Semana 84

Dear Elder Lutze, 

I’m listening to The Lamb of God! I love ‘I Know This Man.” Easter Sunday was amazing!!! Both the music and the words spoken! 

Rachael was commissioned into the Air Force on Friday while we watched and Michelle Howell recorded it. I can’t believe she starts school next month!

Hannah’s baby shower was awesome! Shout out to Cami Natalie and Rachael!!! They did a great job! We enjoyed yummy food and fun games. Natalie hid 100 little babies in the house-find 10 for a prize! Surgery postponed until Wednesday. She can tell you the story tmr. 

Natalie works all the time. She’s moving

this summer to save money to move to Oregon. She’s starting massage school in the fall. 

Rachael, Dad, and I went to the Manti temple open house yesterday! The most special part was when the usher allowed us to go back to the Emerald room where Dad and I were sealed 30 years ago this month! I felt the Spirit so strong and thought about who was present! I started to cry and then we were all crying! So so grateful for the temple!!

Easter egg hunts yesterday and today! So fun!!! Diver and Hunter had a blast with their bubble blowing gun!!! 

Love you!!!! He is risen!

 Mom

Living Water is Truth Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified the source of living water: “The Lord provides the living water that can quench the burning thirst of those whose lives are parched by a drought of truth. He expects us to supply to them the fulness of the gospel by giving them the scriptures and the words of the prophets and to bear personal testimony as to the truth of the restored gospel to alleviate their thirst. When they drink from the cup of gospel knowledge, their thirst is satisfied as they come to understand our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 23; or Ensign, May 1995, 19). 2 Nephi 22:3 ​Therefore, with joy shall ye draw ​​​water​ out of the wells of salvation. 

Semana 83 (Banana Drug Deal)

Buenas!!

I hope everyone is doing well! And that y'all had a good week!

One of the biggest highlights this week is that I got a Chiquita shirt! All the workers go to the Banana Fields with their Chiquita shirts. So I've been asking every person I see wearing one, where I can get my own. We met a random guy, and when I asked him my favorite question he left for about 3 minutes. When he came back, I had a brand new shirt! I was so hyped!

We did a Book of Mormon jeopardy in District Council which was super fun!

As a zone we also played a game called "Bang!" It's a card/dice game. Basically I was the bad guy, trying to kill the Sheriff. The funny thing was that some Elders weren't completely sure how to play. So me, just playing my role, took advantage and tricked them all into killing the Sheriff, even though they were his deputies. Most of you are probably really confused now, but it was really funny!

I helped make la masa de maíz. Basically I spun a machine to smash up some corn.

I made a banana drug deal! A guy came up to us all suspiciously and asked "Hey, hey you. Need some bananas? I can get you some"

We replied saying, "Yea we need bananas, how many?"

He said, "I can get you as many as you need." 

Off he went! We were still in the area working, and about 2 hours later our friend returned. He had a TON of bananas!!

"How much?", we asked.

"A dollar", he replied

We gave him a dollar, got our bananas, and walked our separate ways. Honestly, we aren't really sure where he got the bananas. It was funny though because this guy genuinely acts like a drug dealer, but with bananas.

We had exchanges with Almirante. I went with Elder De Leon! It was an odd, but very good experience! He is 26 years old! But we had a really good day!

Puré de Guineo is DISGUSTING!! I highly recommend staying far away from that.

Saw a huge tree full of Marañon!!

ISMAEL GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! It was such a good day! I'm super happy for him! He is super special!! And he was so happy!

We traveled yesterday to David! My bed is my hammock, and it's awesome! Something I love about Panama is that everyone always uses hammocks! So why not us too?

DC 6:33 "Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward."

I feel that the scripture speaks for itself! But it's so true! When we sow good, we reap good! That good being love, more faith, the Spirit, etc. Blessings from God! Temporal as well as spiritual! So don't be afraid to do something good today! However big or small it be, the reward will be good!

Anyways. Love you all lots! Have a great week! Keep praying for my zone and my people! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze

A Barn?

Banana Drug Deal

Ismael's Baptism

Marañon

Chiquita Banana Shirt with or without the Hat?

Pure de Guineo Disgusting!

