26 Oct 2009
Hey everyone,
This last week was really neat. We had a Zone Conference with Elder Micheal Teh of the 1st quorum of the 70. He is a really neat guy and he interviewed me and all the elders that were in my Batch. He doesn't hardly have a Philippino accent at all. He probably actually speaks better English than me! ha ha. A lot of the zone conference was about being a good missionary and applying what we learn in the Zone Conferences in our Mission work.
It's pretty cool over here because its just like a big camping trip. There are bugs everywhere, I'm getting eaten! Tapos (then) we cook on a propane stove, and sleep on foam mattresses. The only difference is, that you can throw your garbage anywhere and no one cares. And surprisingly with that things aren't too dirty looking. We use my leatherman for a knife for cutting food open and the can opener on it (I'm really glad I brought that).
The work is still progressing so things are good I suppose. I will have another Baptism this next Saturday, the 31st, a 14 year old kid named Mark Peralta, he's funny, and he went out proselyting with us last night after District Conference. His little sister is getting baptized too on the same day.
Yesterday we had 5 YM from the branch receive the Mel. Priesthood, it was really cool, so Elder Erispe and I are working pretty closely with them to make sure they head out on their missions year or so. Most YM here don't go out until they are 22 or 23 but hey at least they are going.
We are teaching the old branch president's son's girlfriend (sorry if that confused anyone) but Sister Inez is pregnant with Ralph's son and they are not married. We went on splits last night and I was with the Elder's quorum president (Brother Portolaso). Bro. Portelaso and I went to their house and had to tell them that Inez couldn't get baptized if they didn't get married and if they lived too long like that it could bring other problems. So we'll see what happens. Inez is a golden investigator though, we are flying through the lessons because she understands everything. It is really cool.
My investigators are progressing. The Iglesia couple especially, you should look them up and tell me a little about their religion. All I know is that they are a great and abominable church here and most of their members are stubborn and rude to the missionaries.
Our daily goal is to find 3 new investigators every day and on Friday we ended up finding 8 it was pretty cool. Elder Erispe at ako ay naramdaman Mabuting mabuti (elder erispe and I felt awesome).
I haven't eaten any bugs yet that I know of, but next Saturday we are returning to an investigator that cooks it so we are gonna eat some then. I'm so excited!!!!
We haven't had a rain storm this week yet, I don't think but its possible that they can happen at anytime. Who knows. Not having a TV or radio we don't really know the weather until its on us or a member tells us to get home cuz i typhoon's coming.
Oh, they start celebrating Christmas in September here, so I arrived and I think the second day I heard carolers, ha ha it was funny. Its a little different seeing Christmas lights and decorations in September.
They say that every American gets called "Joe" here. Because of my Korean background I've only been called Joe once and it was after 3 weeks of being here.
There's a chance that I could be transferred next week. I'm not exactly sure how to feel about it because I've gotten attached to the people here in San Marcelino.
Oh! We may be able to move into our new apartment this week. They keep moving the date on us though. So every day we have to travel 15 minuted from San Antonio down to San Mar. It gets kind of expensive (actually its only the equivalent of about 95 cents. But peso wise it gets mahal (expensive) oh well. We keep praying things will go through.
Oh just some tips from my mission president if any of you send packages:
Put the amount the package is worth, less than 40 dollars or it cost like 2000 pesos for me to get it.
Wrap packages really good with lots of tape and put pictures of Mother Mary or Jesus Christ on it.
Don't send perishable items,
and send it to
Elder Chase Westwood
Philippines Olongapo Mission
Km 140 National Hwy, Mangan-Vaca
2209, Subic, Zambales
Philippines
Well I'm outta time so until next week. Thank you for all your prayers!
I love you all,
Elder Chase
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
19 Oct 2009
Hey everyone!
My baptism went great on Saturday! It was really neat to be able to baptize Brother Noel on Saturday. He is such a good kid and one day I know he will make a heck of a missionary. At the baptism he bore his testimony and that was the most I have ever heard him talk before. It was awesome. The other two missionaries said we'd celebrate...then they told me I was buying for the celebration, it was funny.
My companion and I did splits yesterday and he sent me out on my own! That was a little scary but I think I did alright, I taught a guy that we just located on the side of the road and randomly he came to church yesterday, it was awesome. He's great! His name is Ordorpo Labrador, and it is very apparent that he is a drunk but I have always liked drunks so I didn't mind, ha ha.
Then we have quite a few other progressing investigators. Oh, we are teaching an Iglesia ni Christo couple, they are golden, the spirit was so strong in our first lesson I couldn't believe it! Wow. The reason this is so cool is part of the Iglesia religion is that they are not allowed to listen to other gospels, not allowed to read any scripture, and usually we get dirty looks and turned down right away with them. They are very nice people, their names are Jonathan and Jane Fontillas.
The language is starting to get a little better, I am understanding more and more, except on the way back from Olongapo today an old lady started talking to me and I couldn't understand a thing she said so I had to yell at my companion. Kind of embarrassing. Oh well, its part of life.
