Chicken Buses

Happy May 21st Everyone!

      A friend and I were talking the other day about the buses down here.  There are many in Guatemala.  The Red buses, Green buses, Chicken buses and various others.  The Chicken buses are really fun to look at, they catch my attention easily.  Then I realized that they are old buses from the States. Many have the old license plate from the State they were last registered in still on the back door.  Many are "bluebird" buses. After they have served for about 10 years or 150,000 miles in the States they are sold at auction and brought down here for a second life.  The first life is carrying school children around each day Monday thru Friday. Their second lives are spent stuffed with people, topped with roof racks full of cargo and traveling high speeds over mountain passes.  The old yellow paint is covered with colorful murals and praises to Jesus.  I have shown you a few pictures of them before, but have added a picture of them here. You can also see lots of pictures in Google images of Guatemala Chicken Buses.

    We decided that we are a little like the Chicken buses.  We spent the first part of our life taking care of children and serving in other ways Monday through Monday.  The second part of our lives we find ourselves here in Guatemala a little worn out but called to serve another group of people.  Our testimonies and our desires to serve are spiffed up with some "shiny chrome and some colorful paint" and we are good to go for a while longer.  

And we find as we are serving our testimonies are even getting shinier and more colorful.  Perhaps a silly comparison, but we do feel like our testimonies are still growing and we are doing some good. 

    Other pictures:    This man by his bicycle has been delivering bread or "pan" in his attached baskets for 26 years.  His heart is probably in pretty good shape after pedaling a bike that long.

     Larry and I went sailfish fishing and this is what I caught, a small tuna and a seahorse.  Larry caught a large nice sailfish but I only have a video of that and am waiting to get a snapshot from our friend.  It was catch and release.  Our fishing boat was the "Captain Hook".

     Every once in a while, we see a herd of goats in the towns.  The owner is making his way around town selling fresh goat milk to anyone who wants some.

     And last but not least we have enjoyed Andy's visit to Guatemala this week.  It has been fun having him stay with us and go to our ward where he ran into a girl he taught while he was serving his mission here.  A sweet reunion!! She is the one who translates for me in the meetings, I so appreciate her.  Small World!!!

    I hear Utah got a good snowstorm last week. We are getting a lot of rain, everyday!   I guess it is officially the rainy season.  I was expecting it to be a little cooler, but is still warm and a nice temperature.

   Love you all!!    MOM & Grammy