Typhoon

This week has been a blast!  There is not much power in the area so I will be quick.

Let me tell you what happened!

 

Well it all started on Tuesday night where me and my companion were walking around trying to talk to anyone at 7:30 pm about ready to end a hard works day, when we decided to go to a families home to check up on a commitment we had given them.

We turned up and brother Balledares said a storm is about to hit. So we went home, and began to pack our things. Then on Thursday we got a text from the mission president that we needed to be in the District centre (like the Stake centre).  

So we went and it was so cloudy and dark outside.  Apparently it was going to be bad, but it died down and where we were it just got windy and knocked a few trees over and yeah that was it.  In the end it was nothing too big, but it was scary!  Many of the missionaries were getting overexcited so I left with my trainee and we found a room and studied. When we came back in, they settled down and starting playing charades with words from the Book of Mormon.  See what an example you can have on others!

Now we are back in our house,  happy as ever, we love our little apartment, just us two, working hard! 

Love you family!

Elder Anderson.

Tuesday Morning Update 4 for Super Typhoon Ruby:

Dear Parents and Friends of Tacloban Missionaries,

The storm has passed and blue skies and radiant sunshine abound here in Tacloban. All missionaries have returned back to their areas, except Borongan Zone and the new arriving missionaries. We are still to effect the transfer to incorporate these new missionaries, but hope to do it this week. Relief efforts are being distributed to Borongan and we will also assess the conditions in that Zone before sending missionaries to return.

There is no power in most of the mission, and so it is unlikely that missionaries will find internet available to email home. We anticipate that power will be restored in a couple of days. Thanks for your willingness to send your sons and daughters as ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

 

Wayne E Maurer

Mission President

I'm back!  I had to go to a special place for missionaries who have been very crook, where they feed you up and send you back to work.

Yes, I got sent to Manila and I'll share with you my journey. I had to catch the bus from Tacloban to Ormoc in the morning, then when I arrived I  caught a ferry to Cebu, where I had to catch a taxi to the airport (by the way I'm doing this on my own, no companion and it felt so weird), then I arrived in Manila and man isn't that place so crazy, its like Las Vegas, just a HUGE city with lights everywhere.  It is huge - especially compared to small Tacloban!! 

Then I arrived in the MRC where Sister and Elder K (the missionaries in charge of the medical recovery center) welcomed me and showed me around where I was staying. So just let me say - I thought I was in heaven for the 4 days I was up there!  I turned up for dinner and Sister K said that my pancakes appetisers are ready for me in the kitchen and I was blown out of my mind.  I ate the pancakes and everything that followed!  Then I had air con in my room, HOT showers, and a comfy bed where I laid down for 3 hours a day resting - and we have movie nights, had washing machines and study as usual!! 

The Manila temple was just across the road and we were allowed to go and do sessions and you bet I did! 14 months without the temple - wow I enjoyed this special, special, special opportunity.  I got to ponder and relax and it sure did help with my sickness.

Then I came out of the temple and went back to the MRC, and next minute I hear someone screaming, running towards me and I turn around and Elder Wynn McGregor, one of my all time best friends is full speed about to tackle me haha.  It was really random and didn't really hit me, but we hugged and talked and took pictures. Man he has grown up and is so mature!!  It was also good to hear the fresh NZ accent haha!

A beautiful experience!!   I also saw a Sister Vea who knew Dad and she ran up and said, your dad's president Anderson!!  So that was cool.  Overall, I had a blast - but I wanted to go back, staying there was just too luxurious and unrealistic and I just wanted to head back to my little Tacloban and work!! 

So, I was allowed to go.  I had my tickets all booked for me  and I flew to Cebu where I got to take pictures of the temple there and then I caught a ferry back and heading back to my own area that I love!! 

What a choice experience - right?? Now I'm perfectly fine and we are back into the work!! 

I love you family and loved ones and  thanks so much for your prayers as I have been ill. I have really been focusing on working on my Christlike attributes.  I am continually changing and I'm happy with  my progress. 

I think in some ways I have really changed from a boy into a man.  That is what I feel, but I guess you can judge for yourself when I see you again.   No one here believes I'm 19, they all guess 23 or above!!  Must be my double barrel shotgun arms.  

