Hola!

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been some time since we have sent out an update on our mission, so here goes.

We were able to take an inactive family back to the temple, which is always a great experience. They are active again, have 4 kids and another one of the way. They are the Hernandez family. We have been giving English and piano lessons to the Mom (Dad-sometimes with English) and oldest daughter, Nicole, (11 years old). The one who is doing best on the piano is their oldest son, Harley (9), which was kind of a surprise. About a month ago, Hermana Hernandez and her Mom came to our apartment, her Mom had stab wounds in her arm, leg and head from her husband she was separated from. They were pretty upset as he had tried to kill her. They thought she would be safe at our apartment as her husband didn't know where we live. He drives a taxi in Panama, there are taxies all over the place, which makes it scary for her. Will helped all of them move to a different place last week, and things have seemed to have calmed down. The good part, her Mom has started coming back to church after being inactive for quite a few years also.

Another young couple, Carlos and Jamica are expecting a baby and was able to get married. Will was able to baptize them the next day. Tonight we had gone to one of the hospitals to see a non-member friend who had a heart attack the other day. As we were walking down a hall, we run into Carlos, at first we thought maybe his wife was in labor or had the baby, she is 8 months pregnant. She was having some problems, (not sure if contractions). They walked all the way to the hospital, which was over 7 miles one way! Turned out she had an infection and needed medication. We were so thankful we were able to give them a ride home, not only for the obvious reason, but because sometimes it can be dangerous if you are walking late a night. Also gave them instructions to call us next time!!! They have very humble living conditions, it is like a little shack, but they are wonderful people and we love them! In fact many people here have very humble living conditions, kind of makes you feel guilty that we have so much and they have so little.

We took a non-member English student of Wills to the temple and showed her around the grounds, she seemed to really like it. We have a couple more gals we want to take.

We live right next door to 4 sister missionaries which we love! One is a Tongan, and so Friday night we put on a luau which was really fun, a lot of work, but a lot of fun. Had quite a few non-members attend. Also had all the Elders in our zone came and participated. They put on quite a show and everyone had fun! For about a month we have been making candy leis to give everyone. Made a little over 100. Didn't have any left.

Here are a few pictures, hope you enjoy! Also we end our mission next month, many things we still want to do before we leave, so we will probably be busy!! Love to all!

Hernandez Family

Carlos and Jamica

Baptism of Nicole

Elders in Luau