First things first. Kalabaw in English means Water Buffalo. And they are everywhere here. In some places, people saddle up and ride them, but they are mostly used for tilling. They are BIG animals. And their horns are huge as well, the horns turn back and not forward. They make belts out of the horns.
Dear Family,
It's been one of the most amazing weeks of the mission. There's a lot to write about this week.
The Yzon family is doing great. This week we taught the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity, and this is a crucial time in their progression. Brother Yzon accepted the word of wisdom, even though he told us it was going to be one of the hardest things he's done to give up smoking. They are on top of it spiritually, they are ready to accept the gospel. It's really surprised me what their concerns are in the lessons, it's like they looked at Preach My Gospel and already know what we plan to teach next time. I think that they can feel what needs to change in their lives, and it's easy to teach them.
On Wednesday, we had interviews. As I was waiting, I got to talk again with Sister Puzey, and she told us the stories about Ephraim the bear up Black-smith fork canyon, Rosy the Miner, Sagwich the Indian, about Gog and Magog close to Richmond, about the buried treasure and old train up past White Pine, and a lot of other Cache Valley stories. Interviews are great, because President Puzey feels like a really close friend, and it's great to have 10 minutes to sit down and talk with him about how things are going. It was great, as usual, and just as we were about to close the interview, he asked if he could see my planner. I knew that planner checks happened every so often, so I wasn't too surprised. He asked about the people we were visiting later, and I answered his questions. Then he said, "When can I come out and work with you two? What time is good for you?" I was surprised, I didn't know President just went out and worked with the missionaries out of the blue. I asked him if I could juggle the schedule a little so he could meet the Yzon family. Because they aren't married, and under Philippines law, cannot be legally married (there is no provision for divorce), they will eventually need an interview with President Puzey before being baptized. The leaders of the church have agreed that people living together in this kind of circumstance may be baptized, but will not be able to go to the temple as a couple. President Puzey told me we were going to say a closing prayer, and then I should go get a cell phone from Sister Puzey and give her directions to our apartment. I did as he said, and Sister Puzey gave me basic directions about how to call them (because I don't know how to work a cell phone). My head spinning, and a little nervous, we planned the details, and headed home to wait until 2:30. We were picked up by the Puzeys and headed to Aduas. The traffic didn't seem so bad inside a big van (I usually face the traffic riding side saddle on the back of a motorcycle and sidecar, taking care of my feet, because the oncoming traffic really is that close).
We arrived in Aduas, and to our relief, the entire Yzon family was at home, even though we had no schedule on Wednesday with them. They were surprised to see President and Sister Puzey, and honored as well. We introduced the Yzon's to the Puzeys. The Puzeys were so great. They admired the pictures on the walls, talked to the kids, and complimented the family. We taught "Study the Scriptures" and emphasized family scripture study. They are already having family prayer. After we taught, President and Sister Puzey also shared their testimony. It was powerful, and the spirit was strong. Elder Cobacha and I were smiling so big because everything went so good. As we prepared to leave, Brother Yzon talked to us and said he understood what President Puzey had said, which was that he'd found his way in life because of what he read in the scriptures. Brother Yzon has a quiet voice, and doesn't talk a lot, but he told us that that's exactly what he wanted, to see his way in life -- how he was supposed to make it through life. We waved goodbye, and walked back to the Puzey's van.
That was a huge help, and a great spiritual experience. After that, we taught the Law of Chastity, and answered all of their questions and concerns -- they told us before we started that they knew that this church was about the family, and they asked us how things were going to work out for them. As they continue to progress, slowly, things are falling into place. Their baptism is set tentatively for January 2, 2010.
The rest of the week was just as good, and we made plans to help everybody get to church. But we really didn't expect what actually happened. 11 Investigators showed up to church, and church attendance is hovering in the mid 80's. The Gospel essentials room was full, and I think everyone really had a great experience. We went around last night teaching and extending baptismal goal dates to those that came to church, and they accepted, and things are really looking up in our area right now. Sister Luna came to church again, and her baptismal goal date is set for December 19. Things continue to go well, and her kids and grandchildren are cheering her on.
I've got to go, but I've got to say thanks to the Swans -- I set up the Christmas trees, and my companion and I got a kick out of the Charlie Brown Tree. I got your letter, dad, and I'll reply. Thank you, it means a lot to me.
Well, I didn't get to write about my sleepless Friday night! I'll fill you in next week. I love ya'll lots! Keep doing great!
Love, Elder Loren Peck
Dear Family,
Our church attendance really bounced back this week. Yes mom, boxing is HUGE here, and people have been watching the replays and talking about the upcoming boxing matches. Pakyaw (spelling?) ( aka: PacMan) is the hero right now. I don't know how he does it, he's really small.
