So first off - I have NOT been transferred! I am staying in Vintar for at least 6 more weeks. I have a new companion coming tomorrow - Elder Sm. That's all I know. Elder S is going to Sinait in Ilocos Sur. We found out this morning. We woke up at 5am and went to the mission home and read the list.
We had our baptismal service on Saturday. It went so well. They were all there on time and they all were so ready. The only problem was that we forgot towels.
When Elder D baptized M, he did it almost like a wrestling move and slammed her down into the water. We said he made her sins "tap out".
I gave my talk in front of over 100 people - the biggest baptism any of us had ever seen. My mission president and his wife were there with the AP's, ZL's and the stake president. I was really nervous but because I got started on it early in the week and because Elder S is so magaling (skillful) at Tagalog (I had him proof-read it) and because I prayed endlessly for it to go well, it went great. The baptismal service was beautiful. That scripture of how great your joy will be if you bring many souls unto Christ is so true. I can think of few, if any times where I was more happy - true happiness that made me feel warm and complete. Difficult to describe properly, especially because my writing in English is getting worse and worse. I have to consciously think about it now before I write it down.
D bore her testimony. It was epic - a thanks to everyone, and she called us guapo (handsome) like 17 times. The others bore beautiful testimonies. The awesome thing was that they were all about the Book of Mormon - not about the wonderful people at church, or the skills of the missionaries, but the power of the Book of Mormon and how it had changed their lives so profoundly that they had to testify of it.
Now that D, R, B, A and M are baptized, we have to help them become productive members of the Church. It must be hard for them to be the new ones. Do your best back home to watch out for those new investigators and recent converts. They are soooo important.
Afterwards I was feeling a little saucy and ate my first fish head. It was good. Elder H, a senior elder, said he can't eat anything that is looking up at him. I told him the trick is to eat the eyes first - so I did......I don't think he liked that.
We had a dinner appointment last night with D and six other families. I had pigs head for the first time. I walked into the room and, hey, there's a severed pigs head upright on the table. They made us go first to get
food. I get to the pigs head and look back at Elder S as if to say, "I don't know how to go about this" and then this guy comes up from behind me with a meat cleaver and starts going all Lizzie Borden on the pig head. It was sooooooo gross. And then he slapped a huge piece on my plate. The skin is really crunchy and fatty - good though.
They're all about eating here. It's how they get to know each other. Such a social thing and that seems to be lost from our culture to some extent with all the fast food and eating on the go.
After we got back today Elder S started packing and I started feeling the same feeling as when I left you guys at the airport. Missing someone is among the worst pains in the world. He's been a great companion and has taught me so much about this work and about the gospel, (and about how final fantasy relates to the
gospel). We have had so many great times and now God has decided that we need to part ways.
I realized just how big an impact our actions have on others. That's why God has given us advice, guidelines and commandments. As long as we do our best to follow them, the outcome of our actions will be for good in some form or another. It makes so much sense to me. I am trying my best to be the best example I can be so I can have the best effect possible on God's children.
We bought this pie thing at a bakery near the jeep station in Vintar and guess what it was? The same stuff that W made on that family day where we all made Filipino food from recipes from the Internet. The pie that was soooo good. Good job W! Yours tasted just like the native ones here!
I saw my first dog fight this week. Just feet away from our apartment two dogs were just ripping into each other. I felt so bad for them - poor things. They had blood all over them and they weren't holding back at all. Don't worry I stayed safe, but I did do an umbrella thing like Sean Connery in "Indian Jones and the Last Crusade". They stopped fighting for a second and looked at me and it seemed almost like they were saying, "Stupid white guy". Then they turned back and fought. The owner came out after a while and hit them both with a stick and they ran away. Crazy though.
We taught a lady this week who refused to believe in living prophets or accept the Book of Mormon. Elder S shared a scripture with her and she agreed with it and said it was beautiful. He said, "That's from the Book of Mormon". It was a real "Green Eggs and Ham" moment....only with a less happy ending.
Elder S also got me a caribow (water buffalo) horn belt. It's so cool! He's awesome. He also said he thinks a temple in Ottawa will be announced in General Conference. I realllllllly hope he's right. If he is, I will try to go every morning, or at least every two days. I have never missed the temple so much before.
We have another Typhoon coming tomorrow. It's a big one so wish me luck!
Anyways, we gotta bounce off to see our buddy E, the payong (umbrella) wizard (Docta Payong, some call him.....mostly us). Take care of yourselves. I love you lots and think about each of you often and pray for you just as much. IGNAT!!!!!
-Elder Dustan
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Egg Salad Anyone? - Week 20. Serving in Vintar
It's baguiing again (typhooning). Well, not right now but it was for the past three days. Not a strong one but it almost sunk Vintar......but it didn't.
B is getting baptized. Elder Davis interviewed D and said he's never met any person in his life who is more prepared to be baptized. R is getting baptized as well. He even said, in great English, "The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth." This Saturday 4 of our investigators are for sure being baptized. D has so much sway that I am speaking as well as the Stake president, AND President
Odgers is baptizing her! The whole town is talking about it and
everyone knows her as a devout Aglipayan so it's a big deal.
I saw an old Tatay in a SENATORS CAP!!!!!!!!! I walked by him and just pointed at his hat and said, "WHOOOOHOO!" I think I freaked him out.
We have another mosquito infestation. They are so bad that they land on our plates while we're eating and lay eggs! So gross!!!! We have bites allllll over. I'm pretty good at catching them with my hands and squishing them. Reflexes of a cat.
Elder Soriano is sure he's leaving next transfer and I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Filipino companion but only President Odgers knows what is up, so we'll see.
We had lunch at the mission home and a member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy dined with us - Elder Arden. It was soooooo amazing. He is from New Zealand and told us all about being called to the Seventy. He is speaking at General Conference next month and told us all about choosing his topic to speak on. It took him 40 hours to write a 7 minute talk! We then sat there and he imparted some amazing wisdom on us. It was awesome!
I'm now studying Leviticus and loved reading all about the symbols of the temple. I can't wait to go to the temple when I get home.
I'm jealous of your cold weather - so hot here.
Anyways, I love you so much and miss you. Take care of each other. Family is THE most important thing ever.
And scritch the dog for me for
goodness sake!
Love you lots
-Elder Dustan
B is getting baptized. Elder Davis interviewed D and said he's never met any person in his life who is more prepared to be baptized. R is getting baptized as well. He even said, in great English, "The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth." This Saturday 4 of our investigators are for sure being baptized. D has so much sway that I am speaking as well as the Stake president, AND President
Odgers is baptizing her! The whole town is talking about it and
everyone knows her as a devout Aglipayan so it's a big deal.
I saw an old Tatay in a SENATORS CAP!!!!!!!!! I walked by him and just pointed at his hat and said, "WHOOOOHOO!" I think I freaked him out.
We have another mosquito infestation. They are so bad that they land on our plates while we're eating and lay eggs! So gross!!!! We have bites allllll over. I'm pretty good at catching them with my hands and squishing them. Reflexes of a cat.
Elder Soriano is sure he's leaving next transfer and I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Filipino companion but only President Odgers knows what is up, so we'll see.
We had lunch at the mission home and a member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy dined with us - Elder Arden. It was soooooo amazing. He is from New Zealand and told us all about being called to the Seventy. He is speaking at General Conference next month and told us all about choosing his topic to speak on. It took him 40 hours to write a 7 minute talk! We then sat there and he imparted some amazing wisdom on us. It was awesome!
I'm now studying Leviticus and loved reading all about the symbols of the temple. I can't wait to go to the temple when I get home.
I'm jealous of your cold weather - so hot here.
Anyways, I love you so much and miss you. Take care of each other. Family is THE most important thing ever.
And scritch the dog for me for
goodness sake!
Love you lots
-Elder Dustan
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wait, Don't You Mean, "..Ere We Part"? - Week 19. Serving in Vintar
We got a referral last week. If anyone contacts someone from Vintar that seems interested they write the name and info on a referral card and we get it through the office. The Elders from Bacarra (who's apartment got flooded in the baguio or typhoon, and they found fish swimming in their first floor!) gave us a referral and there was no name and no info....just a photo of her on a bus and a note that said "She's got no legs, ask around". So we have a photo and are just starting to ask people if anyone knows her. We haven't found her yet. This has to be the most unusual referral ever!
This Saturday is baptismal interviews. We have several people who would like to be baptized but the only one that is for sure is D. She is paying tithing right now even though we told her not to until she is baptized. She got up in testimony meeting after only going to church for 6 weeks and she quoted and expounded on the scriptures. One of our investigators has to be married and his girlfriend doesn't want to because she says it's easier to travel if you are single. He almost cried when we told him he can't be baptized. He reallllly loves the Book of Mormon and eats up everything we teach him. He started as an iffy and awkward investigator but he is now the one we look forward to the most. He also works at the pancit (rice noodle) factory.....don't know why I shared that, I just think it's cool I guess.
R can't be baptized unless her husband gives us consent and he's against the church. She is so ready too. She had really expensive food delivered all the way from Laoag for us to eat with her....on HER birthday. She's so awesome - her own birthday and all she wanted to do was listen to the gospel and feed the elders (it was wayyyyy masirap too!). Then there is the other R - that kid who had Dengue Fever and the first person I gave a blessing to. He loves the church so much and is so excited to get baptized as is his brother B. They are so great. When we show up at their house they are usually sitting and reading the Book of Mormon or even singing "I Am a Child of God". J, the former town drunk, is doing so well. He relapsed but that's to be expected so we shared the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife and he's doing so well. We gave him a tie to wear and he loves church. He used to be really quiet and self-conscious but now he answers questions on his own in Sunday school class. He also has the nicest shirts I've ever seen! He has ratty pants and shorts, no indoor lights, only a bed and a pit for fires, but the nicest shirts. He also keeps his Book of Mormon in a cardboard box covered in other cardboard pieces and fabric to protect it from rain and leaks (his place leaks a lot). He really treasures the Book of Mormon - it's so sweet to see. He also calls us Elder Brother. "Opo Elder Brother Doostan".
I remember in Sunday school when I was younger and the teacher (can't remember who though) said, "If your house was on fire and your family was safe, what would you grab from the house to save?". Everyone said "Ohhh, of course my scriptures...." but I kept thinking "I'd totally grab Duncan and my guitar". But now in all honesty I would save my scriptures. I am in love with my study time. I have tons and tons of notes of all kinds marked in them. I'm reading the Old Testament right now and am almost done Exodus.
This week has been pretty good but really wet. I got soaked four times. Finally on Saturday we got a chance to buy new payongs! On Saturday night we had a movie night and watched the second "The Work and the Glory" movie. Everyone loved it. We had to leave part way through as we had to rush back to Vintar and tell R he can't be baptized. Not a great night. We taught an old man who has been going down hill a little and it's really sad to see but he told us once he knew it was all true. Then this time it was as if he totally forgot everything we taught him. We essentially tried to repeat it but he went on a loop and I felt bad because he was a little embarassed as he knew he wasn't getting it. I felt prompted to bear testimony about the Book of Mormon and other principles and to tell him not to forget what I told him because he'd need it later. He seemed to get it for some reason. I felt strongly that we don't need to teach him again. It was strange, but I know that he's in the hands of the missionaries in the spirit world now. Of course, we'll go back once in a while to see how he's doing. It was both a sad and spiritual night.
