Zone Leader Problems-Loja Week Sixty One

Oh family and friends...

Trips to Guayaquil

Basically these past few weeks have been filled with trips to Guayaquil. Like 3 in the last 3 weeks. Well make that 4 in the last 4 weeks because today we also have to travel to Guayaquil for Leadership Training. So basically we have to take another 8 hours drive today and then another 8 hour drive tomorrow after the council. Atleast there are a couple hours to catch up on sleep and enjoy some conversations with the other missionaries. You really get to know them in 8 hours. I am excited for what President has to say this month and should be a great learning opportunity. I am going with the new companion so we should both learn quite a bit in how to help the zone and the missionaries that are here in the zone.

Elder Shanklin showing off the Mural of Antonio Jose de Sucre(1795-1830)  in Loja

Conference

Lets just say that after every conference I walk away having learn new things and having been enriched spiritually. This conference I especially liked the talk on Saturday when the speaker asked the question "What else do I lack" (that is my spanish to english translation). I took the challenge that he offered in order to find out what I lacked as a missionary, as a companion, and a a leader. I was confident that the Lord was going to give me a huge list with countless things to change or to start doing. However, I felt impressed to do a couple things, or to change a couple things in order to be a better missionary or become the missionary that the Lord wants me to be. Pretty good and neat experience. I also liked the talk by Jeffrey R Holland about the Moms. I am so grateful for my mom in my life and contribute most of the success that I have had up till now in my life to her and to my dad. They talk my righteous principles and walked with me in the good times and the past. So a special thanks to them and everything they have done for me.

Elder Shanklin at the Gates of Loja

Zone Leader Problems

Basically as a zone leader you are in charge of missionaries and have to help them resolve there problems and make sure that the zone is funcioning and having success. For example this week in the zone we had 4 baptisms so we had to help the missionaries prepare and then help them carry it out as well. This week a pregnant lady of 9 months got baptized. We had to make sure that the water was super hot so that nothing happened with her pregnancy. We spent many hours in the week and eventually fixed the broken hot water heater.

A view of Loja

Elder Shanklin

Elder Shanklin in Loja

Don't ask me how or anything, but we did. We took it apart, placed new tubes, bought new batteries, and changed the gas, and then it worked. Baptisms always stress me out but after we fixed the hot water heater everything was good. We were able to have the baptisms here in the zone and they were super awesome. It is such a great experience to hear there testimonies about the church just moments after they got baptized. It strengthens my testimony everytime.

Well I don't have much time to write this week because we leave to Guayaquil in about 30 minutes. Hope everyone has a great week and thanks for all the love and support!

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

I Feel Like I Am In A Lord Of The Rings Movie-Loja Week Sixty

So this week has been full of some pretty exciting things and I think you should enjoy the email and the pictures that I will send. Basically this week involved a lot of traveling. 

Changes

Basically, right now in this moment my old companion is sitting in his house probably watching TV or playing on his new phone. For that reason this week I have a new companion. His name is Elder Collins, and is from Payson, Utah. He has like a year in the misison and it is my responsibility to train him as a Zone Leader. He is a good missionary so it shouldnt be that hard of a task. The best part is that from here to Guayaquil is an 8 hour bus drive.  I showed up to get my new companion on Tuesday and was informed that he was in the temple so I had to wait with the assistants. Always a good time with the assistants because they are some good friends. After the temple, me and my companion had the privledge to attend the meeting for the new-bees here in the mission. We even got to bring one back to the zone with us. Elder Alder began his mission here in Loja. This guy is going to be a way good missionary in the near future. He works hard and always has a big smile. We all traveled together back to Guayquil. Lets just say that 16 hours were spent in a bus. Ask my mom how my relationship with long car rides are.

;

Elder Collins and Elder Shanklin

Elder Shanklin and Elder Collins

This time with matching ties.

Zamora and Saraguro

Here the zone is absolutely huge. The zone extends 2 hours to the north and 2 hours to the east. This week I had the opportunity to travel to both of those places. The trip there is absolutely breathtaking. It is filled with waterfalls, views of mountains. I feel like I am in the Lord of the Rings movies sometimes when I see some of the scenes. We took like 200 pictures so I am sure I wont send all of them but I will send a few. It is incredible to have a zone so big and with such different type of culture in the cities.

The Rest of the Week

After all the traveling finished we finally could work in our sector in peace and that is what we did. We worked super hard this week in order to find new people to teach and help. Although the success isn't what we would have like, we know that if we keep working the Lord with bless us with success, maybe even more than we were expecting.

Hope you enjoy all the pictures we took. Loja is an extremely beautiful place and the views are stunning. Thanks for all the love and support. 

