Kamusta Everybody!
This week has been good! I had some fun experiences and
taught some great lessons. I feel like I am starting to figure out how things
work as a missionary here.
The first story is about a man names Elisho. He is 80
years old and we met him because we had an appointment with his wife
but when we showed up she just had us go and talk to him. It turns out
that he is a member of the church but got baptized a long time ago.
At least that is what the ward list and records say, he denies being
a member and refers to it as my church. Implying
he isn't associated with it. When we began to talk to him he told us
that we are going to speak only English! Hurray!! He said he is getting
old and doesn't want to forget his English and that he would
just like to discuss things about his life with us. We
have visited him a few times and I really enjoy talking with him. It
is quite funny. The most recent time we met with him, he was really excited to
see us so when we got to his gate he yelled,
"My American Friend!! Come in, let’s discuss!!" He wanted
to talk about America. He said that he refers to us as “Father America”. When
the Spanish were in control of the Philippines they kept
the people ignorant. But when the Americans arrived we taught the Filipinos
and educated them. He said because of that all Americans are heroes in Filipinos eyes
and that more geniuses are American that any other nationality. I was very
proud to be an American while he was talking, it was humbling and
made me appreciate how blessed we are to be born in the United
States. It was also funny because he refers to my companion as my
"assistant" we explained that we are companions, and that he
is actually training me. But Elisho doesn't seem to care
and continues to refer to Elder Valdez as my assistant. While we
"discuss" Elisho sometimes will say "now let’s hear from
your assistant, hopefully he will share something fruitful, and take longer
than 2 minutes to do so." He also makes him speak in English. After
the visit Elder Valdez said "It is really hard to talk in
English for a whole lesson!".... I wanted to say "now you know! welcome
to my world" but I just held my peace and said he did a really good job (especially for
an assistant).
We also had a great lesson at a member’s
house. She teaches English at the high school close by her
house and when we arrived there to teach her husband (who isn't a member)
about 10 of her students where there hanging out. It is very different from America;
the students know this sister on a first name basis and spend a lot of their
free time at her house. We asked if we could teach her husband but
he wasn't home. However, the students were curious about who we were
so we decided to teach them all instead. It was a really great lesson about the
Restoration of the Gospel. Most of them wanted to learn more and now
3 of them are new investigators.
Other than that not much has happened exciting. The traffic
here is still crazy. I see something insane most every week. This past week we
were stuck in a lot of traffic and I looked out of the jeepnee and there was
another jeepnee who decided that it would be faster to drive on the curb
which was half dirt and concrete. Well that’s about all for this week!
Mahal Kita!
Elder Hayden Merrill
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