Bio of Gary Witte

Family: Married to Cindy Witte. We have 8 children: Nathan 25, Jared 23, Ryan 22, Elizabeth 20, Benjamin 18, Chistopher 12, Spencer 10, Alexander 7. I have been blessed with a great family. With seven boys and one girl, I have a lot of missionaries, and have sent out 3, all who have gone to Spanish speaking areas (el idioma del cielo) JaJaJa. My daughter is getting married in October in the Bountiful temple to an RM, who served in Argentina. We have one grandson who lives in Tulsa. Nathan (our oldest) lives in OK and Jared and Beth are enrolled at USU while Ryan just returned from Argentina and is attending a local university in Denver. Benjamin just graduated from HS and is preparing for his mission by working FT. Christopher is in Junior High (middle school) and quite the mad scientist. Alex and Spencer are in an elementary school. First time in 12 years with no one in HS. Alex is a natural athlete with seven brothers he can't help it, but he is the first that has talent, not like his Dad. Spencer is our special needs child and brings a great spirit into the family. Also, many of you know I am an identical twin. My twin passed away on Labor Day 1999 from melanoma. I am sure he is on another mission (By the way he served in Ecuador).

Church: I am still trying to get Home Teaching down. I have been in numerous Bishoprics and been Stake Young Men's President, High Councilor, Served 2 Stake missions, SS President, and now I have the most fun job, teaching Gospel Doctrine. I still hold the record for being the Church's worst Scout Master though. HaHa. Education: After struggling in school, through the support, encouragement, and aid of my good wife, I finally received my Bachelor's degree (w/honors) and went on to an MBA while rearing 8 children (plus one other teenager who lived with us for 6 years). If that wasn't the Lord working miracles in my life I don't know what is. I finished my Project Management Professional certification a few months ago.

Work: I have set up and tested data networks around the world, specializing in operations and project management. I have been to over 32 countries including Cuba and China, and have been blessed to return and work with banks and financial institutions in practically every country of Central and South America. I was laid of on 9-11-2001 and have been trying to get back to something substantial ever since, so if anyone has any contacts or can help please contact me. I worked at my last job for 12 years. I have been able to keep up my Spanish by working with over 150 countries, focusing much on Latin and South America. You would not recognize the mission. They have Applebee’s and Ford dealerships, which make the food much better and the economy has improved. The Gran Hotel Sula still sells ice cream. (Nicaragua is still struggling since the Sandinista war and has really gone a bit back, but is rebuilding) I was in Honduras just after hurricane Mitch, and will bring a video, too much to write here, but it was devastating.

Hobbies: I like to write poetry, and play in a city softball league. I haven't much talent but I am slow. (I can pitch so they let me play.) I love the scriptures and enjoy studying them with my wife, who offers great insights. Family keeps me pretty busy. Community Service: I organized and managed the staff for the Western Hemisphere Global Economic Summit of Eight (countries) here in Denver. Have worked with La Raza. Comps: Holladay, Allphin, Race, Tyson, Vega, Johannsan, Kuttler, Christiansen, some others too. Areas Served: All over Chitré, SPS, Teguc, Matagalpa, Masaya, Granda, Alajuela, etc. (I am so glad I never had a warm shower, it prepared me for when my kids take all the hot water) HaHa.

Dichos: ¡Qué barbaridad! ¿Como sos vos? ¡Mondongo ummmmmm! Memories: Once while on a zone paseo, we stopped at a pulperia to buy some "duritos" (basically small homemade popsicles) and we all got ours when a greeny (name withheld) asked what those were. We told him in all seriousness they were "besitos", which sounded just like what we were ordering. He asked the girl behind the counter (not a geeper), to give him a, well it is better in Spanish, el dijo, "dime un besito," she looked confused and embarrassed, thinking she did not understand his accent he became more insistent, with more "ânimo" gritó, ¡Dime un besito! As you can imagine we all had a good laugh watching this unfold. I guess you had to be there. Haha.

This is worthy of "True Confessions", but anyway, because of a scheduling conflict we had to change District Conference with the Pres. from Sunday to Saturday. So as you can imagine (oh sure I hear them say) one day runs into another, so for my comp and I we just acted like the Saturday was a Sunday. So, and I am telling the absolute truth, when Sunday came, we just felt like it was Monday (p-day) so my comp and I went to a movie (Rambo meets Bambi) or something like that, and didn't realize it until we got out that it was really Sunday. We felt so bad, really, but I have repented and now I can laugh about it. P.S. Don’t tell Pres. Eager JaJa

I have always appreciated the leadership of President Eager. He truly deserved our respect. Being able to experience four different cultures was also a wonderful blessing. How many Elders mastered the language was an inspiration to me as I struggled and they helped me progress. I especially remember how much I appreciated Elder Goddard who made me a birthday cake, when I was living in a "real hole" and was eating nothing but "platano" soup and overripe fruit in my first area in San Pedro. It may sound odd but it helped me smile. The Diaz family that Elder Cornell baptized and then I helped in Matagalpa was a light and blessing I will never forget.