Well another great week has come and gone here in the Philippines. We've definitely had some great experiences this past week so I am excited to write to you all about them.
Last Wednesday we went to visit an inactive member: Sister Edna, who is a RM, about 40 years old, and is split from her husband. Her family are all members and her parents were actually some of the first people here in the Philippines to become members in the 1960s. Anyway we went to teach her relative (who is a recent convert and now less active) and she happened to be there so, on the spot, without preparing to teach her, we asked if we could share with her. I was so nervous at first! Sister Edna has served a mission, grew up in the church so obviously something had happened to her because she stopped going to church for many many years. Anyway I just had a prayer in my heart that I would be able to speak the right words at the right time, especially since my companion cannot understand the language yet. So we started the lesson and I had NO IDEA what we were going to share or what I was going to say. Anyway it was the most amazing experience here on my mission and I will not forget it. I felt the Spirit guide me as I asked her the questions I needed to ask and find the scripture that we needed to share to her. She ended up crying and telling us she wants to return to the Church but of course she has some obstacles to overcome. The Spirit was so so strong and she opened up to us about her concerns. It was a great experience to have and we all felt the spirit. She didn't go to church this last Sunday but I know she will come back.
I titled the subject line "Dugay Dugay na" which means "a while now". Because we have been searching for those inactives and we met several this past week who were baptized in the 1970s and haven't been to church since then! Isn't that the craziest thing? And we are the first missionaries to go visit them since their baptisms. Some of them are pretty hard-headed and of course have totally forgotten about the gospel and moved on to new things but we've had a couple of lessons now with some of them. One is Sister Ludivina who was baptized in 1975 and was only active for 2 years when she remarried to a devout Catholic and wasn't allowed to have anything to do with the church (oh be wise, what can I say more? in your choice of spouse!!) She has TOTALLY forgotten EVERYTHING. Yesterday we taught her the first part of Lesson 1- God is our Loving Heavenly Father and that the Gospel Blesses Families. It was a great experience. Our only problem now is her husband...who lives in a different part of the island. But I know Heavenly Father will soften hearts and she says we are welcome to teach her as long as he is not there (which shouldn't be a problem because he only visits on special occasions) Anyway we shared about temples and family sealings and with the temple being so close it is always such a powerful lesson. The temple from our area is only one ride- about 5 minutes!
This week we've had storms and it's been CRAZY!! On Saturday my umbrella broke :( And we didn't have time to go get another one...and then....on Sunday while we were out working the rain came POURING( for hours and hours)!! And we had no where to go because we were headed to an appointment. Needless to say I was soaked HEAD to TOE. My hair was dripping and my mascara was smeared! I basically took a shower, haha. But the work goes on...we worked until the evening! Every time something like that happens I think of our pioneer ancestors and what they did. If they can walk miles in snow and cold I can walk in the rain. So it's not so bad. Every one was freaking out though yelling, "asa ang imong payong?!?!" meaning... "where is your umbrella??" Oh, the mission life. Love it.
My companion is doing so great. Her Visaya is getting better and better. Sometimes I feel stressed since so much rests on my shoulders with our work and the people we teach (due to the Language) but I am so grateful to have her as my companion. She helps me out in so many ways. This past week we found an Indian Restaurant in our area and we ate some DELICIOUS food...Sister Prasad was the happiest. Also this is kind of funny. There was one Indian man there too who could only speak a little English but spoke Visayan. He wanted to talk to Sister Prasad so he would talk to me in Visaya and then I would translate for her. Isn't that funny? Here I am, an American, translating a Filipino language for an Indian to speak to another Indian. What is this world coming to??
Then also we finished the One Week Mission with our ward...I wouldn't say it was as successful as it could have been. They only had the members work from 1-5...which is not the brightest idea because people have work! So it could have been more efficient. And a lot of the auxiliaries didn't really pull it together. But at least we were able to learn our area better and be introduced to new less actives. It was so fun though because on Sunday President and Sister Schmutz came to our ward and all of the temple missionaries. There were sooo many Americans, haha. But it was so great! The Temple President and his wife also came. I've learned a lot about sacrifice here on the mission. If a ward will sacrifice their time to help build up Zion, miracles happen. I know this was just their first time and the next time they do it more of the ward members will catch the vision.
I am SO happy to hear about Zach being in Chile. After I read his email last week I cried! I am so happy to hear about all of the good things happening in our family. (ehhem... even though y'all aren't the most faithful of writers ;) ) I am so grateful for our new assignment here in Mabolo. I am actually LOVING it. We talk to so many people every day and it is such a blessing to be working in the shadow of a temple. I think I'm being converted to the city?? We'll see....but of course I still do miss Bohol. I am learning so much here on my mission. I've finished Matthew and Mark now in the New Testament and I have learned so much about the Savior. About what a true disciple of Jesus Christ will give up: their whole life. I am so grateful for these 18 months that I can be focused on Him. Missions are Miracles! Even though working with inactive members is what I think to be the hardest work I've ever done, it is also the most rewarding. It's so rewarding to see people come back into the fold. And to be the one helping them to do so. Watching those hard hearts turn softer through the gospel and love of Jesus Christ. I am just so happy right now on my mission and don't think I'll be able to leave next August!!
I hope you had a great birthday Mom, you didn't mention anything about it! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. The weeks just come and go. I hope that all is well with you all!! General Conference is SO SOON!!! I am so excited!! We'll watch it one week delayed. I hope everything is well for Elder Trayner!! I love you family!
Love
Nicole
No comments:
Post a Comment