I had another exchange (which is a split but now we call splits when each companion goes with members to teach different appointments, and exchange is swapping companions for a day) in Piddig, Elder S's first area. I was with Elder L. He's Filipino. He always says fart instead of part and I die laughing. I was frustrated for much of the exchange as he's really in your face with the investigators but at the end I realized that that is exactly what some of those investigators needed, as some were quite stubborn. I really liked him by the end, it was cool, and I realized just how intricate and complex God's plan for us is. He knows each of our quirks and knows who can be affected for good by them and puts those people in our path. Not just here on a mission but back home too.
I also got to teach a young couple investigating the Church and once again got to share my testimony of eternal families. They were really moved by it and I used my photos (which I use allllll the time as a teaching aid with photos of the temple and my family).
We have a dog that walks by the apartment all the time and he's way skinny but so cute and kind. He is exactly like Snoops, K's dog back home, but white. We fed him some food one night (not in front of the apartment - don't worry, he doesn't know where we live and we have a gate. I thoroughly washed my hands afterwards as well). Anyways, he sits and lays down and everything but I think he was abused or something at one point. We named him Snoopdos because he's the second Snoops and we had been naming all 150 pokemon that day! (We're so cool!)
We are also eating weird food. Not like ethnic but just being tipid (thrifty) and eating left over stuff we have in the apartment. We had a missionary favorite - bread with condensed milk. So gross right? But it is also so good. Don't judge me! We also bought cereal for the first time and it was called "Dinobites" (or we call it Dinobetes). It's essentially the leftovers from Froot Loop packs. No joke.
I've been thinking about you guys and miss you so much! I hope you are all safe and doing your best in every way.
I'm so glad to be here and love you all so much. I pray for you constantly and am learning daily just how powerful prayer is. It's a true power - not fictional, I've witnessed amazing things through true, sincere prayer. Take care of yourselves and take care of my best bud Ryan too!
-Elder Dustan
This Saturday is baptismal interviews. We have several people who would like to be baptized but the only one that is for sure is D. She is paying tithing right now even though we told her not to until she is baptized. She got up in testimony meeting after only going to church for 6 weeks and she quoted and expounded on the scriptures. One of our investigators has to be married and his girlfriend doesn't want to because she says it's easier to travel if you are single. He almost cried when we told him he can't be baptized. He reallllly loves the Book of Mormon and eats up everything we teach him. He started as an iffy and awkward investigator but he is now the one we look forward to the most. He also works at the pancit (rice noodle) factory.....don't know why I shared that, I just think it's cool I guess.
R can't be baptized unless her husband gives us consent and he's against the church. She is so ready too. She had really expensive food delivered all the way from Laoag for us to eat with her....on HER birthday. She's so awesome - her own birthday and all she wanted to do was listen to the gospel and feed the elders (it was wayyyyy masirap too!). Then there is the other R - that kid who had Dengue Fever and the first person I gave a blessing to. He loves the church so much and is so excited to get baptized as is his brother B. They are so great. When we show up at their house they are usually sitting and reading the Book of Mormon or even singing "I Am a Child of God". J, the former town drunk, is doing so well. He relapsed but that's to be expected so we shared the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife and he's doing so well. We gave him a tie to wear and he loves church. He used to be really quiet and self-conscious but now he answers questions on his own in Sunday school class. He also has the nicest shirts I've ever seen! He has ratty pants and shorts, no indoor lights, only a bed and a pit for fires, but the nicest shirts. He also keeps his Book of Mormon in a cardboard box covered in other cardboard pieces and fabric to protect it from rain and leaks (his place leaks a lot). He really treasures the Book of Mormon - it's so sweet to see. He also calls us Elder Brother. "Opo Elder Brother Doostan".
I remember in Sunday school when I was younger and the teacher (can't remember who though) said, "If your house was on fire and your family was safe, what would you grab from the house to save?". Everyone said "Ohhh, of course my scriptures...." but I kept thinking "I'd totally grab Duncan and my guitar". But now in all honesty I would save my scriptures. I am in love with my study time. I have tons and tons of notes of all kinds marked in them. I'm reading the Old Testament right now and am almost done Exodus.
This week has been pretty good but really wet. I got soaked four times. Finally on Saturday we got a chance to buy new payongs! On Saturday night we had a movie night and watched the second "The Work and the Glory" movie. Everyone loved it. We had to leave part way through as we had to rush back to Vintar and tell R he can't be baptized. Not a great night. We taught an old man who has been going down hill a little and it's really sad to see but he told us once he knew it was all true. Then this time it was as if he totally forgot everything we taught him. We essentially tried to repeat it but he went on a loop and I felt bad because he was a little embarassed as he knew he wasn't getting it. I felt prompted to bear testimony about the Book of Mormon and other principles and to tell him not to forget what I told him because he'd need it later. He seemed to get it for some reason. I felt strongly that we don't need to teach him again. It was strange, but I know that he's in the hands of the missionaries in the spirit world now. Of course, we'll go back once in a while to see how he's doing. It was both a sad and spiritual night.
I had another exchange (which is a split but now we call splits when each companion goes with members to teach different appointments, and exchange is swapping companions for a day) in Piddig, Elder S's first area. I was with Elder L. He's Filipino. He always says fart instead of part and I die laughing. I was frustrated for much of the exchange as he's really in your face with the investigators but at the end I realized that that is exactly what some of those investigators needed, as some were quite stubborn. I really liked him by the end, it was cool, and I realized just how intricate and complex God's plan for us is. He knows each of our quirks and knows who can be affected for good by them and puts those people in our path. Not just here on a mission but back home too.
I also got to teach a young couple investigating the Church and once again got to share my testimony of eternal families. They were really moved by it and I used my photos (which I use allllll the time as a teaching aid with photos of the temple and my family).
