Day 95 Carigara, Philippines what a week

What a week. It felt so nice to get back to work again. Surprisingly, I actually found my way around our area fairly well, especially since it had been awhile. If I didn’t know where a house was, I at least knew where a member lived who could show us around. That’s the thing here: since everyone spends a lot of time outside and their houses aren’t exactly soundproof, everyone knows everyone; they have a tight knit community. To get to someone’s house, you just have to memorize the path and what it looks like. I tried to explain the concept of a house address to some kids and they were so baffled, haha.

Sige (ok), so we are still teaching the Visoria boys and the Pilande family. J Out of the Visoria boys, one of them in particular seems much more serious and earnest than the rest. His name is Julius Nicdao and he’s sixteen. He’s come to church with some less-actives these past three weeks (and sometimes he’d come just with another investigator!). However, his parents don’t want him to continue talking with us or to get baptized. He is afraid of letting us talk to his parents, so we’ll see how that goes this next week. The Pilande family continues to be rock awesome. We taught them once, but they practically taught us. The father has practically every church manual and studies the scriptures like crazy. And the mother already has names to bring to the temple for when they can go. Talk about a dedicated family.

My favorite experience of the week was when we had our second lesson with a young adult named Aldrin Giwan. He’s so cooooool! He’s the one that we briefly intro’d about the BOM and he seemed really receptive. I’ve been dying to go back and we finally were able to! We followed up on his reading in the BOM and he’s already on chapter 8 of 1 Nephi. And he had questions for us! I got to answer why Nephi killed Laban----to the best of my ability in Waray, haha. During the whole lesson, I practically had to restrain myself from bouncing up and down on the couch (yes, a couch!) because I was so excited with how he is receiving the gospel. Also, at the end of the lesson, he asked us what we believe about heaven and hell. He is so ready to learn! The only downside is that he lives on a little island somewhere and comes to Carigara for work. The fare for the ferry ride is expensive, so he’s not sure when he’ll be able to come to church. He committed to be baptized, though, so he promised to figure things out so he can try to attend church.

So I found out that I love tracting! I’ve tried street contacting and “knocking doors” (we don’t knock, we call “maupay!” at the gate/door). People are so nice and relaxed; I’ve found that the people here are very open to talking with strangers and other people because they just want someone who will listen. It’s harder to find people who will actually listen to our message, haha. It’s also fun to watch people’s expressions when they find a pasty white Americana on their doorstep. J We’ve received many new investigators this way, but it’s soooooo much better to work through referrals from the members. I like meeting new people, even though I can’t remember of even pronounce most of their names. Also, my favorite thing is when a little kid “blesses” me. It’s a sign of respect for a child to take their elder’s hand (almost as if they were going to shake hands) and then touch their forehead to the elder’s hand. Cutest thing in the whole wide world, especially when it’s just some random kid you’re passing by in the street.

The bugs aren’t bad here. I haven’t even seen any large spiders yet. And I’ve only seen 3 or 4 cockroaches, maybe. I don’t live in the bukid so the living conditions are pretty nice---except for the occasional brown out or when the water runs out in the middle of rinsing your laundry. . . like what happened today, haha.

We finally had another zone activity this morning. We went to the beach!! Christian and I found some live starfish and put them on our faces (see the picture). We played a bunch of games, waded in the water, watched an elder eat a live crab. . . stuff like that. J

Christian has less than a month left. So he’ll for sure just stay here until his transfer is up the first week of October. I wish he could stay longer!

Since being in the Philippines, I’ve come to appreciate clean water. In America, there is such easy and quick access to clean water, but here many people have to either travel or get water from wells to do their cooking, cleaning, and laundry. (we have our water delivered from the local water sterilization plant J ). With this context, I read a talk by Matthew Heaps in the Liahona July 2011 issue. Here’s a quote I want to share with you all:

“I wonder if we who get clean water from taps in our homes sometimes expect to come unto Christ with the same ease as turning a knob to get a glass of water. Or are we willing to put aside other tasks, even important ones, to seek to know Jesus Christ and His Father?”

Also, I really like what the 4th verse of Count Your Many Blessings teaches:

“So amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you til your journey’s end.”

As we recognize God’s hand and tender mercies in our past and present, we will have hope to sustain us because we know and trust that He will be there in the future.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Sister Amanda Smith

with Sis Baylon

a fruit called rumbatan, think. tastes like. . . um there's nothing really to compare it to. . . but i like it:)

where we had our zone activity. doesn't it look like a wallpaper screen???

gorgeous lighting scenery. this is a view from a basketball court.