Missionary Dream Team

Kamusta y'all!

    Well, with no surprise meetings or super typhoons, this week was pretty normal. And honestly, the typhoon really didn't affect this area much. The missionaries that were evacuated from the areas farther north still haven't been able to return yet. They're spending two weeks working in other areas and then they'll be able to go back. Some trees came down here and there were branches strewn about, but other than that everyone here was pretty much fine. But it was still good for us to be prepared for something worse. We'd certainly rather be safe than sorry.

What with traveling so much and preparing for the bagyo, we really weren't able to proselyte as much as we wanted to. So we were happy to be able to really get to work. We really are never at a loss for things to do. We try to plan to spend most of our time each day in a specific area, with back up plans if someone isn't there. It's only rough when we travel really far and all our plans don't work out. We spend most of our time in the barangays (neighborhoods) closest to the city center, but sometimes we have to travel further away. There are some areas Sister Tampus has never even been to, or only been a few times, because they're so far away and we can't really go often.

People here eat a lot of snacks and candy, and I've been drinking more soda than pretty much ever. Like... a lot of coke. But you do what you can when you want a cold drink.

I'm not sure exactly when/how I'll get to watch conference, but our calender says it's on October 13th and 14th. I'm super pumped as always :)

    We worked with the members a lot this week.This week we worked with the Valdez and Cervantez families(they're pretty much our family here), and another time with a returned missionary and two members that are preparing to leave on their missions. It's great when we have members with us (because we don't have to pay for tricys ;), but really because their example and desire to serve is such a great help for us. It's also good to have more people that can speak Tagalog... and that can speak Ilokano! Sister Tampus was talking about how she couldn't understand what people were saying in Ilokano, and I told her that's how I feel literally all the time. But it's all good. I've actually gotten to the point where if I don't understand anything someone is saying -they're speaking Ilokano. That doesn't mean that I really know what people are saying, but I can tell they're speaking Tagalog and can pick out at least few words.

    This Sunday we had so many people come to church! We had three new investigators there, two of our investigators that are preparing to be baptized, and two families that we visited who have been less active for several years. We were so happy to see them there, especially because it's really difficult for some people to get to church because it's so far from where they live. We're lucky because our apartment is within walking distance of our chapel.

    Overall, the Philippines is constantly growing on me. The weather is... hot, but usually bearable. The people are so kind and generous. And I usually really like the food here. Barbecued chicken intestines are actually really delicious! And the fruits here are so colorful and yummy. I'm slowly becoming more familiar with the area, and I'm excited to be here for the next few months.

   Ingat po!

       Sister Harrison

1. Our team

2. ...and part 2

3. The kids here are always playing with "pogs"

4. Vanessa and Sofia Valdez :)

 

 

 Last weeks pictures

1. Trio with Sister Stucki 2. Sister Tampus :) 3. When your kasama is stressing about the bagyo, you let her do your hair 4. Sister and Brother Valdez