We have a dog that walks by the apartment all the time and he's way skinny but so cute and kind. He is exactly like Snoops, K's dog back home, but white. We fed him some food one night (not in front of the apartment - don't worry, he doesn't know where we live and we have a gate. I thoroughly washed my hands afterwards as well). Anyways, he sits and lays down and everything but I think he was abused or something at one point. We named him Snoopdos because he's the second Snoops and we had been naming all 150 pokemon that day! (We're so cool!)
We are also eating weird food. Not like ethnic but just being tipid (thrifty) and eating left over stuff we have in the apartment. We had a missionary favorite - bread with condensed milk. So gross right? But it is also so good. Don't judge me! We also bought cereal for the first time and it was called "Dinobites" (or we call it Dinobetes). It's essentially the leftovers from Froot Loop packs. No joke.
I've been thinking about you guys and miss you so much! I hope you are all safe and doing your best in every way.
I'm so glad to be here and love you all so much. I pray for you constantly and am learning daily just how powerful prayer is. It's a true power - not fictional, I've witnessed amazing things through true, sincere prayer. Take care of yourselves and take care of my best bud Ryan too!
-Elder Dustan
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Mormon Invasion! They Love You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! - Week 18. Serving in Vintar
We had zone conference yesterday so p-day is today so it's different this week. We just got back from Laoag and here I am. This week has been nuts, I tell you what! I'll start with yesterday. We went to Laoag for 7am (up wayyyy early). Zone conference started at 9 but Elder S is the District Leader so we had to be there early. The conference was GREAT. It's so hard to explain but when President O speaks, I honestly feel like things that will benefit and affect me eternally are being said. Can't explain it. We were all exhausted afterwards just from the spiritual feast.
After the conference, Elder S had leadership training so I went with the office elders (the ones at the mission home that handle finances etc. They only get 3-4 hours a day to work outside.) and did an exchange. We studied and I went out with an Elder A from Utah. He's from the same town as Elder C, my "lolo", who I also exchanged with this past week in Laoag. Elder A has been here for 5 months (only three more than me). We went out and got punted (term used when a person isn't home after you've made an appointment to visit them. We also accept "shafted" if it was a really bad punt) so we tracted. He couldn't believe how well I could speak. It was weird because I always think I'm terrible but I guess I'm only ever with a Filipino companion so I don't know how others are doing. Of course, I still have a lot to learn as I'm not anywhere near satisfactory yet, but it was a really big, and much needed confidence boost. We also taught a lesson to a Californian girl. I did it in English and at first I couldn't speak right because I was thinking in Tagalog. So it's coming slowly but surely (and don't call me Shirley....or Slowly for that matter!). I only know a handful of Ilocano words. We need Sister O's approval to start learning it but you pick some up just talking to people because they speak a mix of the two.
I stayed at the mission home last night. I got absolutely soaked again as I still have no payong. I haven't had time to get one. Weird how I can now deal with being soaked. It's just the way things are here. We woke early today and played basketball ( I know, but at least it was good exercise). Then we ate in the mission home and I had cereal for the first time in a long while. Then we studied and for language study we sang Tagalog hymns together accompanied by the piano, as they have one there! It was so fun and uplifting. And the hymns in Tagalog are sometimes better. Like "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" and "In Our Lovely Deseret" (or, Doon sa Aming Deseret!).
So the typhoon......it was nuts! My payong got tied in a knot and the little one we had is now gone too so we've been soaked on a regular basis. The river overflowed at one point and flooded Brgy's 1 and 2 and a little of 3 (we were fine). We did have a leak, but of a different kind. Turns out it's not a rat but a huge cat that lives in our ceiling. We figured it out once it had kittens and their meowing drove us nuts. Then one day the ceiling started leaking in one spot and it smelled kinda.....uriney? Yeah, cat pee leaks are no fun.
As I mentioned, last week I exchanged with Elder C and it was great. He's so good at speaking the language and training too. He would say in the lesson, "..and my companion will now explain this." and then I'd know exactly what to talk about and if I started failing, he would jump in. I learned a lot that day.
We taught a guy in this random house a little ways in the forest. They had no electricity so we never saw his face but he was well prepared for us. We also taught an old, old tatay who sat there stroking his machete the whole lesson so we prayed with one eye open and ended it pretty fast (freaky).
We got fed a lot this week -liver and noodles with shrimp and egg cakes. It was good. We got it from a funeral as a funeral is like a huge party here. There's a least one every week and they stop the whole street in front of the house for it. They sometimes even have a marching band come through the streets to start it off.
I realize even better now how sacred tithing is. Everyone sacrifices and does what they can and then everyone is blessed for it. Its such a beautiful law and one of the many reasons the Church will never fall.
I did my laundry that got wet in the typhoon and there were slugs on my clothes. So gross - everything molds. Everything! My other shoes are green right now from mold, all my ties too.
We walked down a street this week and there were about 20 kids there under 10 years old. They all swarmed around us and started yelling and touching us and prodding, pulling on our arms and hands, and they did it for the whole street till we ran away. It was even mildy scary. It was like being the Beatles. (The Mormons- bigger than the Beatles!)
A few more names for you guys. We met twins - Twinkle and Winnie (I kid you not), and Mac and Excel and Apple! I almost asked where PC was at.