Its amazing over here, The people here are great! I hate the idea of having to leave here in 2 weeks maybe.
Oh well its part of missionary life I suppose. The church is true, definitely in the Philippines.
I gotta run, I love you all, thank you for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone!
My baptism went great on Saturday! It was really neat to be able to baptize Brother Noel on Saturday. He is such a good kid and one day I know he will make a heck of a missionary. At the baptism he bore his testimony and that was the most I have ever heard him talk before. It was awesome. The other two missionaries said we'd celebrate...then they told me I was buying for the celebration, it was funny.
My companion and I did splits yesterday and he sent me out on my own! That was a little scary but I think I did alright, I taught a guy that we just located on the side of the road and randomly he came to church yesterday, it was awesome. He's great! His name is Ordorpo Labrador, and it is very apparent that he is a drunk but I have always liked drunks so I didn't mind, ha ha.
Then we have quite a few other progressing investigators. Oh, we are teaching an Iglesia ni Christo couple, they are golden, the spirit was so strong in our first lesson I couldn't believe it! Wow. The reason this is so cool is part of the Iglesia religion is that they are not allowed to listen to other gospels, not allowed to read any scripture, and usually we get dirty looks and turned down right away with them. They are very nice people, their names are Jonathan and Jane Fontillas.
The language is starting to get a little better, I am understanding more and more, except on the way back from Olongapo today an old lady started talking to me and I couldn't understand a thing she said so I had to yell at my companion. Kind of embarrassing. Oh well, its part of life.
Its amazing over here, The people here are great! I hate the idea of having to leave here in 2 weeks maybe.
Oh well its part of missionary life I suppose. The church is true, definitely in the Philippines.
I gotta run, I love you all, thank you for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Chase
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
11 Oct 2009
Hey everyone,
I hope this letter finds everyone as well as I am right now! ha ha ha. I had a friend tell me, don't even think about being dry for the next 2 years... couldn't be more true. ha ha I love it here but between the humidity and the micro-bursts of showers I don't stay very dry.
I'll have my first baptism this coming Saturday and I am very excited! This kid's name is Noel Gabutin, I told you about him last week, but be is definitely ready to be baptized.
Other investigators, we have a 72 year old whose wife is a member and we invited him to be baptized on November 7 and he's gonna do it! Then we have one on the 31st of this month so the work is definitely progressing. And I love being a part of it! I hate the thought of maybe having to leave in 3 weeks! ahhhh. Oh well its part of being a missionary I suppose. ha ha.
The language is coming along. I'm really starting to understand at least where we are in the lessons so I can chime in my 2 bits at times. But usually I can't understand the whole message but I have fun trying!
We got to watch Conference yesterday and Saturday! Wow, we had a bunch of our investigators there! It was really helpful to help us explain about the 12 apostles, the prophet, and definitely the spirit! It was weird though not having to fight for a seat in the priesthood session, there was only like 30 people there in the whole chapel. I really enjoyed watching it though.
Sorry this is short but The church is true, even here in the Philippines!
Thank you all for everything. I love you all!!!
Until Next week,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
I hope this letter finds everyone as well as I am right now! ha ha ha. I had a friend tell me, don't even think about being dry for the next 2 years... couldn't be more true. ha ha I love it here but between the humidity and the micro-bursts of showers I don't stay very dry.
I'll have my first baptism this coming Saturday and I am very excited! This kid's name is Noel Gabutin, I told you about him last week, but be is definitely ready to be baptized.
Other investigators, we have a 72 year old whose wife is a member and we invited him to be baptized on November 7 and he's gonna do it! Then we have one on the 31st of this month so the work is definitely progressing. And I love being a part of it! I hate the thought of maybe having to leave in 3 weeks! ahhhh. Oh well its part of being a missionary I suppose. ha ha.
The language is coming along. I'm really starting to understand at least where we are in the lessons so I can chime in my 2 bits at times. But usually I can't understand the whole message but I have fun trying!
We got to watch Conference yesterday and Saturday! Wow, we had a bunch of our investigators there! It was really helpful to help us explain about the 12 apostles, the prophet, and definitely the spirit! It was weird though not having to fight for a seat in the priesthood session, there was only like 30 people there in the whole chapel. I really enjoyed watching it though.
Sorry this is short but The church is true, even here in the Philippines!
Thank you all for everything. I love you all!!!
Until Next week,
Elder Chase
Monday, October 5, 2009
9.05.2009
Hey everyone,
Its been raining here like crazy! I guess the typhoon we had last week was just a typhoon, the one we had on Saturday was a super typhoon. I spent most the morning wading around in water just below my knees. It was awesome!!!! Oh and I went and bought me some rubber shoes for the rainy season so I don't ruin my leather ones! ha ha.
Its so much fun here. The people here are still great and I'm finally starting to remember who people are (remember I have memory problems) ha ha. We currently have 4 progressing investigators, which means that they are progressing towards baptism. One is named Noel Gabutin. He lives with his aunt and Uncle, and when we get into our apartment in San Marcelino (my area) she will be the one that does our wash. (clothes only).
