Help Him Clean The House-Cuenca Week Twenty Six

Well lets just say this week was pretty great with lots of faith building experiences...

Miracles

So on Tuesday we received a call from a recent convert that told us he was done. That his wife told him that he needed to leave the house and take all his stuff. He immediately called us and told us to come over fast. We arrived in lightning speed. He told us he was going to renounce the church and move away. He sat there listening attentively the whole time as he told us the stories and what was going on. We didnt say one word for almost 10 minutes because he was talking. Finally after a few seconds of waiting an idea popped into my head. As I looked around the whole house was dirty, and it was a complete mess. The thought come to my head clearly. Help him clean the house. I shrugged it off thinking that has nothing to do with the problem. Then the thought came again this time with the thought that whenver my house was clean my mom was happy. This time I offered our assistance. He kinda was hesitant at first but then accepted. We would spend about 2 hours cleaning his house, doing laundry, about everything we could think of. We left him with a goal that he would clean the house everyday, even if it is for a couple minutes. We went by the other day, and lets just day things are going way better for them.

I have no words for this picture!
Can you see the pure JOY in his face??

Gringos Everywhere

So Cuenca is a hot place for retirement for people from the United States. At first it was weird to see white people but know I think I am getting used to it. The coolest part is that there are a couple of gringos in my ward. One which is super awesome. He invites us over like once a week to eat american food. This past week we had a crab feast. It was awesome. Reminded my of the times in New Orleans.  It was boiled crabs, with bread and olive oil, and potatoes with guacamole. It was pretty fantastic. 

Ready to meet their fate!

Not the first time he has done this

Potatoes and guacamole

What is left of dinner

The Awesome family that feeds them

Rain, Rain Go Away

We have officially entered the rain season here in Ecuador, which means that it rains about every single day here in Ecuador. And when the people you have to teach live on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere it isnt the funnest thing to climb a mountain. At first I thought that it was just a couple day storm so after a couple days I stopped bringing my jacket. Well that was a mistake when it starting down pouring on us in the middle of walking up a hill. Anyway it rains a lot here and it is way colder than the other places I have been. 

Three Weeks And You Are Out-Cuenca Week Twenty Five

Transfers

I think I have said this before but transfers here happen anyday at anytime. Monday night I was practically asleep when we heard the phone ring. My companion answered it and then hands the phone to me. On the other end I here "Elder Shanklin you have transfers". I didnt know what to say. I had only been in that sector like 3 weeks and didnt even have a chance to really meet the members and everyone. However, I was informed the next morning that I would be going to Cuenca. After the little party I threw in my head me and my new companion headed to Cuenca. For those who don't know Cuenca it is a city that is in the mountains. Almost a little bit like Utah. It is really hard to explain it because of how awesome and breathtaking it is here. Look it up on the computer or something and that will help. The climate change is also very nice. It went from being like 37 degrees celsious to about 14-18 degrees celsious here. I am no mathmatician but that seems like a lot to me. 

New Companion

So I finally have a gringo companion. I am not thrilled about it but life is life. (Mom note: He loves his companion but he just doesn't like how much English they speak) His name is Elder Hunt and is from Utah. He has been in the mission for almost 18 meses. He works hard and we are getting a lot of things done her. Here in Cuenca the zones are a little different than the others. Here the only elders are the ZL, DL, and the companions of them. The rest are the hermanas. So for once in my mission there are more hermanas than elders in my zone. It is different here in Cuenca but it is also a nice change that I am enjoying. 

Exchanges

One thing that always has seemed to happen in the mission is that I always get the opportunity to do exchanges with the zone leaders. I was only in this zone for 3 days when the zone leaders asked to do exchanges with us. It was an awesome experience as always. I went with one of zone leaders to their sector. He was fairly new to his sector and so most of the day we found ourselves lost, without a sense a direction. The lessons we did teach were awesome. Any opportunity I have to learn from someone who has more experience than me I will openly accept. 

Travel time

Another difference between Cuenca and the other cities is that in Cuenca you are always traveling. The sectors are literally huge. I can be in a bus for 3 hours and still be in my sector. We climb mountains to visit members and pass threw forest to get to investigadors. Because everyone lives so far away from each other we have to take so many taxis and buses. Although the perk is that I get to see some beautiful sights and views. I didnt carry my camera with me a lot and I apologize but next week I will have more pictures. 

