Hello Everybody!!
Wow, we are now down to the last month. Such a weird thing to think that I will be seeing you guys next month. Doesn’t feel real. Still loving every moment here in the Philippines and trying to make every minute count.
This last week was a very, very good one. We have been working real hard everyday, trying to do our best to visit all the less actives and investigators. It’s gotten a lot harder because now we are covering both areas, all of Santa Ana. If you were to take a van from one side of our area to the other, it is about a 45 minute ride, huge. Since there are three of us though, we have been going on splits a lot to try and double our work. The young man that is entering the MTC next week has been coming along with us, so we have had some good times working with him and training him.
The other day we were way tired and very hungry. We had been working all day and it was evening time, we were out finding. Then we got a text for one of the members that said “Elders, come on over for dinner, may karne aso kami! (we have dog meat) “. Morehu and I lit up haha, so excited. Abarabar on the other hand was not. He has never had dog meat and said he never would. When we got there however, Morehu and I started feasting, and Abarabar couldn’t hold back. We got him to try it, and he admitted it was good. I know most of you will not believe me that it is good, cuz I’m also the one that says balut is good, but I’m not kidding, it is sooo good. But also depends on how it is cooked. But I will definitely miss having aso every once in a while. Speaking of other weird things eat… just to try to help you get a feel of how desperate we are sometimes. The other day we got home way late from work, and had nothing to eat. Ended up putting some cheese whiz on a frozen piece of bread and calling it good. haha good times.
So, Saturday was the well awaited baptism of the Maguddayao Family. The less active family that we had been working with for the past 5 months has fully returned and 3 of their kids were baptized. Was such a great moment to see the 3 kids in the water with their re-activated father dressed in white as the baptizer. On Sunday, the spirit was so strong as their father confirmed them members of the church. We have seen so much change in this family. The kids are so much happier, the parents get along so well, and they all just seem to be a happy family. The last two times we have gone to their house at night, they have been gathered around their stereo system, singing videoke together. Such a miracle.
A quick story… So in this mission, we use something called the 4 month calendar. A little calendar where we place our investigators on a date to be baptized, kind of like a big calendar of goals. Anyway, about 3 months ago, the Maguddayao family was not progressing at all – not coming to church, or really listening to us etc. But I decided to throw them on our 4 month calendar anyway. Wasn’t sure where to put them at that time, but for some reason decided to put them on July 7. It’s incredible to me that they progressed and ended up getting baptized on that exact date that we set as a goal 3 months ago.
I have a strong testimony of God hearing our prayers. I know for sure that we can communicate with Him through prayer and that He will talk back to us and answer our questions. I know His voice and know that He lives. I’m so thankful for the time He has given me here to learn and grow. I will not waste His time, not a single minute, it’s too precious.
Love you all, see you next month!!
-Elder Jenkins