We went to the "Awesome Family" this week. When we got there, they were crying. There is a lot of contention in their home. They yelled and cried and fought with each other. We got them to calm down and sang them a hymn (Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide) and had quiet time and talked about family and love and never using harsh words. We then kneeled and prayed as a family. I offered the prayer, and again, I felt words that weren't mine, coming out of my mouth. It was a great night. Amazing too that the day had been so bad - many of our appointments fell through. We went to 24 investigators' homes, walked all over town and got only 4 lessons - all while fasting, but just when things were the worst, the Lord gave us that great experience and we went home brimming with the spirit. This is the single greatest experience ever. If I had decided not to come here I would have regretted it and lived in sorrow for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for all your help in getting me here. I love you and thanks to all the others who helped me. I love them too. I will always have the help of my Saviour no matter how hard this experience gets (we have 8 more typhoons coming, is the word around here!). Take care of yourselves. I ask Heavely Father for blessings for you guys every day and I ask him to help all those back home who don't know of the supreme joy of the gospel to find it somehow. I love you lots and I miss you. Talk to you soon.
-Elder Dustan
After the conference, Elder S had leadership training so I went with the office elders (the ones at the mission home that handle finances etc. They only get 3-4 hours a day to work outside.) and did an exchange. We studied and I went out with an Elder A from Utah. He's from the same town as Elder C, my "lolo", who I also exchanged with this past week in Laoag. Elder A has been here for 5 months (only three more than me). We went out and got punted (term used when a person isn't home after you've made an appointment to visit them. We also accept "shafted" if it was a really bad punt) so we tracted. He couldn't believe how well I could speak. It was weird because I always think I'm terrible but I guess I'm only ever with a Filipino companion so I don't know how others are doing. Of course, I still have a lot to learn as I'm not anywhere near satisfactory yet, but it was a really big, and much needed confidence boost. We also taught a lesson to a Californian girl. I did it in English and at first I couldn't speak right because I was thinking in Tagalog. So it's coming slowly but surely (and don't call me Shirley....or Slowly for that matter!). I only know a handful of Ilocano words. We need Sister O's approval to start learning it but you pick some up just talking to people because they speak a mix of the two.
I stayed at the mission home last night. I got absolutely soaked again as I still have no payong. I haven't had time to get one. Weird how I can now deal with being soaked. It's just the way things are here. We woke early today and played basketball ( I know, but at least it was good exercise). Then we ate in the mission home and I had cereal for the first time in a long while. Then we studied and for language study we sang Tagalog hymns together accompanied by the piano, as they have one there! It was so fun and uplifting. And the hymns in Tagalog are sometimes better. Like "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" and "In Our Lovely Deseret" (or, Doon sa Aming Deseret!).
So the typhoon......it was nuts! My payong got tied in a knot and the little one we had is now gone too so we've been soaked on a regular basis. The river overflowed at one point and flooded Brgy's 1 and 2 and a little of 3 (we were fine). We did have a leak, but of a different kind. Turns out it's not a rat but a huge cat that lives in our ceiling. We figured it out once it had kittens and their meowing drove us nuts. Then one day the ceiling started leaking in one spot and it smelled kinda.....uriney? Yeah, cat pee leaks are no fun.
As I mentioned, last week I exchanged with Elder C and it was great. He's so good at speaking the language and training too. He would say in the lesson, "..and my companion will now explain this." and then I'd know exactly what to talk about and if I started failing, he would jump in. I learned a lot that day.
We taught a guy in this random house a little ways in the forest. They had no electricity so we never saw his face but he was well prepared for us. We also taught an old, old tatay who sat there stroking his machete the whole lesson so we prayed with one eye open and ended it pretty fast (freaky).
We got fed a lot this week -liver and noodles with shrimp and egg cakes. It was good. We got it from a funeral as a funeral is like a huge party here. There's a least one every week and they stop the whole street in front of the house for it. They sometimes even have a marching band come through the streets to start it off.
I realize even better now how sacred tithing is. Everyone sacrifices and does what they can and then everyone is blessed for it. Its such a beautiful law and one of the many reasons the Church will never fall.
I did my laundry that got wet in the typhoon and there were slugs on my clothes. So gross - everything molds. Everything! My other shoes are green right now from mold, all my ties too.
We walked down a street this week and there were about 20 kids there under 10 years old. They all swarmed around us and started yelling and touching us and prodding, pulling on our arms and hands, and they did it for the whole street till we ran away. It was even mildy scary. It was like being the Beatles. (The Mormons- bigger than the Beatles!)
A few more names for you guys. We met twins - Twinkle and Winnie (I kid you not), and Mac and Excel and Apple! I almost asked where PC was at.
We went to the "Awesome Family" this week. When we got there, they were crying. There is a lot of contention in their home. They yelled and cried and fought with each other. We got them to calm down and sang them a hymn (Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide) and had quiet time and talked about family and love and never using harsh words. We then kneeled and prayed as a family. I offered the prayer, and again, I felt words that weren't mine, coming out of my mouth. It was a great night. Amazing too that the day had been so bad - many of our appointments fell through. We went to 24 investigators' homes, walked all over town and got only 4 lessons - all while fasting, but just when things were the worst, the Lord gave us that great experience and we went home brimming with the spirit. This is the single greatest experience ever. If I had decided not to come here I would have regretted it and lived in sorrow for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for all your help in getting me here. I love you and thanks to all the others who helped me. I love them too. I will always have the help of my Saviour no matter how hard this experience gets (we have 8 more typhoons coming, is the word around here!). Take care of yourselves. I ask Heavely Father for blessings for you guys every day and I ask him to help all those back home who don't know of the supreme joy of the gospel to find it somehow. I love you lots and I miss you. Talk to you soon.
