Dos Mil #4 "Questions Answered!"

No time to write a letter so here are some things:

We are reading the Book of Mormon as a mission and I think the family should join! Take 30 min each day and really read. This week is  Alma 1-2, Alma 3=4, Alma 5, Alma 6-7, Alma 8-9, Alma 10, Alma 11-12

We caught a rat (it's the pic with the blender... It was the first heavy thing we grabbed haha) and the Elders had to come kill it,cuz we were not gonna touch that thing! Then we caught another one, but when we saw it in the morning, it was like a crime scene with blood and guts everywhere. Not sure how that happened. We named them Mickey and Minnie.

Everyone here is super scared when I pop my ankles haha. It's a super hard habit to fix, but neccesary cuz nobody likes it!

This week I read about Abinadi and he is actually amazing. So bold! He is exactly the kind of missionary I want to be! I hope I can look to him as an example and find my courage to teach like he did.

We also have three more baptismal dates!! One of our guys fell through because he forgot to tell us he needs to get married first :( but he is still coming to church and things so yaya!

Love you all!!

Hermana Hallsted

Mom: What is the name of your branch or ward?? I still don't know where you are! Can you show on the map?

Haley: Arrajaihan Panama Stake the #4... Do you see the little Dos Mil Ward?? That is my ward!!

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Do you feel like you eat enough food there? Or do you feel like you're starving? they have 2 sizes of meals here: super size, and SUPER SIZE. They literally stuff me with rice, I am getting way fat. Haha not really, but I feel like I eat enough for 5 people.

Do you guys take public transportation anywhere? Or is it mostly just walking and getting rides? we walk always in our area, but when we have to go somewhere else we either take the bus or a taxi. Everyone drives insane, it's a little nutz.

What is your church building like? big and white and absolutely beautiful! I have the coolest area!

Have you gotten to play the piano yet? No one here knows how, so I should be, but the chorister likes to sing the first line of the song for everybody, so I just don't play. Also no one can sing. It's so funny! But they are all so cute because even if they dont know the song, they will sing. Everyone here loves to sing!!

Dos Mil Panama #3: "got rats?"

Hola Familia! 

And Beunas Tardes! I can't believe everyone started school this week! And Herm is in Highschool, whaaat?? Can't wait to join everyone at UVU in a year and a half! Actually today is my 2 month anniversary! I only have 16 months left, can you believe it?!

This week has been really fun! Earlier this week, we found a new investigator named Miguel who loves to speak English. Well, he loves to try haha. I usually don't understand a word, so I usually just say, "sounds great!". Actually everyone here loves to try to talk to me in English. It's really funny because they all only know the same things from what they've learned in elementary haha. I love it. Anyways, Miguel is a really positive investigator who is really interested and the members are awesome at being friends with him! 

Next week we have a baptism for Emiliano and a cool story: we asked him to pray as a commitment and he said we would and my comp asked him (totally inspired from the Spirit) if he believed he could receive an answer and feel the Spirit. And he said no. So I asked him (totally inspired from the Spirit) why he wants to be baptized. And he said "I don't know. It's what I know I should do." And I told him that the Spirit is telling him that it is right and he stayed silent for a minute and said, "Oh". And now he is very positive about baptism and I have so much hope for him!!

Also this week I went on splits with Hermana Hardinger and it was the best day ever and all in English. I loved a break from the constant Spanish haha! Also we got lost in the jungle. We were walking down a road that ended and because we were talking didn't notice we were actually walking through a little river. We looked around and realized we had no clue where we were or where the road was. So we prayed, chose a direction, and walked. We came upon a random cabin and some random guy lives there by himself. He showed us a little trail he made for himself to get back to the main road. So we taught him a lesson, got the yes come again, and got out of there. It was awesome! And perfect timing because it started to pour as soon as we found the road. Thank goodness we were not it in the Jungle!

Also this week, we found out we have rats. And they stink. They keep chewing up our pamphlets and keep us up at night because we can hear them walking around in the ceiling. We bought rat poison and they ate it all, but they're still just as alive as ever. We call them Mickey Mouse. My comp says it with the cutest accent haha! We also like to blame all our problems on them. No lights "Ugh it is because Mickey Mouse is ponchetta (disobedient)" no water "ugh it is because Mickey Mouse drank it all" it is so fun to make the best out of a bad situation!

Oh and speaking of bad situations, we can only teach lessons at the church after 6 pm now. Because I am white, people here think I am really rich and really beautiful. So the Zone leaders decided it was safer for us to not be out contacting. It really stinks because it will slow down the work, but I know there will be a lot more blessings! 

Anyways, I have learned a lot about the Spirit and I know that teaching by the Spirit is the only way to teach. God knows way more about His children than I do, for sure! I really do love the work. I love Panamanian people and I love the Lord. No matter what you think you know, the Lord still loves you. No matter what you look like or how far you have fallen, the Lord will always love you. He loves us so much, that he gave us a way to return to Him. Stay strong in Him!