Chris, this past month I've noticed more and more just how much español there is in Tagalog. The cool thing is, over 300 years of Spanish reign, it got mixed in so slowly that now, a lot of people think the spanish words they use are tagalog. Delicado, milagro, peligro, tsineles, ebanghelyo, propeta, saserdote, libro, mismo, there are hundreds and hundreds I hear every day. There's a lot that's been tag-lized.
Who knows? maybe I'll be able to switch over to spanish when I'm back in the Estados Unidos. Thanks for your part of the letter! Do you have a calling in the spanish ward, or was it a one time thing? Dad, the churches here aren't as "fortress-like" as the one you attended, but it is strange to see the church all fenced up and locked up here, with bars on all of the windows.
I couldn't even remember what day was Thanksgiving this year. A few weeks ago I remembered that it was in November, and I knew it must be close because Sister Puzey gave a talk at Zone Conference on Gratitude and Humility. Sister Puzey gives amazing talks, everything is always so well studied and her talks are constantly very spiritual. I always look forward to Zone Conferences. I had the opportunity again to play the piano. Whatever skills there were before have been in the basement for a little too long -- my fingers are like 10 little kalabaw. Sister Puzey said she wanted to know when #9 was coming -- I had to tell her I wasn't sure. Is there a date? Guess? President Puzey just got back from a Mission President training session -- 3 days. Elder Cook was there, and he said that he had felt impressed many times that something very critical to the latter-day work of the Lord was happening in the Philippines. He pointed out that there are 6 billion people on the earth, and 3 billion in Asia. The Philippines is right in the middle of all that, and in the way things worked out, it happens to be the only Christian nation in Asia. And missionary work exploded here. Now it's still really rolling, but we usually hang around 120 baptisms a transfer with this past one, 80, as the lowest ever, while formerly there were upwards of 300 constantly. President Puzey said that now we needed to get really smart in the work, because people aren't just showing up at church any more waiting to be taught. The focus was Chapter 8.
Getting investigators to church was a big success this week. Last week I wrote about the Degusman Family, but their last name is really Izon. The Izon family regularly visits family on the weekend, but on Sunday they left at 4 AM and traveled here to get dressed and come to church. We swung by to pick them up and they were all ready to go, they'd found some sunday clothes, and brother had even found and polished some sunday shoes. Teaching them has been an absolute pleasure -- they put everything aside to listen and always read the assignments and do everything we ask them. Their circumstances are very humble, but they insist on giving us juice or buying some soda or crackers for us. It's SO against the cultural code to turn a merienda down. We will teach them about the Word of Wisdom tomorrow, and hope they'll be ready for that, but on the last visit, they mixed up some "Nestea" and had already poured it into glasses for us, and handed it to us. We could tell it wasn't the normal juice, so we asked what it was. I looked at Elder Cobacha, and he was scared. We held the glasses and 'ah-hummed' a little and fidgeted a little, but then had to brake it to them that we couldn't drink it. I had to say it, because Elder Cobacha was scared to death that they'd be offended, and I started to think if I didn't say anything Elder Cobacha might start drinking just so they wouldn't be hurt. Luckily, they understood, and everything went great at church. We were early and got to take them around, and they got to talk to bishop in his office and meet everybody. They are an amazing and very promising family, but there are problems as well. Because of some complications, because of the lack of divorce in the Philippines, they can be baptized after an interview with President Puzey, but they won't be able to go to the temple, and that's really hard. We'll see how things unfold. Two other investigators also came to church, including Sister Luna. Her grand-children were really impressed. The week has flown by and we've been really happy in the work. I'm really enjoying seeing the progression here in Aduas, and this past month or two has been peaceful and a really happy time for me. I know I'm here for a reason, and I feel that the spirit is helping me know what to say and is leading us to prepared people, like the Izon family. I love ya'll lots, and thanks for all your prayers. Take care!
Love, Elder Loren Peck
P.S. I received the Christmas package from the Swans and want to say THANKS A TON! The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree will hopefully be assembled later on. Thanks also for the thoughtful gifts for Elder Cobacha. In the 8 months that he's been out he hasn't received a letter from his parents, because they are a long ways from the city and don't know how to email. He occasionally gets an email from one of his siblings -- the only other member in his family. But one of his sisters is taking the lessons and made it to church. Yes! Elder is really excited about that. I passed on the gifts, and he told me to tell the Swans thank you. He wore the tie yesterday. At his home they don't have presents at christmas time, but he loved the christmas season because it was the one time every year he'd head home from Manilla, carrying 3 kilos of meat for their christmas feast.
Thank you!
