Nue Gambi

General Things to Note about San Blas:

#1. There are tourist islands and native inhabited islands. I do not live on one of their tourist beaches. I lived here on Ustupu, one of (if not) the biggest inhabited islands. It is so big it is actually cut into two parts where we share half of our islands with another companionship of Elders.

#2. Yes, I said islands. There are a lot of little islands connected up to others through bridges. They are about 30 feet long or so. These islands are pretty close together. For example, one island just holds the school. The next holds about 15 houses. The next holds our church and about 20 or so houses. And then there is the big island Ustupu. We share a small bite out of the big island and have a handful of houses there.

#3. Living on the island means new rules. For example. We wake up at 5:30 and go to work at 8:00 and stop teaching by 6:00 where we have a nightly island meeting. After that we return to our house by 7:00.  

#4. Everyone here speaks a dialect called Dule Gaya. I'll talk more about that in the future.

#5. Internet here is pretty slow as you would imagine since we are on an island. I will shrink the picture quality for now and I can send you blurry pictures and then when I have the chance, I'll try to upload all the high-quality pictures at an undetermined date. So, keep your eyes open in the future. I may tell you all to look back.

To back track to last Tuesday at 4:00 in the morning a member took us to the Comarca where we then arrived at 7:30. Then we took a boat dropping off all the missionaries at the propio islands. We were on the last island and reached it at about 1:00 PM. We were kind of wiped out, but we are energized now.

Also, one thing they did was clean San Blas this change. Normally you have two trainers in the mission, one for training and the second if you ever go to San Blas. And so we are just white washing this area and none of us have ever been to San Blas. President Current has something planned.

My new companion is Elder Boyd from Texas. He has almost completed his mission which means that I will actually be killing him. That is just slang which means that this is his last transfer before he goes home. He is a really talented missionary, a giving person and connects with the hearts of the people. He loves kids, is chill but has a determined personality. And Yes, he's single and will be studying in Utah in a month. Keep your eyes open ladies!

This week I've been getting used to sleeping in a hammock. It is super comfortable once you get used to it. I absolutely love it, but I should note that it requires a skill of not moving whatsoever. After the third day, it seems very normal.

Hey I love you guys and will keep you updated and with stories next week.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Hey good morning! How are you guys doing this wonderful morning?

I have some news.

I have changes. For the 1st time in 11 months I am leaving interior.

I'm headed somewhere exciting.

Are you ready for this... San Blas! I will be traveling in una panga (a fishing boat) to get to my area.

Hey just wanted to tell you I won't have a whole lot of time to write you guys this week. Thanks for everything and your support. I Love you all!!

Happy Birthday Mom. I hope that you'll have a great one. Thanks for everything! I'll make sure I'll get the photos up next week. 

Panama Mission Conference

Elder Bivings (Big Red Giant)

Recently in my mind, I have been thinking of the story found in the Book of Mormon; in Mosiah, we read about a group of Nephites who have been put into the captivity of their enemies (basically slavery) due to their wickedness and forgetfulness of the Lord.  After much pleading with the Lord, they finally were given an opportunity to leave. It meant leaving the cities they lived in and leaving behind everything they fought for, this promised land owned by their founding fathers. Through their renewed faith in the Lord, they escaped into the forest and went down to another Nephite city.  Another group of Nephites from this same city escaped prior to captivity, but they had to start from scratch, with zip, nothing, nada but with hard work, they built up a new city. They realized the problems with dictatorships with kings and rulers and started setting up a basic government. They started getting rich and prospering in the land, but their enemies found them and put into slavery.  It was with more intense work and rules. They ran away from a terrible situation with a promise of new opportunity, but quickly fell into the same problem. Only this time, it wasn't self-caused. 

Now sometimes in this world, we cause our own problems. Maybe mistakes we make, maybe we have problems because of disobedience to the commandments, or maybe just because the Lord wants to test us. (2 Nephi 1:20) "And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." (Mosiah 23:21) "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." The Lord will try our patience at times to see if we are humble and faithful to him. To see if we remember him and still want to be obedient when the blessings aren't coming.

As we jump back to the story of these Nephites. They were being pushed so much that they weren't even allowed to pray. But they kept faithful in keeping the commandments.  (Mosiah 24:14-16) "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."

The Lord with time let them go. The Nephites had listened to the will of the Lord. It wasn't for them to stay in the forest for the rest of their life. It was to go back and reunite with the rest of their nation and with faith-promoting experiences and complete and utter trust in the Lord. Through these experiences the Nephites prospered exceedingly in missionary work. If we are patient the Lord will make us into the best people we can be. Be obedient and you will feel peace. If you endure these challenges it will make you stronger and will help you later on in life. 

This week I had divisions and went to visit Puerto Armuelles. I taught a newer missionary a bit how to teach better.

The best event that happened was that I had the chance to visit Panama City for a conference. In the 1st time in over 3 years, all the missionaries in Panama were called into the city. That is around 200 missionaries and made me so happy. I ran into almost all my old companions (except those who are home). I was also able to see Megan (my cousin) but the big red giant, Elder Bivings, separated us (Sisters/Elders). To top this, I saw a lot of old members from the branches of Boquete, Almirante, y El Empalme. That just made my soul sing for joy. It was like a flush of all these memories of hard work, service, and preaching the gospel. Then we had the conference with Ulyses S Soares, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I got the extra motivation and hope I have been so craving. We talked a lot about faith, setting goals, and inspired plans.