Love,

Hermana Hallsted

Extra stuff she wrote to mom...

oh and people keep robbing me, and men are dumb (Not sure what this means but you can bet I'll ask her next time!)

oh most important... i had a dream you sold Phoebe. Please please do not sell my dog!!!!! mucho gracias:

Do people drink water there or is it just soda and juice mostly?

Mostly juice (chicha). hardly ever soda. only like 2 times since I've been here.

I asked about her ward/branch

Hola! Our ward is really big! Probably around 50 members, and there are plenty of less actives, but not as many as i thought. I don't understand anything and they don't translate, haha. but the past two days, something has been changing. I can start to have conversations with people because I am finally starting to understand a lot! We do work very close to the ward. The members are key around here, because nobody comes unless they feel like they have a friend.

Did you hear much about the Olympics? Didn't see any athletes from Panama really! Haha

there is only one person from panama in the olympics. His name is ANdre something, he is a runner and ran with usane bolt and everyone here is so proud it is all they talk about haha

Dos Mil, Panama #2 "Spiders, and Mosquitoes, and Dogs... Oh my!!"

Baptisms, Jose and Maykel, the gringo is Elder Tanner, in my district and the other is Hermano Anthony, Ward mission leader

Dinner with the most amazing converts in the world. They've been members for almost a month! Also my first meal that isn't rice and chicken haha!

So spiders don't really do anything to us! So that's all good! All the spiders are like that and some freaking fly. Like the huge ones can. It's really just jumping from extreme heights. But it is still terrifying.

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Hola Familia!!

This week has been a blast! But I can't believe it is only week 2. I feel like I've been here forever, haha.

This Sunday we had 4 investigators come to church!! It was awesome. And 2 of them have baptism dates for this upcoming week! I am so excited! Everybody is telling me how lucky I am to have arrived right now because there have been a lot of changes. President Current is amazing and completely changed missionary work here. So our success rate is rising higher every day! I'm so excited!

We visit some recent converts who we call Abuella and Abuello because they are the grandparents to the missionaries here! I love them! And Abuella loves me a lot too. She told me to make sure I call her as soon as I get home because she has always wanted a call from America and especially her Gringa. That's what she calls me- Gringa. (or greenga?) It's so funny!

There is a family in the ward who I just love! They have a 15 yr old named Moses who is so funny and is just like Herm. I told him when I visit with my family it'll be like looking in a mirror when he meets him. And Herm (Hyrum's nickname), I don't know how tall you'll be when I get back, but this kid is about as tall as you right now! His little sister is Pamela and she 13 and just like Hannah! She is super tall too (just like you Hannah!). They both speak English pretty well, so we have a good time together. Funny story: A ton of things here pretend to be from United States and you know it's not because it doesn't make sense or it is spelled wrong. For example, Pamela was wearing a shirt the other day that said "TGIF" and then spelled out the acronym, but said "Thank God I'm Hamless". I think it is the funniest thing in the world!! I think it's suppose to say "harmless" haha!

Some more about the people, there are three types of people here, one is Panamanian, two is Chino (just random Chinese people who live here. They even call the shops Chinos because they are always run by Chinese people), and three is Cuna. The Cuna are legit. They are from the Islands and some have come to the mainland to be with family or to get rich. They also don't speak Spanish. No, they have made their own language that is no where else in the world. It's called Cuna. They make artwork called Mula and it's super rare, so everyone wants it and that's why they're so rich. I know a Cuna lady, so I'm gonna buy a ton from her! They also wear bright orange and black patterned skirts, a million bracelets, and cover their hair, and have gold nose rings. I'm telling you, they're awesome.

My area is great, with plenty of hills, so if the heat isn't enough, the constant exercise keeps the sweat at a constant flow! There is one town in our area that we can't visit because I have blonde hair. Everyone told me that they'll just rob me. It's an area with a lot of drugs. But it stinks because we have an investigator who lives out there and we can't visit beacuse I am not allowed to go there :/ Ahh well.

They have a really popular fruit here called Nance (like Nancy). And it is by far the nastiest thing I have ever tasted in my life. Members try to be nice all the time and give us giant cups full of chicha nance (it's like juice) (actually all chicha is juice here) and it is just atrocious.

As for me I miss home, but am so grateful for where I am everyday and for what I am doing, that it doesn't get me down. I was feeling a little discouraged after an activity with the members about my lack of Spanish, and was praying really hard to have some kind of magic gift of tongues happen. During study the next morning, I realized how dumb that was, haha. What would I learn if I didn't put in any effort? Surely not any diligence. And most importantly I wouldn't learn any patience. I have decided it is much better to learn a little of both and trust that the Spirit is doing what I can't do right now. My theme song is "Put your shoulder to the Wheel" these days. I know I am where I should be and I love it!

Te Quiero!!

Hermana Hallsted

More info:

Wearing pants is super hot, so we only wear them when we do a lot of buses

Bug Spray with permetherin is church provided. 

• How are the mosquitoes?

yep the mosquitoes are alright in my area, but in the interior it's a lot worse, so I'll hang on if i get called out there!