Dear Family,
I got my first taste of goat this week at the home of a part member family. Jhei Yambot is our Young Men's President here in Aduas at age 23. He also comes around with us 3 days a week. He works so hard in the church. He's the only member in his family, and that makes his family life a challenge sometimes. They don't understand why he puts so much time into the church, when they think he should spend more time learning the family trade and helping out with their business. His dad and family make and deliver home supplies, everything from home-made cheese graters to brooms. It was Brother Yambot's (dad of Jhei's) birthday and they welcomed us in when we picked up Jhei. The birthday tradition here is to prepare A LOT of food and feed family and everyone that shows up. Turning down food is a capital offense. Sister Yambot is a great cook. One of the things they gave me was goat in the form of a soup that goes on rice. They don't throw away parts of the goat -- so there's all sorts of things floating around in there. Goat is a real Christmas treat, and it's more expensive than pork. I was surprised, it tasted real good.
These past few weeks we've paid attention on building good relationships with the members and with bishop, and it's really starting to pay off. I feel in touch and like I'm part of the ward. Yesterday in our correlation with Bishop, we had a great discussion and it was clear that Bishop was ready to help and excited about the plans. We had a great meeting.
Yesterday Pakyaw (the boxing star) had a match, and that hurt our church attendance. None of our investigators made it to church, sister Luna got sick, Sister Carlos and her neice had a web-cam appointment with her parents in Hong Kong, the Degusman family was out of town.
We've had some great success with reactivation -- we had 5 appointments this past week with less active members, and one of them, a 21 year old (Brother Corpus) that was offended years ago, brought his wife with him to church. His wife is Catholic, and they are looking forward to their first child in about a month and a half. He told us a few weeks ago that by the time his child was here, he wanted to be back on track. Our ward really needs the priesthood bearers as well.
I can't be sure if I'll still be here a month from now for the next transfer, so it's hard now that we're setting baptismal goal dates that will extend into the coming transfer, and the goal dates before then begin to dwindle. I know it's not all about the baptisms, but that's really what we're here for. I know that no effort is wasted and that things happen in the Lord's time, but I'm really trying to be worthy of the blessings of the Lord and doing my best to use the Lord's time wisely and productively.
Wow, three packages! It really is Christmas! Just as long as there's a christmas card from ever'body, that's great. Don't send boots! I know dad was just joking, but just in case, I can't carry them around. I can't think of anything else . . . right now . . . Yeah, I'm done trying to think. It's monday.
I can not figure out this camera card thing. I'm sorry, I hoped to send a picture or two. Maybe I'll just mail the card again. I haven't been taking many pictures. . . I've got some repenting to do.
The days are flying and I'm really loving the time here. Sometime's it's hard and there's a lot of those great 'character building' times, but when the day is done it all works out for the best. There's nothing better than that feeling when the day is done and you know that you're in the right place doing the right things.
I love ya'll lots! Have a great week, and enjoy the snow for me!
Love, Elder Loren Peck
Dear Family,
Looks like everybody had a party again this week. The area I'm in right now, Aduas, is well known for it's lechon pork -- the whole pigs, flame roasted. We've got a lot of investigators and members that are in that business. I didn't know dad and Chris were hunting! Way to go Sarah, but remember, you've got to start out with a beater while you're still a freshman. While we talk with people, they sometimes have to point out that we're standing underneath a coconut tree, because periodically the coconuts drop. We laugh and step away from the chance of meeting a comical end, like, that only happens in cartoons, right? But it really is dangerous! Two months ago we "mowed the backyard with a machete" (pagdadamo, in last weeks letter) at Brother Villereal's house (he's got a BIG backyard, and the jungle has taken over). And as I was 'lawn mowing' a coconut dropped not 10 feet from me, spraying coconut milk everywhere. The leaves don't fall but the coconuts do.
It's been another great week. We were a little dissapointed when Sister Luna didn't show up at church. She went and sold at the palengke again, it's hard when change comes slow. Sister Rodriguez, Sister Iverson's former companion, returned home this week and bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting. She had nothing but the best to say about Sister Iverson.
The week has flown by and we've met a lot of promising new investigators. We had a second visit at the home of a new family, the Degusman's, and taught more about the Book of Mormon. They live in humble circumstances, a two room house, close to the church. They are so humble and ready to listen. We could tell that Brother Degusman was excited to recieve a Book of Mormon, and after the lesson he thanked us over and over, and was overwhelmed that it was free. I gave the invitation to be baptized and they accepted it right away. We pulled out their calendar and set a date. As we left they told us to make sure and come back. It's amazing when a whole family responds like that. I feel like this first week is going to be critical in their conversion, and we plan on making frequent contact and help them make it to church this Sunday.
I'm looking forward to the new transfer. The time is really flying by and things are feeling really good. Language and culture is normal, I feel right at home, although I am not as fluent as I'd like to be. There is a lot to learn. Question for Chris and Dad: how can I keep a good progression going in learning the language?
