On a
tropical island. Underneath the molten lava moon. Hanging with the hula
dancers. And I'll take back my previous answer... This does just seem just like
vacation. Yes, I mean I'm working. Yes, I am tired. But just look around at all
these beautiful beaches, all these Kuna kids, the sandals, the constant sound
of the ocean, and all this culture. Of all the islands we got the biggest one,
meaning we actually have three restaurants (fondas) and like I said before
running water. One of the restaurants actually sells burgers the others just
chicken and rice. So weekly we try to make a budget to buy a burger.
This
week we were invited to a party for the celebration of the one-year anniversary
of the death of their grandmother... I guess that’s a thing? Anyway, all
parties here are just a big invite for people to come over to eat. As we arrive
there was a line of about thirty people going out the door. So, by the time we
got into the house we could start to see how the system worked. They have a
table for six who each are given a plate of rice and spaghetti. Once they
finish, they're kicked out and the next person takes their spot. The party head
goes to the back to wash the plates and
comes out with food for the next guest. This entire time one person is just
rushing you to eat to make sure everyone can get something to eat and go back
to work. The smart people, who have been to these types of B.Y.O. (bring your
own) plate parties just get stuff to go. Right as we got to the end of eating
our healthy serving, the host came in with a trash bucket just filled to the
brim in a soup like spaghetti. That made us both just lose our appetite. Note
to self: Never go to dead people’s
anniversaries!!!
We got
a visit from a German tourist. They were on a three-year world journey. We
helped a couple around the island get some water and some food. Conveniently, Elder
Daffer and Elder Burke were eating at a restaurant as we walked by. Where in their
first reaction was to jump up and yell out the window, "WOAH! Who are
those guys". I think it’s been a little too long since Elder Daffer has
seen other foreigners. It was even funnier when we explained to them, because they
knew English.
Quick
background. The Kuna flag in case you haven't seen in some of my pictures has a
swastika symbol. Yes, that’s actually their flag. Yes, they have it hung up in
many parts of the island. Now even though it has gone through many changes
throughout the years (One in which had a nose ring). The flipped swastika
stands for rebellion (and independence) over the Panamanians who tried by force
to take the islands and unity between the North, South, East, and West islands.
So, the Germans tourists got here and all the Kuna’s are like totally getting
in their faces. WAIT! Are you guys Nazis? They responded back, No... If anyone’s
a Nazi it’s you guys, you literally have the Nazi flag up. I never thought I
would see this day come. It was hilarious.
It was
Panama's Mother's Day this week. For San Blas, that meant all the fathers have
been working all week to make chicha fuerte. A fermented sugar cane juice
traditionally drunk in times of celebration. Oddly enough, all the men seemed
to be more into the drinking then the mothers actually were. But it was a crazy
day. The major
part of the island was drunk. And the next day hungover. It was pretty funny
just watching everyone drunk. We convinced one guy his name was Baulvino Mumu,
or Baulvino the drunk. We had a few recent converts there along with
investigators. One I think actually got put to jail for punching a little kid.
It was just kind of sad after explaining specifically that chicha fuerte is an
alcholic beverage, and
then people telling us they wouldn't drink it, but due to peer pressure fell
into temptation. I'm just glad that we can learn from our mistakes and become better
people every day as I have seen quite a few people do this week.
A lot
of people left for the city this past two weeks. Which meant that our favorite
Panamanian Police who were interested in our message left as well for changes.
We hope to get some people in here for the holidays. It’s a perfect vacation
spot.
Due to
an investigator getting just wasted, we had to postpone his baptism. We were
kind of bummed that we weren't going to baptize this week. However, helping out
our Branch President, we found a kid at the church. Calixto was just talking,
"Oh look this is Kenneth, he is eleven, I think. Soon he could get the
priesthood, but he's not baptized yet." So, we asked if his parents are
members. And Calixto told us that "The Dad is and all the siblings are,
just not his mother." During this entire time Kenneth is jumping up and
down, "Hey wait I'm 9!" We ask Calixto if he supports us baptizing
this kid. And Calixto was just like "He's been going to church with his
best friend every week for about four months. If you get his mom's permission,
baptize him tomorrow. Better yet, I'll go ask his mom." So, he gets up and
leaves, comes back five minutes later with the permission signed. We just had a
Baptism of Faith! We baptized him this last Saturday. That literally just fell into
our lap. We did nothing, God planned that one out. What a miracle.
An Nome
Ebobischo Maibie
Elder
Irizarry.