Hello family and friends!
How is everyone doing back in America?? Good I hope. This week has been amazing/crazy/good/bad/tiring/everything put in to one lol.. I starting to like it here on this small island. Its hard, but it is a labor of love. Honestly, here people are way more happy than some people I have seen who have 5 cars, a big house and every worldly thing you could imagine. One thing I have learned from being here is that you don't need worldly things to be happy. All you need is family, friends, and the gospel. It is so amazing! Honestly, my first couple weeks here I was way down because every worldly comfort is non-existent here in the Philippines. But now I realize that it doesn't matter if you have a 65 inch Television set, or a big comfy bed or anything. This week I prayed that I would find the good in every situation. Honestly the Lord has answered my prayers, I am seeing the good in everything and I am a lot more happy here.
As a result of that, I my Tagalog has skyrocketed this week. I am so glad too! cuz here they have very maliliam (deep) Tagalog. Like it's not what I learned at the MTC at all.. What I learned at the MTC was "Manila Tagalog" (sorry Jake).. where half is english and half is Tagalog lol.. Here they have over 60 different ways of saying each word, its nuts. But the roots are all the same, so I have been studying my butt off this week and asking the members for help and I am able to understand probably about 80% of what they are saying. As for speaking it, yeah that's a different story.. Lets just say, that I can usually get my point across, it's pangit (ugly) but I am able to speak. Luckily my comp helps me. Yesterday we had 2 visitors in Sunday school from Manila. They taught the lesson and I understood everything they said! it was sweet! I am glad that I was placed in the hardest area, with the crappiest apartment first cuz I know it can only get better from here. Back on the mainland, the Tagalog is really Mababaw (shallow) so, I should be set in my next area. I am stoked!
Anyways, I read Jake's email. HAHA I laughed when I heard the story about that old Nanay. Wow, that totally sounds like something that would happen here. That is one thing about the Philippines, you see something completely random every day!! Its awesome! haha. GO JAKE!! WOOT! I'll send you a pouch bro!
But yeah, this week I had an amazing experience! It was yesterday, we went out with Nanay Iska (the coolest nanay in the world) and she took us to a referral she had and this lady was not happy. I could tell. I felt way akward even approaching her cuz she did not want us there lol.. But elder Tuazon and I taught her anyways. So we taught her the first lesson and she didnt really seem interested until we got to the first vision. Then it was my turn to teach.. Yeah scary, cuz my tagalog is way pangit . But I did it anyways. I taught the first vision very simply, then stumbled through Joseph's account. But After I taught I testified to her and the spirit was way strong. It was really simple but I know that she knew that I know it is true (wow tongue twister)... It was amazing. After the lesson, I walked out of her little hut thing and said to myself "this is why I am here". I wish I could tell you all of my experiences here! But there are just so many all the time!
Ok, so, on Wednesday, Elder Tuazon and I were tracting on a road that we haven't gone down before.. And at first it was paved and stuff but then it turned into a little dirt path up in the mountains. So we just kept walking. The whole time it was sprinkling. Well, long story short, it started pouring like I have never seen before and I didn't have my umbrella. so, we basically sat under a tree for 30 Min's getting soaked! It was hilarious! I got it on video with my camera.
Oh and I sent an LBC package to you but I forgot to put the memory card in it! Sorry!!! I will try to send it when I go to Batangas for Zone Con... LBC takes like a week or so... so you'll have it before Christmas hopefully.
Ok, questions....
1.Do you receive mail every day? Is the mail system dependable there?
I receive mail every zone conference, Zone Interview and transfer day. That's it... I dint have a physical address.
2. What type of food are you eating? Is there any American foods in the markets there?
HAHAHA!!! don't make me laugh.. American food? yeah not a chance. The closest thing I have found is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches lol
3. Are you able to eat enough to keep some weight on your bones?
Haha actually.... Yeah all the rice is giving me a "dendo baby" as Elder Heninger so affectionately called it lol.
4. Are parasites a problem with the missionaries there?
Yes. They are if you don't use a water filter.. Actually our district leader, Elder French got an amoeba lol.. he was puking his guts out for a week.
5. Do the members invite you for dinner?
Yeah.. but when we show up they usually don't have food prepared lol.. but I understand, its really hard for them here to have us over all the time. but sometimes they have food prepared
6. How long has Elder Tuazon been on his mission and where in the Philippines is he from?
Elder Tuazon has been out here for a year. and he is from Quezon City. which is close to Manila
Oh and mom, I got 2 packages this week!! Thank you so much! They helped a lot! The tissues were a lifesaver! same with the candy, so GOOD!!!!
Well family.. Another week has come and gone! One more week then this transfer is up! wow how time flies! I love it! I love all of you and don't worry about me. I'll be just fine out here. I love you all.
Until next time
Elder Hansen
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