Feliz Navidad desde Panamá!

Feliz Navidad desde Panamá!

Elder Houghton was transferred last Thursday (December 21st) to the Chorrera area and has a new companion, Elder Daw.  It was bittersweet for him to have to leave the Tocumen area and the amazing people he's gotten to know there.  But he is excited to be serving in the Chorrera area.  He was able to go to church Sunday in his new ward.  It's a really small ward (maybe it's a branch, I'm not sure) with only about 75 people in attendance.  He said that the people are very welcoming and he actually said that it reminded him a lot of his home ward in Provo.  He is excited to be working with Elder Daw.  He said he's a really hard worker and a really nice guy.  They get along really well and he is really happy. 

 We had the opportunity to Skype him today for Christmas.  It was so great to actually see that he is well!  He looks great and he is so happy!  We were able to talk with him for a little over an hour.  He's changed a lot but in many ways he is the same fun-loving guy we know and love!  He told us all about life in Panama.  I guess it's kind of the "winter" season right now.  He said that starting in January, it's supposed to be warmer up more and it's summer.  He said that he couldn't imagine it getting hotter but it will.  The people are really friendly and willing to listen to their lessons but it's really hard to get them to church.  They just don't see the need to go to church.  The Chorrera area is much more jungly and hilly.  He said that he has to walk up hills to get to anything.  They eat at members houses every night and they have ladies that cook breakfast and lunch for them every day.  He really likes the food for the most part. He eats fish almost every day and a ton of rice.  He eats a lot of Plantains and he said that is his his favorite.  He said his new area is nice and he's really happy to be serving there.  We asked him what kind of service he works on and he said that he's helped cut back bushes, etc with machetes, helped repair houses, and paint houses.  I guess they have a tradition in Panama at Christmas time...they paint their houses.  He said that just about everyone paints their house around Christmas time.  He didn't know why but they just did.  Another tradition is fireworks.  They let off tons of fireworks.  He said he's never seen so many.  I guess you could see them light up the sky from over the mountains! He said other than that they don't really celebrate Christmas.  He said that, just like other holidays, a lot of people get drunk and hang out in the streets.  I guess on holidays, the missionaries spend time with the members and don't go out.  He assured us that he is healthy and happy.

It was awesome talking to him! 

But...

it was really hard to say goodbye.  

We sure love and miss him!!!!!  

We are so thankful for his example and are so proud of him!

He FINALLY got his Christmas package!  Here's the decorations we sent him.  The ornaments have Christmas messages from all of us on them. I'm so relieved he got it!

Elder Daw and Elder Houghton.  I love the Christmas tie!