17 Marzo 2014

Dear Family!
I'm really not sure how to describe the experiences that I've had this
past week in an email, but I'll do my best. I am loving it here on
Carti Tupile! I especially love teaching seminary. I wasn't sure about
it when I first got told that we were the teachers, but it's turned
out to be one of my favorite things.
So early this week we went and visited one of our surrounding islands,
Sugdup (soo-e-doop) (the rule is if you can see it it's in your area)
We met lots of interesting people there. While walking past an
abandoned and lsightly torn down building we saw a man in cut-off
shorts, no shirt, and long hair sitting on one of the high concrete
slabs while playing Zelda music on his harmonica. We asked him what he
was doing. He told us that he was waiting for his shirt to dry because
he had spent the last 30 minutes trying to swim from the other island
because he couldn't find a boat. He finally arrived, but apparently it
is frowned upon to walk around the streets without a shirt (odd
because kuna children often run around naked).
We also made friends with a 21 year old Colombian who is traveling up
the coast of Panama selling food supplies with 6 other Colombians. We
actually talked to him for almost an hour and a half about the gospel.
It was a really interesting experience. He invited us to Colombia, but
we told him that we'd have to take a rain-check :) We eventually made
it back to Tupile.
They say that the mother of invention is necessity. I would definitely
agree, but I would say that laziness and boredom play a large part in
it as well :) San Blas inspires a sense of improvisation and
ingenuity. My companion tells me that I was made to be a San Blas
missionary because I've come up with a few silly little things
already. Here's a list of a few of them: I created an entertaining
balance game with a tin can and a board, we are now able to switch the
lamp off without getting down from our high-hanging hammocs, I've
created an easier system for brushing our teeth (that one is still in
progress because it can be difficult if the wind is strong), and I've
booby-trapped a few areas of the church where some thieves were
sneaking in :)
I'm not really sure what else to say about the island, there's so much
because it's such a unique experience. If anybody has specific
questions let me know and I'll answer them.
As I said before, the majority of the island are members, but the
majority is also completely inactive. There are a few people who are
not members who we are working with. One of them is a young man who
multiple companionships have tried teaching, but have never had much
luck. He's friendly, but doesn't seem incredibly willing to sit down
and talk about the gospel. He also has a huge drinking problem.
Hermana Dawson and I have both had strong impressions that we should
try to work with him this change. The large drinking problem can be
slightly intimidating. However, I've learned that those who have to
really apply the gospel, especially the principles of faith and
repentance, prior to baptism are those who become truly converted to
the gospel. I see a lot of potential in him and am excited to work
with him!
I love you all so much! Thank you for all of your support! Make it a
wonderful week :)
Go Forward With Faith!
Hermana Niscua (my official Kuna name, meaning ''star'')