Panacaxtlan

We arrived in Huejutla early today in order to visit a small branch outside of the city.  This little pueblito consists of people that still speak the dialect of Nahuatl, the ancient language of the  Aztecs.  The dialect goes back to, at least, the 7th century.

This little branch of the church meets in the home of a member who is the branch president.  This is the chapel and on either side are bedrooms with a curtain that hangs at the doors. 

Hna. Santiago, the wife of the District President in Huejutla, is here with a sister of the branch.  These people do speak some Spanish so we could communicate.  They are a loving, beautiful people.

First, we sat outside to get to know the people.  There are about 15-20 people that attend but their facility is not adequate.  It's not that the space is particularly small but that they don't have chairs, the sacrament table is damaged and needs refinishing and the pulpit needs help. 

The two on the right are the two original members of the church in Panacaxtlan.  They are still faithful.

A picture of the group.  We had FHE in Panacaxtlan in their tiny chapel.  One of the reasons we went out was to assess what they needed.  The FM rep. for this part of the mission also came to take pictures and hear what we wanted to have done.  We will be going out one last time before we leave to make sure the improvements have been made.

We even got some of them to kind of smile for the picture.  Mexicans can be so serious when they have their picture taken.

And then it was time to eat.  This is the kitchen.  Yes, it is outside and yes, that is a stove on the left.  They burn wood and have those two bars to set their huge pot of tamales on to cook.

The tamales we've eaten most during the last 3 years are wrapped in banana leaves to be steamed.  You can't find banana leaves in Utah.  They either fold them in a special way or tear a tiny piece of the leaf to use as a tie around each tamale. 

Then they unwrap each one individually and serve them.  They pick up the flavor of the banana leaf.  They taste different than tamales steamed in corn husks.

And there you go.  Dinner in Panacaxtlan.  Tamales, salsa, and soda.  The man on Dad's right is the District President, President Santiago.  He has huge responsibilities and depends on Dad to help him like a Stake Pres. is to a Bishop.  Some of these men don't have that many years in the church.

And two of the youth.  Brothers.  They want to serve missions when they're old enough.

We will be returning to Panacaxtlan in a few weeks to see the progress and post pictures.