Our last Saturday in Guatemala was busy but PERFECT!! We had a lot to do that day to get ready to leave....going to the bank, making sure everything was taken care of...etc. But we had a great surprise that happened to be the icing on the cake for us.
About a week ago I noticed on facebook that one of "our missionaries" from Honduras was getting married and would be here June 5th for his sealing. We immediately let "Elder" Cristian Orellana know that we would be there for him. Elder Orellana joined the Church by himself basically being cut off from his family. He worked for many years to go on his mission....and was one of the older missionaries. He was a consciencious missionary and didn't get into mischief. He just had a different perspective.
Our office Elders at Halloween
Elder Payne, Elder Eiteneier, Elder Perez and Elder Orellana
We met him and his bride at the temple and were able to witness their sealing. In fact we were surprised and humbled to learn that Cristian had asked for Wayne to be his witness. What an honor and a blessing for us to be there. As I gave him a great hug (which was okay now) I told him that he would always be a son to us. This couple will be a great asset to the Church in Salvador. They are both returned missionaries.
Hermano y Hermana Orellana
Her dress was gorgeous!!
Just a note.....in order to be sealed in the temple the couple is married civilly in their own country. This group then got on a bus and traveled all night to get to the temple in Guatemala from Salvador. They then had the sealing.....got on the bus and went back home. There were actually two couples from their Stake that were sealed. There were over 30 people at the sealings. No small sacrifice.
With our adopted missionary son
The other great thing Saturday was that Flor (the director of the girl's clinic) called us and told us that the girls had prepared a card for us. We went out to the clinic and all the girls gathered (as well as the dogs) to present their remembrance for us. They were so cute and it was hard for me not to cry. The only thing that helped me to keep my cool was the fact that I knew that the next girls to hug me would be my own.
Wayne with his friend the dog.....and all the girls
Flor had made a box.....all the girls had signed it. They gave me a beautiful scarf to remember them by. What a great day!!
Muchos embrassos
Our office Elders at Halloween
Hermano y Hermana Orellana
With our adopted missionary son
Wayne with his friend the dog.....and all the girls
Muchos embrassos
1 comment:
I watched American Airlines flight 2196 take off this morning at exactly 7:10 am from my balcony here in Guatemala City. What a sad sight that was for me even as I realized the excitement brewing in Arizona. To all of you who have loved and missed Wayne and Suzanne let me tell you what a wonderful work they have done here in Central America. I know I am a bit biased since Wayne is my cousin, but they have been delightful and an incredible asset to the work of the Lord. Thank you for your support and willingness to share them with us. We have loved their "mission" blog and hope that their homecoming, wedding and future activities are just as well documented (hint). We love and miss you already. Eternity is going to be so much fun where there are no more goodbyes, just good times!
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