Elder Jakob Lutze: Semana 107 (Dog is Delicious!)

Buenas!

This week was super crazy! Basically everything in the mission went spiraling out of control. The entire week we were just trying to keep things held together.

First I went with Elder Ferrin in La Arena! He is a new missionary, but he is super awesome! The whole day he was trying to contact and talk to people. We weren't having much success, but then we found a golden family. We taught the restoration, and the spirit was so, so strong in the lesson! It was amazing!

Then I went with Elder Jewkes in Arraijan 2. Another crazy miracle happened! We were looking for a young man that had gone to church recently. We literally had no idea where he lived. As the day went on we felt impressed to contact this one house. Two ladies came out, so we talked a bit, and then asked if we could share something. Right as we were about to share the message, a kid came running up the hill. It was the kid we were looking for!

It turned out we were at his house and were about to teach his mom and his mom's cousin. So, we taught all 3, invited them to be baptized, and they all said yes! Huge miracle!

Then I went with Elder Flores in Pacora. More miracles!

I went to Pedregal with Elder Dorman. He is also pretty new, but it's always fun to watch new missionaries try their hardest!

I went with Elder Olsen in Tocumen.

I went with Elder Crockett in the 24 B. Also a new missionary! Honestly the new missionaries are so awesome! They are such good missionaries!

We bought Salchipapas, and they were delicious!

Then we went to the Tocumen stake conference! After that, I went with Elder Japa in 24 A. We had a good day! But my favorite part is the fact that his comp is Tongan. Elder Vainoka!

He is so funny! He doesn't speak much English or Spanish, but he just shouts out random phrases! It's so funny! I'm proud of the fact that, at lunch, I beat him! I ate faster than a Tongan! Also, there is a story here in Panama about Tongan missionaries. The story goes that one day they cooked and ate dog at the beach! There haven't been Tongan missionaries since in Panama. Elder Vainoka is the first in years! He makes me laugh a lot because he talks a ton about how tasty dogs are! I died laughing when we saw a really fat dog, and Elder Vainoka started licking his lips. He is just a big and happy guy.

Today was fun too! We played a game called Padel. Then chilled with a bunch of missionaries in the mission at President's house. It was a fun Pday!

As far as the whole mission being a mess thing goes, to sum it up ~ half the mission is apostate, 4 missionaries are going home early, and one of the zone leaders in the heaviest zone got sick. It's been kind of a rough week. So we have been doing a bunch of CPECs in the mornings which means waking up at 4:30 every morning, and because of traveling we don't get to bed until about 12 each night.

It's safe to say, we are tired. But there's a scripture I love in Doctrine and Covenants that I have really seen in my mission.

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

I truly have seen that when we magnify our callings and do what God wants, that He will bless us with the energy and power to do it! There's a lot of days I'm tired, but when I go to work to fulfill my calling, I feel a renewal of energy!

Anyways. Love you all lots! Keep praying for me and my mission! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze