Danish Hitch? - Week 69.Serving in Bulua

Aloha! Whew! Thanks for the e-mails! :)

Well, transfers are coming in a jiffy. I have a gut feeling of getting transferred. But we'll see that later. Anyways, there are tons of spiritual stuffs that happened this week! It was really fun. I am really appreciating how the Lord helps us in His work.

So, last Saturday, when we were on our way to our last appointment, we worked in our farthest area since we had a return appointment there. It was dark when we finished working there. The road was of course, dark. While walking, we passed by this foreigner opening the gate of their house, preparing his car to go out. Then, I greeted him "Good Evening". He replied back. We continued walking. As we were walking, I leaned at the back and saw his car coming out. Then, a thought came to my mind that the man will give us a free ride back. In my mind I was like, that's insane. We're in the middle of the night and he barely know us. But I prayed in my mind while smiling, and thought, if it's from the Spirit, then it'll surely happen. Then, he passed by, pulled-over and asked if we were going on the highway (you could see the look on his face that he's not sure of what he's doing, asking us for a ride). We said yes and he let us in so we hopped in and had a little conversation with him. It was a bit hard since he's danish and I could get a word of two. But it was a great experience. He couldn't understand us as well so, I just left a pass-along card at the back of the seat and thanked him and went on our way. We'll go back to his house sometime this week.

Then, last Sunday, we had 81 people in attendance! Yay! That was so many! And we have a couple of progressing investigators. So, work's balancing again. But the greatest thing that happened here would be Less-Actives coming to church. One family that we were focusing went to church last Sunday. I never thought brother would come to church because he told us he has work, but he was there! I know he did felt our last lesson. Also, one of the less-actives we're focusing as well was not able to attend church. But, his mother gave us a letter written by him and the words that's inside there really made me happy. Next Sunday for sure, he'll be at church after 9 months or so of inactivity. And, there's more people coming to church. I know it's the Lord's outpouring blessings here. I'm happy for the ward's support. I testify that harnessing the power of members is so important. What Preach My Gospel says is true that when members and missionaries coordinate the work, work will surely hasten.

I've attached some pictures as well. The places there is in our farthest area, the seaside which I explored the first time. Wee. And, the District as well.

I'll surely miss this area for sure. It's been 6 months and it's so fast! Geez, But its okay... I grew a lot here and I'm ready for my new area or so. Haha! We'll see about that this week.

Thanks for the great messages guys! I only have a few months left and I'm learning so much about my relationship with Heavenly Father. It impacted me when we were teaching this young woman just beneath our apartment, our neighbor. We taught her together with the members who were our neighbors as well, and she prayed great! She felt the Spirit despite not having much Christian background. I can remember the words she said. It made her cry and after praying, she told us, she felt good and peaceful. I know that it's the Holy Ghost testifying to her of the truthfulness of our message. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ lives! They love us so much. And in my personal study this morning, I was able to read Alma 13. It's a great chapter which I would like to share with you guys.

Anyways, 'till next week guys! Have a great week! :)

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

Missing A Good Ol' Buddy - Week 68.Serving in Bulua

So Elder Abad leaves to his new mission this night. It's been almost a week since he left here. Elder Dulam and I are doing great! My trainee's so diligent. Haha! What can I expect? LOL!

Anyways, lots of things happened. One of the less-actives we are having a hard time with went to church last Sunday! Lol! After 4 months of teaching I guess. Thanks to his father who we met last last Sunday. And this coming Sunday, they'll go to church as a family! Yay! The Lord is really answering our prayers.

Well, work is really different being just two compared to a threesome. But that's mission. Need to adjust every time. Haha! Though, we miss someone who is noisy in the apartment, in a good way of course.

We had our zone interviews this week as well. We were able to meet our new Mission President and his wife and we know new things are coming into the Mission. I can't never forget what President told me that my calling as a trainer is really very very important, compared to other missionary callings. So, he told me to expect more trainees O.o So far, I already had 4 trainees. And, It'll be counting I guess. Haha. We'll see in the coming transfer week, next week. LOL!

I've attached some pictures as Elder Abad leaves and the family who is close to us. Last Sunday, Elder Dulam and I taught that family after thanking one of the members who worked with us. Sister shared to us her mission and me and my trainee learned so much! Haha! It was an edifying Sunday even though it's raining hard here, so work is a bit, muddy. Haha!

The District is having more baptisms than ever. Haha! We're leading the Mission in terms of Progressing Investigators. Wee! I'm happy for the District. I know they are really loving the people they are teaching. Elder Dulam and I will have a finding week this week and we've already found some yesterday.

Well, the Mission really is a great learning experience. It has drawn me closer to Christ than ever before. Each day before I sleep, I love prayer! I'm grateful for all of you guys who have supported me and sustained me. Thank you very much!

Have a great week!

From Three Musketeers to Two Cavaliers - Week 67.Serving in Bulua

Well, mission has a lot of surprises. One of my companions will be leaving this Thrusday. I'll surely miss him 'coz we had a great time here for almost 2 cycles. Tomorrow will be our last work with him, funny 'coz it's also our zone interview tomorrow and dinner with the Bishop here.

