Week 10 in Veracruz

Jaden's email 12/26/2016:

"Hey everyone!! I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas! This week has been pretty good. This week hasn't been the most productive week in the mission field here in Panama. Sadly, the closer we got to Christmas the less people that were willing to listen to our message. Many preferred to just get drunk and light off fireworks. However, we did have a pretty cool branch Christmas party. Nearly 200 people showed up. Its funny the difference that having food at an activity makes. I completely understand though. I often went to church activities when I knew there would be food. Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk with my family on skype. that was awesome!! It was kind of weird though because it was a little difficult for me to talk. When I was learning Spanish I had to learn how to translate English to Spanish. Now I have to do the opposite and translate Spanish to English. That's okay though because I think now more before I talk. Ha!! That will be good for me when I get home. Well..that's pretty much it for today. I cant really think of anything else to write right now. I'm pretty tired because I haven't slept in nearly two days. Our neighbors are big fans of playing dirty music as loud as they possible can the ENTIRE night. Well got to go. Have a good week everyone! Love you guys!!!"

Elder Hawes

Hawes Family photo with Jaden on Christmas Day 12/25/2016 taken via skype :)

Week 9 in Veracruz

Jaden's email 12/19/2016:

"Hey everyone!!! I hope everyone had a good week. I've had a good one. I'm happy to say that we successfully helped the Martinez couple to get officially married. That was a cool experience. It hasn't been easy and has been a stressful process but its over. It was just a civil marriage so we woke up at about 5 AM, left the house, and made our way into the city to a place named San Miguelito. One of the government headquarters for marriage is located there. It was cool. The lawyer read some documents, talked about the importance of staying faithful to one another, they signed papers, kissed, and were officially married. We had the privilege of being there with their daughter and a few of their friends. Now we can finally help them get BAPTIZED. They've already had all the lessons and have gone to church numerous times. Also, we had a few investigators in church again. Today for pday we had a fun adventure. We hunted down this american diner we heard about that had amazing food. I learned a new kuna indian legend this week from our recent convert Robelia. We were talking with her about 3 Nephi 11 when Christ comes down to the people in the Americas and she commented on another story she had been told by her village leaders (religious leaders in Kunayala named Silas). She told us about how Ibe Orgum (the white being that their ancestors saw that descended from the heavens.....A.K.A Jesus Christ) chose 12 men to be leaders of the people. This is called the story of the 12 nergan. These 12 men were supposedly blessed by Ibe orgum and given special powers. 3 of them were preserved by god to walk on the earth while the others died after their normal life." 

1 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.

-3 nephi 12:1

"Here's a few other good scriptures about them..."

 1 And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father?

 2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom.

 3 And he said unto them: Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my kingdom; and with me ye shall find rest.

 4 And when he had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three, and said unto them: What will ye that I should do unto you, when I am gone unto the Father?

 5 And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired.

 6 And he said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.

 7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.

 8 And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.

-3 Nephi 28:1-8

"I'm so grateful to have this gospel and know without a doubt that's its true. I honestly never gave the respect I should have to the Book of Mormon before the mission. I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to come here to Panama and serve others and find my own weaknesses that I didn't even know I had. The more I learn and see the proof of the book of Mormon I wish I could just show the proof to people. However, this will never work. We can just put the facts in front of people because they will always find a way to attack the truth. Many people rejected Christ even when he did miracles. We must first have the desire to know what is true and truly ask him. We have the promise that he will always give us an answer. I know that though we may find ourselves in situations facing tasks that seem impossible, that if we humble ourselves and trust in the Lord, he will help us find the way. Im looking forward to talking with my family this week. I hope all of you have an amazing Christmas. Love you all!! Make sure to tell someone you care about that you love them. Though we often feel they already know it, we all need to hear it as well. Have a Merry Christmas!!!!!"

-Elder Hawes

"Below, some pictures of the couple we helped to get married"

more pics from marriage

- "A Picture from the baptism of the other Veracruz Elders. I did the baptismal interview for the woman"

- "A sign that I like at a barber shop in my area"

- "Me with our Christmas tree that I found in the house after a long day"

- "Fight club (chickens bred for fighting)"

- "Had to say bye to one of my district members today named Elder Rivera. They needed him somewhere else (he's in the middle)"

- "The diner we found today..Success"

- "Pics from the burger place"

Week 8 in Veracruz

Jaden's email 12/12/2016:

"Hey everyone!!! Well another week has passed bye. Its honestly crazy how quick the mission is going. Not a whole bunch really happened out of the ordinary this week. I know were getting closer to Christmas but I honestly don't feel it. The days are actually starting to get hotter even though that doesn't seem possible here. This week I was sick two days in a row with a pretty bad cough and stomach problems so we lost 2 days working. Also, this past Wednesday they celebrated mothers day. To all of those in this group message that are mothers, HAPPY PANAMANIAN MOTHERS DAY. Mom! you get two mothers day from now on. haha! We didn't get to really work that day either because everyone left their mothers to go get drunk at the bars. Kind of ironic but that's what happens on free days here. Its even worse on Christmas and mothers day. O well. We do our best to help these people. We had 6 investigators in church this week. One of them is our recent converts (Robelia) husband. That was cool to see him in church. We haven't even taught him yet but were going to start tomorrow. Were planning to have the wedding of the Martinez family this Friday. We started the process helping them to get married when I first got to Veracruz. Its not easy. Its pretty tough. However, an end is in sight and they've both been attending church each week. Once they both get married, they can get baptized. I'm excited for that. Well..I wish I could say more but I honestly cant really think of much to say. I hope all of you have a good week! Love you guys! Oh..and those of you that haven't seen the video called Thanks to Him you should check it out. Search it in youtube and write mormon messages. Its pretty great. Well got to go. Love you guys!!!"

