I'm back... it's still chilly here, again this evening. It was hot today when we drove to San Miguel. We took the Pastoral Team's pickup truck - it's a red Toyota, the pickup of choice down here. I did something that I couldn't do at home... rode in the back of the pickup 
all the way standing up. There's a metal railing to hold onto. It's the law that you have to have your seatbelts on in the front seat of the car or truck, but you can stand in the back of the truck. Go figure. But, we got to see the place where they make the water filters. We got a demonstration of the whole process of how they're made and how they work. It was kind of an out-of-body experience to stand back and see the following stenciled on them:
all the way standing up. There's a metal railing to hold onto. It's the law that you have to have your seatbelts on in the front seat of the car or truck, but you can stand in the back of the truck. Go figure. But, we got to see the place where they make the water filters. We got a demonstration of the whole process of how they're made and how they work. It was kind of an out-of-body experience to stand back and see the following stenciled on them: Compañeros of Central Iowa, Club Rotario, Indianola
And what a great opportunity we had to actually see the gentlemen making them.
And then we went to the hardware store to pick up the tools for our families in our sister canton, Casa de Zinc. Unfortunately, they didn't have all that we'd ordered or paid for, so we'll have to make another trip back. It was a lot like a Home Depot – very modern on both the outside and inside – a little different than all we'd been seeing prior to that time.
And then we went to the hardware store to pick up the tools for our families in our sister canton, Casa de Zinc. Unfortunately, they didn't have all that we'd ordered or paid for, so we'll have to make another trip back. It was a lot like a Home Depot – very modern on both the outside and inside – a little different than all we'd been seeing prior to that time.
We traveled back to Berlin and then had lunch here at the pastoral house – another wonderful meal from the sweet ladies here that are taking care of Kathy and all of us. After lunch, we excused Dave to go take a nap, as he did not sleep well last night. The rest of us and Cecelia walked up town... and when we say walk UP town, we mean it! This is a very hilly little town, right on the side of the mountain. Everywhere we go, we go up and down and wind around on very narrow roads. Dramamine is my friend! Thanks to Karen M. for giving me the advice of taking it every day! We bought more items for our Casa de Zinc families and walked back. After another short break in the action, we crawled back in the pickup (and no, I have not been standing in the back since the way to San Miguel this morning.) 
This time, we took a very long windy road down a very long ways to El Recreo - the sister parish of St. Boniface in Waukee. Yes, I got to see the wonderful church that you helped build for them, along with the museum! What a great experience that was. And I took lots of pics for others to see. (Yes, I've already taken close to 400 pictures in 3 days. Thank goodness for digital cameras!)
This time, we took a very long windy road down a very long ways to El Recreo - the sister parish of St. Boniface in Waukee. Yes, I got to see the wonderful church that you helped build for them, along with the museum! What a great experience that was. And I took lots of pics for others to see. (Yes, I've already taken close to 400 pictures in 3 days. Thank goodness for digital cameras!)
We thought we were going to run out of gas before we got back to Berlin because all the way down the hill the gas tank read "E", but when we started back up the hill, we had nearly a quarter tank again! Kathy was going to be upset with herself if we had run out, as it would've been a first for that. So, she and I went to get gas when we got home again.
And speaking of Kathy Mahler – today was her birthday! We knew it, so sang to her in both Spanish and English at breakfast time. Of course, she was hugely embarrassed, as she gets at times like these, as she hates to be the center of attention. But I need to tell you that she NEEDS to be at the center of attention because as a part of her first delegation as a full-time mission co-worker, I can tell you that she's doing a wonderful job! She is so good at this job because you can tell how much she loves it! It fits her like a glove. Without her, this trip would not be nearly as great or informative. And her Spanish has improved immensely.
And speaking of Kathy Mahler – today was her birthday! We knew it, so sang to her in both Spanish and English at breakfast time. Of course, she was hugely embarrassed, as she gets at times like these, as she hates to be the center of attention. But I need to tell you that she NEEDS to be at the center of attention because as a part of her first delegation as a full-time mission co-worker, I can tell you that she's doing a wonderful job! She is so good at this job because you can tell how much she loves it! It fits her like a glove. Without her, this trip would not be nearly as great or informative. And her Spanish has improved immensely.And speaking for myself again, I didn't realize how much I missed her. I didn't properly say goodbye when she left in January, as someone came into the office and she snuck out. But, we didn't want to do it again, as it was hard enough to say goodbye in the fall of 2007 when she came down and in the winter of 2008 when she came back. As all of you know who know her, if you know her, you love her. That sounds like a song coming on... but not really. It's just the truth. And we knew that we'd be seeing each other again soon, so we didn't need to say goodbye formally... good excuse, anyway!
Well, I think that's all for now and I'm going to bed, as is everyone else now. (and yes, it's only 9:00 p.m. But it's been a long day in a lot of wind and fresh air. Looking forward to that shower tomorrow morning. :-)
– Betty
No comments:
Post a Comment