It was great and as I got back home (we left at 2 in the morning Saturday and got back at 2 in the morning Sunday) we went to a church council and had the opportunity to teach the Branch how to make realistic goals. I was able to share what I knew and what I just learned. Today I slept in and then I also prepared for a special investigator with questions. When you have scripture study for the benefit of somebody else it is so much more meaningful, I invite you to try it.

Love you guys,

Elder Irizarry

And shout out to Elder Sargent who read my blog before coming to the mission.

During divisions, a guy that I knew from Boquete was working in the area and just threw me full sized Snicker Bars. It was like a belated Halloween.

(Part of his cousin Megan's letter this week: So as I mentioned earlier, Elder Soares came to Panama this week and Saturday afternoon. This time the WHOLE mission went, which is the first time I have seen all the missionaries in one spot...We had half a day and everyone saw everyone they hadn't seen in forever. Oh yes, I saw my cousin for the first time in a year. We had like a 2-minute conversation, but it was so good to see him. Let me tell ya, Irizarry genes are some crazy stuff because while any missionary will tell ya the Hermanas gain weight and the Elders lose weight, we're both pretty much the same twigs. The funny part, though, is that we all started trickling into Albrook, waiting for it to turn 1:30 so we could go to Bella Vista, which meant at 1:30 the train was FLOODED with missionaries, all going to the same place. Normally on the train, it's super full, but only a handful of people get off at every stop, not 200 people. So the doors were open long enough for the majority of people to get off, but everyone was dying of laughter to see a certain Elder Irizarry with a look of panic on his face as the doors shut and took him to the next stop. The trains pass by every 2 minutes, so 5 minutes later he was back where he needed to be, but boy was it funny waving as he zoomed away.)

Icing On The Cake

We learn a lot from the scriptures. Every time I read them, I'm able to find guidance, peace, and happiness in my life. And that’s just one of the reasons that I’m here. I know you see all these pictures of me in the middle of the jungle, the mountains, in the boonies, or with food. However, those are just perks of being in this beautiful country of Panama. (Those are better perks than a free sandwich every work day). Why I’m here is because I personally have seen how the gospel of Christ changes lives. It has changed my life. The more I study and learn of Christ, our Savior, the stronger I feel his love. When I share what I’ve learned I see the change in the life of others. Nothing to me is more satisfying then being able to participate in this great work. Every single question that I have answered is like taking a slice of my favorite coconut cake. When I help others receive answers, I get a slice of that cake, and they are getting a slice of the cake. It just turns out Oprah, everyone involved gets a slice of the best cake. Right, and are you ready for the best part … 0 calories! Man, God has that recipe down. And I think that is why I enjoy the mission so much. 

1)   Because I'm developing a relationship with god through study and service.

2)   And I have seen lives touched by what we do. 

Luckily for all of us this work isn’t just limited to Panama and coconut cake. If we pray and we look for opportunities to share 'our reason to hope' wherever we are the Lord will prepare a way. I talk to a lot of missionaries who have returned back home and each one has told me about their missionary experiences in their community.

The reason I started filling out my mission papers is because one day while waiting on a bus stop some stranger came and talked to me for like less than 15 minutes. He motivated me to look at my priorities in life. He was praying and searching for a missionary experience. If he never prayed, I don't know where I would be right now. Possibly here in Panama, or possibly studying in college. But through his small, but powerful effort I have been able to touch the lives of a countless number of people. 

In Helaman 3:25-26 We read how these missionaries touched tens of thousands of people’s lives. But later on, in 3Nephi 17:25 we read that there were only 2,500 roughly who were in the church. How could that be then? Because these missionaries understood that by touching the lives of a family, generations to come would enjoy the blessings. These people would share their testimonies with their friends and families. they understood this principle.

Your effort matters. Let God guide you, your effort may seem small, but it could change the outcome of many lives and generations to come. Take heed to the spirit.

As of lately, I have been teaching a young woman who is very interested in the church. (i.e. She actually reads what we give her.) She happens to have a child with special needs and we had the chance to read with her Alma 40:23 which talks about when we are resurrected, we will have our body in a perfected form. This was a special message and she is praying and asking God if the messages we have shared with her are true. She mentioned that she has felt inner peace and is excited to learn more. So, I thank you all for your prayers.

Fun fact about Chiriqui, it has the hottest part of Panama and the Coldest. The closer you are to the Volcano Baru the colder it gets. I'm not too far away and so it has actually been a good transition from Boquete that will ease me back into the heat.

Luckily here everyone is so far that I am able to do interviews over the phone. We do travel about two times a week and we have district conference every Thursday. This last Thursday, I pulled off a wonderful lesson, but nobody was paying attention so I cut it short and we went to eat pizza. I pulled out 1 Samuel 15 and related it to exact obedience and selective obedience with the conference talk, “Good, Better, Best.” This week we will off because an Apostle will be coming to Panama.

One more thing, this week right outside of our house we were able to see a parade.  I thought you would enjoy some pictures and videos. 

My companion has taken on my cooking traits.