25 de julio

I finally got my camera fixed, so I will be able to send some pictures now. I plug my camera into some sketchy computers so sometimes some viruses get passed through. Now that I am back in the city with nice computers that have antivirus, it was immediately rejected. Now it is all clean. One virus was titled "lumixitup" which I thought was pretty clever.

I got to meet one of my favorite artists here this week, Japonnesse. His producer is a member, so one day when we went over to eat at his house, he was over there. I snapped a photo with him and got his autograph. I sent a picture of him. He is the guy with a gold tooth. waaay cool.

The national crises that everyone is talking about right now is that the price of rice might go up and bread is being sold by weight now. Everyone is in a panic because that is all they eat. A 1 cent different in the price would probably mean like $15,000 dollars difference in budgeted food cost. Not really, but we eat a lot of rice here.

The famous (or infamous) diablo rojos are slowly being replaced by Metro Bus here. I for one am a huge fan, but again more drama from everyone. For one they are air conditioned, cleaner, safer, more reliable,...etc. I could keep going. I count it as progress for Panama.

Up until now in my mission I have not really been exposed to strange foods, but all of that is changing now. I am not sure why. I would have thought that the farther away from the city I got, the weirder the food would become. Not so. This week I ate chicken feet, cow tongue, pig and cow tail, and turtle eggs. I felt like Brian from the book Hatchet when he has to eat turtle eggs. It was so strange to be eating chicken feet. yikes!

My campanion Elder Sanchez is the district leader here so sometimes we travel to other areas to do baptismal interviews. Friday we went to Vera Cruz to interview some people that are getting baptized. I was thoroughly impressed with how beautiful it is. The air was so fresh compared to the city, and I commented on how quiet it was. I was just about to finish that comment when we heard some gunshots. haha. Still is reminded me a lot of Chorrera in appearance. My companion said it is a lot like the interior.

I hope everyone has a good week.

Love,

Elder Whiting

18 de julio

Dear Family,

This week has been a scorcher. My face is super burned. The people here always think I am embarrassed or something. I have to keep telling them, no my skin is really burned. I am not angry or anything. haha.

Yesterday was children's day. All of the kids were walking around with painted faces and balloons. I do not remember that holiday existing in the states, but maybe I am wrong. All of the fast food restaurants were holding specials, so they were packed with kids. I was thinking about breaking out my balloon making kit and making a few bucks haha.

This week was really good though. Our baptisms are still on track and our investigators are progressing well. This is historically a slow, hard area but we are doing well. Elder Sanchez is a gifted missionary and talented with building relationships with everyone.

Sorry no pictures again. I am going to move to a different internet cafe. This one does not recognize my camera or does not have the software. I do not know.

I hope everyone has a good week.

Love,
Elder Whiting

11 de Julio

Dear Family,

I gave a talk in church last Sunday on missionary work. I was informed that we will be speaking frequently here since the branch is small. I asked if they wanted me to play the piano, and they said they have recordings they like to play. I guess I will have a break from playing then.

Mom, your package with the CTR rings came. I had given up on it as lost. Elder Martin hand delivered it to me. He is working in the office like you said and seems like a great guy.

This week we set two baptismal dates and had five investigators in Sacrament meeting. I am excited to see the work progressing here.

I am doing great and enjoying my mission. Thank you for all of your letters and support. I tried to send pictures, but this computer is being difficult.

I love you guys,

Elder Whiting

4 de Julio

I was transferred this week to Juan Diaz. Before I was transferred however I had the opportunity to baptize a young man and a family we have been working with. I hope I can go in a year when they get sealed in the temple. That would be awesome. I had fun at changes because our whole group was reunited minus Elder Polera. The area is fairly close to Tocumen. In fact, when I was in Tocumen we often went to Metro Mall for pdays. I bought my camera in los pueblos (also in the area). I feel pretty comfortable being back in the city. Juan Diaz is closer to Panama City than Tocumen, and you can see the city skyline from most parts of the area. I have to readjust to being around so much noise again. Chorrera was so quiet compared to the city. My companion is Elder Sanchez from Honduras. I was getting the full collection of companions from Central America and Mexico. I think I am just missing Costa Rica and Beliz or some random country. 

Elder Sanchez is going home at the end of this change. Following mission tradition, he is "dying" this change just like we are all "born" when we arrive here. I talked to Elder Biesinger who was here before me.  

Elder Biesinger was not actually in my area, but rather in the adjacent one. There are four missionaries here divided by the main road. Oddly, we do not live with the other missionaries serving in the branch but rather live in our own nice, little apartment. Our areas are Juan Diaz 1 and Juan Diaz 2. I am in Juan Diaz 1 which is on the side opposite Los pueblos and Metro Mall. It is hard because most of the members are on the other side. We share a small chapel with another area. I am serving in a very small branch here. The average attendance floats around 50 people.

I laughed at Sister Webb's stories about the members in her Russian branch yelling at each other but somehow now its not so funny. My comp says he tells investigators to  go to Sacrament meeting. 

I did not realize how strong my wards have been. This week has been a "welcome to the mission" sort of feeling. 

Love,

Elder Whiting