Kumusta po!
So I'll jump right into the highlight of the week, which was going proselyting! I was matched with Elder O-, the junior companion to Elder F- (Elder Z- and Elder H- went with him). Elder O- told me that they are new to this particular area in Quezon City, but he still knew exactly where to go for our two appointments. I'll need to work on my internal compass, it's so easy to get lost in some of the alleys...
Most of the houses are jammed together or even stacked on top of each other, and I think I'd be laughed at if I asked for an address for some of these places. Our counterparts told us that in order to find people you go to a general area, ask directions, then rinse and repeat. Eventually you end up asking their neighbors.
The two appointments I went to the houses were plywood and cement blocks, with a curtain to separate the rooms. Interestingly, to contrast the extreme poverty every kid over 12 seemed to have a cell-phone, even though their was standing water right outside their home. Every house seemed to have a TV even though their house was their living room and that's it. They're very connected to media, but they definitely live in 3rd-world conditions.
Teaching people was so tough! I feel that my main weakness right now is listening and understanding: they talk so fast! And I don't know that much sheer vocab to begin with. I could pick out enough to know where the conversation was, but I was about 3 steps behind so actually piping in was difficult. Elder O- gave me a chance to share my testimony, and that left me with a good feeling. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't really nervous though! On the way back all I wanted to do was make it to another lesson, but we had an allotted time. I'm excited to go out next week and pretty soon here to be doing it every day!
I didn't get the infamous "Hey Joe!" call from people, but a group of 14-15 year olds did do some cat-calling pretty much. We left them with cards and I told them what in the world I'm doing in the Philippines, but you can tell when someone is interested in your message or if they're interested in you.
Walking around in a foreign place before this, I've always looked at the buildings, the attractions, what might make a place fun. As I walk around here though, I'm just looking at the people. I'm still so excited to help people here, and I know I'm here for certain persons.
In other news, I switched companions from Elder Z- to Elder H-, which is awesome! I love Z-, pero H- matches my enthusiasm to learn the language a little bit more.
We have the new batch of Filipinos and a few more language training missionaries, but there's about half the number of last time. It's great to get to know them when I'm not so freaked out with being in a new place!
I HAD BALUT! This is the thing I heard the most about before coming to the Philippines, so I knew I had to try it the first chance I got. Didn't think it would be this early on though... My plan was to just keep chewing no matter what, and it worked! I didn't just want to eat it whole like a bunch of people do, because apparently it actually tastes good. And I'll vouch for that, it tastes like a unique hard boiled egg, but the textures of everything almost got me. All in all, I would do it again, and I probably will!
I'll just share some insights from my most recent reading in the New Testament. I'm in Luke right now, and I was really impressed by the centurion who asks of a miracle of healing from Jesus. Most people you read about plead in huge throngs, trying to get their sick and afflicted physically to Jesus. Although I love the story of the bed being lowered from the ceiling, personally I believe that's pretty linear, and I really like that the Roman centurion not only thinks outside the box, but has the faith too. Why would Christ actually need to be there when He is accomplishing things that are miraculous and supernatural? If you remember the story, the centurion says his home is unworthy of Jesus's presence and asks that Christ just perform the miracle from there on the street, and that's exactly what happens. In other healings, the physical touch seems to have to do with the recipient's faith. Some blind men are touched on their eyes specifically, or it takes more steps. But with the centurion, his faith was incredibly strong, and his creativity caught my attention. The takeaway for me is to have faith, and to try and solve problems with the Lord's help.
Thanks everyone! Let me know if you have any questions, love you all!
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