The people are fantastic!!

The people of Panama have been incredible so far.  We love the missionaries we work with, we love the members we've met so far and the people we meet around town have been fantastic.  As we mentioned earlier, we've had to get a house furnished and utilities set up since we've arrived.  We've been to the garbage collector's office, furniture stores, department stores, groceries, "Do it" centers (like Lowes), cellular phone offices, and government buildings.  Everyone has been helpful, kind and curious.  We have no problem telling people why we're here and that we'll be here for about a year at least and in Panama for 18 months.  They're impressed that we speak Spanish.  They're interested in us being a mature couple doing this and most have heard of the church.

Since we didn't know our way around Santiago, our 83 year old member over missionary work has gone out with us so many times.  He's always ready.  His name is Franciso O.  Just love him!  Here he is at the church with one of the sets of Elders in our branch.  Elder Lfrom Guatemala and Elder P from Idaho.

Hermano O is a stalwart.  He was one of the original leaders here and has served so faithfully many years.  He usually walks 3 miles to the church for our meetings.  He never complains.  He loves the Lord.

The missionaries we've met have been fantastic.  We have recently had meetings with our Zone, about 35 missionaries and then with another zone about 60 missionaries.  There are a few Americans mixed in but most are from Central America- El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and others from Peru, and Mexico.

The members are so faithful, have testimonies of Jesus Christ and make great sacrifices to be at church and to serve others. Many people don't have cars so to get to church they need to take a bus which costs money and has very limited service on Sunday.  There's no schedule to count on either.  It's very hot for all of us here.  To be out in the sun, fighting with little ones, can be very wearing.  And yet, they come.  They serve.  They're happy.

 It's fun.  You start taking a picture and then more join in.  They are such wonderful young people.  They don't seem to mind us old folks being with them.

 This is at our house.  We're having a district meeting and then the zone leaders came.  I fed our elders breakfast first.

The members are so wonderful!  We just drop by, we don't have their phone number, so we can't call ahead.  It doesn't matter what they were doing they welcome us in, they give us cold drinks and snacks, they make us feel welcome and share their testimonies of Jesus Christ.  They share with us how their lives have changed through the Savior.  They tell us of burdens he has lifted, of light he has shined down on them, of the love they feel for their families that they didn't have before.  I leave each visit loving another family in this branch.

We have met many not of our faith with the same results.  I leave, loving their humility, their kindness and their faith in Jesus Christ.

Life is hard here.  It  could be discouraging.  I have wondered how we can help.  Next post will share some of my thoughts.