It was a great week this week and hoping for another great week to come! Thanks for all the support!

Life is a sport, make it count

Elder Shanklin

The Spirit Witnesses Truth-Guayaquil Week Twenty Four

So another week has passed in a blink of an eye and I've got a few stories to tell.

Friends in High Places
Tuesday I was informed that one of my past zone leaders that practically taught me all i know, because we did exchanges all the time with them, is now an assistant to the mission president. So watch out world I have friends in high places. I am not exactly sure what that does for me but I guess we will wait and see.

Elder Shanklin having a little fun

Love that smile!!

Running without Air
So all of my companions have all been on death row, meaning they will be going home soon. And because of that all of them have this great idea that they are gonna wake up early and run, and work out super hard so that they lose weight and arent fat when they go back. They first time I fought it and fought it because I like sleeping. Now I just go with it because I have learned a very valuable lesson. Which is it usually lasts only one day before they realize how awful of an idea it was. My companion know had this idea and on monday we started. About halfway through I felt like my companion and I both were running and couldn't breathe. Needless to say, tuesday we didnt run and we havent since. The thing is I will probably have that "great idea" too in a few months. Until then I will enjoy my sleep until 630.

Calm Before the Storm
As a missionary whenever everything is going great and everyone is progressing without any problems and life is all good you get a little suspicious and honestly just wait for Satan to strike. You cant really do much except prepare and prepare ,but it is not if Satan will come it is when. On thursday we passed by Vickys house to see how she was doing. She told us she had been thinking and wants to learn more before she got baptized. We listened and then explain the importance of baptism. The spirit was there as we testifiied of the importance of baptism. She told us she would take time to think and let us know tomorrow. When we returned the next day, after many prayers, she was super excited and all for it. The Lord works miracles and plays a part in our daily lives. On Saturday we had two baptisms. Vicky was baptized and a older man named Luis. It was awesome. Also come to find out Luis was a kinda famous news reporter and his daughter is currently a news reporter on the Ecuador news. He also has written some books, and poems. You learn something new, and meet someone new everyday here.

Elder Shanklin and Luis

Elders and Vicky

Language 
So my language skills are progressing, at least I think. The other day we were in a house of a member and I said a prayer and after they asked me how much time I had in the mission. I replied 5 months, and she looked at me in shock and told me I spoke clearly like I had 10-12  months in the mission. They whole time I thought I have you guys fooled or something because I dont know spanish. But I didnt say anything just smiled and said thanks. 

It has been a blessing to be here in ecuador learning a new language, and learning the gospel. Time is passing super quick and Im having fun. THanks for all the support!

Life is a sport, make it count

Elder Shanklin

Just A Reminder Of How Important It Is To Follow The Savior-Guayaquil Week Twenty Three

First and foremost. Happy Birthday to a superhero, a newspaper star, and a great example...or in other words my dad. He turns like 60 this week. Not really I think he is still in his 40s but who knows. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

New Years Eve
Welcome to WW3. Or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (correct me mom) in the Bible. Here in Ecuador everyone buys this paper dolls. They range from like 1 feet to 15 feet. And then at midnight they all pour gasoline on them and burn them in the street. As they are burning they think it is a great idea to throw fire works that literally sound like bombs when they explode. So thanks to the people of Ecuador I received little to no sleep New Years Eve. I literally thought that the world was ending. With the sky exploding, smoke fuming everywhere, and things that sound like bombs. Either its my birthday or new years eve.

This is Elder Shanklin with one of the  paper dolls he described above

Rain
So here in Ecuador, or more specifically in Guayaquil it doesnt rain all that often. One saturday it rained for about 2 hours. I was super excited because it cooled off during those two hours. Then I realized how much I hate it when it rains here, because after the rain ceased it was like I was bathing in my own sweat. It is humid in Missouri, but please come to Ecuador after rain to feel real humidity. I was like choking to breathe. Not really I just wanted to add some dramatic effect. I will take the heat over the rain now.