-Elder Hawes

"I mean Because of Him..it doesn't translate the same"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

- "I love my savior and this video. He gives me hope, understanding, all I could ever ask for in my life."

"Here is another I love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqTRSVA1YA

"A christmas video I like"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJmAV0gTp_Q

"I finally got the computer to work sending pics.."

"Here is one of the poisonous frogs that live in the rainforrest. I had to get a pic of course... .there is jungle in panama. This was from a day that we did service with machette at a members home" 

"Another pic from Robelias baptism. Usually they have to take off the bracelets before baptism. However, in her culture they usually don't take them off. They can even enter in the temple with the bracelets on their arms and legs." 

"Last week my comp bought 6 lobsters for $10. They're small lobsters but super cheap."

"Some pics at the place where we do service projects. We go there once a week since they have a ton of land. In one pic the land looks cleaner. We cut all the overgrowth by hand with machette.- In the other pic, its another part of they're property we haven't started on yet. Also, I like the view from their house. You can see the ocean in the background."

Week 7 in Veracruz

Jaden's email from 12/5/2016:

"Hey everyone! Well this week has been pretty good. I'm happy to announce we finally had the baptism and confirmation of our investigator Robelia. We had the assistants in the mission come and do the interview. Their part of my district. They said shes a really positive investigator. That she truly knows the gospel is true and she wants her whole family to become members. This week we have continued to teach and find new people. We had 4 investigators in church this past Sunday. Today we couldn't go to the internet cafe where we usually go and we had to go to a different one. I don't like this internet cafe. I don't think I will write a very long message since this computer is difficult to use. We had changes this past week. there is now a new assistant in the mission (a new person in the district). Also, the other Veracruz Elders are now a trio. Well..I'm sorry this email isn't all that great. I'm going to try sending some pics and these computers are super slow. Love you guys!! Have a good week!"

Elder Hawes

"... some pics from the day of the baptism." 

"I also attached a pic from when I did the district meeting this past week. I taught them well. haha!

"1. problem solving 1o1.....washing clothes when water tube doesn't connect"

"2. Our temporary trio. ME, Elder Salavarrieta, and Elder Garcia"

"3. Another baptism pic. We found a member to do the baptism. I like doing baptism but feel its better if the members do the baptisms. I feel they will take a little more responsibility for the people and they can do more for them than I can after I leave"

Week 6 in Veracruz

Jaden's email 11/29/2016:

"Hey everyone!!This week has been pretty good. I got some news. Im now in a companionship of 3 people. Me and my companion Elder Salavarrieta are with another missionary named Elder Garcia. Hes a cool guy. Hes actually a Panamanian and is waiting for a visa to go to Brazil. They're not sure how long he will be with us but I don't mind. Hes cool. This week has been pretty good working wise. The baptism of Robelia got pushed back again but we are hoping to do it this upcoming Saturday. Also, we finally moved into our home. For the past 5 weeks, we've been living with the other 2 missionaries in Veracruz. However, it hasn't been all that great because the house was tiny. We couldn't move into the other house because the sister missionaries there didn't have a house in their area due to contract problems. However, when I heard that I was getting another comp' I made some calls since there wasn't space for him and the sister missionaries moved the next day into the home of other sister missionaries in the city closer to their area. Something I had actually asked about them doing earlier in the transfer but never happened. O well. We have a house. The best part, I found a place to put up a hammock. haha! I was missing that ability in the other house. I'm happy. Today was a fun day. We went into the city and visited a museum that I wanted to see. Its another museum about the canal and I decided it would be cool. It was pretty interesting. Personal opinion, I liked the museum at the actual canal better. Still cool though. Also, we went to smash burger today. I'm pretty sure that was my first time ever eating there. It was a little expensive but really good. A fun pday today. This week we had 4 investigators we are teaching in church. That was great. Me and my comps guard a convoy of grandkids belonging to Robelia to church each week. Robelia loves going to church and wants to bring her grandkids. Sweet. She gets them all dressed and we walked all 12 of them to the church. haha! This week some woman we talked with on the street tried kissing my companion. I nearly died laughing. I couldn't help it. Well.. I think that pretty much sums up the week. I love all you guys. Have a good week!!!"

-Elder Hawes

photos:

1. "glass part of a lighthouse that the french constructed during the time they were attempting to construct canal"

2. "a life-like painting I saw in the museum that I really liked"

3. "Sign at entrance of the museum"

- "A pic of me in the art section of the museum"

- "If this is considered art, I'm an artist. haha!!" 

- "smash burger"

- "Hey mom..I can still eat a ton. haha! I made myself two footlong barbeque chicken sandwiches for myself."

- "A video of me catching a duck"