Spider in the Sink

Splits with E. De Leon

Semana 83

Elder Lutze, 

How was Finca 30 this week? We pray all is going well with your companion and your area. This past week was the usual crazy! Monday I worked just a few hours and then took Scott's mom (Valine) out for lunch to "Cravings" for her birthday. That evening Dad and I went out with the Hayes, Roetkers, and Hansens to the Market Street Grill. We enjoyed the company but not the food.

Tuesday was work and an activity with the YW on family history. Super fun BINGO game. Wednesday work and Tasha came over for a good chat. Thursday, Hannah and I attended a RS activity! We learned about how to focus on our thoughts to make them more positive. Friday we interviewed for the educator position to replace my co-educator Amanda who stepped down from the role. It was quite the ride, but I'm confident we found the right person. 

Saturday, Hannah and I went through her room and cleared it out. I'm sending everything that's hers with them when they move. We then went out in the afternoon to celebrate her birthday early since I will be gone to Europe and they will be moving shortly after to Texas. We had a great time buying clothes for her and the baby. We ate dinner at Chili's.

It's crazy Spring weather - snow, sleet, rain today. Super surreal to see the Argyle's at church today. They left for Ben's mission right after you left and they are already home!!!

I've been thinking a lot today about the holy week! Today is Palm Sunday! I have plans to make it a more holy week and ponder the Atonement of my Savior. Here are some of my thoughts today...

The Living Christ

I love these 3 phrases from the Living Christ. "None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived or will yet live upon the Earth. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." I wanted to share with you my love for this document. I've wept many times in my car as I've memorized it. The Living Christ increased my gratitude for my Savior and my understanding of His love for me. For me personally, the opportunity to recite it in the Garden of Gethsemane is one I will never forget. 

The Sacrament

As you know, there were many Sundays that I was at work since I worked every other weekend. I really missed partaking of the Sacrament and my week was different. When they finally allowed us to partake at work, I was so grateful. I could see the difference in my life. Elder Bednar taught, “This do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19) is what our Savior asked when He instituted … the sacrament. This ordinance with bread and water renews sacred covenants we have made with God and invites the power of the Atonement into our lives. We are healed by abandoning the habits and lifestyles that harden hearts and stiffen necks. When we lay down “the weapons of [our] rebellion” (Alma 23:7), we become “agents unto [ourselves]” (D&C 58:28), no longer blinded by the sophistry of Satan or deafened by the discordant noise of the secular world. 

Remember  (The most important word in the scriptures)

• Remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important doctrine we can study. Helaman taught his sons the words of King Benjamin “… remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ …” Hel 5:9
• Remember our Covenants Elder Bednar taught, "…As we are yoked with Him through sacred covenants and receive the enabling power of His Atonement in our lives, we increasingly will seek to understand and live according to His will. We also will pray for the strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14). We will be blessed with spiritual traction." 
• Remember our weaknesses bring the blessings of knowing Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul taught, "… my strength (Christ’s strength) is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." THINK ABOUT THIS ONE!
• Remember to Receive and Rejoice in the Atonement We read in D&C 88:33 “For what doth it profit a man if a gift (the Atonement) is bestowed upon him, and he receives not the gift (the Atonement)? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift (Jesus Christ).” At the beginning of this Holy Week, I want you to know I know my Savior lives. I know Him. I love Him. I rejoice in Him, my Savior Jesus Christ!!!

I love you!

 Mom

Semana 82 (Banana Port)

Buenas!!

*We taught our friend Ismael a few times this week which was good! He is still going strong on his baptism goal! Funny enough, he came to 2 random lessons with us just because he wanted to!

*We saw 2 people being real sus. So we walked over and gave them a law of chastity pamphlet! Then we proceeded to talk to them about God, the church, and what we do! I don't think I've ever seen two 17 year olds feel so uncomfortable before 

*CPEC!!!! Lets goooooooo!! The early mornings continue!! We went over to Empalme and spent the morning with the Elders there, and it was a good time!

*We got what is called a "Duritico." It was DELICIOUS! It was a key lime pie flavor! It's kinda just flavored ice, but better! Not really sure how to describe it other than just delicious!

*Went to go try and get a member to come to a lesson with us. He said "No, I have to catch a chicken to give it medicine."

