Zona Colon

This week just flew by so quickly.  We had a conference with Elder Ochoa of the Area 70. As well, we ended up having divisions with the Assistants. It was a very motivating week and we as a companionship have been working harder than ever, which I didn't think was even possible.

Bottom Row left to right- Sister & Elder Ochoa, and President and Sister Current

Currently, we are working on getting a few people in Aldea to get to church and that's where I find my most joy. They are usually very busy on Sundays so it will be a struggle but, they genuinely want to get baptized. 

It has been a nonstop run, but we are working more effectively, more efficiently, and having more fun. 

I love it here. I don't know what to say. I feel blessed.

One more experience that I had previously mentioned I would share with you that was sent out by our Mission President on June 26, 2017, in a newsletter. Here is the butterfly story:

Last week, I sent Elder Hillyard and Elder Romero to visit an island in San Blas to ask for permission of the island leaders to place missionaries among their people. When they arrived, the Silahs were away fishing. The missionaries were told to wait at the house of the chief Silah. While waiting in his house they began teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to his family.

Meanwhile, the Silah was in the middle of the ocean fishing when a butterfly flew up to him and landed on his hand. According to Kuna tradition, when a butterfly comes to you it means that God will be sending messengers to teach you something that will change your life. Realizing this, the Silah stopped fishing and hurried home. When he entered his house he found Elder Hillyard and Elder Romero teaching his family the gospel. He told them of his experience with the butterfly and said he knew they were true messengers sent from God. He said he would believe all their words and that he would make it possible for them to teach his people. 

This Silah turned out to be the chief Kasique of the entire comarca of Guna Yala or, in other words, all of islands and villages of San Blas. How is it that a butterfly found him in the middle of the ocean fishing at precisely the moment when two Mormon missionaries were in his house teaching his family about Jesus Christ? It is because our Father in Heaven is a God of miracles. This is His work. This is His mission. Our vision of baptizing tens of thousands comes from Him.

Big Man In A Little Bus

I have found it funny that at 5’10 I am actually considered tall here.  This has thrown me because I don’t’ feel any different in most situations. Normally, I’m sitting down when teaching, but there have been quite a few times when people have said, like wow you’re a giant. The only time I am really aware that I am taller is when we take public transportation. On the Diablo Rojos (local buses) usually, I see above everyone’s heads. If I’m standing, which is very rare that I’m not, I can see out the window of where we are.  The worst are the small speed coasters. Standing up in one of these buses I literally have to put my chin to my chest and the back of my head is touching the ceiling. I have wondered what some of the other taller elders do; I know of a few that are about 6’5. 

My companion, Elder Franco is from Guatemala and just turned 20 this last week. He genuinely is a dream companion. He is really good at keeping the lessons light-hearted and applicable to those we teach. He always invites everyone to listen to our lessons and never is afraid to push baptismal commitments. He is always ready to crack a joke or tell you a story. Even though he doesn’t speak English, he loves many English musicians and has a good taste in music. He is very kind, very motivating, and direct with me and the investigators. He is a hard worker and a great missionary. When I had my interview with President Current he said, “Your last companion was Elder Vela, and now your now with Elder Franco who are two really outstanding missionaries. The Lord has something for you in the future.” I don’t know if that was a good thing or this is preparatory. Either way, I am just enjoying this time!  I have laughed when Elder Franco talks with the zone leaders from Guatemala because he was a skater from the city and so he has just this personality that brings me back to the U.S. I hope that I don’t get transferred somewhere else because we have work to get done!

This week we had another set of divisions con Puerto Pillon and later went out with the Zone Leaders. With being in all the different areas and baptismal interviews taking place, I gained a new-found respect for Zone Leaders. They have no time at all and are running around everywhere, especially in areas where they baptize a lot. This week was just running around to different areas with my stomach sloshing along with me. It was feeling a little upset this week, but it's better now.

The weirdest thing happened this week. We were walking down the street when a guy in a taxi hauled to a stop and pulled over towards us. We realized he was coming from Puerto Beulo, a national park or tourist site. So of course, we were a little hesitant. They had their celebration of Black Jesus that day when people walked miles with crosses and models of Black Jesus. I don't know what went on there, but I'm sure it was something of a party. However, the man rolled down the window and stuck out his arm yelling, “Hey I'm from Utah! Where are you from and how is the work going here Brothers.” It was all in English and my mind froze. What did he say? I didn't recognize what he said. It took me a minute to flip the switch that he wasn't speaking Spanish. But my mind was so frazzled. I said, “Oh, I'm from California, my Comp is from Guatemala and the work is fantastic.” and then he took off. 