Nanay Dumindin is hilarious. She always calls me guapo (handsome) and says I smell like a Utahn. I love her!!! ha ha. Her husband is in the Branch presidency. Then we have a couple ladies named Arlene and Inez (not sure of the last name) that we are teaching that had a lot of questions about the Book of Mormon but I think we got them resolved for them. Then 2 teenage kids named Mark and Bernadeth Peralta, they are good kids and they have 2 older sisters that are members but their parents aren't so that could prove to be a problem for us when they are ready for baptism.
Oh then we had all 4 of them at church yesterday, it was awesome!! Oh, another cool thing. We had a baptism yesterday of a young man whose parents are members, right before we started the Elders quorum President Brother Peralta, came up to me and told me I was confirming. I was so nervous but it was so cool! I asked my companion if he wanted to do it but he said no way! I already know now its your turn. It was real neat.
I am starting to understand the language a bit better. I was really struggling for the first couple days then I realized that I wasn't praying for the gift of tongues or interpretation of tongues. Stupid me, I know. But I started praying for it and the next day I still didn't know everything they were saying but I understood a lot more, enough to add tidbits here and there. So...Prayer works!!! But as far as people understanding me goes... usually they can piece together what I'm saying but sometimes they have to turn to my companion and he has to translate what I'm trying to say. Its funny, but oh well. Pres. Aquino says don't worry, it'll come with time just magsanay magsanay magsanay (practice practice practice).
Today we went up to Mount Pinatubo, that's where the volcano erupted and buried one of the biggest cities in this area of the Philippines. A lake that covers it now, there is a little town thats at the top, while there today we looked out on the lake and the only thing you can still see is the big old cross from the old church that used to be there. Its pretty crazy to see what mother nature can do. The ride up there is Magandang maganda (very beautiful) its so green and...well beautiful!
The rain here is soooo much fun!! Its like Mitch said. Don't plan on being dry for the next 2 years! ha ha.
I sweat like crazy over here but I'm lovin it! I might not come home! bero lang! (just kidding) thank you everyone for your prayers and love and support.
I think the best way for any of you to communicate with me is thru email. I probably won't be able to email back but I can write then your not waiting a month. instead only 2 weeks (give or take).
Until next week,
Love you all,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
Its been raining here like crazy! I guess the typhoon we had last week was just a typhoon, the one we had on Saturday was a super typhoon. I spent most the morning wading around in water just below my knees. It was awesome!!!! Oh and I went and bought me some rubber shoes for the rainy season so I don't ruin my leather ones! ha ha.
Its so much fun here. The people here are still great and I'm finally starting to remember who people are (remember I have memory problems) ha ha. We currently have 4 progressing investigators, which means that they are progressing towards baptism. One is named Noel Gabutin. He lives with his aunt and Uncle, and when we get into our apartment in San Marcelino (my area) she will be the one that does our wash. (clothes only).
Nanay Dumindin is hilarious. She always calls me guapo (handsome) and says I smell like a Utahn. I love her!!! ha ha. Her husband is in the Branch presidency. Then we have a couple ladies named Arlene and Inez (not sure of the last name) that we are teaching that had a lot of questions about the Book of Mormon but I think we got them resolved for them. Then 2 teenage kids named Mark and Bernadeth Peralta, they are good kids and they have 2 older sisters that are members but their parents aren't so that could prove to be a problem for us when they are ready for baptism.
Oh then we had all 4 of them at church yesterday, it was awesome!! Oh, another cool thing. We had a baptism yesterday of a young man whose parents are members, right before we started the Elders quorum President Brother Peralta, came up to me and told me I was confirming. I was so nervous but it was so cool! I asked my companion if he wanted to do it but he said no way! I already know now its your turn. It was real neat.
I am starting to understand the language a bit better. I was really struggling for the first couple days then I realized that I wasn't praying for the gift of tongues or interpretation of tongues. Stupid me, I know. But I started praying for it and the next day I still didn't know everything they were saying but I understood a lot more, enough to add tidbits here and there. So...Prayer works!!! But as far as people understanding me goes... usually they can piece together what I'm saying but sometimes they have to turn to my companion and he has to translate what I'm trying to say. Its funny, but oh well. Pres. Aquino says don't worry, it'll come with time just magsanay magsanay magsanay (practice practice practice).
Today we went up to Mount Pinatubo, that's where the volcano erupted and buried one of the biggest cities in this area of the Philippines. A lake that covers it now, there is a little town thats at the top, while there today we looked out on the lake and the only thing you can still see is the big old cross from the old church that used to be there. Its pretty crazy to see what mother nature can do. The ride up there is Magandang maganda (very beautiful) its so green and...well beautiful!
The rain here is soooo much fun!! Its like Mitch said. Don't plan on being dry for the next 2 years! ha ha.
I sweat like crazy over here but I'm lovin it! I might not come home! bero lang! (just kidding) thank you everyone for your prayers and love and support.
I think the best way for any of you to communicate with me is thru email. I probably won't be able to email back but I can write then your not waiting a month. instead only 2 weeks (give or take).
Until next week,
Love you all,
Elder Chase
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