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

Another Companion Is Gone-Loja Week Fifty Nine

Well what marks the end of my companions mission, is the beginning of my adventure here in Loja.

Changes

My companion has completed his mission and this week he will be heading to his homeland of Bolivia. He is my first Bolivian companion that I have had. It was only 2 weeks but it was an enjoyable time and we made the most of it. Today we just took some pictures and that he bought some gifts for his family. He is the only member in his family which is pretty remarkable and without the support of his parents he came on the mission. Now 2 years later they fully support him and his goal is to go back to baptize them. I can say he worked until the last day and worked hard. Not sure who my new companion will be but hopefully it will be another latin so I can keep my spanish growing. Guess you guys will find out next week. }

Elder Shanklin in Loja

love that smile

Celebrating his companion going home
(notice him laying down on the bench)

PDay

Well we are in Loja and ther are some hilly or mountany areas so we decided to go up to one to take some pictures. We thought that since we are all 19-21 year olds and are all in shape that we can easily do that. We figured it would be like a 30 minute hike. After 30 minutes of walking we decided that we had made absolutely no progress and turned and came around. We began the long walk down, out a breath, and in that moment I realized I need to do more exercise in the morning. Luckily so guy passed in his car and offered to take us to the city, no charge. I think he thought we were all dying or something. However thanks to that random dude. Just proves that good people do exist.

The pday hike

Loja 

View of Loja

President

On Wednesday night we were sitting in a meeting with the stake president when we hear a knock at the door. I figured it was the secretary or someone like that. When the door open, it is President Torres. Out of nowhere he showed up to Loja. Met we us for like 30 minutes and then sent us on our way for the night. The next morning we had a awesome meeting with him. I always learn a bunch from him and all the counsels that he gives. The assistants where also there and they are good friends so it is always nice to talk with them. The zone increased and improved a lot this week, so it was good that they came and could see the progress we are making.

This week I learned a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The work is a lot harder here and sometimes a little discouraging. However, I realize that the Lord suffered everything for me and all that he asks of me is that I help others become closer to him and follow his example. It is something so small but so important.

Thanks for all the love and support back at home.

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

Moving to Loja- Loja Week Fifty Eight

This week has been pretty cool for me and I hope you guys think that it was pretty cool as well.

Changes

First off, on Monday I had changes from Guayaquil and I am right now in Loja. It is practically like a smaller Cuenca. It is in the mountains and the culture here is very unique but super awesome at the same time. The views are great and everything. The people here as well as awesome. The aren't the most open people, like those of the coast, but they have a great heart and with time will come to understand. Here in Loja there is only a district with branches, there is yet to be a stake here. We are working with that goal in mind. The members help a lot so that always make the work a little more easier. My new companion is Elder Contreras. He has 23 months and 3 weeks in the mission. I will be the missionary that sends him home most likely. He is from Bolivia and is a great missionary. I have learned a lot from him. 

Saragura

Here in the zone we have a sector that is 2 hours outside of the zone. Every thursday and sunday missionaries go and work there. Well I took advantage of the opportunity and went with another missionary. It was incredible there. It is like there own world out there. Even cooler, further out there are things called communities. They are like there own countries. They have there own government and the police have no power there. So sometimes it can be dangerous to work there but we have permission from one king to be in his community and so every Thursday we teach an English class. This week like 15 students came but while we were there the community had a meeting and so everyone saw us teaching and then after came up and asked us if they could come as well. There are big things to come from there. Should be pretty exciting the missionary work there. Gonna look for another opportunity to head back there as well.

Progress

Here the branches (congregations) are not that big and so we are working super hard to increase the numbers and build the unity. We are teaching 2 Colombians, a father and his son. He has gone to the church and has liked it a lot. The members and super excited and helping us a bunch with him so that he progresses even more. SHould be getting baptized in the near future with his son. Although things are not the easiest here we still work super hard. There is no reason to get down on yourself at all. 

Sorry there are no pictures. I promise I will send some next week. 

Thanks for all the love and support. Wish the best for you guys.

Life is a sport, Make it count

Elder Shanklin

Sacrifice Brings Forth Blessings-Isla Trinitaria Guayaquil Week Fifty Seven

Well this week was an interesting week with leadership council with President, trips to the hospital, and much more.

Leadership Council

On Tuesday we had our monthly leadership council with President Torres. Basically the leaders from the whole mission come to Guayaquil to recieve training and a capacitacion from President and the Assistents. This Tuesday was super awesome. We learned about the impact that our thoughts and desires have on success and results in the mission. We read some cool stories and watched a video that the assistants had put together. It is always good to be with President. You can feel of his love and care that he has for all the missionaries. Also there I say a couple of my past companions and it was good to see them and see what is going on in their life and with their mission.

