The destroying Angel of transfers passed by our door this past week- surprisingly- seeing as Sister Oquias has been here for 4 months and I'm only 2 weeks behind her. But as President likes to point out, you can never guess him. It could happen any time.. But for now, we're grateful to have more time together here in Manapla. :)
Happy Fiesta here in Manapla! It's the craziest and coolest thing I've ever seen. Parades, pageants, street dancers... Picture the Utah Arts festival, Filipino style, times 3. I'll send you a picture of one of our members dressed up. Some of the boys here are more gwapa than I am. If you know what I mean...
We ran into some Jehovah's Witnesses this week who flat out told us they just wanted to debate with us.We only talked with them for about 10 minutes, but it made me so glad we know the truths that we do. We shared with them our purpose- that we aren't here to debate etc... and I shared my testimony that we are called of God to invite others to come unto Christ here in Bacolod, and he told me, "Oh yes, God used to call His servants in Bible times, but He doesn't talk to man anymore. You're just called to his work if you have love for him."
For some reason, that really got my blood boiling. Not with anger, but with a surety that I AM called of God. We have living, breathing and speaking Apostles and Prophets in our day, and God is not silent. I knew that with more surety than I ever have... It's really true that faith tested is faith strengthened.
He said a lot of other false doctrine and sort of yelled with us without yelling at us (if you know what I mean). We just bore testimony, thanked him for his time, and left it at that. As we walked away from such a nasty experience, I said a prayer of gratitude that we have the restored truth.
I've really learned that the influence of the members is way more powerful than the missionaries. We had an investigator tell us this week she isn't interested in us anymore, because of a bad experience she had in the past with some members. She told us that she didn't know why she should keep learning about a church with members who don't live what they learn. She said that if this was the true doctrine of Christ that we teach, it would change our member's behaviors. Ouch. That was a tough lesson.
On the flip side, we have a member who is struggling right now with some word of wisdom issues. He's had earrings in the last few times we've seen him, but this last lesson he was doing a lot better and had removed his earrings. He said it was because he's been spending a lot of time with a member who has been encouraging and helping him along the road of repentance. I'm so everlastingly grateful for the good example of the members. You all have so much more power than you can imagine.
Last experience here, something that happened last night. The best ever :) Last night our investigator A. and our recent convert L. told us that THEY were going to teach US (Sister Oquias and I and Liezel's referral, C.C.) the message of the Restoration! We readily agreed and couldn't stop smiling as they told us all about families, prophets, priesthood, Christ's ministry, the Apostasy and Joseph Smith. They even bore their testimony and offered a commitment to C.C. to pray about Joseph Smith. L. is only 12, and A. is only 10, but they said to each other after, "Pwede na kita mag-Sister!" or basically, "We could be Sisters now!" :)
The Elders baptized in the most gorgeous river this past week in their far area. We got to attend and it was the coolest thing ever. "Here are the waters of Mormon. And now..." :)
Lots of good stuff happening! I never get sick of missionary work.
Palangga ko kamo tanan!
Sister Luke
1. The waters of Mormon
2.& 3. Always enough rabies to go around! Just kidding mom.
4. L. and A. playing Sister.
5. Happy Fiesta!
6. Street dancing
7. Parade
8. Recent Converts
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