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Show Colors, patterns of Mayabn Indians Indians from different regions fill market to trade. denote home regions. Church Winning Guatemalans BY HACK MILLER Deseret News Staff Writer SOLOLA, GUATEMALA struction that was just 50 or 60 yards from the Solola city square. The building was built in the four-sid- e courtyard manner typical of housing in most Spanish countries. There I met six missionaries just preparing lunch after a morning of proselyting in the marketplace. They were Elders Delfor Alvarez of Mesa, Ariz.; Albert Montoya of Pueblo, Colo. ; and Sisters Laura Rios of Denver, Colo.; Marilyn Jones of Boise, Idaho; Cathy Iange of Bountiful, Utah and Eileen Draper of Farmington, Utah. After an hour or so in the market at Solola, Ulio headed toward colorful While we made a short stop, I strolled down to the LDS chapel We love these Indians, Sister Lange said. When they join the church, their whole life changes. We note so much improvement in everything they do. They are so interesting, and. so willing to do what is required of them. They are a kind and appreciative people. Ulio Mendoza proudly drove the three visitors to Guatemala into the high, volcanic mountain country of Solola, near beautiful Lake Atitlan (land of the rushing waters in the land of abundant waters). the big capital city of Guatemala, threading our way through mountain passes into the back country, where peaks are coned to 13,800 feet with only their tops blown off. Ulio had learned early I was a MorWe had left mon. He was pleased. He had some inin Mormonism and had attended a baptism. In politeness, he pointed out LDS chapels as we left the big city and headed into the mountains. Of course, it is a challenge, Sister said. They have lived so many hundreds of years in their own ways, changes do not come easily. But when they do, you can quickly see the fruit of your labors in full bloom. Jones Indians work mostly at agriculture. It is the dry season now, and grain, corn and beans must be hoed in before the rains come. Planting areas will be hilled and ready for the growing season. Workers earn about 80 cents for the eight-hou- r day, according to Ulio. The next day at the presidents palace, in Guatemala City, we got something of an official view of the church position in Guatemala. Twenty newsmen had participated in a pleasant interview with President Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio. We adhered to matters of state. But his capable secre- - Jews Heritage Mission Aid DALLAS. TEX. If yo'i can only put Christ in the Jew's life vouve got Mormonism. Elder ;ephen Roah, Texas North Misknow. He was born and reared a Jew, and now, as a missionary, has had an opportunity to work with many Jewish people in wealthy, urban Dallas, Tex. Elder Roah said his parents gave their children all the information on Judaism they could, hut did not try to coerce them into practicing it. Elder Roah had his first contact with the Mormons while serving in the Coast Guard in Hawaii. His roommate was LDS. sion . sen '.ary, should Taking the roommatess Elder Roah read the Book 1 4 - CHURCH 9 challenge, of Mormon. WEEK ENDING MAY 26, He learned more about the gospel, and it seemed logical, but it really didnt mean anything until I felt the influence of the spirit. Stephen Roah was baptized Oct. 3, 1970. What was his parents' reaction? My father is happy just because I'm happy, he replied. His mother and three older sisters have shown some interest in the gospel. After finishing his Coast Guard serfelt he might be too vice, the old to go on a mission. But his bishop persuaded Elder Roah he could do the job. He finds the people of the Texas' North Mission very similar to the people in Hawaii 1 973 hospitable, loving. But, he said, while most of them are very interested in religion, many are wary of being proselyted. The Jewish families are markedly opposed to being proselyted he said, because they feel Christian faiths, and especially the evangelistic churches Key 73 drive, are concentrating on them. As a result, Jewish groups are taking countermeasures. What theyre doing is strengthening themselves within their families, Elder Roah explained. This may give the missionaries an vantage, Elder Roah said, since they ad- will be able to explain the true purpose for strengthening the family. tary and interpreter (six or seven guages) chatted with me at length lanfol- visit. The the presidential subject turned to the matter of LDS missionaries in Guatemala. lowing Mrs. Anne E. Bennaton de Steinle said Guatemala is happy to have the Mormons in her country, They are building many churches and have many missionaries, she observed. They take care of their own members, and this is a good thing, with our population explosion. I know that during the depression in the United States the Mormons were able to take care of their own members (she had heard about the welfare program). Many of your missionaries are from Spanish-speakinareas and assist very much with education of our people. 1 think the church is growing for you, and we like to have your missionaries in Guatemala. Once your missionaries wore hats in a country which didnt wear hats. I could see them coming a long way, and we would all know they were Mormon missionaries, and we avoided them. We were told they wore those hats to hide their blond hair in a country where everyone has black hair. But whatever the reason, Im glad to see the hats go. They now dress more like the people here, and are better received. When I drive the countryside on official business I always pick up the missionaries. Once I took the wrong road and I swore a blue streak. Then I realized I had missionaries with me and I apologized. Havent sworn like that since. Our family planning is different from yours. We plan small families. You plan large ones, and your plan is to take care of your large families which you do very well. I want to congratulate your church on the way it presents itself in Guatemala, and the assists given us by Brigham Young University and others in our archeological work. g |