So we were like, "Just come to the lesson for 15 minutes, we need another man to be there."

And he was like, "No, I gotta catch the chicken!"

He was being super lame honestly. But then we were like "Fine. We will catch the chicken, and then you won't have an excuse!"

So we proceeded to chase a chicken for 10 minutes. But I caught it! By some miracle we were able to get the chicken! Then we had an awesome lesson, and put our friend on date to be baptized!

*Theres a new place here called "Barriada Invasion.'' Basically, a bunch of Ngabes stole land from a guy and now everyone is building their tiny little houses out of anything they can find. It's quite interesting!

*Exchanges with Elder Hulme! Such a fun time! I went to Almirante! Saw the Banana Port! I got to do some baptismal interviews as well which was fun! Overall a fun day!

*Everyone looks for excuses not to go to church. We ask everyone "What are you doing on Sunday?"

They respond, "Nothing."

We say, "Great! We have church at 9! You're invited! Will you come?"

They give 1 of 2 responses

Response 1: "I can't promise anything, because if I promise and then don't go, that makes me look bad."

I mean, you could promise and then complete the promise!

Response 2: "I'll go if nothing else comes up."

If they aren't doing anything, they look for any reason not to come! It is just a really sad mindset. We shouldn't look for reasons not to go to church. We should in fact look for EVERY reason to go to church.

So after hearing those responses about a million times this week, we were very grateful to have some friends come to church on Sunday!

Anyways. Love you all lots! Keep praying for my people and my zone! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze

Barriada Invasion

Broken - Too Much Use?

Chiquita Banana Decoration

CPECs with E. Hulme

Delicious Duritico!

We love our bananas!

A Pack of Dogs

I'm in heaven... Duriticos!!!

Semana 82

 Dear Elder Lutze, 

We've been praying for you, your companion, and your zone.  We hope all is well in Chiquitaville!  Life here was a little crazy this week. I had just finished packing on Thursday morning when Sonia called to say the funeral was cancelled. Apparently the passes and airports were closed and it was still snowing. The funeral is now on April 26th. Rachael and I will miss it. We will be in Europe. I mostly worked this week trying to catch up. Rachael came over Thursday night and we had a girls' weekend. We watched chick flicks, she took me out for my birthday to a yummy pasta place called Basta. We all went to the Tracy Aviary on Saturday. It sure has changed since I used to take you guys in the summer. Spring is coming! You can feel it in the air! Rachael starts school at the beginning of May and the McBrides are moving in two months. I'm sure going to miss them! We'll help them move at the beginning of May. Natalie works like crazy at both jobs. It sounds like she'll be starting massage therapy school in September.

Love,

 Mom

My thought… one of my favorite scriptures on Jesus Christ!

2 Nephi 25:26

President Gordon B. Hinckley noted that knowledge gained through the Restoration allows us to truly rejoice in our Savior: “As a Church we have critics, many of them. They say we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity. There is some substance to what they say. Our faith, our knowledge is not based on ancient tradition, the creeds which came of a finite understanding and out of the almost infinite discussions of men trying to arrive at a definition of the risen Christ. Our faith, our knowledge comes of the witness of a prophet in this dispensation who saw before him the great God of the universe and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. They spoke to him. He spoke with Them. He testified openly, unequivocally, and unabashedly of that great vision. It was a vision of the Almighty and of the Redeemer of the world, glorious beyond our understanding but certain and unequivocating in the knowledge which it brought. It is out of that knowledge, rooted deep in the soil of modern revelation, that we, in the words of Nephi, ‘talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that [we and] our children may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins’ (2 Nephi 25:26)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 107–8; or Ensign, May 2002, 90–91).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles connected rejoicing in Jesus Christ with the mandate to obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel: “My greatest thrill and the most joyful of all realizations is that I have the opportunity, as Nephi phrased it, to ‘talk of Christ, … rejoice in Christ, … preach of Christ, [and] prophesy of Christ’ (2 Nephi 25:26) wherever I may be and with whomever I may find myself until the last breath of my life is gone. Surely there could be no higher purpose or greater privilege than that of ‘special [witness] of the name of Christ in all the world’ (D&C 107:23). “But my greatest anxiety stems from that very same commission. A line of scripture reminds us with searing understatement that ‘they which preach the gospel should live … the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 9:14). Beyond my words and teachings and spoken witness, my life must be part of that testimony of Jesus. My very being should reflect the divinity of this work. I could not bear it if anything I might ever say or do would in any way diminish your faith in Christ, your love for this church, or the esteem in which you hold the holy apostleship” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 39–40; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 31). 26 ​And we ​​​talk​ of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ​​​prophesy​ of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ​​​children​ may know to what source they may look for a ​​​remission​ of their sins. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25?id=p26&lang=eng#p26

Semana 81 (Banana Plane)

Buenas!!

