeland

Other Pics of the Week