-Elder Dustan
Monday, September 5, 2011
How to Slay Goliath - Week17. Serving in Vintar
Hey guys, I'll give you the low-down for this week. Let me tell you about M. He's the town crazy. I met him near the municipial building and he speaks fluent English. He seemed a little normal at first and asked about the church but then said he knew about it because there was one beside the prison he was in in Manila... for murder! True or not? - I don't know. He also asked if I could hear the satellites. He's really scrawny so he's not intimidating. Anyways, we went by his house one time and he invited us in. We figured, hey, we'll give him a Word of Wisdom pamphlet. He went to make us drinks even though we told him plainly that he shouldn't as we weren't thirsty. I was worried that the water he would use was "malabo" but he persisted and was really pushy for us to drink. I did the old fake drink with closed lips and said "mmmmmm!" like playing with a child (and he didn't notice that the cup was mysteriously as full as before). Elder Soriano drank a sip and we left after he became a little crazier with us. Then Elder Soriano said he felt weird and started making strange comments and had to sit down. So I'm pretty sure there was something in the drink. He was fine later and told me he tasted it to see if it would be all right for me.
This week the Calaramo's had a party for the anniversary of his father's death. Everyone came. M shows up and tells me he has a plane....a 300 seater and it was almost 1 billion dollars. I wanted to say, "You paid that much? I got mine for only 10 grand!". He was really drunk and we don't like him knowing where we live. Then at night we heard some weird noises. We thought it was him but turns out we have a big rat living in our ceiling. I won't say how big the rats are here for Mum's sake.
We had a Typhoon this week. On Thursday it started to pour. It didn't stop until.....well, this morning (Sunday). Crazy wind and the loudest thunder I've ever heard. I went out to toss some rice from the bottom of the pot and a bolt of lightning hit the field right across the road and all my hair stood up. I thought I was going to die it was so loud.
My payong (umbrella) got destroyed - the wind bent it and tied two of the prongs in a knot! There was also some flooding. Apparently there are Public Signals for a typhoon. We had a signal 2 and it was the craziest storm I've ever been in. (Apparently in the east in Kagayan, it was a signal 4!) The river bed that was mostly rocks and grass before is now up the last foot of the dyke before it floods over but it's okay now as it has stopped. Apparently we have another one coming on Thursday. Last night Sister Odgers told us to go out in our p-day clothes and look for people to help. Typhoons are wild. Once it becomes a signal three you have to stay in.
I've been wet for 4 days! My shoes didn't dry (my water proof ones only got wet because I had to take them off for a lesson at someone's house and left them outside. My other ones got moldy. I'm wearing my Crocs now. I don't like Crocs much but they're really useful.
We've had a problem with ants lately as they come inside when there's a storm. They got into a meal Sister Calaramo made for us (they usually feed us once a week, but they fed us 3 times this past week!). It was such a good meal that we ate it anyways - ants and all, "..and you're gonna love how they tickle!" (quote from The Jungle Book).
There's a part-member family in Laoag 4th ward that has two kids. One of the parents wanted to name one Nephi but then the non-member parent said, "Then I get to name the next one." So there are two little boys at church named Nephi and Ginbeer. I kid you not. We also have a guy named Eric Fancy Pigeon. As you know, the Thatchers and the Smiths are named after the family trade. The Fancy Pigeons raise fancy pigeons. A noble trade I must say.
I got another letter from Tracy B. She said she'd write me every month and I'm very grateful, They're very uplifting letters. I"m sending a reply within the next couple of days.
J, the town drunk, has been sober for a while and came to church on Sunday - and in the Typhoon! He also wants to work with us today. He's awesome! Fifty people came to church and I loved how diligent they are. No matter where you go in the world, no matter what is happening, there will always be a group of Latter Day Saints doing their part to build the Kingdom and worship our Saviour. It was heart warming.
Rozelle also decided to be baptized. She cried because her mum wouldn't let us teach her at first and she cried (for joy) when she heard Demma is getting baptized.
I've learned that everyone has their problem - like Demma, with work. She thought she had to choose between a pension or baptism, but she fasted and prayed and her boss's heart was softened. Everyone's got their issue, their Goliath, but through small and simple means like prayer and fasting, reading the Book of Mormon and pagsisimba (going to church), the Goliath will fall because the gospel won't be stopped. Amazing eh?
Lastly, I have a meal for you guys to make. You take a container of cream and mix it with some sweet-n-sour mix (like Mama Sitas - do they have that at home?) the powdered stuff. You cook some chicken in onions and garlic and add the mixed cream and powder. Then you add a can of pineapples (the tidbits are best) and some of the juice too, and then eat it over a lot of white rice (not seasoned). Its sooooo good. They call it orange or yellow chicken, depending on who you talk to. I call it school bus chicken because I can never remember if a school bus is orange or yellow.
I love all of you and think of you everyday as much as you think of me. Chances are, if you're thinking of me, I am thinking of you - sleep or not. Take care of yourselves please. And put forth your best missionary effort. We need a temple in Ottawa! Say hi to everyone because, chances are, if I was home, I'd give them a hug - everyone at church, work, school and Ryan......good 'ol Ryan. Love you lots guys!
-Elder Dustan
INGAT
This week the Calaramo's had a party for the anniversary of his father's death. Everyone came. M shows up and tells me he has a plane....a 300 seater and it was almost 1 billion dollars. I wanted to say, "You paid that much? I got mine for only 10 grand!". He was really drunk and we don't like him knowing where we live. Then at night we heard some weird noises. We thought it was him but turns out we have a big rat living in our ceiling. I won't say how big the rats are here for Mum's sake.
We had a Typhoon this week. On Thursday it started to pour. It didn't stop until.....well, this morning (Sunday). Crazy wind and the loudest thunder I've ever heard. I went out to toss some rice from the bottom of the pot and a bolt of lightning hit the field right across the road and all my hair stood up. I thought I was going to die it was so loud.
My payong (umbrella) got destroyed - the wind bent it and tied two of the prongs in a knot! There was also some flooding. Apparently there are Public Signals for a typhoon. We had a signal 2 and it was the craziest storm I've ever been in. (Apparently in the east in Kagayan, it was a signal 4!) The river bed that was mostly rocks and grass before is now up the last foot of the dyke before it floods over but it's okay now as it has stopped. Apparently we have another one coming on Thursday. Last night Sister Odgers told us to go out in our p-day clothes and look for people to help. Typhoons are wild. Once it becomes a signal three you have to stay in.
