Monday, 8/26/2013
Aborlan, Palawan
Banal na baka!
Hey!
Sorry for the weird title. I've just been saying it a lot.
Translated, it means holy cow. But obviously that's not a saying in Tagalog.
But I still say it and it makes the people laugh a lot, so why not give them a
taste of America? But seriously, I've
noticed since I've been here that there are so
many colloquialisms in English! It makes translation sometimes a
struggle. Lately, I've been noticing that my thought patterns are becoming much
more simple so I can translate them into Tagalog pretty easily.
I've also noticed that the people here aren't any different
from the people in America. The only difference is their wealth, the language,
and the environment. There are still deacon’s collars here. There are ward
activities here. There are knowledgeable saints here and uneducated saints
here. Time and time again I notice similarities between people I meet and
people I know back home.
Oh yeah--one other difference. The rain. It's always muddy
here, and my umbrella saves me. Thankfully, I bought some rubber shoes for the
equivalent of 4 dollars or so. What a deal! I'm wearing them right now. I'm
always walking through dirt. I have to wash my shoes every day after I use
them.
I'm not progressing as much as I want to in listening to the
language. I'm learning plenty of words and can often speak clearly for the Filipinos
to understand me, but it's so hard to understand them. They talk so fast! I
have my hypothesis why. Here's my premise: regardless of the language, people
stream a certain amount of thoughts into their language at a certain rate.
Because Tagalog requires more syllables than English does, they need to speak
faster to keep up with their train of thought. I constantly ask people to help
me with the language and to speak slowly. People are naturally helpful I've
found out.
There are plenty of remarkable things that happen here. For
one, my companion and I tracted this one house that belonged to the
"Simbahan Ni Cristo" church. Do you remember last week when I talked
about Eglecian ni Cristo church? Well, it started in the Filippines, even
though it has a Spanish name. Well, the “Simbahan ni Cristo” is the exact same
name, only in Tagalog! It's only five years old. It doesn't make any sense
whatsoever.
I gave a talk in church on Sunday. Lemme say... if you think
writing a talk in English is hard, try writing one in another language you've
been learning for only a month in a half. That's all. Oh, and Mike Sibellia
came to church on Sunday, along with many of our other investigators! They all
seem to be right on track. We actually hit two birds with one stone by teaching
Mike; most of the rest of his family are inactive, and they came to church
too!
The people in our branch are great. We have a few RMs, and a
lot of less-actives. About a third of all of our lessons are to less-actives.
One of them lives literally 50 feet from the church, whereas some of the ward
members have to travel 30 minutes by jeepney to get to church in the morning,
which is quite a lot of money for them.
My companion is an inspiration to me. He paid for his
mission by himself. Additionally, he lived on his own when he was 15, and
supported himself from that time on because his parents said they couldn't
support him. He ALWAYS works hard. He has a good attitude. He constantly goes
door to door with a smile on his face is and is bold enough to ask if people
(who seem disinterested in us) if they want to hear the message. He's invited
at least 30 people to church this past Sunday. He always tells them that I'm
speaking, and they laugh a little bit. Sometimes they don't listen to him, but
they often do because they realize that he is a caring person and stuff.
A lot of people do not care about modesty, at least as
American’s view modesty! Multiple times the women we’ve been teaching just out
of the blue start breast feeding! Ahhhh! Culture-shock! On top of that,
basically all of the kids under 4 years old don't wear pants, and go to the
bathroom whenever they want, and wherever they want.
I went on my very first exchange last Thursday with District
Leader Elder Vang, who is "Mong," which is a race somewhere in Asia.
He looks like Psy. He was really cool and taught good lessons, but it made me
miss my tatay (dad) Elder Balonsong, because he is just so inspiring and
fluent when talking and connecting with people.
I hope to achieve that. It'll take a lot of time, though!
Elder Hart, who is the other trainer in our house, says that he still doesn't
feel fluent, and he's been out for 9 months. He can understand what people are
saying most of the time, but when it comes to conversing he doesn't have the
confidence that Elder Balonsong has to talk and joke with whoever he wants to
approach.
So, I'd like to say that I really do have the best trainer
and companion in the mission. People said it at the mission home, and I believe
it.
I also am very lucky to be in Palawan right now because, in
case you keep up with Filipino news, Manila is currently flooded right now, and
missionaries there are supposed to either serve or stay inside the apartment.
I got an email just now from President Stucki saying that one missionary companionship got
severely shocked while trying to serve. So again, I'm lucky to be where I am
right now.
My companion and I are having a lot of success right now. About
8 people or so have accepted baptismal dates! It's always wonderful to hear
their "opo" (yes) after some thought, because I know they're that
much closer to returning to God!
Zone conference is tomorrow. Words cannot express my
excitement to see my fellow batch-mates once again, even if there are only two
of them. Also, I can't wait for good, American food! Here in Aborlan, there's
walang (zero) fast food places. I think there's only one other mission that
doesn't have any. It will be a great day.
Yeah. I'm in the middle of nowhere. It's a good life! It's
all very green and humid, but not as much as Virginia. Palm trees, natural
wildlife, and a people who love the life they're living is the scene of
Aborlan.
I love talking about my family and friends back home to the
people here, even though I usually have to speak in broken Tagalog. It makes
things always just a little more bearable thinking about the wonderful life
I've had before coming on the mission. But it doesn't compare being on my
mission! I'm certain I'm starting the best two years here.
Mahal ko po kayo, kaibigan ko sa America! (I love you,
friends in America!)
Elder Thurber
P.S. here is my address for my LETTERS
Elder Matthew John Thurber
Philippines Manila Mission
PO Box 1997
Makati Central PO, Makati City
1200 Metro Manila
Philippines
.... and my address for my PACKAGES
Elder Matthew John Thurber
Philippines Manila Mission
19 H.V. Dela Costa Street
Makati City
1222 Metro Manila
Philippines
Please, oh please, oh please send me stuff!
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