So that's interesting!! Love you again.

Elder Anderson

Well this week was quite a big journey! I got my trainee!! Elder Means from Provo Utah at 19 years old!! I have been SICK this whole week which was not at all the good start I wanted to give him, but he is such a good missionary, definitely knows why he is out here on a

mission!  I speny an afternnon in hospital with a sore stomach and ear, and I have not been eating well at all.  I'm quite skinny.  I am feeling a little better each day though.

I know God knows my desires to work and exactly what I need and I can see this new missionary helping me a lot in the area!!

It was really funny seeing his facial reactions to the Phillipines during our 4 hour drive from Tacloban to Maasin.  He looked like I must have, so worried, where I am going haha, and I love to ask him, has it hit you yet elder? He always says, NO, I don't think it ever will!

We speak a lot of Cebuano in the house and he sounded exactly like me when I started my mission, but I give him encouragement and known that he will be very good in the future, even better than me!!

Sorry this is small, I'm out of time, but I love you all and I cant wait until I'm better, and can get out and work hard!! Love you family!!

Elder Anderson!

A more difficult area...

Kiaora all!

First I'd like to say, the last transfer (6 weeks)  flew before my eyes. I said goodbye to Elder Balmediano and this week I pick my brand new greeny  haha !

Yes I'm training!!! I am beyond the moon to have this opportunity to train!! The one thing I wanted to become is a trainer!! President Uchdorf in a talk said," only the best train"!! So yes I am picking him up Thursday this week so I am super excited for that!!

In my mission there is a procedure now: Before we go home - on our last sunday, we get to go to our favourite area here ( and I will probably go back to Kananga). One of my best elder friends( Elder Carlson) came to Macrohon to visit, and he goes home next week!! Everyone is going home and soon my batch will be soon!! Next month i will have 10 months left in the field, so I want to use every bit of time to the max!!

 A cool quote from president Monsen, "Decision Determines Destiny" So I'm out here using this quote in all I do to prepare me for my future!!  I'm working very very hard to work on my slight little weaknesses here in the mission to be the ultimate example for my brand new missionary and others in the future.  I cannot wait to see his reaction to the beautiful Philipines, like mine  when I first arrived!! I remember my trainer said i had a worried face the whole time and now I get to experience that!!  I cant wait!!

So my area:  It is super super hard, but we are working on it!! Somedays we don't even get to teach a lesson, but Im getting really good at finding.  My favourite is to play basketball with the tiny pinoys and my companion talks to everyone else and does o.y.m( open your mouth)!! I thought, they love basketball, why not join in and play and gain their respect and break the ice before getting into the sharing, because if we go straight and ask to share, most of the time, they're not at all interested.  

So yes!! IT WORKS  and we have o.y.m'ed over 40 people because of it!! They love it when I dunk the hoop haha.  I dont even know how to play, but when I dunk, its the end of the world for them!! They have never seen it before!!   So it is really funny when ever I walk past them now:  All  I hear is, Elder Anderson DUNK, DUNK, DUNK!!    I think to myself, yeah, we can arrange that for you...  Even the old folks join in and chant haha.  

But the main thing is I feel I am gaining the trust of tonnes of people here and if I dont get the chance to harvest, I know they will remember me and my love and accept the restored gospel in the future!! So, I love my area, challenging and humbling, and I am striving for excellence in my work.  I know Im so blessed!!

Also we have a baptism lined up for next month hopefully - first one in this area  in a whole year!!  I am super excited.  He pays his tithing and everything, I'm sure he will be good!!

 I love my mission, my testimony in Jesus Christ grows every day and I  love working with the Spirit!

Love you all

Elder Anderson

Philippines Tacloban Mission

Hey family, just another short one!!

I got my package:) and man did those chocolates melt in my mouth!! Thanks mum and family, it really made me happy!!

Me and my companion sat down as soon as we got the weetbix in the package and we downed the whole kilogram of weetbix in one meal!.  Actually while tasting the weet bix, I got a little bit  home sick haha, I wrote in my journal, I want to have my New Zealand food everywhere, in my fridge, and cupboard, but in reality all I see is RICE :( haha i had a little giggle over this!

The work in Kananga is really progressing!!  I want to share one miracle I saw last week!!

We have been re teaching our recent convert Brother R every night the past week, and one night he gave us his brother as a referral! So we went that night and had a good lesson with Sister jennifer the daughter 16, brother Joemar, his  son 12 and brother Eddie Rojas the father. After our first lesson we asked if we could come back the next day and they agreed!! 

We came back the next day, to find all the family sitting quietly, their book of Mormons already out on the table opened to the assignment we left them last time.  Our seats were there and they were quiet, and as we turned up, I got a shock, a big shock - never in my time here on a mission have I seen a family so prepared and willing to learn from me and my companion at the second lesson. They are golden - every time we show up, they’re ready to be taught, no mucking around!!

So for me, while witnessing this and day after day returning back to their house, I  see that God touches and prepares people for us!! He himself prepares these beautiful people to follow his begotten Son whom he sent!!

 They have their agency, ,yes, but what makes me as a missionary most happy is when I see them using this beautiful gift for the right, for Eternal Life.

I love this work and it is true!! Love you family

Elder Anderson

Hey family 

Brother R and his son, and Sister Karly, our beautiful investigators are being baptized this Saturday!

Sis Karly is a gem!! Shes a 21 year old that had family that are members. She does all the commitments, even over what we ask her to do! In her lessons, there are 4 languages that everyone mixes up and speaks, Tagalog, Cebuano, Waray Waray and English!!! hahah its funny, I understand English and Cebuano, and my companion and her understand them all!!!  But Im getting a rough outline of tagalog, konti lang (haha Jeremy)

 Shes got the knowledge downpat, and her desire just grows every time we visit her. It takes us a good 45 minutes to walk to her house, in the hot sun, sweating a lot, but its fun and we enjoy it.
Bro R a husband of a member who has two kids, didn’t ever go to school, and doesnt know how to read, but his desire to want to be baptized and follow Jesus Christ amazes me!! 

His desire is as strong as anyone I have ever taught!  His prayers are so heartfelt, so spiritual and just beautiful.  I love waiting till the end of our lessons so he can pray. It leaves me with the spirit. I feel heaven is around me!!!
 He has been afraid of the interview that he needed with the district leader, but i told him, he would be fine! He has had a lot of time and we have taught him for over two months, so he could really understand the doctrine and understand what covenant he is making!
Last Sunday he was interviewed and he was good!!! He was so happy and gave me a big hug after. He and his son and sister Karly will be baptized this Saturday and we are all excited!!
 Hopefully I can send some photos!!

Love you family, sorry about the short emails, but I will Skype next week! i cant wait:):) 

Love Der Anderson

28 April 2014

WOW its been a very busy busy week!

 Haha i think i say that in all my letters, but we had a lot to do preparing for our two family baptisms! The Salve family and the Baracuso family! Two very special families that have seen the light, and have walked through that gate way, being baptized last Saturday ! It was funny, after their baptisms, the two little kids in the photo with me, were scared and practicing their testimonies in the toilet while getting changed into  their dry clothes! 

It was awesome, have the chance to baptize PeeJee, the father of the Salve family! And I really felt the spirit raising my hand to the square, saying," Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost"! W hat a beautiful opportunity I had to do this! I love it and i love these people!
Little experiences like these I love and will cherish for Eternity!

TOMMOROW we have Tacloban conference in Tacloban! President Nielson will be talking! Im excited! And i get to see the rest of my batch!  I will send a batch photo next week!

Love you family, just a short one today!

Elder Anderson

Missing Pepe...

Again:) another fabulous week of the Lords work!

I have two experiences this week that have made my testimony stronger.

So first experience:

I don't know if I told you my family, but a few weeks back, me and my companion and another two Elders from my district were playing basketball on p.day, and the game got faster and faster! Next thing I know, my companion is on the ground, with his shirt over his face finding it real hard to breath! 

