Surprise!

Dear Family,

 

I bet you were not expecting to hear from me on San Blas. I guess it was inevitable that the Internet would arrive to all four corners of the Earth as sure as the gospel. AT&T Cable and Wireless Panama recently installed a fancy, new satellite in front of the police station. You have to have your own computer though, so I have been trying to get someone to lend us their laptop since last Monday. Finally one of the students (President Ultimiños daughter) let us use hers. The Internet is pretty bad and the signal comes and goes, but it works. I am going to try to get one for next Monday, but we will see.

 

Elder Rose and I have been having a great change. Yesterday we baptized Josue Lombardo, a reference from Horacio the second counselor in the presidency. We usually have them on Saturday in order to hold the confirmation on Sunday, but not all of the family was going to be able to make it on that day. Then on Sunday a teenager that has started coming regularly this change came up to me and asked what she needed to do to be baptized! No matter how many times that happens, it always drops my jaw.

 

We started eating with the members on Sundays and sharing a message with them. It has been great to get to know everyone more, and I think it is really strengthening them. When the list was passed around in Relief Society one really humble sister did not have enough food to feed us and her family but signed up anyway. Right before we came over, her brother from another island visited her and brought a big cooler full of fish and four bundles of platanos. She bore her testimony yesterday in church about the blessings of feeding the missionaries. It was really touching. I felt really bad though. When we came up with the idea we emphasized that the purpose was not necessarily the food, but instead about us going into the homes and strengthening the members with a message. I am glad she was blessed though for her faith.

 

Did you get my letters? I sent out some postcards and letters in envelopes about two weeks ago via preferred mail here. I want to make sure they are not just pocketing my money. It was supposed to be "really fast" if I sent them that way.

 

I love you guys. Thanks for all of your letters and emails. The office sent me my airplane ticket via email yikes! What is that doing there? Even if it is real, that almost 9 hrs of combined flying time must be a mistake. haha. Hasta luego.

 

Love,

Elder Whiting