Anyways, last week was a so-so day. We had a little bit of problem with our companionship, us three. And last night, we resolved it after evaluation and did some companionship inventory. I really love inventory! The Spirit was great because we were all calm and really listened to each other. Because of that, I'm really sure that our companionship became stronger, though, it's just surprising to know one needs to go. But I will always remember what he said, which is also my favorite scripture verse in the bible. He said that there's a purpose to everything and it's true. Because of that inventory experience, all three of us became edified.

Last Sunday, I guess was the most number of attendance during my stay here. I'm really happy seeing how the Lord works in His ways. I only have less than 9 months left! Time's so fast!!!

The thing that I'm really happy about the mission are the things that I've learned that I can never get from any secular education. The revelations and inspirations one receives here is really a higher plane of thought. It's just surreal how the Lord teaches us everyday and helps us to stretch ourselves everyday.

The District is doing fine and baptisms are coming shortly. I'm happy for all of them, for their work and for the bond that we have. And, transfers are coming shortly so it'll be another interesting event to look forward to.

Well, the Zone Leaders treated us at YellowCab after my follow-up check-up. Hehe. And, this was my breakfast earlier this morning while studying.

Anyways, thing are going great here and I'm so happy I went on a mission despite knowing the fact that it's coming to an end in less than a year. I'm grateful for the people that I've met here and for the testimonies borne. Oh, and the very first baptism that I have is still active and is planning to get sealed with his wife somewhere next year or so. So, I'm excited for them! ^^

Also, the baptism that Elder Abad and I had here, she's so progressing! Excited for her to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead.

I'm so happy to have the Gospel in my life and for the lessons it taught me. Just want to share a great chapter in the Book of Mormon. It's in Alma 7, the whole chapter is about Alma and his preaching to the people of Gideon, their brethren in the faith. And, I love how Alma expected them to be righteous and prepare themselves for the advent of Christ. It just told me that Heavenly Father will be even more happier as we strive to receive the Gospel in our lives and be active in it, not just be active in the church.

So, that's our week! Next week, it'll just be the me and my trainee. Oh well. That' mission life. Have a great week! 

Sincerely,

Don't Pray for a Transfer - Week 66.Serving Bulua

Whew! Super late in the evening so gotta do this fast fast fast! Just finished my e-mail with President. P-Day's super busy and we're always out of time and we're doing a lot of changes in the mission. Our new theme in the mission is: "Move your feet, Open your Mouth, Obey, Obey, Obey & Obey".

Well, last Sunday, miracles just keep happening. Another family was completed at church! Yay! It's the 3rd less-active family completed at church. Then, after the sacrament, Bishop approached me and said, "Elder, don't pray for a transfer". Haha! I just laughed and smiled at him. But I really love this area! I'm loving my stay here and I love the members. Work's great and our companionship is doing well.

Next week, more updates. Just running out of time. Bye! Next week for sure! :D

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

A Unified Effort - Week 65.Serving in Bulua

What the? It's been 65 weeks already. Time sure is fast and I'm enjoying the Mission big time. Haha...

Well, this week, it was very inspiring to see the broadcast last Sunday. All the messages are very uplifting and I took a lot of notes and shared it to the District. Well, me and my companion made an article actually. Here it is:

"A Unified Effort"

For the past months, the work's a bit dry in the District and in our area as well. There's just not much progress with the work. Despite that, we still believed that in every area, the Lord is preparing someone to receive the Gospel.

It was still in my time with Elder Castillo that we found a couple of baptismal candidates in the area. Working closely with the members paid a great price and resulted in referrals. One of which is Sister Laurence.

Sister Laurence is a part-member and has a little background about the church. But she went to church because her grandfather, her aunt and uncle invited her during her stay with the family. We met her firsthand at the church and she was shy and we could feel she's asking herself, "Why am I here?". In the next days, we finally got an appointment with her. First visit, as she saw us coming, she ran fast as she could to the house, then to her room shouting, "I don't want to listen and be taught". We just smiled and continued to come in their home with his grandfather.

She is really shy and it was hard to teach her. Time came when I got companions with Elder Abad, whom I know beforehand. Listening and really Teaching People and Not Lessons paved the way for her to open up. And we focused on that single point of hope. Weeks passed by, she is progressing! She prays and reads her assingment. And, what made her sure that this church is true is through the testimonies of her young women friends which she can relate on a Fast and Testimony Meeting. That time, she felt the spirit big time and was excited to be baptized. She was baptized by her uncle and the ward sure welcomed her warmly.

Right now, she's active in indexing, seminary and church activities. She'll be going to the temple trip months from now and what surprised us was she was able to do our challenge to her to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to one of her friends. 

This experience proved us that harnessing the power of members is a vital point in doing the Lord's work. We cannot do this work alone. Through the Lord's and the member's help, we can do it in a unified effort.

The growth of missionary work is really hastening especially in these trying times. The Lord expects our devotion, our desires and dedication. Like the prophet Joseph Smith said, "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?..."

We know that this work is the Lord's work and true happiness can be received as we forget ourselves and get lost in this work. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Here are pictures! It's my posterity in the Mission. Haha! My office trainee and my trainee in the field... Wee... They're doing great and it's good to see their progress.

Anyways, one picture was with a new missionary who looks like Hans!!! Haha... I actually thought it was him for a moment. Just want to share though.

And, the picture on the blackboard was our District Activity where each one shared how they could describe the Atonement by drawing something. It was fun and all are edified. We're doing lots of progress in the work and the District is doing better now. I'm happy for their progress ^^

So, that's for now. Have a great week!!! 

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana