Service is the Way to Open Hearts

Hey everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

Truth is, in Panama almost no one celebrates Thanksgiving, and even less so on an island.  So, we just worked normal that day, and for dinner we ate some pasta.  It was different than last Thanksgiving, but I still really tried to reflect on all that the Lord has given me, and realized that I am really so blessed.

This last week, we tried to work really hard again, after seeing all the success we had last week.  It was a little tough this week, because a lot of our investigators we had planned throughout the week weren't home, or didn't want to listen to us. We really tried to give it our best effort, and at the end of the week we did have success!  Our baptism didn't go through, but we did baptize an 8 year old from a
member family that we had been teaching, so it was great to see another of God's children enter the waters of baptism and make sacred covenants.

Hermano U has progressed a ton!  He gave a talk in church yesterday about overcoming weaknesses. He used to be a drug addict, and he loves sharing his story with people about how the gospel has changed his life.  He is a big help to us, because a lot of the people out here drink or do drugs, and it is a blessing to have someone who has overcome those things through the atonement.

We got to use our machetes this last week, so that was awesome!  I have come to learn that service is the way to open peoples' hearts to the gospel.  Like when Ammon went to King Lamoni and offered to be his servant first, then after the king saw the power and influence he had, he allowed Ammon to preach to him.  That is definitely a good way to find investigators here, because everyone works in the mountains and always needs help.

I will be getting a new companion this Saturday.  President told us that Elder J will have changes. It is sad, because we have seen a lot of success together and worked really hard, but he did his job here. My new companion has to be a gringo, because the Sylas here don't like Latins and won't them live on the island, so I am pretty excited to see who it is!  I am also a little nervous though, I just hope my new companion will be as obedient as Elder Jensen was!  I know the Lord will send the island and I exactly who we need to grow.

On Friday we are officially starting Operation Christmas:  SectorCity, when we go into the city for the Christmas zone conference. We will commence phase: Little Caesars on Friday night, because the first
Little Caesars in the country just got finished!  It is gonna be quantum!

Well, I don't have much more time.  I am glad you all had a good thanksgiving! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Austin Michael Kipp