McNabb Family Memories: Day 5....Barranquilla

I love Sundays! Whether they are in Pocatello, ID or Barranquilla Colombia....I love Sundays! We got up early and took a van to Barranquilla. The ride was uneventful until we got stopped at a police checkpoint. Griff told us that they will stop people randomly and try to find something they can fine them for just to make money. They talked to the driver and then the policeman came to the side door. He opened it and just starred at Griff. He asked him some questions and then told him to get out of the van. He frisked Griff and then asked him why we had so many bags. Griff told him that we were family and traveling. He made Griff get his bag down from the top of the van and he went through it. I was holding my breath because I had locked my bag and I was afraid that he would think I was trying to hide something. He was satisfied after he looked in Griff's bag and let us go on our way. I'm not going to lie...my heart was pounding and I was saying a prayer through the whole ordeal.

We went to Stake Conference in Barranquilla. Griff served in 3 wards in this stake so it was so fun to see all the people that knew him. We wanted in the door and there were immediate "Oh, Elder McNabb!" with surprised joy and hugs. We were sitting in the back and one of the high councilmen came and got us to move up to the pews. They were so kind. Even though I didn't understand much of what was said, I understood the songs and felt the spirit so strongly. I sat there listening and I was so grateful that anywhere we go in the world the church is the same. The spirit is always familiar and beautiful.

After the meeting, we talked to the missionaries. One was from San Diego. He had been in Colombia for a couple of months. I could tell he was excited to talk to someone from "home". We went to dinner at the Sanchez families home. They are the first member family that Griff meant when he came to Colombia. Sister Sanchez said that Griff's Espanol (Spanish) was malo (bad) when he first got there. She would teach him new words in Spanish everyday and quizz him the next day to see if he remembered them. They have 3 children, Carlos, 21, who speaks really good English, Maia 17, and Titi 16. Their home was the nicest by material standards that we have been in so far but they are still a very humble family. We enjoyed so much being with them.

We were so tired that we came back to the hotel and took a nap. Hugo, one of Griffs friends came over and Griff gave him the gift he brought him. We went with Hugo and Jorge, another one of Griffs friends to dinner. They are a lot like Griff....they love to tease and joke, so they have so much fun together. It is fun to be with them.