Leadership Council

Leadership Council

Hospital

On Wednesday right after lunch we recieved a call from the assistants that we needed to go to the hospital to see one of our missionaries that was there. Lets just say he had had a rough night in the bathroom and was not great so he went to the hospital. We brought them some clothes to change. President asks us to do interchanges with them, so I gladly sacrificed myself to stay in the air conditioned room with the missionary the whole day. It was a hard time ;) However the missionary right now is okay and is still alive so that is good. Seems like this whole zone is sick here with the randomest of things. 

Birthday

Well today is my companions birthday so Happy Birthday to him. He is 21 now and keeps himself alive in the mission. We will be partying tonight with cake and pizza. I know, I am a great companion. 

Well I now have 3 months in this beautiful island and everything goes well. Time is flying. There are changes tonight so we will see if it is my time or no. Either way I will serve wherever the Lord sends me.

Thanks for all the love and support

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

Pacience Pays Off-Isla Trinitaria Guayaquil Week Fifty Six

Mom note:  Yes I know "Pacience" is spelled wrong but I wanted everyone to see how the spanish and english language are combining in Elder Shanklins mind! (If you already hadn't noticed.

This week was an awesome week for a missionary and so I will just explain it right away.

Surprise Baptism

Recently about 2 months ago we help a women returned to church that had been inactive for 22 years. At that same time she presented her daughter to us. She has been going to church for the passed 8 weeks and has enjoyed it. We have been teaching her and everything but for some reason she wouldn't get baptized. We prayed and did everything possible. She told us she had doubts and fears. I am not really sure what it was that happened but after a lesson we extended the offer to her to get baptized on Sunday after Stake Conference. She accepted and lets just say I was thrilled. After 8 long weeks and much effort she finally got baptized on Sunday, and lets just say that it was one of the highlights of my mission. I might have hit her head on the wall on the first baptism attempt but other than that it was super cool. I sent pictures so that everyone can enjoy it as well. 

Love the smiling faces

Baptism Day

A celebration

All smiles

President and the Assistents

Sometimes I think that they follow me because they always seem to be in my zone. This week President showed up by complete surprise to our meeting on Tuesday. He helped us get the missionary excited and the talk with us for a little. Always great talking with President. On Saturday the Assistant showed up for the 2nd straight week. We are working good here in the zone so it is not because we are low. They also delivered a very powerful message that helped the missionaries work harder. It is always great having the support from the assistants and president.  We also say president on Sunday because of Stake Conference. 

Monthly Leadership Training Meeting

The Mission continues. I officially have 13 months in the mission. The down hill slope has begun. I honestly still feel new here in the mission and I think I will always feel like that. Time is flying and it is unreal. 

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

Two Gringos In Ecuador-Isla Trinitaria Week Fifty Five

First off this week was a great week. Maybe we didnt do the coolest things ever but it was definitely a statisfying week with my new companion.

Changes

So like everyone know my last companion, Elder Kindred, arrived to his beautiful home in Washington on Thursday. My new companion is Elder Orange. He has 10 months in the mission and I am training him to be a zone leader. He is from Texas and come to the mission knowing a little bit a spanish so we are keeping things rolling with the people here in the Isla Trinitaria. My new companion was actually is this sector when he recently started the mission so he already has a good relationship with the members. Which is good. 

Blessings

This week we worked super hard in order to find new people to teach and the hard work payed off. We are working on completed the family of the first conselour so that his family can be sealed. We are working with his kid first who seems to be very receptive and has gone to church a couple times. He has a couple doubts and we are always there to answer them. Also we are teaching the daughter of a member who recently became active in the church. She is super awesome but as well has some questions that she wants to find the answers to. And lastly we are teaching a super awesome family. The mom, her 2 kids, and her niece. The all came to church on Sunday which was awesome. The ward did a great job making them fell welcome and making friends with them. We ended the day taking pictures with the family. I mean how many times are you gonna see 2 gringos walking threw the street in Ecuador. 

Fun Facts

-My trainer here in the mission recently got married. That was pretty weird to find out. 

-I will soon have 13 months in the mission. No I am not trunky

-The assistents came to the zone meeting on saturday and gave some tips to the zone and to us as well. I thought it was a great meeting and they did as well. 

-President will be accompaning us this next week as it is stake conference. It is possible he will be in the zone meeting on saturday and in the conference on Sunday. Gotta leave him with a good impression. 

This week was a good and successful week. We were able to see the fruits of our labor. Hopefully things just start to get better from here. 

Thanks for all the love and support

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin