Family,
Summertime has arrived here in the Philippines (yes, to us Americans it is always summertime here!) and it is SOOOOO hot! There is actually a difference...oh, how I miss the rain! It is crazy to think that within the next 10 or so days I will hit my one-year mark of being in the Philippines. Time has gone by so very,very fast. I remember feeling like I was going to die here in the Philippines and now the time is just slipping through my fingers.
We had a great week here in Dumaguete. We conducted splits with 2 companionships which was great. I stayed in our area while Sister Houston worked in the other areas. We arranged it this way as she is still new to the area and can't really lead it. So I am jealous she was able to work in other areas! I realize it will be the same way next transfer when I get another new companion, I will be left in the area while they go and work in the other areas! But it's okay because I really do love this area in Dumaguete. It was fun to go on splits with the other sisters and I am certainly learning a lot from them. However, I won't lie, Sister Houston and I are always happy to be reunited. Too bad she'll be leaving me here pretty soon at the end of March...
Not too much shocking news this week....which is a good thing because I feel like this past month or so there has been crazy things happening in the mission or just in my life. Lots of surprises! But the work here is progressing. We have made a goal to find new less active members here. There are 600 plus names on the branch record and on average only about 150 go to church each week. So there are 450 plus members that are lost. We set an appointment with some long-time members here, President and Sister Salayog, so that we could go over the records with them and ask them about who else we can look for and teach. The appointment was kind of pointless as they went through the list and just told us they didn't recognize many of the names, or the people were dead, or they had moved, and so on. But we will continue to look for those Less-Actives (come out come out from wherever you are!!) It is hard work looking for less-actives here in the Philippines. People are constantly moving around...so transient.
We have a new investigator with a baptismal date, Sister Mila Francisco. She is a sister of a member here and she is GOLDEN. In our first lesson with her she just expressed her want to repent of her sins. That is such a good thing to see in people. She is in her 60s and has had a really hard family life- her husband died a couple of years ago and her kids have pretty much abandoned her. She is looking for the light of Christ. She told us that every time we teach she just feels so different and good. It has been a great first few lessons with her and she is just soaking everything in. She is so willing and committed to changing.
We had a few moments of frustration with our branch here this past week and it has all just been a learning experience for me. The branch here basically refuses to take part of any service projects. We asked the Relief Society to find some members to help us wash clothes for one of our Less Active members who just had a new baby, has a toddler, takes care of her other siblings, and can't wash except for Saturdays because her husband is working and no one can watch her kids. The Relief Society Presidency told us that we need to tell the member to be more self reliant. I was so disappointed in that moment. They then made excuses about how they are too old or too busy to help. While they sat there and made excuses I just kept thinking of Mosiah 2:17, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the bservice of your cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Oh, the lessons I am learning here on my mission. I hope we will all make the effort, no matter how old we are, what our physical conditions are, or how busy we are to serve our fellow men. Charity never faileth....well I guess it's failing here in Dumaguete....haha
Anyway we have an activity today so I've got to sign off but know that I love all of you and pray for all of you!!! Thank you for your support. DO YOUR HOME AND VISITING TEACHING!!!!!!!!!!
Love you
Sister Trayner #2
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