Hello friends and family! Its been a minute since I have last talked to you. So much has happened in the last 1 1/2 weeks that its gonna be tough trying to explain everything that has happened!
First a foremost, I am finally in the field! My area is called Candon, and I'm in a city called Santiago. Its a great big farm country where I'm at. Plus whoever said the Baguio Mission is colder, is a complete liar. It's blazing hot here. Whenever I move away from a fan, I start dripping sweat. Its a great time.
My trainer is Elder Christensen! He's from Payson, Utah, and hes a complete baller. He's a work horse, and I'm trying my best to keep up with him lol!
So my first day here, I got to unpack for 30 minutes, then we got straight to work. I have never felt so lost in my life. We had a couple of lessons that day, and after I was just done. Missionary work is tough, Especially in this weather here.
These last couple of days have been a Whirlwind. I have never felt so inadequate to teach in my life. Tagalog is something else when you finally get to the field. For the most part, I don't understand about 90% of whats being said. Occasionally, I can understand quite a bit, but the hardest part is actually talking. Its rough. I've only been able to say a few phrases, and bear my testimony in every lesson. But I've realized one crucial thing while I'm learning, Its not about the language, It's about the spirit you bring into the lesson. My Tagalog is far from perfect, but in these last few days, I never felt the spirit so strong while bearing my testimony.
We have about 3 main investigators right now. The Solez Family, The Soria Family, and Michael Chezon. The Solez family is an amazing family, and I'm sure well get them baptized soon. They came to church on Sunday, and Elder Christensen & I were hyped! We get to go teach them later today and our goal is to invite them to be baptized again. The Soria Family is great. The mom has a baptismal date for June 1st, and were working with the Uncle on the Word of Wisdom. Both of them seem to be progressing very well. Michael Chezon is a store owner, and its tough sometimes to get lessons with him. He has a good heart, and probably the most humble person I've met. We check back with him today, and I'm excited to follow up on his reading.
These last 6 days of my life have probably been the hardest days of my life. I've seen things that I will never forget. Back home I took everything for granted. These people here in the Philippines sometimes have nothing. But they're probably the happiest people I've ever met. We truly are blessed in America, and since its day to day life there, we don't realize the blessings we truly have. I've learned lots of things this last week, but the biggest thing I've learned is that God loves all of his children. No matter how poor we might be, we are everything to him.
This gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I have never felt his presence so much in my life while serving him. The Spirit is real, It truly guides us when we listen to its promptings. I've seen miracles this last week because of following the Spirit. This Gospel blesses us, and our families. I can testify that its the only way to true happiness. We just have to have a willing and humble heart, and rely on our older brother, Jesus Christ.
I love you all so much! Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Haws
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