Showing some Ecuadorian Swag

Investigators

We had a great week this week with teaching. Minus all the streets contacts we are teaching some really awesome people including two who are getting baptized on saturday. One of them got married just so that he could get baptized. Just a reminder of  how important it is to follow the Savior in our lives. One family we are teaching is super awesome. The dad was baptized when he was a kid but he fell away some time after. We actually met him at a combined church gathering to sing christmas songs. He informed us that he was a member. He told us that he wants to give his family the same opportunity that he had and that he wants to return to church. Some many faithbuilding and awesome things have taken place during my time here in Ecuador. I am grateful for this chance to serve here.

Ward Party

Typical Ecuadoreans. Our Ward party was supposed to start at 7 oclock. As missionaries we were there punctual because we wanted the food. However, when we left at 9pm the party still hadn't started and we left hungry. I was informed after we left that the party finally did start and that it was awesome. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures we took there with the members and youth.

With all the holidays ending and school starting back up here tomorrow the work should start to pick up. The language is progressing, and I am learning a ton. Also a quick shout out to the bro in Norway. Seems to be killing it as ZL and winning the hearts of many as he does it. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Have a great week!

The Youth at the Ward Party

Elder Shanklin, Elder Maravilla and a ward member

Elder Shanklin and Elder Maravilla

Life is a sport, make it count

Elder Shanklin

My Faith Is Building And So Is My Love For This People-Guayaquil Week Twenty Two

I hope Christmas was awesome for everyone. I heard that Santa made his rounds so that is always good. I think he might of forgot where I live but for that I have great parents and grandparents who sent me some packages. So this week in the life of Elder Shanklin of Ecuador...

Christmas Eve and Christmas
Not sure if anyone has spent Christmas in Ecuador, but if you have you know what I mean when I say, It is way different than American Christmas. Christmas Eve is christmas here. "Papa Noel" comes like at 10 and then all the kids open there presents at midnight. After that it basically is just a normal day. At least it felt like a normal day to me and all the people we talked with said it is basically a normal day. We worked like they were normal days. We were in the streets at 11, but the only exception is that we had to be in the house at 7 at night both days. In order to celebrate Christmas, we hit up McDonalds because we literally had no food in the house. So if i could describe christmas in Ecuador in 3 words it would be Hot and Different. It was cool to experience a different culture and see what the holidays are like in another part of the world.

Christmas Dinner

Using his blanket as a tablecloth for his Christmas dinner.

Skype Call

My first of 4 skype calls is gone and done with. It was great to talk with the family back at home and catch up a little bit. I told them to tell everyone hi. So hopefully they followed through and everyone got their message. It not I apologize but know that I say hi.

Skyping with Elder Shanklin in Ecuador

Elder Shanklin in Ecuador and Elder Shanklin in Norway
 spending a few minutes together.

Funeral Service

So someone in the zone went home this past week. I dont know how he did it but he spent 3 christmas´s in the mission. He decided that he had been through a lot, so as a district we threw him a funeral service. See the pictures. It was pretty awesome. It was themed christmas. SO that is why all have red ties, red flowers, and my santa hat.

3 Christmas's in the mission.

Funeral Service for the elder going home.

Survival Men

So after the course of some events and other things after christmas we were left with 15 cents, 6 pieces of bread, half a box of cereal, 4 eggs, some milk, and 3 top ramen and we needed to survive until today. I am glad to say that I am still living and actually wasnt that bad. So you know how there is a preach my gospel video for missioneros. My companion and I are going to make a survival guide video for missionaries. The release date is set for never, and we probably never make it to the big screen but wish us luck.

Elder Shanklin and Elder "Marvelous"

The Work

This week was good. We went hard and Sunday we reaped the fruits of our labor. We had 4 people that were in the church and are progressing strong. Some crazy, faith building experiences have taken place the last couple days.  My companion has been sick and so we havent been able to work as much, but when we did the Lord blessed us. I am grateful to  be here in Guayaquil serving this people. I have learned so much in just a short period of time. My faith is building, as well as my love for this people. This is by no means easy. Each day I returned home drained of energy but at the same time I look forward to what lies ahead. "Nobody said it would be easy, that just said it would be worth it"

Hope everyone has a great week this week and a safe New Years Eve. Dont party too hard!

Life is a sport, make it count!

Elder Shanklin