The test

Our students took a midterm exam. Attendance was much greater in each class for the exam then it was for the lessons. For some reason in this culture tests are held in very high esteem.
One of our classes has 3 Catholic sisters. After the test they asked to have their picture taken with us. One of the reasons the class interests them is that they will be serving in America for a period of time.
Today at church we had our biggest attendance ever. On the front row is Warlito who is a member of the church from the Philippines. On the row behind is Janu our English class assistant, his fiance Zelia and her sister Santi. He's difficult to see but sitting behind Warlito is one of Dominguez's children. On the next row is Dominguez and 3 of her children. On the last row is Eden, Genevieve and Billy, they are members of the church. In the very back by the keyboard is Tara who is a member of the church and planning to serve a mission soon.

Those who are not members are showing great interest in the church. They are attending church regularly. They are reading the scriptures including the Book of Mormon. The adults have had spiritual manifestations that lead them to the church. All this in spite of the fact that communication is difficult.
Tara recently taught herself to play the keyboard. This is the first Sunday that she played for Sacrament meeting.
We attended a happy hour at the US Embassy. This is their swimming pool. It's the first large pool I've seen so far in the country, (although we do have a small pool in our apartment complex).The U.S. Embassy is very nice.
On our run the other day we went on a new path and found a new beach. The airport is just behind the trees in the back round.
This is the main river that flows through town. Normally the river would be washing through here into the ocean. Because of the dry season the river no longer reaches the ocean and just backs up at this point. The natives that are outside the city in the district's call this time of year the season of hunger because they can't grow crops at this time for the lack of water. Therefore they don't have food to eat and go hungry.


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