In the package -- I could use some shoe-polish and a couple pairs of socks -- if you can find ones that are a little bit different, throw those in because the ones that look normal keep dissapearing. I'd also like a few ties, I'm really lacking in that department and am regretting that I sent any home. Any kind of tie is great.
I'll miss Thanksgiving and Fall! The pictures are great, there has been no change at all here. The weather really is great here, though, and it's really easy to predict. There is no weather channel -- if there was, it would be something like-- "It looks like another steamer, with a 50% chance of rain. And that prediction is good for the next 5 months."
I love you all and loving the work. It's been a great week!
WIth love, Elder Loren Peck
Dear Family,
About Dad's letter first. I regret moaning and groaning on Saturdays just a few years ago, because now when Thursday and Community Service Project comes around, it's the highlight of the week. The normal activity is what we call "pagdadamo". In English, it means "mowing the backyard with a machete" and that IS an exact translation. Don't worry! I've still got 8. . .9 . . . 11, no! 10 fingers(there are people around here that have 11 digits, but that's not something to talk about). But I'm getting a little better at "mowing the lawn". Next time I'll get some pictures. People's gardens here are amazing! The plants are foriegn to me, so I have to ask before I start hacking so I miss the pineapple's, guavas, and camote. Dad, what we did with the pig is re-enacted for me every once in a while here. Looks like the method is indeed universal. When you buy pork here, the skin is sometimes still on, and they use every part, the tripe is made into a soup called "Goto" and is sold with bread for 10 cents.
Earlier this morning we went fishing -- we baught fishing line and hooks at the palengke, and then headed off to the pond of one investigator. At their house, we found a stand of bamboo and made poles. With cut-up sandals you've got a bobber, and then you're set. We dug up worms for bait, and trekked out to the pond. We didn't catch anything, but it was a good time anyway.
Good news! No transfers! That was an answer to my prayers, I really don't feel ready to leave Aduas and the companionship with Elder Cobacha just keeps getting better. I'll have to write his conversion story, it's amazing. Now, his youngest brother has been baptized and one of his sisters is taking the lessons.
I forgot to tell you that I met the parents of Sister Iverson's last companion in the San Pablo mission. We had a dinner appointment with the Rodriguez family, Brother is a councilor in the Stake Presidency, and we talked about missions, of course. We found that they have two children out on missions right now. They told us that Sister Rodriguez had a new companion, American named Sister Iverson, that was shorter than Sister Rodriguez (they got a kick out of that). Anyway, it's a small world! We'll see Sister Rodriguez on Sunday at church, she gets home sometime this week.
Sunday was the "day of the dead" and only 40 people came to church. Miserable. Only one investigator came. Everybody went to the graveyard and lit candles at home. We met some young carolers that sang house to house and asked for money or candy. Apparently at Christmas everyone does that and they expect money, for everyone that sings. That could get expensive in a hurry.
Tomorrow we might stop by and see Brother Villereal just to see how he's doing. I watched yesterday, half expecting him to walk into the chapel. Instead brother Fullencio walked in a little late, an ancient, stooped man whose hearing is fading. He walked several city blocks to attend, and attended every class, although he slept through the last one. He really surprised us since we've only met him once or twice and we didn't think he was in good enough shape to walk to church.
We (are praying that we) have family home evening at the home of Sister Luna later tonight. She's struggling a little bit to make a decision and I guess she's doubting a little bit her desire to be baptized. But we've only met with her twice, and we're excited to share the Plan of Salvation and get some of that healthy restored-gospel-doctrine into her. We've got great rapport with her and her family, and the lessons are great. She read the whole pamphlet and the introduction and the testimony of the witnesses and Joseph Smith already. AND Moroni chapter 10, which we didn't assign, she just saw the reference in the Introduction and decided to find it and read it. She explained to us what she learned, and said she believed the Book of Mormon to be true. She's promised us, and her excited grandchildren, that she'll accompany all of us to church this Sunday. Things should really start to happen after that. There's progress every week and I'm excited for these next 6 weeks in Aduas.
I'm learning a lot in Personal Study and I'm being obedient. And, I'm getting pretty ripped with my 'missionary excercise . . . X' every morning. Ha ha . . . I'm putting on SO MUCH WEIGHT. I'm scared to send pictures right now. But I work out every morning, the problem is all this awesome Filipino food really sticks to a guy!
I need some shoelaces, mine broke earlier. And can you resend that number for the ATM card? I won't need it right away, but I forgot it. And can you send 2 of those really, really small book of mormons? That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now, along with the things last week. A card from everyone would be great.
I'm loving the work and it's really rolling along right now. We've got some great investigators right now and this week I've really felt the spirit while bearing testimony. I know this work is true, and I love ya lots!
Sincerely,
Elder Loren Peck
