Sweaty or Soaked

Hopefully, this email will go through. The thunder storm has already cut off the power three times at this Internet Café. I finally understand what they mean by a wall of rain. It was a cloudy day, we were walking down the street and then it starts raining, but only on the other side of the street. It literally was a curtain of rain and was like the clouds kept moving. They moved about a foot every three seconds until the rain finally crossed onto our side. Before we could get to shelter we were soaked. But I love the Panama rainstorms. It lets me play one of my favorite games I call Sweaty or Soaked, where a little bit after the storm you judge if a person is still wet from the rain or if they are wet from working hard.

This week I don't have a whole lot to say. My companion is the District Leader and has been having an upset stomach and then by the end of the week, I was starting to get a sore throat.  We went to a pharmacy and were grateful that it was not conjunctivitis which apparently around a third of Panama has had in the past year. If we get that, we are not allowed to leave the house for four days… Mission rule. So whoo!

We did carry on with Ward Council, District Meeting, District Leaders Reports Meeting, Zone conference, Weekly Planning, and Ward Missionary Council. Then we also host English classes two nights a week, which is just so fun. Oh and all on different days, so all I remember this week was a lot of notes, studying, being motivated, teaching who we could with the time we had, and then sleeping.

Although my companion was sick, he remained hard working and was able to come out for our important appointments. One day an important appointment was canceled because the person ended up having conjunctivitis. This is not the first time it happened to one of our investigators either, so we went to their neighbors who were members to sit down and get some water. 

Chicheme: A traditional sweet corn Panamanian drink.

In Panama, they have ice cream trucks that drive around everywhere, but instead of ice cream, they sell hot pastries, bread, and a unique drink called Chicheme. [A drink, found almost exclusively in Panama and Costa Rica, made from milk, sweet corn or cornmeal, cinnamon, and vanilla, and often water.]  I still don't know why people are always selling hot things in Panama. I thought it would be like selling popsicles to the penguins, but I've adapted. This week there was a member who stopped a truck that was going by and he treated us to some Chicheme. I finish mine and told him how thankful I was, and that he made our day. My companion, Elder Vela, was drinking his a little slower because he wasn't feeling his best, but it was such a treat. I remembered that he said its one of his favorite drinks that you can get in Panama. Chicheme as it tastes great, is interesting and it's like an ice cold Horchata, but with pieces of corn just floating in there. 

Our Bishop asked me to bear my testimony to a young man turning in his mission application. He asked to share with him why I am here. Well, I gave him a testimony led by the spirit. It was good, but I wanted to say so much more so I will take this great opportunity right now to share a little bit more.  I only have 2 months in the mission field, but I have never been closer before in my life as I am now to Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. The work isn't easy, but you are literally doing Gods work. God provides a way for us to do what he wants to be done and I see miracles every day. He is teaching you to rely on him for strength. As you do so you will create a stronger relationship with him than ever before. 

Before my mission how often did I get to share my feelings about the scriptures, the prophets, or Jesus Christ? Probably more opportunities than I took, but every day I go out into the world and share the greatest news in the world. I talk about Jesus Christ. I talk about his Sacrifice. I talk about his Gospel. I talk about how people can gain a testimony and know without a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God, and gain a testimony about literally any other principle we teach. I talk about Gods plan for us on this world and the next. I teach people that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows them and is helping them with every chance He gets, as they are obedient. 

Please serve a mission. As we tell the members we baptize, you don't have to be 100 percent ready. In fact, you'll never be 100 percent ready. But once you get that feeling from the spirit, don't hesitate. Go out there. Pray and ask if you want to know if you need to do this and be specific. I promise you will get a response. Turn in your application. You will not regret it. This has already been the best experience of my life and it has just begun. I mean, I don't even know the language yet. It's only going to get better as time goes on.  I say these things with the promise of your Heavenly Fathers love for you. Please ask him for guidance and he will give it to you. 

Fruit Ninja