• Can you drink the water or is it bottled water only?

I think I can drink the water.. haha i have been and I've been fine!

• Do you cook your own lunch or dinner? Where do you eat? What do you cook for breakfast?

I cant wait to show you the food we eat here! so fun. But we only make breakfast and dinner on rare occasions. usually just with members

Dos Mil Panama #1 "Panama!!!"

Hola Familia!!!

Panama is awesome. I don't understand a single word since being here, but even that is kinda awesome. I say that because right now I am just relying on the Spirit A TON! So I really do love it a whole lot!

I´ll start with telling you about my comp! Her name is Vanini, from Peru. She's 24 and a convert and doesnt speak any English! Perrrrfect! We have both gotten really good at gestures and made up signs haha! She also is absolutely amazing! She really listens to the Spirit and relies on it's promptings for everywhere we go! And she also has amazing hair. It´s like this beautiful, wild afro. I love her and can tell I will learn a whole lot with her as my comp!!

A little bit about Panama, it is soooooo green! I live in the jungle and I love it out there. (Dad, I sing everyday, Its a jungle out there so you better beware.... you know the rest). There are also tons of bugs. The people here are so funny. They cant stand if a gecko or a frog gets in the house, but spiders and ants and mosquitos are like pets. Actually speaking of pets, I have one. His name is Oscar and he lives in our ´bathroom´. He´s a spider. Just a little guy! Probably slightly smaller than my palm. I can´t kill him and he hasn´t actually ever moved, so we just let him stay there. Also the frogs here are hilarious. They sound like the shooting sound from old arcade games - pew pew pew. They are ginormous too! And the mosquitos are not that bad.

You´ve heard the stories of people being chased by dogs?? Well, welcome to Panama. They know I am not from here. They only chase me. Everytime we hike back to our home, they attack. And it´s actually both terrifying and really funny because my comp is yelling at me to run away and she´s trying to block them and it happens every night!

Also the heat isn´t so bad! I mean I got this constant sweat dripping down my face and spine and legs, but for some reason I honestly don´t mind. There is a weird sense of satisfaction when you know you are working that hard.

So my area is called Dos Mil and it is just a ton of hills. Brynn, you remember Charlanns hill? Now imagine a million of those. When it rains and we have to go downhill, we literally just slide down the hills haha. All my shoes are disgusting! Oh yeah it is also super rainy, haha. Also I am wearing slacks right now!" We actually do wear them here haha. I still don't love them though.Yeah I don't even know where I am haha. About an hour from panama city! But it still is a jungle out here haha. Not in the interior, which is real jungle life or the islands. Ugh there is so much more i want to tell you! Also plan on coming here for vacation when I get home cuz you guys are gonna freaking love it. It is seriously amazing here.

My zone is only 10 companionships. That might be normal, but I always pictured them to be a lot bigger. My district is the DL´s, my comp and I, and one other companionship of sisters. Our church is huge and we have an actual ward! Everyone is so nice!!

The people here are so funny. They walk around with blankets on their heads. And everyone says ¨Buena!¨ They also don´t say their S,R, or L´s. It makes it a lot more fun. So we´ll be talking about Utah and they´ll ask ¨ma fio?¨ and at first I was like, Ï have no idea what you are saying. But supposedly that is ¨mas frio¨. Crazy, huh??

Also there´s no knocking on doors here. You just stand at the gate and yel ¨Buena!!!¨ and if they can´t hear you, then too bad. Also everyone here has super nice music systems and tvs. Except in the super poor areas. It´s ridiculous. And they just blast music all day haha. They also make a duck face before they talk to you. It´s kinda like they direct the conversation at you. I love it! Also when they pray a lot of people say, ¨Dios, Buenos Dias!¨ I think that is so funny!

The kids here absolutely love me! Everbody calls me fula. Which is gringa in Panama. The kids always try to teach me Spanish and they give me little toy gifts all the time. So cute.

We eat beans, rice rice rice, and a tiny bit of chicken.

The highlight of this week; I had my first two baptisms!!! I wasn´t here for the first lesson of either of them, but I got to teach them three other lessons and it was absolutely amazing!!!

The first was Juan. He´s 18 and is very excited!!  the second is Mayquel. He is 10 years old and made the decision all by himself, even though his family are not members. Me and him are buds.

When we were teaching mayquel, Vanini handed me the law of chastity pamphlet and told me to try to teach it. This happens all the time, which I am fine with, but I just looked at her and was like, ¨He´s 10¨. She didnt get why that was a problem. So I started and as soon as I started, she realized why it would be difficult for me and my limited Spanish the explain the law of chastity to a 10 yr old. hahaha! It was so funny.

You know, there is a lot of tough stuff out here that I could be worrying about. But I´m not worried. I have felt the comfort of the Spirit and I know why I am here so nothing else really matters. Missionary work really is all about what you put into it, and I love putting in my all! I love you all so much and I love this Gospel!!!

Hermana Hallsted