I wish I could have told him everything. Yeah, we were just walking back from a baptismal service. This mission less than a year ago wasn't making as much progress and now we are baptizing hundreds each month. We are working hard and here in the mission have converted many different cultures, statuses, and races. We are relying on the spirit to lead us, and as we listen to his voice we are finding people who have been prepared to be baptized. We have a strong missionary force and an excellent mission president. As missionaries, we are striving to be obedient in all things and at all times to prepare the way for the Spirit. We are breaking records here in Panama. More importantly, we are bringing people unto Christ. There are so many people who have converted and changed their lives for the better here and nothing brings me more joy than when you get the opportunity to see someone who has changed their life and genuinely wants to make the covenant with their Eternal Father in the waters of baptism. 

So yeah, while I only muttered a few words, I hope that at the very least he will look up what the work is like to know that the work here is incredible. It doesn't just have to be in Panama, success comes when we are obedient to the Laws and Commandments of God, the Prophets, and Apostles. But how grateful I am to be in Panama in this moment as a missionary. It is truly a blessing.

Elder Irizarry

Holy Guacamole

I am sorry that I don't have a whole lot of time this week to write a letter. It has been another great week, a bit rough but good. We have had two baptisms fall, but one stuck and hopefully, we will have another one this week. We have our first official baptismal appointment set with a man named Juan from Aldea. I will make sure that I tell his story after his baptism.

I have loved and read everyone's personal emails. I don't always have time to respond to or read them all on my P-Days, so I have been taking pictures of the ones I don't get to during the week and reading them at home. I loved hearing about Colon's history (the town is named after Christopher Columbus. In Spanish his name was Cristobal Colon). and more about the Kuna. (Many of the Kuna Latter-day Saints share their remarkable similarities through oral history with the events that happened in the Book of Mormon.  They refer to themselves as "the People of the Book.") Next week I will have to tell you about the Butterfly story with the Kuna people. 

I am only able to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Conference talks on my speaker. I spent a bit more time today looking for more talks and music to listen to. I love music a lot and so it has been great to have that.  

In our humble house, well shower...I have found spiders, worms, cockroaches, and mice. I'm just happy when we find water because it is not always there. We now take bets on whether we will be without water or electricity before we return home at night. Normally one of the two goes out before morning. Cold water no longer bothers you once you know that you are just happy if you get a shower before you leave in the morning. 

To answer some of your questions:

Are you getting bug bites at night or when you are out? 
The bugs always seem to find the one place that I barely missed with bug repellent. I have gotten bug bites on my back, my collar line and even in my ear where I did not pay much attention. Normally, I find that I am getting them when I am outside rather than throughout the night.  

Are you getting sick of the rain?

Oh no, It is genuinely my favorite. Except I only fear the bus drivers in the rain. Last time the guy was drinking and driving in the rain at night... but it went well.

I love you guys!

 

"Mama Said There'll Be Days Like This"

This week was exhausting. We had Zone Conference which we had to get up at 4:00 in the morning to get there on time. We got there a bit early and stopped by the coolest bakery. A chilled morning breeze came through which made it that much better. I did finally end up getting my package that you sent me last month, Woo! This week we went out with the Zone Leaders for Invasions for two days. That is when you go to the other missionaries homes early in the morning to check in on them and make sure they are getting up on time and doing what thy should be. Sadly, just because we got up early didn't mean we got to go bed early. That also meant we had to get up at 4:00 in the morning. We did however, end up getting a foam American Football. We had some investigators who aren't doing what they need to be doing to prepare themselves for baptism. I am covered in mosquito and ant bites. There are so many that I am trying to recognize what constellations they form. I'm am so close to a big dipper. And it was a little bit hotter this week if it wasn't already hot enough. 

I have laughed to myself as I was reminded of lyrics from the Shirelle’s, "Mama said there'll be days like this, there’ll be days like this my mama said..." Yes, this week was hard. Fun at the same time, but exhausting. I took comfort in the knowledge that I was divinely called to be here specifically and that God wouldn't give me anything I couldn't handle. I also took comfort in the scriptures. In Alma 26:27 we read, " Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." In Jacob 3:1 it says, "But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction."

We can find joy in the best of days in the worst of days. We can find joy in the worst of circumstances. For we are told In 2 Nephi 2:25” ...men are, that they might have joy." Finding joy is all about our focus. When we focus on the Lord our Savior we find joy. We find joy in his Atonement and our personal role in it, his gospel and what we can do to become closer to him, and the Plan of Salvation where we can progress and live forever with our families. Jesus the Christ is the source of true joy. As I am sharing this beautiful message about an opportunity of true joy with people, I am finding great joy and satisfaction. When we keep this focus of Jesus in our hearts we can find joy every day in our lives.

  

Oh, I have been introducing myself with that name Elder Igi Sugi. I go out and tell it to Kunas and they just crack up. I have convinced a handful of kids that I'm from San Blas and I'm Kuna. I think our neighbors thought that was my name for about a week now and just barely found out. They still call me Igi though.

