Our 4th of July Celebration on July 1st, 2016, Guatemala Army Day.

Yesterday we had a day off for a Guatemalan holiday called Army Day.  So Sister Kari Sanford organized a picnic for the Senior Missionaries at the wonderful Church owned camp near Chimaltenango called Las Colinas.  It is a spectacular property with first class facilities that beat anything I have seen in the States.  We drove over with Elder and Sister Tony and Margo Reyna.  Elder Reyna served with me in Colombia over 40 years ago.  We also picked up Carol Mancilla who we knew from our days of serving as inner-city missionaries in Barrio Lucero in Salt Lake City.  Her husband, Oscar, is a counselor in the bishopric in Barrio Lucero.  She is here with her daughter visiting her home country of Guatemala for the summer (well, actually the winter here).

We had such a nice day at Las Colinas.  We got to the camp about an hour ahead of the group, so we took a hike around the property.  It turned out to be quite a hike as the terrain along the east side of the property is very steep.  There was a nice trail that descended the steep hill to a stream (they call it the River Sidon, as all the features of the camp bear Book of Mormon names).  It wound along the stream through the thick forest.  It was a very pleasant place to hike.  We found an obstacle or confidence course that they have constructed for the youth down in that ravine.  We then had to climb back up the steep hill at the north end of the property and work our way back around to the south end where our camp was located.  The separate camp sites, and there must have been seven or more spread around the property, have big pavilions with great barbecue facilities and tables.  There are shower houses and restroom facilities and a large meeting hall as well.  All the camps have large fields for soccer and activities, and the whole property, about 250 acres, is beautifully maintained and landscaped.  We had a barbecue with shared sides of all types, a very nice meal.  We then played games and visited.  It was so nice to get away from the office for a day.  We enjoyed our time with Carol and with the missionaries.