I've been wet for 4 days! My shoes didn't dry (my water proof ones only got wet because I had to take them off for a lesson at someone's house and left them outside. My other ones got moldy. I'm wearing my Crocs now. I don't like Crocs much but they're really useful.
We've had a problem with ants lately as they come inside when there's a storm. They got into a meal Sister Calaramo made for us (they usually feed us once a week, but they fed us 3 times this past week!). It was such a good meal that we ate it anyways - ants and all, "..and you're gonna love how they tickle!" (quote from The Jungle Book).
There's a part-member family in Laoag 4th ward that has two kids. One of the parents wanted to name one Nephi but then the non-member parent said, "Then I get to name the next one." So there are two little boys at church named Nephi and Ginbeer. I kid you not. We also have a guy named Eric Fancy Pigeon. As you know, the Thatchers and the Smiths are named after the family trade. The Fancy Pigeons raise fancy pigeons. A noble trade I must say.
I got another letter from Tracy B. She said she'd write me every month and I'm very grateful, They're very uplifting letters. I"m sending a reply within the next couple of days.
J, the town drunk, has been sober for a while and came to church on Sunday - and in the Typhoon! He also wants to work with us today. He's awesome! Fifty people came to church and I loved how diligent they are. No matter where you go in the world, no matter what is happening, there will always be a group of Latter Day Saints doing their part to build the Kingdom and worship our Saviour. It was heart warming.
Rozelle also decided to be baptized. She cried because her mum wouldn't let us teach her at first and she cried (for joy) when she heard Demma is getting baptized.
I've learned that everyone has their problem - like Demma, with work. She thought she had to choose between a pension or baptism, but she fasted and prayed and her boss's heart was softened. Everyone's got their issue, their Goliath, but through small and simple means like prayer and fasting, reading the Book of Mormon and pagsisimba (going to church), the Goliath will fall because the gospel won't be stopped. Amazing eh?
Lastly, I have a meal for you guys to make. You take a container of cream and mix it with some sweet-n-sour mix (like Mama Sitas - do they have that at home?) the powdered stuff. You cook some chicken in onions and garlic and add the mixed cream and powder. Then you add a can of pineapples (the tidbits are best) and some of the juice too, and then eat it over a lot of white rice (not seasoned). Its sooooo good. They call it orange or yellow chicken, depending on who you talk to. I call it school bus chicken because I can never remember if a school bus is orange or yellow.
I love all of you and think of you everyday as much as you think of me. Chances are, if you're thinking of me, I am thinking of you - sleep or not. Take care of yourselves please. And put forth your best missionary effort. We need a temple in Ottawa! Say hi to everyone because, chances are, if I was home, I'd give them a hug - everyone at church, work, school and Ryan......good 'ol Ryan. Love you lots guys!
-Elder Dustan
INGAT
Sometimes a Stupor of Thought Can Teach You a Lot! - Week 16. Serving in Vintar
Things are going really well here. Elder Soriano is better now. It wasn't Dengue in the end, there was no rash.
It was a good week with lots happening. It started out with me being way worried about M. So I got home and started a fast (I usually hate fasting, I'll admit it). I started my fast after supper. We were going to be walking a lot the next day in Brgy 10 (far) but I was stronger than usual. I felt so dedicated that fasting was no problem and I learned so much about it. I don't know if it will have helped him but it certainly helped me a lot. From that experience I could share my testminoy on fasting with Rozelle. She wants to be baptized. We told her about fasting and she said she couldn't as she's nursing so I told her that she could fast from other things instead of food and she's going to try it. I felt I helped alot. Rozelle is awesome!
Our neighbour Demma waltzed right into her boss's office at her Christian school and told him she was going to be baptized. So in September she's getting baptized and she can keep her job - sweet!
We learned a lot about temples this week. We listened to "House of Glory" all the way through and it was great. I miss the temple a lot! I can't wait to go back. We met with Rozelle another time and she asked about temples. We and the friendshippers we took with us (the A's, who are sealed in the temple and served missions) all talked about it as much as we could and she is so enthralled with it. She was in awe of the temple and near tears. It was great.
I had to give a talk yesterday. I was so nervous. I worked on it all week but I could never concentrate on it when I sat down to write it. I was so frustrated. I woke at 4am Sunday morning just to work on it and sat there until 7 and couldn't write a word (the very definition of a stupor of thought!). So I grabbed some scriptures on the topic I was assigned to speak on (missionary work - fancy that!) and just "wung it " (past tense). I was terrified as all our investigators were in the conngregation. Also I was the final speaker (after the Stake President!). It went alright too. I did my best and the Lord took care of the rest. I was well outside my comfort zone, which is where we learn. If you never leave it, you never learn. I still sounded like a stupid white guy but there's nothing I can ever do about that.
J lives down the street from us. He has a bed, a basket, a knife and a pan. He has no lights and he stole his door from a sheet metal factory. He struggles with alcohol abuse and we're trying to help him but his neighbours laugh and encourage his addictions ("Oh thats just J!" etc.) when really it is killing him. He's such a nice, happy guy when he's sober too. A few other people have sought us out to help them as well.
One night we were sitting on the bench near our house (a quick rest as we had walked all day). All of a sudden a huge group of people filled the street and went into a house nearby. They came out after a couple of minutes, each with a candle and chanting and singing and carrying a weird idol. It was so strange.
Elder Crandall left for home last week. He told me one story before he left how they had taught the restoration to someone and then asked her to pray with them. She asked how so they said, "With the steps we showed you, just like Joseph Smith did to get the answers to his prayers."