We stopped the game to find out what was wrong. He said he was allergic to eggs and chicken - which we had eaten that whole week! He said he had been through this before and needed to go to the hospital! So we asked the bishop to take us and he did.  We walked him in, and he needed all these injections and the doctor told us if this gets any worse, he will need to go to an upgraded hospital! So within 20 minutes we came from playing a happy game of basketball, to a hospital! After about 4 hours waiting, he was fine.

 

Then last week, last p.day,we played touch.  He survived it, there was no problem, until when we got home. 

He started to puff up again  all over his body  and began to breath really deep.  I said, Elder, lets go, we need to go to the hospital before this gets worse! He said to me," "No" Elder Im fine! Im really fine, I can handle this". I said back, "no elder we need to go"! 

As I started to get things ready, something told me, "he needs a blessing" I listened to the simple,calm and gentle feeling and I said," before we leave Elder I will give you a blessing"! He agreed and I gave a blessing that I knew came from  God through me. 

 5 minutes later he was fine, the swelling had gone and his breathing calmed down. Both me and my companion and other missionaries saw a simple miracle from God.

This experience is like the experiences of the prophets of old all through the Book of Mormon, Nephi sees the spirit of the Lord in 1 Nephi chapters 11 to 14, the sons of Mosiah and Alma the younger seeing the Angel in Mosiah 27 and the brother of Jared who saw the Lord and was brought back into His presence in Ether 3!

And I know  I had a similar experience, I saw the power of God work in front of my very eyes and my companion was fine. The priesthood is the power of God and I'm truly grateful for this experience.  I will cherish this memory for the eternities.

Second:

Lately I've been really missing my little Pepe!  Despite the many challenges we missionaries have everyday one of my hardest challenges is not seeing my little sister. I've been really missing her to the point where I have been praying to Heavenly Father to give me a dream about her or with her. 

 It didn't come in an instant but a couple of nights later I had a dream that I was at home.  I was lying down in my room and I was pondering.  As I was pondering on my bed I heard a noise, a noise that sounded familiar to me, but in my dream I couldn't really recognise who it was! 

     As I lay down on my bed  the voice become louder, and I could understand her voice.  She was speaking fluent English! Pepe came speeding around the corner as she does and started speaking to me! 

I said, "kinsa man ni"" which means "who's this?" in Cebuano - and Pepe said, "it's me - Pepe, your younger sister"! 

I woke up that night, very happy and blessed to have that dream! That dream mean't to me that Pepe will be speaking English to me when I come back home! (and maybe understand cebuano :/ haha) I loved that small simple dream, and it built my testimony that Heavenly Father really answers our prayers!

Family I love you as always, and I just want to testify that all I have said is true! God loves us, and I know and feel it every day!

Love you

Elder Anderson

The Spirit of General Conference

Hey family, I love you

Hows everyone going?? Man how was General Conference? Awesome I know, First time I watched all of them without falling asleep or getting bored and zoning out!! haha

They are the most powerful speakers on this earth! Did you  feel the Spirit?? I did, and it was saying in my heart, that everything they were saying was TRUE!! I can testify of that ! 

They were all chosen speakers to touch the hearts of the children of men! It really touched my heart and life,  to listen to how I can clean my weaknesses up, become better, and continue to always strive to become like Him, even our Saviour Jesus Christ! 

Watch an apostle of God's testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by clicking on this link

Our weeks have been really busy!! Hard but busy! We have tonnes of people to teach!! We have been teaching tonnes of people in Spillway and other places.

We had another baptism, Brother Jullito, he's another special son of God. His baptism was special, and I felt the spirit as I usually do.

 I love him and glad he is where he is now!! We just now need to give him the priesthood:)

A little experience: 

We made friends with this American that owns a shop near our house, We took this friendship to the point where we got a teaching appointment with him and one of his little Filipino workers! 

His name is Dennis and the workers name is Eilyn. They spoke English, so my "first lesson" ever teaching in English haha very, very hard and it sounded weird! She is seventh day Adventist, so it was a good experience for me! 

We opened our lesson about the restoration and she fired out all these questions. Questions about the Mosaic law and a lot more random ones. We answered all of then, and then she said to me, "Do you think your gospel is true?" 

