October 29, 2012

Yep, I'm doing well! This week was nuts! I guess there was a tropical storm or something that hit here and Friday it rained way hard and parts of our area got flooded. Luckily our things are safe on the second floor here. Once it stopped raining, the flooding went away pretty quick We walked with water up to our knees to some appointments on Friday night. Some of the members had flooding in their house; It was worse in the Zone Leaders area though.

 On Saturday morning we were scheduled to have interviews with President Martino, but they got pushed back to 2:30  because the highways were blocked due to a series of landslides. They were safe though, and it gave us a chance to help clean up some member's homes in Baler.

We're really trying to implement the "rescue program" as a mission, where we find the people who have gone less active. It's hard work, but if you can make a difference for one person, that's one of Heavenly Father's children that we've been able to help.

The work in Maria is going well. After the interviews and workshops Elder Gontinias and I caught a new vision of how we can use the members in missionary work in strengthening the branch. We were able to have an effective branch council, and are expecting many more to come. Here in the Philippines, it's a huge success if your able to have an effective council with the auxilary leaders. We have a missionary fireside planned in 2 weeks to help the branch understand what missionary work is and what they can do to help their branch become strong. I"m so excited because of the potential of this branch!

We are continuing to teach Sister Maricar, the sister of the branch president. Its been such a neat experience to work with someone so willing to learn and follow the will of Her Savior. She doesn't have much and has experienced a lot of hardship, but she takes seriously everything we teach her and has a real desire to follow Our Savior. Her example inspires me. She expresses the added measure of happiness that she's felt in her life since she started listening.  We're also working with Tatay Fajanilbo and his family in returning to the fold!

Missionary work is great. Sometimes people don't understand, or they've forgotten the blessings that come from activilely living the gospel of Jesus Christ; it's something that you can only know through trying it. But once you do, and understand it, the windows of heaven open. I know this church is true!