11 July 2012 - last change

Dear Family,

I am entering my last change of my mission! It all feels so surreal. Today I received my new companion Elder Rose from Arizona. He has about 9 months on the mission. I have heard very good things about him, so I am excited to end my mission working hard with a great elder. We will be heading back to Playon Chico Friday morning at 6 in the morning. Now a little about my last change with Elder Wade.

First of all, we were blessed with five baptisms this last change. All of them were people we found on one of our islands, Ukupa. We had a lot of help from one of the few return missionaries in San Blas named Olo. He was essential because not many of the people in Ukupa speak Spanish, so he tirelessly worked translating for us. The branch president Lazaro was also a big help.

While we were there, several men came back from the jungle having just killed a monkey. After posing it several times, it was skinned cooked, and served to us. I found the meat to be quite tasty actually. We stayed for Sunday to make sure everyone was confirmed properly and both spoke in Sacrament meeting.

This change we had several really bad storms that did quite a bit of damage to the island and piping of the water system. We were without water for four days. It breaks my heart when I see all of the damage done to the homes of the people on the island. We are of course always willing to help with the clean up and repairs. Most of the damage involved roof damage, strong winds blowing parts of the leaf thatching off. The area floods pretty badly too and seeps up through their floors.

We do not have that problem in our tree house we live in, but it was swaying like crazy in the wind.

Thank you for all of your letters, emails, and packages. I really appreciate them, and they do a lot to encourage and motivate me.

Love,

Elder Whiting

San Blas/ukupa in June

The family at Playon Chico that Elder Whiting and companion live with.

On ukupa - they stay at the chapel when visiting this island. Green coconut

This is a trail along the sea coast from ukupa to another island.

Ukupa and families in San Blas

Elder Rose from Arizona, he will be Elder Whiting's companion for his last transfer on the San Blas islands

The family the missionaries live with on Playon Chico. Near the chapel [right side] and the bridge across to their island

Igwa [he is special]
It is apparent in these pictures that Elder Whiting has lost a lot of weight in this area.

A picture with President Ultiminio at his home.

Ukupa from the air when transferring to Playon Chico. It appears that the chapel is near the edge on the left side.
When the missionaries go there they go in a canoe powered by small motor. Lots of ocean salt spray and sun, with an unsteady platform. And no life vests, unlike the more luxurious tour boats that the missionaries saw go by them, leaving them bouncing in the wake.

Ukupa - notice the absence of any electrical connections to this chapel. So it has some solar and batteries for limited lights, etc. Elevated on stilts to prevent/limit termite damage

 

Village on Ukupa

 

Elder Whiting and Elder Wade with 8 year old boys for baptism in the ocean. The missionaries loaned some of their shirts for white clothing.

Chapel interior
The church building was prefab, then moved to the island and erected. It has been kept up and maintained well.

Elder Whiting's hammock, they bring their own when visiting here. This is in a classroom at the chapel where they stayed.

The family at Playon Chico

Ukupa where they eat coconut and lots of mangoes and plantains. Hats and sunglasses are only worn on p-day