Without any hesitant and even thinking about my answer, I said " Sister Eileyn, I know its true" We came out of the lesson, having set another teaching appointment and my companion said, "Did you see her when you said you know it was true? She was shocked and I saw it.  I didn't realise it, but I know that wasn't because of me, but the Spirit. It's amazing feeling and watching the Spirit guide our investigators to our Savior! I'm not afraid at all to say that.  I'm not only not afraid, but I LOVE sharing it with everyone :)

Thats just a little bit from me ,my family, I love you and will always love you!

Serve the Lord at any opportunity  and pray for missionary opportunities and I promise the Lord will put someone in your way.

Love you

Der Anderson

Here's a picture of my bath. Its a nice bathroom but the waters not running!  Every night I heat my water and have a HOT bath.

I sit in the black tub and put my feet in the red bucket! The BEST:)

21 investigators at church....

Hey everyone, sorry about last week and the short email but p.day has come around and yay I get to email my family!!

WOW tonnes of missionaries going out Dad, thats super exciting and awesome!

Just a few questions:

-Can i have my family history chart please?

-Was there a typhoon in New Zealand?( I heard there was)

-How many temples are there in the world?

Chalamat ..

So so so..

Here in Kananga we have a brand new apartment, I mean brand new and its nindot kaayo!!!

I love being in a nice apartment and its good because its just me and Elder Minorias!! We have a shower, but it doesn't work yet, but it has HOT water, yay and we have a tap to wash our hands and clothes and a tap at the sink to wash our plates instead of always walking out to the well and filling up bucket with water outside and always calling my companion" companion I need help with the water" about 50 times a day haha.

But that's what makes a mission fun and memorable!! We have a brand new iron and ironing board, brand new curtains, Everythings brand new!! And I'm very happy haha I feel I'm in a brand new world until I walk outside and there's no houses.

The people here speak tagalog and waray waray, and I cannot understand any of it!! 

Hopefully by the time I finish my mission I will know it, and can speak to Jeremy.

 Anyway - Kananga!!

Well our ward is lovely, the members are really nice and the bishop is very nice and a Diligent Bishop!! Reminds me of you Dad. I had to speak on our first Sunday, and I was really frightened and started to eat my words. I guess i was entertaining when they were all laughing at me , but i know they got what I was saying through the spirit.

 They love us missionaries so much and express their love to us, because they haven't had missionaries in a very long time!! We started our area - just opening it  after the typhoon and had NO area book! Man wasnt this just so hard!! We had nothing, and it was really stressing me out, Then our president said we have to be back in the home by 5pm everyday, because there are no street lights and some rough people about.  So this stressed me out even more, because I know that 5 till 8 are the peek hours where everyone's home and there's tonnes of teaching!! So it was hard coming from Bacolod to here - but through the simple commandment of prayer, I realised that I needed to just relax, stop stressing out, know that we are only beginning  and to simply just enjoy the journey that will soon put us back on a roll again!

 

So in the last few days we have had a lot of work - we had 21 investigators at church!! Man tonnes, partly resulting from the typhoon. Most of the investigators are the fathers or mothers that are not converted and through the storm they have all been really humbled and are flooding in!! We then found our area book that wasn't even updated, ahah but it will be now!! 

This story reminds me of Alma, when he baptizes tonnes of people at the waters of Mormon - people are truly flooding to be baptized which is super exciting!! We have no font so our baptisms are in the creek!! Makes Alma's story come to real life even more haha!

 Me and my companion are different!! Very very different. When we became companions we knew we had different personalities, different interests and styles of teaching. Hes from Mandanao and is 24!! My last companion Elder Doverte was 26!! So Heavenly Father loves putting me with older people!! I love my companion.

We have been doing much service , building the foundations of homes - diggin diggin and diggin!! Work Work Work , I Love to Work! Love You Family - Be Safe

Love you

Der Anderson

Just arrived in Kanangan, Tacloban Mission...

Family, a very short one. 

We just arrived in our apartment here in Kanangan:) Five things I want to state:

1) I have a brand new apartment thats so clean and has nice tiling inside.