So she knelt down and then put her hand in front of her face like she was preparing to block the brightness of a pillar of light! What faith!
Carlo is doing well. He hasn't read the Book of Mormon yet. He said he wants to do it all at once like a novel. "I did it with Harry Potter and the Twilight series." he said. I told him that this book is a little different than those ones. He's very interested though.
I am only now realizing just how layered the Book of Mormon is - it's fantastic. I can find answers in there like I never dreamed would be written!
One investigator's uncle tried to give us wives. It was funny and terribly creepy all at once. We taught a guy named Bernard. I was so impressed with him and he's hilarious too.
Anyways, I have to go. We're going to Laoag again to go to Mang Inasal! I love that place. So cheap and you get all-you-can-eat rice! I love rice.
I hope you guys are doing well. It's so good to hear from you- and so great to hear from my "best buddy" Jared! I keep thinking of the movie we made "Recycled School Sagas" in the youth program and I miss everyone that was in it. What a great movie.....except for the weird fruit guy (me).
I officially like pineapples!!!! Weird, I know, but I can't get enough of them. Anne M. sent me a really great letter my first day here. Thank her for me please - I really appreciated it.
This is the best experience of all time. I now realize how great life is, how great family is, how amazing it is to try to progress every day and take advantage of every minute. The Church is true. I'm not stupid, so if I didn't KNOW it was true why would I be here sweating my skin off? (Dealing with the heat isn't too bad. You just have to accept that you're going to be wet all the time).
Take care of yourselves! I miss you and I'll talk to you next week. Scritch the dog for me.
Elder Dustan
It was a good week with lots happening. It started out with me being way worried about M. So I got home and started a fast (I usually hate fasting, I'll admit it). I started my fast after supper. We were going to be walking a lot the next day in Brgy 10 (far) but I was stronger than usual. I felt so dedicated that fasting was no problem and I learned so much about it. I don't know if it will have helped him but it certainly helped me a lot. From that experience I could share my testminoy on fasting with Rozelle. She wants to be baptized. We told her about fasting and she said she couldn't as she's nursing so I told her that she could fast from other things instead of food and she's going to try it. I felt I helped alot. Rozelle is awesome!
Our neighbour Demma waltzed right into her boss's office at her Christian school and told him she was going to be baptized. So in September she's getting baptized and she can keep her job - sweet!
We learned a lot about temples this week. We listened to "House of Glory" all the way through and it was great. I miss the temple a lot! I can't wait to go back. We met with Rozelle another time and she asked about temples. We and the friendshippers we took with us (the A's, who are sealed in the temple and served missions) all talked about it as much as we could and she is so enthralled with it. She was in awe of the temple and near tears. It was great.
I had to give a talk yesterday. I was so nervous. I worked on it all week but I could never concentrate on it when I sat down to write it. I was so frustrated. I woke at 4am Sunday morning just to work on it and sat there until 7 and couldn't write a word (the very definition of a stupor of thought!). So I grabbed some scriptures on the topic I was assigned to speak on (missionary work - fancy that!) and just "wung it " (past tense). I was terrified as all our investigators were in the conngregation. Also I was the final speaker (after the Stake President!). It went alright too. I did my best and the Lord took care of the rest. I was well outside my comfort zone, which is where we learn. If you never leave it, you never learn. I still sounded like a stupid white guy but there's nothing I can ever do about that.
J lives down the street from us. He has a bed, a basket, a knife and a pan. He has no lights and he stole his door from a sheet metal factory. He struggles with alcohol abuse and we're trying to help him but his neighbours laugh and encourage his addictions ("Oh thats just J!" etc.) when really it is killing him. He's such a nice, happy guy when he's sober too. A few other people have sought us out to help them as well.
One night we were sitting on the bench near our house (a quick rest as we had walked all day). All of a sudden a huge group of people filled the street and went into a house nearby. They came out after a couple of minutes, each with a candle and chanting and singing and carrying a weird idol. It was so strange.
Elder Crandall left for home last week. He told me one story before he left how they had taught the restoration to someone and then asked her to pray with them. She asked how so they said, "With the steps we showed you, just like Joseph Smith did to get the answers to his prayers."
So she knelt down and then put her hand in front of her face like she was preparing to block the brightness of a pillar of light! What faith!
Carlo is doing well. He hasn't read the Book of Mormon yet. He said he wants to do it all at once like a novel. "I did it with Harry Potter and the Twilight series." he said. I told him that this book is a little different than those ones. He's very interested though.
I am only now realizing just how layered the Book of Mormon is - it's fantastic. I can find answers in there like I never dreamed would be written!
One investigator's uncle tried to give us wives. It was funny and terribly creepy all at once. We taught a guy named Bernard. I was so impressed with him and he's hilarious too.
Anyways, I have to go. We're going to Laoag again to go to Mang Inasal! I love that place. So cheap and you get all-you-can-eat rice! I love rice.
I hope you guys are doing well. It's so good to hear from you- and so great to hear from my "best buddy" Jared! I keep thinking of the movie we made "Recycled School Sagas" in the youth program and I miss everyone that was in it. What a great movie.....except for the weird fruit guy (me).
I officially like pineapples!!!! Weird, I know, but I can't get enough of them. Anne M. sent me a really great letter my first day here. Thank her for me please - I really appreciated it.
This is the best experience of all time. I now realize how great life is, how great family is, how amazing it is to try to progress every day and take advantage of every minute. The Church is true. I'm not stupid, so if I didn't KNOW it was true why would I be here sweating my skin off? (Dealing with the heat isn't too bad. You just have to accept that you're going to be wet all the time).
Take care of yourselves! I miss you and I'll talk to you next week. Scritch the dog for me.
Elder Dustan
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