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
No comments:
Post a Comment