I have had a fine day (Bet you wondered if you'd ever get a letter from me, which started out so positively)! I spent most of it working in my yard, and delighting in the realization that my garden has become quite pretty. I think I must have been a beaver in a previous life, as I take great pleasure in digging canals to carry the water from my overflowing cistern, along routes to the places which need that water. One of the best parts about the sunny day was spending it nearly clothes-less (properly sun-blocked, of course). I love that no one can see me in most parts of the yard, even from Guillermo's second story! Deelicious.
As the sun lowered in the sky, about 3 o'clock, I was ready to transition. It was still warm enough that I actually bathed with cold water. Dried-off and lotioned-up, I finally put on some clothes. It was time to open a most precious bag, inside of which was my new (to me) laptop. It is far better than either my "notebook" or my nicer, but older laptop. All it lacks is a camera for the Skype video calls - critical for this grandmother. Fortunately, I'm told that such a camera can be purchased quite inexpensively, in Chimaltenango. That will be on my agenda for Wednesday, when my social security check will magically appear in my account.
There is, of course, a story that accompanies my acquisition. I don't think that the last time I wrote you. I knew that my normal-sized laptop had been added to the list of items stolen from me. I had no reason to distrust the young "tech", who's the computer teacher at the school where I give English classes it; and asked him to update it after the loss of my "notebook". However, he had been putting me off, for two weeks, when I asked to have it back. I finally decided that I needed to talk to his parents. His mother was devastated when I recounted the things Luis had told me, most of which she knew to be untrue - as she tearfully told me.
Finally, in the week that we took Geovani to the hospital for treatment for his kidney shutdown and resultant anemia, I spoke the school director (The last excuse from Luis had been on the weekend, when he'd supposedly left the computer in his classroom). Profe. Rene unlocked the classroom after I told him of my dilemma, Luis being inexcusably absent from work that day. My laptop was, of course, not there. We decided that he would walk to Luis' house and inquire about his absence, and I would walk to the bakery shop, where his mother works. While I was still updating Flory, Luis showed up there. This time his story was that he'd taken my compu. to a more experienced tech, who runs an internet café near the town park.
"Let's go," I said, and we talked to the park. The café was not yet opened. Luis, sticking to his story, suggested that we walk to the owner's home, which we did. When we arrived and Luis had knocked on the door, a young man opened the door's little window. Luis asked that young man if he still had the computer.
"No, I sold it to a gentleman from Antigua, last weekend," he said in Spanish.
I stepped into view and said, "The computer was mine". The young man looked at me, and opened the door immediately. After we introduced ourselves, he was quickly nose-to-nose with Luis, quietly saying "Did I not ask you if there was ANY reason you should not be selling me that laptop?"
"Yes," said Luis, even more quietly, his head now hanging.
Then, to my surprise, the young man (whose name is also "Luis"), continued with some vehemence, "And of all people...OF ALL PEOPLE, for you to have done this to Pepper! Do you know how much she has helped people here? She was even my teacher, when I was in primary school!" At that, I started! He turned to me and continued, "Yes, I even came to classes at your house that year. I remember your dog, Dobie, who ran away all the time. Then you got that puppy, Jasmine. Please, know that I had no idea that the laptop was yours, not that it was stolen at all!"
I had no idea what my next step should be, and don't want to drag this out. Suffice it to say, Luis-the-robber's mother, Flory, soon paid me the value of the computer; and Luis-my-ex-student, owner of the internet café, sold me this used one, shortly afterwards. I've just bought the external camera for it, and have now had a Skype video-call with soon-to-be 6 yr. old Sienna, who proudly showed a 2-tooth gap in her lower gums. After that, she was willing for twins Bri and Jase to come within camera range, gladdening this grandmother's heart with their beautiful faces and emerging language skills ("Gamma" and "Wub - oo").
Trying to better about keeping my letters short, I'll end here. I send hugs and my love.
Me
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I´M COMIN´ (GOIN') HOME FOR A VISIT!!!
Family matters (not emergency) need me in Colorado as quickly as possible; so Josh
and Keith just got me booked to fly to Denver next Tuesday, which happily coincides
with Sienna's 6th birthday. This will allow me to address mortgage issues we
continue to have with Bank of America, as a team with Keith, to take care of some
health-related matters, seek counsel with regard to my ministry, and VISIT. I'm
hoping there's a way this will allow me to go to Intermountain Yearly Meeting,
afterall. Talk about icing on chocolate fudge cake!
I've not made arrangements about where to stay yet, even for Tuesday night. Janace
and Andy have a houseguest; so, though I'll stop by as soon as I get into town, I'll
need to stay elsewhere. Will know tomorrow, whether I need to ask for someone's
hospitality. In which case...
This will probably be a 3-week trip. I'm grateful to have 3 days to get ready, a
most capable young helper in whose handsto leave things well-organized here, and my
friend Phyllis with whom to spend Monday night in Guatemala City.
Blessings. ME
"I think when Jesus said to love our neighbors, he meant not to kill them."
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