September 16, 2013
Zone Conference –
Elder Ochoa
Yo family!
It is good to hear
from you all, and that you are all doing so well!
This past week has
been good. It has been hot and sweaty,
but it has been good! We are rewarded for
doing hard things! I have begun to
recognize the hand of the Lord in my life much more, especially with the gift
of tongues. Sometimes I still feel like
I have learned nothing of Spanish here, but when I look back on it, I can
understand pretty much everything, and I have learned so much since I got to
Panama. My comp speaks fluently already,
and he has taught me a ton! I can
communicate with pretty much anyone, now it is just words here and there that
throw me off. Everyone here tells me I
speak better than any other gringo that has come, and I am learning more every
day.
We had a Zone Conference this past Friday at
the chapel by the temple, with six zones. Elder Ochoa from the Seventy came, and spoke
to us. He is the second counselor in the
Central America Area Presidency. He
spoke to us about obedience, because this mission has a reputation for being a
bit disobedient. He told us about when he was a mission president in San Pedro
Sula, Honduras. When he got there, Preach
my Gospel had just come out, and the mission was baptizing about seventy to
eighty people a month. He decided to
start implementing Preach my Gospel immediately, and changing some rules that
the last president had, to make the mission more obedient to the mission rules
set forth by the church. After his three
years as president, the mission was baptizing 435 people a month, and it is
still one of the most successful missions in Central America. He is trying to teach President Carmack his
methods and implement them to this mission. It was a good spiritual conference,
and I can tell a big change is about to come over the mission!
So, I got one package
this last week with some pictures and the drivers license information. There is
no way I can get that form back in time, but I won’t need to drive for two
years, so it doesn’t really matter to me right now. The pictures are great, mom
you look so different! In a good way, of
course! I will check with the AP's again
at changes about my package, and I should be sending a letter that day too. As
for the Christmas tree, I most likely will not get it, but I am not sure. Package
rules here are kind of strict. There are not set rules, but the ladies are strict
with what they will let pass or not. But,
we will just have to see! Also, about
the Christmas in Panama, I think it is a great idea, but it is not a good idea
as a missionary to do it. Missionaries are not supposed to give anything to
people, especially money or anything of value, just the gospel. It has been done before, and ended badly. Sorry, I was excited for it too, but I have
been advised not to do it.
So, Andy got the
priesthood this last week! He was ordained to the office of priest, and
it is good to see him taking the next step in the gospel to grow closer to the
Savior! He is truly progressing a lot,
and I think he wants to serve a mission! It would be great for him to go out and share
his love of the gospel with others. He could be a blessing in the lives of so
many people! Well, time is running
short. Thanks for everything you do for
me, praying, fasting, everything! I love
you all, and I can’t wait to hear back from you next week!
Love,
Elder Austin Michael
Kipp
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