Mi Zinacantán amiga y yo (There are a bunch of different indigenous people here that live in the mountains, and come to the city to sell all of their stuff. They speak different dialects (she speaks Sotsil). This is the traditional clothing (casi $180)
OK, now to explain the title.
We
found an absolutely magical place in our area that we have never seen
before.
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| Que miedo (how scary) |
We are the only missionaries in our incredibly large area. As it turns out, there are more houses above Colonial Popular that aren't really shown on the map. It's absolutely MAGICAL. It's seriously like a jungle.
Hermana Martinez says its a lot like Chenalhó (her area before...in the mountains...where the indigenous live.) They speak Sotsil, so yeah, she knows a little of an ancient Mayan dialect. NBD. Sadly, they don't send Americans there because there's a group of indigenous people that like to burn Americans alive. (No, I'm not joking. So you know....better not). But seriously it's nothing like the rest of our area.... city.
We found an absolutely magical part of our area. THIS IS NOT THE CITY.
So one of the little girls there... probably like 3 years old... walks up to us and just stares at me. The conversation went like this:
Niña: Why is her hair like that?
Hermana M: Because she's not from here
Me: Yep! I'm American!
Niña: Oh. But why is her skin like that?
Hermana M: It's different, huh?
Niña: Yep. And why does she talk weird?
(We both try to contain our laughter to no avail)
Me: Because I speak English
Niña (looking shocked and confused, whispers to my companion): But how many eyes does she have?
Hermana M: Only 2! Like you!
Niña: Not 5?
Me laughing: No! Only two! Where do you see my other 3 eyes?
Niña: Que rara (how strange). Will she let me touch her hair?
(She then proceeded to stroke my hair).
It was probably the funniest experience of my entire life.
I had my first round of interviews with President George this week!!!
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| President & Sister George with Hermana Hansen on day of arrival at temple |
Because
we live in the city we got to go to the mission house.... which was the
best because Mama George fed us chili and ice cream.
President George seriously is so sweet... and the best ever. The first thing he says to me when I walk in is, "Hermana Hansen. You just look so beautiful and that blouse. Just so beautiful. It just brings out your skin. Wow. You remind me of my daughter. How beautiful!" Haha!
Then he went on to say how much he loves all of the missionaries and hopes that we all feel at home here. He is the sweetest soul ever!!
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| Hermana Hansen & Martinez on the pier in front of the Rio Grijalva |
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| Clock tower at Chiapa de Corzo |
I gave a talk in church yesterday with only a
post it note of scriptures I was gonna use and talked for like 15 or 20
minutes without notes! My grammar is still horrendos. But a bunch of the
members said they could understand me! So that's good!
I'm getting to the point where I forget words in English, but don't know how to say it good in Spanish. So, I guess I'm just languageless.
I'm getting to the point where I forget words in English, but don't know how to say it good in Spanish. So, I guess I'm just languageless.
Hermanas Martinez & Hansen teaching Chiapan children the proper way to take a selfie.
But seriously I love Spanish. Love Mexico. Love Chiapas.....Love everything. I hope I can stay in central for at least one more transfer because we have quite a few people who are hoping to get baptised in December and I would love to see that.
This cross is bigger than the Jesus in Rio, Brazil. So you know, that's pretty legit.
LOVE YOU ALL!
Hermana Hansen
