Well, this last
week we went on an impanga panga adventure. We took a boat from Ustupu (our
island) to Carti Tupile (the port) and back again. I think I got a better idea
of the location of the different islands. Carti Tupile, Nargana, Tikantiki (strong water) aka Niadup
(Devil island), Isla Tigre, Ukupa (Large beach), Irigandi aka Golebier
(Hermitcrab) Playon Chico, San Ignasiotupile, Achutupu (Dog island),
Mamitupu, Ustupu (Neke Island) /Ogopsukun (Coconut beach). There are like 48 islands in this area and these are just the ones I remember. The ones underlined are the ones missionaries are on. We are the zone leaders and were responsible for taking all the missionaries from the islands back to the port and bring the new missionaries from the port to the islands, along with all their food they got at Price Smart (off brand Costco). Because we have opened three new areas on the islands, we showed them their
area and where they will live. The entire trip was a total of twelve hours in
a boat, and the captain of this boat invited us into his house to eat Dule Massi. Its the typical
banana soup that we eat, but this time instead of using bananas he did it with Yuka (Potatoes) with picante, and lemon. It was hands down the best I’ve ever had and actually
enjoyable. I could actually eat that on a daily basis.This week we had to
clean out the house of the other Elders that left the island of Ustupu where we are. I stayed here
with Elder Dudley, while Elder Burke went to Irigandi, and Elder Nelson went to
Playon Chico. We had the choice to pick which house to keep, which duh... was the
bigger house. But cleaning up the other house was a pain. We did get some
leftover cans of chicken from that hut and then we ordered Pop tarts at Price Smart, so we will eat
like kings.
So as I have once
stated, the Kuna natives here have their own culture which is awesome and I love
it. One thing to know is that they don't like anything that attacks their culture in anyway. So, we
have to be very careful with our words, because some don’t accept that the Book
of Mormon talks about them or their grandparents, because the stories are a
little bit different in the Book of Mormon and they feel attacked. I just say they have similar stories just sprinkled with a little bit of apostasy.
Anyways, they have a popular story of a 'prophet' who came down from the
heavens and taught the people 'the Kuna culture'. But this week we found
someone who just accepted the message de una vez. We explained the Book of
Mormon was a written history of the ancient indigenous Americans. She begins to tell us that, "we just tell story mouth to mouth for generations. I tell the stories to
my kids, like my grandparents told me. But we haven’t had anything written
ever. That’s what we're missing!" So, we open up the scriptures and explain that the highlight
of the Book of Mormon was when Jesus Christ came down from heaven to teach the
people. And then she states, "that sounds just like Ibeorgun! The prophet who came
down and taught us..." and this time she didn’t like most people say
"taught us our culture: how to sow, how to hunt, or how to farm".
Instead she said … "he taught us all the beautiful things in life. How to
Pray, How to serve, How to do all good things." It was the first time I've ever
seen someone so receptive about it. Normally, if they accept the Book of
Mormon, they think it’s not their story. But Flor was different, she was prepared.
We gave her the Book of Mormon and she currently is reading it and can't get
enough.
While being on this island for a couple of months, I have been walking and talking with the same people that have lived here for years who have accepted or rejected the missionaries their entire
lives. I've learned how to trust in the Lord more as I've seen how the Lord
touches the heart of these people. One of my recent baptisms, had rejected the
church for the last 25+ years of his life. His entire family are members, his
kids are members and his great grandparents are members. And they are all
neighbors. But for whatever reason, when we came he was ready. I couldn’t have
explained that in any other way then the hand of the Lord. The Lord prepares
his people, its not my work or will, but His will and His time. God knows each
one of us personally.
Also, on a lighter
note my list of unique foods I have eaten is growing; this week I ate iguana eggs and shark!!!