Semana Santa & General Conference-Cuenca Week Thirty Six

This week was filled with lots of new cultural experiences, especially because I am in cuenca. But before I get started, Happy Easter to everyone. How awesome is it that we get to celebrate the death and more importantly the resurrecion of our savior.

Easter Week

Here in Ecuador this week is called Semana Santa . I am not sure what exactly that translates to in english (Holy Week) but that is how you say it is Spanish. Basically like 60% of Cuenca are Catholic, and there are lots of traditions associated with that during this week. One of the traditions in that one thursday you go and visit 7 churches and at the churches they give you something and you collect them all. Practically like pokemon. You gottem catchem all. On Friday they eat a soup that is called Fanesca. It has a bunch of vegetables and fish, because they dont eat meat that day. It wasnt bad, but there is better in this world. Also on Friday everything is closed, literally everything. Saturday or Sunday nothing special happens basically just everyone goes to church, and there is a midnight mass on Saturday.

Elder Shanklin during Holy Week

Elder Shanklin on the streets of Cuenca

Elder Shanklin

Blessings of Revelation

This week we were looking for investigators and we meet a girl  that is awesome. She is like 28 and married with a kid. She grew up in an orphanage and there, there were some american members that were volunteers. She grew close to them and wanted to go with them to church. She grew up and still is in contact with many of those members. She told us that recently while she was visiting in Machala she talked with her niece who recently got baptized. I began to ask more questions because i was there in Machala. Come to find out it was one of my converts. Probably one of the coolest experiences i have ever had in my life. To find out that my convert was being an example to her family, and was still strong in the church. I know for a fact that i needed to be here in Cuenca in this moment to meet her. I still cant believe it happened.

Elder Shanklin and the Cuenca Zone

General Conference

It is always great to hear the words of the prophets and apostles. I also learn so much during this weekend. Learn many ways that i can improve myself now and for the future. I honestly liked the last talk of the first session. The name is not in my mind right now but it was awesome. It talked about eternal marriage and how that is the difference. WE have a lot of investigators right now that are working towards marriage or who want to get to the temple so it was great for them to hear that talk.  

This is a picture from Elder Shanklins baptism last week.

Thanks for all the love and support. Another great week passed here in cuenca. 

Life is a sport, make it count

Elder Shanklin