Elder Jakob Lutze: Semana 37 (Farewell San Felix!)

Buenas!!

What an amazing last week of the transfer! This week we had Zone Conference! This means that Pday was a Super Pday! Basically the other zone (Changinola) came to our zone and we had a big massive Pday together. It was so lit! We played basketball, soccer, spikeball, and volleyball. I got to see lots of my friends, and the Latinos made Mexican food for everyone! Y'all missed out that's for sure.

The next day we had Zone Conference. I love Zone conference so much! Friends, food, and lots of revelation! They also asked me to sing at the last minute... But it was a super good day! Panama had the goal of 150 baptisms in the month of April. Then they changed the goal to 186. Well, in the month of April, we had 142 baptisms! We may not have reached the goal, but 142 souls saved is a huge miracle! This truly is the Lord's work!

The next day we had intercambios. It was good! Nothing too exciting happened.

But, the next day was amazing! We had dinner with La Familia HoHosh. They knew it was the last week of the transfer, and boy oh boy did they spoil us. They fed us roast beef, potatoes and gravy, a smoothie of mango and pineapple. Wow, it was good! The most American Meal I've had here in Panama. Then they also took us to the beach! So so so pretty!! Sadly we aren't allowed to swim... but it was still so much fun! Got to feel the breeze, smell the fresh air, enjoy the sunset, and be with HoHosh. 10/10 for sure!

Mountain day was good as always! La Familia Sanchez wanted to do stuff with us before the transfers ended. So, we just spent some good quality time with them. We talked, listened to music, ate food, and just had a good ol' party. It was lots of fun! Honestly, all the members here are kinda just like family to us.

Well, Sunday pulled up and we had a super good testimony meeting! The Bishop came for the second time in all of my 3 months here. After church, we went to do the sacrament in the jungle. And that was super good! Everyone refused to say bye to me because they think and want me to stay for at least another 6 months. But, I said bye to my friend William and we both started crying a bit. We were not 100% sure if I would be leaving or not, but the answer was most likely yes. Then Sunday night it was confirmed.

I'm headed off to Penonomé B, Chitre! I'm super excited! My new comp is Elder Garrett! Not sure what the area is like or what Elder Garrett is like. But, I'm excited for a new adventure! I love and will miss San Félix a lot. I am so grateful for my time there. Wish me luck in my new area!

I don't have much time, so the thought will be quick. In the Zone Conference, President said lots of missionaries are sad. He drew a picture of arrows pointing in at a sad person and then arrows pointing away from a happy person. This is to say that when we focus on ourselves we are sad and when we focus on others we are happy. Now it's not a bad thing to focus on ourselves a bit. But ultimately when we focus on others and helping them, we don't see our own problems as harshly, and we are happy. We don't make things worse by focusing in on our problems I should say. Well this reminded of a BYU speech that talks about Christ's ability to turn outward. No matter what the circumstance, Christ turned outward in love towards others. He suffered intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane, then literally healed a dude's ear. He always was focused on others in love. This is a short explanation of this, sorry. But, ultimately I believe that if Christ was perfect that would mean that He had a perfect joy. That He was perfectly happy. And the same is promised to us if we follow His example. So turn outward people! Think of others and help others and I promise you'll be happier!

Love you all! Have a great week! Pray for me lots! And my new area!! Penonomé B!! Until next week!

- E. Lutze