Typhoons ARE Ward business!

Dear Family,
There is another typhoon headed in on Tuesday or Wednesday. On Sunday, the direction and wind speed (195 kph) of the Storm was announced as part of the ward business in sacrament meeting. I had to look around to see the reaction of the members -- is that a normal item of business?
I like what you wrote, Mom, about life coming into focus when the end of life seems near. I see it over and over again here in the mission: elderly people, especially when a loved one has passed on, invite us in and express their fears about the coming days. Many tell us thoughtfully about their desire to prepare for the judgement day. I have been surprised at how many people are concerned with repentance. Many ask us how to repent.
These people are a Bible loving people. Most people have never read it, but everyone believes it. We have a problem sometimes at the end of lesson one when we extend the invitation to pray. We promise: "You'll know for yourself through the Spirit the truth of our message." Surprisingly often, when asked if they will pray, they say something like: "Siguro hindi na. Naniniwala naman ako sa mga sinabi n'yo. Galing sa Biblia ang mensahe n'yo."
Something like that. Which means: "No, I don't think so. I believe in what you've said, because it's coming from the Bible." Then we have to find a scripture in the Bible that says "ask for yourselves!" to convince them to ask.
Sometimes when the timing is good, sometimes when teaching the Book of Mormon, it's an interesting thing to ask, after bearing testimony: "How did you come to know for yourself that the Bible was true?" When asked to the right people, that really is a thought provoking question.

We're receiving a lot of referrals right now and enjoying a lot of support from the ward. As a result, our time in this area is spent more productively, we haven't had to mass-tract areas. I've learned a great deal from my companion, Elder Cobacha. He is an amazing BRT-er. Like, it's unfailable! Sometimes in our planning session I just have to ask: How do you do it? Everybody you talk to let's us in! There are religions here where it is forbidden to listen to missionaries of other sects, but even to them, we get in and teach! Elder Cobacha is so honest with people, and he just talks openly with them about whatever they're doing, or whatever else he sees is important to them. I can't believe how fast people open up! Then after about 5 minutes of talking about laundry, or pigeons, or fixing a bike, or whatever, he'll just ask, almost out of the blue: Well, brother, we'd like to share with you now. And he doesn't even get through the sentence before they're saying: "Pasok! And don't worry about your shoes!"
It's incredible. Sometimes they don't even know what religion we are yet. But Elder Cobacha is happy to teach me what he's learned about gaining rapport with people, and I've been taking notes like crazy. Right now we're hovering at 4-6 lessons a day, it helps when we have a ward missionary (about every other day).
We studied "Resolving Concerns" yesterday and it was just what we needed. It seems like right now our investigators have some deep, deep icebergs, social and doctrinal.
One social: Brother Villareal had a stroke and is at home all day long, by himself. He feels remorse for past sins, and wants to repent and be baptized. He reads the Book of Mormon and knows the doctrine. But he can't seem to give up smoking and coffee, and he's beginning to think he can't take the lessons any more, because he's losing hope in his ability to quit. He's afraid to come to church because he has a hard time talking and walking. He's embarrassed of his appearance and shy. He leaves early on Sunday mornings to avoid church.
Doctrinal: Sister Capuli was referred by her cousin, a member. In a visit with her when her relatives were not present, she opened up and said she was born, baptized, and married catholic, and she planned on dying that way. There is a Tagalog saying (Kung saan ka ipinanganak, doon ka mamamatay) that means: Where you're born, there you die, and she used that one. She is(was?) a promising investigator, but she just can't seem to accept that Joseph Smith saw a vision or that our doctrine is important.
Any ideas? It's been a time of prayer and pondering.

Do you have any questions about other aspects of the work?

Love ya'll family, and could I get a bit of Chris' homecoming talk? Thanks a ton for the letter, mom, thinking about what changes I want to make has spurred some great goal setting this week. Love you!
Elder Loren Peck