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Monday, February 9, 2015

Transfers

WEEK 30
Pamilya at mga Kaibigan,


     I do have some news for transfers this week.  Fortunately, I am staying in Socorro, but my companion (Elder Santos) has been transferred to Siniloan, which is on the other end of the mission. Which means he has a few days of travel in front of him.  I'm really sad about it, because we were really starting to work well as a companionship, but I'm excited to meet my new companion.  I don't know much about him yet, but his name is Elder Avelino.  He just got into the mission in November, which means I will be his follow-up trainer.  It will be my first time being the senior companion so I am a little nervous, but excited for the opportunity.  My Tagalog has definitely improved over the last few transfers with there being absolutely no English in Socorro, and very, very little English from my companion.  It was really frustrating at first, but I am really thankful for it now.  I can understand everything now, except for the really specific words.  All the members are saying, "Filipino ka na!"  (you're Filipino now!")  Let's just say it made me really happy the first time they said it. 

     Anyway, things in our area are going great.  My companion and I have been working really hard to make sure everyone is progressing and we have had a lot of cool opportunities in finding people.  The mission is really in a shrinking stage right now.  The surge of everyone that came in has died down and we have lost a total of 25 companionships this last transfer and the mission is closing 15 areas, but the work is still progressing in our little corner of the mission. 

     The sister that I mentioned in one of my past emails who we met on the street is now in Alma 5 after only three weeks.  She is awesome!  The only problem is that she is really close to a place where they have live debates between different religions.  I think next to basketball, this could be the biggest spectator sport in the Philippines.  We had an awkward moment last week.  We walked by a debate on kaligtasan (salvation).  One of the pastors saw us and shouted, "Ano ang sasabihin ng mga mormons?!"  ("What do the Mormons have to say?") Our mission president is very strict in not participating in debates, and we politely declined and kept walking, but it made me realize how blessed we are to have the fullness of the gospel and the Plan of Salvation.  

     That's all I have to say for this week.  Being a missionary is great!  I will have a lot to tell you next week about my new companion. Thanks for all of your support!
                                                                 
- Elder English


Jessica's (recent convert) birthday.


Group members at church meetinghouse.


1 comment:

  1. Elder Santos is going to be Elder Crichton's new companion in Siniloan!!! His companion was just transferred and called as Zone Leader :)

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