2) we have 2 new fans

3) we have a new ironing board and iron

4) new shower and bed and everythings new

We have no area book and are just starting from the basics!! So its new but good!!
Love you guys!! Have a beautiful week, keep the photos coming and letters.

Love you

Elder Anderson

Hey family, Im here in Tacloban :)

After I emailed you we went to President Lopez' house and there he bought us a feed and we got to eat all the ice cream we wanted!! YES so delicious!! I havent had ice cream in a very long time!! After that he talked to us and discussed us all the things we learnt from this mission, and how we can take it with us and its OURS!!  

Both him and sister Lopez dropped us off at the airport and he gave us a hug. He's so good family. He has taught me about the mission, and in his mission vision, has helped to change me. 

We checked in and I was 10 kgs over and had to spend a tonne  but I got on the plane which was the important part!! 

We traveled to Manilla and stayed in the hotel there.  As we walked into the hotel, we saw our old batch mates from the m.t.c and gave them all a big hug and had a good catch up!! 

Our flight to Tacloban was 4 in the morning. So early we got no sleep. We traveled to Tacloban and I was super excited. We got there and the airport was just smashed up and  the airport was so so small. 

We met with President Andaya and sister to and they welcomed us and took us all to the mission home. On the way to the mission home, my mind was just BLOWN away. Seeing the destruction that took place here 5 months ago, it feels like the typhoon hit this place only yesterday. It looks like the land desolation in the Book Of Mormon. It made me sad.. There are wires EVERYWHERE so I watch where I walk. 

We then had a  breakfast, then a devotional, then I met my new companion, Elder Menorias from Mindanao here at the bottom of the Philippians.  He's fluent at every language which is good. He is going to teach me tagalog.  

There are seven languages here.  We got told that our apartment was not yet finished and we have to stay in the mission home for a week. Im fine with it because theres a washing machine, a dryer and showers:) hehe and our apartments are new, theres showers and toilets that flush:):) YES!! this made my day!! Im assigned in Ormoc. Which is Cebuano speaking - which is good for me:) Today we got a p.day and we went to the soldiers monument, which is the photo I had on my facebook before I came out on my mission!! One of the statues broke in the typhoon.

This mission is WAY different from  my old one, different vision, people, language and everything!! But I love it and am going to enjoy it here. I feel I'm only going to love my new mission even more!! 

I love you and I'll write you next week. Fams. Just letting you know im safe!!

Love

Elder Anderson

I'm so excited, my fingers are struggling to write!

WOW!! I received a call yesterday from my old companion Elder Burnett - that I am transferring back to the Tacloban mission!  I'm super super excited right now!!

I have actually left my apartment in Stop Alginado!!  My last good byes to my beautiful apartment!! My last look back to this beautiful place and members and memories.

 We had a baptism this week and I told the investigator I was leaving. He texted me and thanked me for all i did to bring  this beautiful gospel into his life!!! This was very touching and I love him.  I said goodbye to my companion Elder Doverte and gave him a big hug.  A big hug that showed to him, that I was grateful for all he did for me.  I love him heaps and will come back here to visit him. I traveled  from Stop to Bacolod which was 4 hours and I came here with my batch friend Elder Wheeler , man we are just so excited to move back to Tacloban!! 

Ii was thinking in my head the whole trip back, "Im really going back?? This doesnt seem real!" haha Being out in the mountains for 5 months is a very big change to here in the city!! Theres "CARS" haha it was really mind blowing!  I arrived at the office here in the big city Bacolod, and saw my old companion.  It was so good to see him and I'm having a good chat to him now.

MAN I've been blessed so much to have had two solid trainers with whom I've learned so much!  So Im in the office typing this to you.  I'm so excited my fingers are struggling to write because of my excitement!!

We meet with President in a hour which is going to be so cool. I will show him my love for the example he has been in my life.  I will give him your love too Mum and Dad!! WOW super excited!!  I'll be in Tacloban either tonight or tomorow , not too sure on the facts!! I'll send some photos on p.day!!! I love you family!!

My Heavenly Father has helped me so much in my life and I'm grateful for it all!! I love this church so much, 

 Sa simbahan ni jesu christo sa mga santos sa ulihing nga mga adlaw!! This is the true church!