Started the week off with leadership conference! It was a lot of fun! Afterwards we got on a bus at 5:30 PM, and got home at 6:30 AM. It was kinda tough to figure out what day it was 

Had a "Tarde de Grupo" on Wednesday! It was fun! Just a simple Come Follow Me lesson given by the coolest missionaries of Banana Town.

Miracle Moment! We went to teach a friend of ours, but it was just her and her mom alone, which meant we couldn't teach them. So we quickly called a member, and they dropped everything they were doing and rushed over to the lesson! We then had a very spiritual lesson in which the member helped a lot! We were then able to put our friends on date to get baptized! The member literally saved the day!

Everyday we get to see the Banana Plane flying around! So that's pretty fun! What's funny is that the plane is yellow and blue which are the colors of the Banana Monopoly Company!

Ok, this next part I don't say to be rude. But just to explain what my experience is like with all the Ngäbes. It's like we are teaching Cavemen! It feels like I'm losing brain cells whenever I teach! They somehow just have an off button in their brain which causes them to just stare off into space. We have to ask them a question 5 times just for a simple "Yes" or "No." Or even a nod!

Example. Based on a true story.

Missionaries: "Hey! Do you like to read?"

Ngäbe: ...................

Missionaries: "Hey! You! Yes you! Hey! Over here! Do you like to read?"

Ngäbe: .......20 seconds later........ "Yes"

Missionaries: "Great! Here's a pamphlet!!!"

Proceeds to wait 10 seconds before taking it. Grabs it. And instead of reading it, starts smelling it! She was smelling it as if she was reading through her nose!! It was hilarious!!

The Ngäbes are honestly super funny to interact with! I love them to death! They just require a wee bit of patience sometimes. Which I'm honestly not the greatest with, but I guess God wants me to learn!

*Made another rock fire 

*Got more Yaniqueque 

*I was fed literally a MOUNTAIN of rice. Took me almost an hour to eat it all!

*Saw a funny looking chicken. It was just kind of a fluff ball.

*We get big gross spiders in our house all the time....but they dont bite! I think...

*We got big giant chiquita banana inflatables!

*Invited EVERYONE to church! Every living soul we saw, we invited.

*We saw a HUGE pile of bananas! Literally massive!! 

*We taught our friend Angel! He's a slave... well an indentured servant. But he will prolly get baptized! He's super awesome!

Another Miracle Moment! 4 of our friends came to church! It was super awesome! And even better was that the attendance in church was 40 people! It may not sound like a whole ton, but for a tiny group like this, that is a lot! We barely fit in the house! It was so awesome!

Spiritual Thought

I love D&C 4:3

"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;"

All we need is a desire to serve God! A desire to help others. A desire to love others. A desire to follow God. Every single thing we can ever do starts with a desire. So we must let that desire work inside us! To bring us to action! If you have a desire to serve God and others, think of ways to do so! Then do it! We don't have to be perfect. We just need to have a desire, and then work towards fulfilling that desire.

Through faith, hope, charity, love, and an eye single to the glory of God, He qualifies us to do His work.

After all, His work shall be done by the weak and simple. And that's what we are!

So if you have a good desire to do something. Whatever it may be. Serve a mission, draw yourself closer to God, serve a friend, etc. Let that desire work in you until it brings you to action!

Love you all lots! Have a great week! Keep praying for my people! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze

The biggest pile of bananas we've ever seen!

The 'Fluff Ball' Chicken

More Joni Cakey!

Wow, that's heavy!

Our Chiquita inflatable bananas

Spider control with hairspray and a lighter

The Chiquita Banana Plane - yes, it's blue and yellow!