27 de febrero

This last Saturday we had baptisms! Everything went really well, and there was a good attendance. Hna. Noris (our cook and guardian angel here) gave a really interesting talk about letting Christ into our hearts. She displayed the famous painting of Jesus knocking at the door and pointed out that the door is missing a handle on the outside. She tied that to the idea that we have to open the door to our hearts from within. I really liked that. She was funny because she was very nervous but did a great job. They were all confirmed Sunday. My companion and I were honored to participate in all of the confirmations.

We finalized the baptism interviews for the baptisms this coming Saturday. They are all so prepared which makes me feel really good.

We also picked up mail this week. It had been a while since we had gotten mail because they did not give us a box in consejos. I got so much mail! It was awesome. Mom and Dad, my package from you came and also your card. Thanks for the money and everything in the package! My comp says thank you too. He knows English, so he really said that. I am not translating like usual.
Morgan, I got your package and cards too! When I saw the description of the contents of the package that said "desk calendar", I thought in my mind please be a redneck calendar, please be a redneck calendar and it was! I was so excited. Today reads "you might be a redneck if you think your vital signs are "yard sale", "happy hour", and "no trespassers" haha classic. My favorite is still "you think fast food is hitting a deer at 90 mph in your truck" haha. Thanks so much. Everything made my day.

This week we saw lots of parties on our street celebrating some holiday [part of Carnival prior to Lent]. People dress up as devils with really elaborate masks/costumes. The costumes are really neat and are distinctive to this area. They carry whips and dance around. Anyone that gets too close to them gets whipped. My companion and I avoided any confrontations with them. I did not get a picture, but you could easily find one on google. They are famous. 

Thanks for everything. I love you guys. Have a great week.

Love,
Elder Whiting

20 febrero 2012

Dear Family,

This week we had training with the President, Hna Ward, and the assistants. The topic of the training was asking inspired questions. We had a similar training when I arrived in Tocumen my first area. We had subway for lunch afterwards. President Ward said Colon looked a lot more animated than it had in a long time, so that was encouraging. When training ended, my companion and I did divisions with the assistants. I stayed my Elder Monroy from Mexico, and my companion headed off to Panama with Elder Bennett. I learned a lot from him, and we had a great time. Elder Monroy studied to be a chef before the mission and studied a bit in Spain. He made me the most delicious breakfast the following morning with cubed apple, oatmeal, yogurt, banana, honey, and a little milk. I was watching closely, so I think I could duplicate it. He shared some observations about the zone, and gave me some helpful ideas. When Elder Bennett arrived in the morning to pick up his companion and leave mine, several elders from chitre (las tablas) were with him. I guess with Carnivales starting this week they decided to temporarily take out the missionaries again. I have heard it is pretty bad here in some parts as well. Carnivales end Tuesday or Wednesday.

Saturday we had a stake missionary activity that we planned similar to the one we had in Boquete. We had a Luau with games, dancing, and food. I think I already mentioned the Tongan elder in our zone, Elder Atuake. Anyways, he and I taught the elders here how to dance the Haka. Elder Atuake painted everyones faces too. I got to use my lava lava again. A lot of people came, and everyone had a ton of fun. The games were really funny too. First we planned "who's your neighbor?" which involves running to other chairs and switching, then we had a handless pineapple eating contest. The zone received a lot of references from the activity, and it was really successful.

Right now we have about 8 people with a baptismal date. This coming weekend we are expecting several baptisms and several more the next weekend. My companion and I were talking about how the fruits of our labor did not come from where we expected, but that we just need to work hard, and the Lord works His little miracles. I hope everyone has a great week. I love you guys.

P.S. We completely cleaned our house this week, so I think it is safe to send some pictures soon. It was so bad. 

Elder Whiting

Training in Colon

13 Feb 2012

Things seem to be calming down here in Panama. The riots have entered into dialogue to sort everything out. At least everyone is more comfortable, and the traffic has gone back to normal in Colon.

 

We did several divisions this week to get a feel of the zone. Funny you should mention Elder Pfister. I spent Tuesday with Elder Atuake who was his companion in the MTC. He had an email from Elder Pfisters family saying the Whitings had mentioned I was in Colon. It sounds like Elder Pfister forwards his family emails to Elder Atuake.

 

It is really fun to get to know the elders. Divisions help out a lot to assess the needs of the zone and help everyone out. We can give elders advice to help them work with their investigators and animate them. Things are looking up the Colon. We are close to our goal of 20 baptisms in the zone as far as the baptismal dates we have. I hope none of them fall.

 

I do not have a lot to report this week and did not take any pictures again. I hope everyone has a good week. I love you guys.

Love,

 

[He also noted that they had 35 teaching appointments in the past week.]

6 Feb 2012

This week has been interesting. I feel like I am living inside the movie Pocahontas or Avatar. Things are getting pretty ugly in Panama with widespread protests led by the indians here. They are protesting plans to open gold mines.
It sounds like I got out of David just in time because the protesters closed off the roads to Panama. Nothing can get out of there (including most of the food grown there that feeds this whole country). The elders from David and conception could not make it to consejos. One companionship in Las Lomas, David was too close to a riot and got tear gas thrown at them. President Ward called us last night and told us to tell all of the elders to buy food, so I will probably go stock up on pop tarts.
Some answers to your questions.... Elder Echeverria is from San Cristoba, Guatemala. We do not play any other sports besides soccer.
I do not know the ex missionary from Mañanitas even though Tocumen bordered the area. Elder Biesinger is still in the office. He is leaving this change, so he is training an elder to replace him. I usually have a little money left on my card each month because I take most of it out and save it in cash form. As far as I can tell it carries over month to month. I have heard it is taken out if it builds up too much. I figure it is safer out of the bank. We are currently teaching 8 families and have 8 baptismal dates. We found 5 of the families we are teaching this week.
It did not take long for the members to learn I can play the piano, so now I will be playing in the meetings, and I was also roped into playing for choir practice after church. I have not played for quite some time and have gotten a little rusty without practice. Have a good week. I love you guys. 
[The Indians referred to are not Kuna.]

Consejos de Lideres de Zona