Mon 4/14/2014
Las Pinas Village, Manila, Philippines
The 12 week program and 10 hours of conference
Dear Friends, Family and Followers,
This week has been crazy, obviously, since I'm a missionary.
We're going to be getting two new Elders in the Pamplona ward this upcoming
transfer, so we're trying to split the area, and most likely, we'll have to give
Brother Gabino to them. :'( It's alright, though; we've got so many
good investigators who are progressing in our area, I remain a happy
missionary.
On top of that, we're getting ready for Holy Week, which isn't
exactly a good thing. Point being: people go out on the street, drunk, waving
around things symbolizing palm leaves. Apparently, they do these things to show
“respect” for the sacrifice of good. This is the point where I need to vent.
Let's be honest, who do they think Jesus Christ really, truly is? It's so very
disgraceful, mixing in blatant sin with the sacrifice of our Savior and
Redeemer. How could something like this get so mixed up!! Frankly, this
upcoming week for me will just have to be an example to me of how Satan uses
the most ridiculous tactics upon Gods children-- and they accept it. Honestly,
he just plants seeds, and then BAM! Cultural acceptance sets in, destroying
people's common sense to actually read the Bible and understand its message,
rather than glorifying him in vain ways.
So… this week we're using our Word of Wisdom pamphlets to
try to destroy his baleful tactics. I'm slowly learning as a missionary that
I've just got to live the truth!
My title just kind of describes this week. We basically got
one lesson in the whole Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully, we had a full tank of
people in Brother Gabino's jeepney which hauled them off to church, including
the Pascual family* and their two neighbors who we're teaching: Marisa and
Mary-Ann! WOOOO! They all had the wonderful experience of watching General Conference.
I, obviously, enjoyed it immensely.
I thought Elder Ballard's talk was particularly touching.
And I distinctly remember Elder Packer's statement: "I know God." Can
you imagine? His spiritual level? When we sing Follow the Prophet, do
we get it? This is important! These men are the men God uses to talk to us!
What a great, great blessing! What an opportunity to listen to them for 10
hours! It stinks that people may think two hours is good enough.
On the flipside, I got a cold because of the
air-con. But it was worth it cuz I got to hear prophets!
I'm sorry, but once again this computer, like the ones next
to it, won't accept my USB for some reason, so no pictures this week, either.
Hey! Do you know what'd totally make me happy? Send me some
letters! They're like the WD40 on the machine of missionary work.
I love you all and I know this church is true!
Elder Thurber
*minus the dad. He was called in to work.
Mon 4/7/2014
Las Pinas Village, Manila, Philippines
The Power of Fasting
This week has been delightfully.... exhausting. I don't
think I've talked to so many people in my life about the gospel, trying to
plant seeds and give out pamphlets, return appointments, ask for referrals, and
get their number. On the bright side, I'm getting better at learning names
because I constantly have to remember them!
I suppose I have two great experiences I'd like to share
today. First, is with Edwin, who has about 8 kids, who are mostly grown up. He
opened up to us last week and talked frankly about his cigarette problem. And
this week, when we returned, we found out he usually smokes 15 cigarettes a
day. Even more surprising, though, is
his willingness to change. But, obviously, that won't happen overnight. In
fact, we passed by his house the other day and saw him smoking and drinking
with his oldest son. I asked him how he's doing, and he simply said "I'm
not good at all." This was only last Saturday.
So why do I think this is a great experience? Well, he
accomplished his goals. We started using our Word of Wisdom pamphlet, and
there's a goal section, and he's been accomplishing his goals! His most recent
one he accomplished is going to church. Out of about 8 missionaries who have
taught him previously, I had the awesome privilege of seeing him come through
the doors of the church and to see members coming by and shaking his, and his
son's, hands (who, incidentally, is not a member. Hmmm...). I truly feel he is
going to overcome this problem, and brings me back to the 'ol faithful
scripture: Ether 12:27
Ether 12:27 And if men come
unto me I will show unto them their weakness.
I give unto
men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is
sufficient for all men that humble themselves
before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then
will I make weak things
become strong unto them.
Cesan is second. She has been getting a lot of chiz miz or
gossip from the neighbors, who talk bad about her switching religions. Also,
she and her husband are struggling financially lately, and can't pay for the necessary
procedures to get married for her to be baptized. We suggested to her that we
could all fast for her. When we came over on Saturday night to start the fast
for her, she looked pretty sad, and said we couldn't teach her tonight, because
she has somebody to talk to, and was helping her out. But she still said she
would fast, thankfully.
Sunday night finally rolled around with all of us fasting,
including Brother Gabino. She didn't come to church earlier
that day b/c she didn't have any strength in her-- but she did fast!
And she said she received a calm reassurance the night before, telling
her that she needed to be baptized. She also gave me a great insight. She
said that from one degree or another, we will face
adversity just as Jesus Christ did to be able to come back to
heaven. I never thought of it that way! She's following Christ through
overcoming these problems! I also got to talk to the RS president, who
said she would be more than willing to talk to Cesan personally to
help them get enough money to get married!
Once again, this computer doesn't like my camera usb,
so I'll just have to send pictures next week.
Love,
Elder Thurber
