Cam & Tina's visit

Cameron and Tina came for a visit from October 25 - November 1. We had a wonderful adventure with them. We went to Antigua, Tikal, and visited places here in Guatemala City. Take a look at a few of the photos.

If you want fresh goats milk you just have to wait for the goat herder to come through the neighborhood. He will then milk a goat at your door and give you the fresh milk. Kathy made friends with this goat.


We climbed the Pacaya volcano. We got some great shots of a lava flow. The ground is very hot and you can feel the warmth of the lava where you stand on the volcano.







We had dinner on the mountain above Guatemala City at Portal del Angel.


Our visit to Antigua was another great adventure.


Cam and Tina enjoying the view from our hotel in Santa Elena, Peten on our way to Tikal.


We saw lots of great wildlife on this visit to Tikal. As we were driving into the National Park, we saw a big tarantula in the middle of the road. Tina thought this was the most exciting wildlife we saw.


We saw a great flock of Tucans on this visit.


This Coati was out looking for some lunch.


The wild turkeys were out as well.

Climbing the stairs up to the top of Temple 2 in the Grand Plaza.


From the top of Temple 2 we have Temple 1 in the background.


A great sunset on our way back to Santa Elena.


The local kids cooling off at the end of the day.

Day of Service: October 20, 2009

October 20 is a national holiday in Guatemala. The Church organized a Service Day asking each stake to come up with a major service project since the members would be available that day.

The Guatemala City Stake organized the service project at the Casa de Anini, a home for disabled people. We mowed the grass, replanted the gardens, painted, cleaned rooms, and donated food for the residents. I helped with replanting the gardens. It was a great way to spend a holiday!

Here's the group of brethren from our Branch who went on the service project. (from left to right: Marvin Coc, Juan Francisco Coc, Daring Castillo, Francisco Castillo, Axel Arellano, Cornelio Xico, Elder Preston King; kneeling: Lester Campaneros.


The garden beds had been over grown with plants and weeds. We cleared the beds and then planted new plants.




Axel Arellano is the Exeiive Secretary in our Branch. He is a new convert to the Church. He was baptized in May 2009. His wife has been a member for most of her life.


Elder King, the First Counselor in our Branch Presidency; Lester Campaneros, the Elder's Quorum President and a sister.

The University of San Carlos

My work in Guatemala is at the only public university in the country, The University of San Carlos. The university was founded in 1676. The Language Center where I work (Centro de Aprendizaje de Lenguas de la Universidad de San Carlos, CALUSAC) teaches 14 different languages. English is the language with the larget numbers of students enrolled. The campus is beautiful! Here are a few photos from around campus.

The Ceiba tree is the national tree in Guatemala. This is one of my favorite Ceiba trees that is on campus near the library.


The library and the Ceiba tree.

This is the back side of the main university administration building.


The front side of the administration building with a carved Mayan stone.


The CALUSAC building.


Inside the CALUSAC building.

This is one of my favorite photos. I found a pile of desks in one of the new buildings on campus. Isn't is great?