Second to last email, y'all! It's going to be a good one, too. This week I went on divisions, back to my first ever area in the mish, Panca! I can't even describe to you guys how crazy it was to be back after over 600 days since being there. I got to say goodbye to all of the people I've met and have stayed in contact with since leaving and it was so special. I'll never forget how these people took me in once I first got here and how they treated me when I was just a brand-new missionary that couldn't say a single word in Spanish it felt like. When I got here, the dad of everyone in the Branch had just passed away less than two weeks earlier, so they were in need of some support and help.
Looking back, I know that it was inspired for us as missionaries to re-open that area and be there for all of the people of Panca. I've made some of the best relationships of my whole mission there in Panca, so saying goodbye was not easy at all. We went to go say goodbye to a mom and her son that was only four years old when I was here, so I was so surprised when we walked up to the house and he had remembered me! His name is Israel, and he's the sweetest kid. He's now 6 years old, which is crazy. But after I had given him a hug and said goodbye, he came running down the dirt road after us to give me one of his toys that he wanted me to have before we left. It was the sweetest thing. He told me that one day he's going to be a missionary, too, just like me. It was so cool. Experiences like that make the mission so worth it. Love that kid.
But the hardest part was saying bye to "my mom in the mission" and visiting her tiny little house one last time. She had taken such good care of me when I first got there, washing my clothes, making our food, and always having us over when we wanted to. She is the best. But it was emotional hearing her say, with tears in her eyes, how thankful she was for me and how she loves me as if I was one of her own kids. It was so powerful. She wanted me to make sure I told my mom, thank you for letting me come down here and share me with them for some time. It was amazing. As I was leaving, she gave me this amazing diamond looking key-chain thing with Jesus Christ in the center. She said she had been given it by the church for being a seminary teacher for over five years! And she had been holding onto it to give to me before I left back home. How special is that. I'll put a picture of it below.
Getting up early and leaving Panca on the back of the flete for the last time with a plaque on was sad. As I was thinking of how many times I had done that, and how that time was the last one.
I'm so grateful for all the people I've been able to meet and serve while being here, and for every single experience that I've had that has changed my testimony, life, and mission in some way. It's going to be sad leaving these people in 11 days but thinking back to all of these experiences makes me so happy and grateful for it all. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It's getting more and more real every day that I'll be home soon, so this week I'm going to be out and with the people to just take it all in and do as much as I can until I'm done. I know I'll miss it here soon.
I got my flight plans this week and will be flying into SLC at 4:30 pm on June 2nd, for whoever can make it. Only one more email you guys! Love you all and see you guys soon!
- Elder Copeland
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