Roatan

For the last three days of our trip we flew to the island of Roatan.  We stayed in a beautiful resort right on the ocean  It was a great way to relax after an amazing time in Guatemala.  We had a lot of fun sitting by the pool, snorkeling, walking on the beach and exploring.  Jon was able to go and do a dive one afternoon while Brianna and I sat by the pool.  One morning we got up early and went to a zipline. 

Our group was large enough that we flew from Guatemala to Roatan on a chartered plane.  It was kind of fun to be able to walk off the plane right next to the ocean.

View from our room

We took a water taxi one night over to the other side of the island to eat dinner.  It was quite an adventure not knowing anything about any of the restaurants.

We were the only ones at this restaurant we chose to eat at.  We were a little worried but the food was great. 

Getting all the instructions for the zipline.  It was so hot and humid we thought we were going to die!  We couldn't wait to get back to the resort to jump into the pool.

Sunday was our last day at the resort.  We had a sacrament meeting to bear testimonies and then we loaded the buses and headed to the airport.  We were sad to see our trip come to an end.  We had an amazing time and got to know a lot of great people.  Our lives will forever be changed from our trip and the service that we able to do.  We will think of the people we served often and wonder what paths their lives have taken.  It was such a neat experience to be able to be there with Brianna and see her testimony grow and the effect this trip had on her. 

Guatemala Day #8

Today we packed up and left our hotel in Guatemala.  We drove for about an hour to the town of Antigua.  We spent some time at an outdoor market doing some shopping, had lunch at a local restaurant and then headed to the airport.  We flew to Roatan, Honduras.  We are going to be spending a few days here relaxing at a resort.  

Another Bus!

The Market

At the Restaurant for Lunch

Behind us is a volcano, but you can't see the top because of the clouds.

Roatan Airport

Happy Birthday Jack

We were in Guatemala for Jacks 7th birthday.  Heidi & Mallory did a great job making the day special for him.  We sure wished we could have been home to give him hugs and kisses all day! 

Happy 7th Birthday Jack!  You are growing up way too fast.  We love having you in our family.  You are always so happy and bring a smile to our faces with all that you know and learn each day.

Guatemala Day #7

One of the boys who got his wisdom teeth out.

Today was the last day in the clinic.  It was a sad day for us to see it all come to an end.  It is such an amazing thing that this group has done.  It was very well organized and they ended up treating 734 young men and women in preparing them to put in their mission papers.  It was so interesting to talk to a few as they came thru and learn a little about why they want to serve a mission.  We worked until around 9:00 and then started to pack up all the equipment.  It is amazing how they transformed the church into this clinic and how fast you can put it back to normal when you are done.  

This is the hall way where all the food is set out all day long.  Each tupperware box was full of candy, cookies, chips, granola bars and gum! 

One of the Stakes brought their youth in one of these decked out buses that Jon loves!

View from the back of the church

The Sterilization Area

Jon was suppose to be taking care of this boy, but I think he is taking a nap instead!

They have these security guards walking all around the church

Guatemala Day #6

Today is a day that we will remember for quite awhile.  We were able to leave the clinic for a couple of hours and go visit a few families that are members of the church in their homes.  It was a life changing thing for us to be able to go and sit in their homes with them.  We went to an extremely poor family and were able to deliver some food and gifts to them.  Words can't even describe how we felt visiting with them.  They live in the poorest of circumstances but are so grateful for all that they have.  We sang a song, gave them a spiritual thought and then gave them all the gifts we brought with us.  

This is just someones home we saw that is right on the side of the road in the side of a mountain

These chickens were just walking all over the house while we were there.  Very poor conditions, dirt floors and metal walls and ceilings.  It was very hard to see the conditions that these families live in.  It just brings tears to your eyes and makes you stop and think of how we are so blessed.

The Chavez Family

We brought some of the bracelets with us and gave them to all the kids

The little kids with some of the presents we brought them

The second home we went to was in a little nicer area and was a lot bigger and nicer.  Bubba was the one that did the translating at this home and said the prayer.  It was an emotional house for all of us.  He had us all crying when he bore his testimony to this family.  This lady has only been a member for 3 weeks. 

The De Leon Family

Before we got back on the bus we stood on the street and handed out some more bracelets and candy to some of the kids that came by.  Once you start handed out things the kids come running from every direction to get one.

Jon taking care of some of the patients

This was our busiest day so far.  We saw 213 patients.

Guatemala Day #5

 Today we were back in the clinic for the day.  Brianna and I leave the hotel each morning at 6:30 am and then Jon comes on the 8:30 bus.  We were a little busier today and saw 144 patients.

Lori Watts is a friend of our from our home ward in Logan.  They are here serving as the Mission Presidents for the Guatemala mission.  We were able to see them for a few minutes and visit.

This is the lunch and dinner room.  They kept food and drinks stocked in the hallway all day long and when we got a break we came and ate.  They had a restaurant cater our dinners and they brought them to the clinic each night.

After I got done working the registration in the front they would have me come to the back and check patients in for oral surgery.  Brianna was usually done with taking x-rays by then and would come and keep me company each night.  We were usually there until around 8:30 or 9:00 each night.

This is the oral surgery room

Brianna with some of the people she worked with in the x-ray area