Elder Igi Sugi

I have a lot I want to say so I will go into a little detail about it all:

We have an area in our Nuevo Mexico that has a river. One day Elder Franco and Elder Tenney had the impression to cross it. They called and asked permission to cross it that one time. Elder Tenney was Elder Franco's old companion and my MTC companion and has now transferred. This week we asked if we could go back to revisit that area. Our Mission president said it was good but we needed to baptize three people before we could go. That's just his sense of humor. We have this tribal village, which is not Kuna but a different tribe that we go and teach once or twice a week now. It's really really really cool. It is the only area in all of the Zone has anything like this. Yeah, and I am here!!! 

This week I was given a new apellido (last name). The branch president had trouble pronouncing my name, but he knew the tribal language of Kuna. So he said, "Your new name is, Elder Igi Sugi." Translated meaning, Elder Tell Me. Now when people can't pronounce my name I give them the Kuna version. Any phone call we get from the other Elders is always, "Habla a Elder Igi Sugi." My plan is to convince my Mission President to let me get a name tag with my new name on it.

The trail to the tribal village.

Elder Igi Sugi 

I don't know if you remember the hottest day I had in Panama when I had soup for lunch. This week I think I felt just a little hotter than I have ever felt before. We had a member who fed us lunch one day. Let me tell you, it was so good! He is from Mexico, so it was genuine Mexican food. He had pork, rice, and potatoes. Which is pretty normal here, but he had a homemade salsa. A homemade Jalapeno and Chile salsa. Normally I don't do well with spicy things. But that was the best dang Salsa I have ever had. It was just so delicious. I was literally pouring it on top of my bowl by the spoonful. Oh man, was I ever sweating like a pig. I came out of his house satisfied, but trying to convince my companion that we could walk around shirtless that day.

General Conference was soo good. Different but good. We went to the stake center and it was being broadcasted in Spanish. Luckily Elder Banister from Idaho was in my Zone. We went upstairs and we watched it broadcasted in another room but it was so hot we opened a window with the fan on. While watching General Conference we had the background sound of the Spanish translation below us, the sound of the cars passing by, the rain, and neighbors blasting their music. At one point the rain was so strong we actually lost our connection... On Sunday we eventually got moved to the Family History room to watch it which had an air conditioner. I did miss being with my family on the couch in sweatpants for this Conference, but that nor the many other difficulties I experienced did not take away any from the message. Well except when we lost signal, which literally took away from the message. But I'm just happy it was in English.

We had a day of total strength this week. We had a neighbor who is just finishing his papers, we call Short, who tagged along with us that day. It was going to be great. We started off teaching and we were just killing it. Short knew shortcuts through the neighborhood and we were making excellent time. We then were walking over for a lunch appointment we had when a member who called us over. She said you look exhausted come sit down real quick and get some water. We had some water sat in front of a fan and shared a simple, but strong lesson with this family. When we finished they said, "Oh, after that we cant let you leave without a little bit of food." They gave us an entire lunch. It was just rice and banana. The rice had shrimp and fish flakes in it. Oh, what would I do to have that rice again; best rice ever. Better than coconut rice. We left feeling satisfied and remembered that we still had lunch with a non-member scheduled... So we went over and they gave us not a plate, but a platter of food each. It was about the size of two heads of food. We were dying. I have never tried so hard to eat before in my life. At one time I looked over at Short and asked him how he felt, and he said 'Man, I feel like I have filled my stomach with food and I just keep filling it. I'm now just up to my forehead with food." I loosened my belt by the time we had to leave and I felt like I was waddling like a penguin out of there. We re-named that day to the day of total stomach strength. But hey, we are getting fed.

One day we found some keys on the ground and we prayed and were directed towards a few peoples houses until we found the owner of the keys. Because we weren't directed immediately to the person's house by the time we finally got there, the owner was just barely returning. It was really cool. We found quite a few new investigators through that. It helped build a testimony about how Gods ways aren't always our ways.

Today we got the chance to go to Zona Libre. A strip mall of about twelve blocks. It was ridiculously huge and after getting completely lost I bought a pillow (because in the 1st two houses I lived in had them, but apparently that was something we were supposed to bring), a speaker, and a backpack. It was a good trip.

I love you all and I hope you had the chance to watch General Conference. If you didn't please take the time to listen. This conference was really cool.

Elder Igi Sugi

Megan-What can I share with you before you get here in three weeks? Just so you know, you can get Liahonas every time you go to the Mission Offices. You normally go about once every month. You get Spanish Scriptures at the MTC, but the Small Spanish Quad is a nice investment. I love having a backpack and YES, sisters do wear boots here.  Make sure you have a pillow, a positive attitude, and a big laundry bag. The one thing that I have loved having is my camera. You are going to love it here!