
Well, our bags finally showed up this morning. We actually were really surprised to get the call. We had pretty much come to grips with being in the same clothes the whole trip. Yesterday we found some leftover shampoo and a bar of soap in the magic closet so we tried to get clean (still no deodorant though). We also decided to wash all our clothes so we could be clean today. It was funny. Now we feel like we´ve all over packed though. Anyway, the work is going well. The reason we are here is to do taste-panels with a school of kids out in the middle of nowhere. An earlier study done showed that the kids get 5% of the calcium they need. So on Monday morning we made two types of cookies using quinoa flour (a native grain here that is really good for you) and took them out to the school for the kids to taste them. When we got home we made 300 more cookies for them today so they could pick their favorite. On the way out today one of the roads was being blocked by workers. We`re not really sure why. Some kind of protest. It reminded me of Argentina when they would protest by blocking the bridges by lighting tires on fire. Anyway, we finally got there and the kids were a lot more open today. I got a lot of great pictures. They all picked the sugar cookie as their favorite so we came home and made 400 cookies with 5 different levels of calcium. Tomorrow we are going to interview each kid as they taste each one to see which is their favorite and if the calcium makes a difference at all. Then Thursday and Friday we are going to make the cookie using quinoa, amaranth, and cañaua (other indigenous grains). You`re probably thinking ¨did she just go down there to make cookies?¨ Well, yes, I guess I did. But our hope is that we can get this research published and that we can work with the government to incorporate calcium into the kids diets. The government provides a breakfast to the kids of jello in a bag and a muffin or bread. If we can show them that the kids enjoyed products with calcium and would still eat it, maybe they will be willing to fortify the products they already give them with calcium. We were thinking we would probably have to find a company in the states that would want to donate the calcium. But what we`re doing is where we have to start.
The Benson Institute (the part of BYU that is funding this trip) is doing so much good here. They have so many projects going on to help the community.

One thing that we were able to see was these underground greenhouses. They dig big trenches 8 feet into the ground and cover them with plastic. They are able to keep them 20 degrees warmer than the surface air so in this arid part of the country they can plant vegetables that they normally wouldn`t. They also go around teaching this in the schools so the kids help take care of the ones they have. Family home evening last night was great. My favorite part though was when we were asked to write down characteristics of someone we know that we admire and then share it. Most of us chose friends or family, but Adriana, who is only eight, chose Christ. She said she admires him because he is kind, loving, merciful, and showed us the way to get back to our heavenly father. Kids are so amazing. What a great experience!





We headed back up to Chimaltenango and then Luis drove us up to Flores. Monday we took everyone to see Tikal. This time we got a guide and it was really cool to hear all the history. We were also able to give him a book of Mormon so that was neat. That afternoon we headed to Belize. Just minutes after crossing the boarder there was a night and day difference in everything. You could tell that Belize hasn’t been a war-torn country and that their government for the most part takes care of the people. The standard of living was so different there. We made our way to san Ignacio and on Tuesday we went on the most amazing adventure. We went to Actun Caves. We hiked for about 45 minutes, crossing a river three times. Then to enter the cave we had to swim in.
We spent about 3 and a half hours swimming, hiking, and climbing around inside. We made our way to an open cavern where the Maya had done rituals and sacrifices. It’s all still in tact. Ill try to send pictures later, but you should all get on the internet and look up Actun cave in Belize to see it. Wednesday morning we got up early, took a bus to Belize City, and then a boat taxi out to Caye Caulker, one of the keys off the coast. We spent 3 days out there and had amazing weather.
We spent all day Saturday traveling up here to Playa del Carmen. I’m excited for the beach if it will stop raining. Yesterday we went to church and another elder that I taught was there too. It has been so neat to run into missionaries I’ve taught and to see them in action. We went to Tulum, some Mayan ruins on the coast. If I had been a Mayan, I definitely would have liked to live there.
Tomorrow we are going to Cancun, and then Wednesday we fly out in the afternoon. I think I’m ready to be done. I miss Guatemala, but I’m tired of traveling and doing the whole tourist thing. I miss talking with the native people and working with them. Right now feel like we are in Las Vegas on the beach. But I can’t complain too much......the toilet paper in our hotel is scented. That’s pretty swanky if you ask me. Well, thank you all again for your support. See you in a few days.
Elder Reeder and his companion met us at the bus stop and we all went up together. They have one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. Nicer than a lot of the ones in the states. And the view overlooks the Lake and a volcano. Elder Reeder is such a solid missionary. It was neat to be able to see him in the field. After sacrament meeting we went back to Pana to see if Jeff was ready to make the trek back to Chimalt. We got back a little after noon and at 1:00 Luis came to take us up to Flores. We slept there and got up early to go to Tikal.
We spent the night in San Ignacio and Tuesday morning went on a tour of Actun Cave. What a cool experience!!! We hiked up to a mountain with an opening to a cave that you had to swim through. We then hiked/swam through the cave until we climbed up a ladder to chambers that the Maya used for sacrifices and rituals. There were intact skeletons and so much history. I've never done or seen anything like it.
We stayed the night in San Ignacio again in a cute little boarding house. Then got up early and headed out to Caye Cauker. It is so beautiful here. We are on a tiny little white-sand beach island. Our hotel is right on the beach.
Yesterday we did a full day snorkeling tour that was awesome!! We swam with sharks and sting rays and got to sail the Caribbean Sea. It was amazing!


This morning I went to go say goodbye to a couple I met in English class that the Elders are teaching English to now because the husband works. They are so poor, but had bought a cake to share with me. I gave them a Book of Mormon and invited them to start studying it. Hopefully they will want the Elders to teach them more than just English. But here is a picture of English class and the Sanchez family.Well, it’s late, but I want to say thank you to those of you who helped make this trip possible and for everyone’s love and support. This has been such an incredible experience that I will always be grateful for. I’ll see you all in a couple weeks! Love Kirsti