Love you - here in Bacolod, soon to travel home to Tacloban!

Yours Der Anderson

P,S Pepe - give my little nieces kisses for me okay! Love you little sis

I'm bringing my Saints with me!

Hey everyone!! Ok I'm relieved that my sister is okay!! Please dad keep up dated me on her situation!!

So whats happening with me and Tacloban? Two people from my zone have gone already to Tacloban, and its just me and my companion left here. We think we are going back next transfer or maybe earlier, so less then 4 weeks maybe. The problem is housing for us.  So I'm going hard here in the meantime.

Ohh man I cracked up at the photo of Pepe holding Anataria  - haha its so funny!!

This week! This week has been very different for me.  Very different.  A lot of our investigators had just TONNES of questions for us about the gospel.  Questions I have not yet come across or answered, but through the experience of my companion I got a lot of experience for myself out of this week. Which is so good.

I want to share with you one of them.  Some of them are "funny" . Sometimes after the lesson me and my companion are  laughing OR stunned in confusion about what our loving investigators are trying to say to us!!  And as you know, everyone heres Catholic, so Ive heard a lot of things I have not heard before.

So one family: 

 So we walk in and start the lesson and the mother fires out!! "why dont you have graven images?" We explained why we don't , then she said , "I have saints who I worship every day, and if Im going to join your church, I'm bringing my saints with me."

 Im sitting there and thinking aye?  Whats going on here? - then we explain again. Sometimes we need to say things three times before they get it, but its fine, it teaches us patience. 

We walk out of that lesson a little  puzzled at what had just hit us, then my companion who is Philipino turns to me and says,"Elder there are 5 words to explain things like that", " You are in the Philippines" hahah we had a good laugh walking to our next teaching appointment!

There are tonnes of questions coming our way.  It is so exciting :):)  It is exciting to witness the spirit touch our investigators :) 

I love you all!! have a good week!! 

Elder Anderson

Heres a photo of one of our solid investigators!! he will go on a mission Im sure.  His baptism is in two weeks!! im excited:)  And no Nevah has not come over for a holiday - see pic..

IMG_9461.JPG

Ants, Church, beautiful family dressed in  white, FHE

A Lovely family baptized!

Hey my family that i love so dearly :)

Hows things, Hows everything going. In Ukraine that's really scary for my sister!! Will she be alright Dad??

This week has gone so so fast!! So fast!! Me and my companion have been really busy here in Stop- alginado!!

The other day, I went to have some breakfast and ants had got into it.  I did not want to throw away my cereal so I got out the sieve and sieved out the ants.  Here's a picture.  I won't give in to the ants.  I won't.

We had our baptisms with the Bulleno family!! Thy are so special and it was a pleasure to witness their baptisms!! The son John-mar baptized his whole family. Jennecel , Mary- joy,sister Josephine and Brother Sonny!! Their testimonies after were so sweet!!

One thing that was funny, I showed a picture of our family,( the photo that Nopera took) and while I was showing them, they all pointed to Dad and said, Pinoy siya??? hahah that was a really funny moment!! pinoy siya means, is he a phillipino? haha because dad's so black in the photos. They are so funny here.

In my  personal study:
I have been reading the account in Alma when Alma the younger is talking to his sons, Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton!! The book of Alma is so interesting i cannot put it down!! 

One thing i like in there is the love Alma has for his sons!! One thing I like in Alma 37:32 is where Alma's speaking to Helaman and says "Teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity" - WOW, I thought - how powerful is that!!

This stood out to me because my job as a missionary is to do as Alma the younger did and taught  his sons which for me now is crying repentance to the people here in Bacolod.!! And as sons and daughters of our God, we need to stay as far away from sin and keep on the straight and narrow path and as Jesus says in 3rd Nephi13:30 -31 The lord will give you the things you need in your travel!!

The language is coming along, just working hard on my speed and tone!!

I know this is the ONLY true church here on this earth family!! And I know Jesus Christ visited the Americas and will come again.

Love you Family and have a good week.

Elder Anderson

Catch up - By Dad

Sorry for not keeping the blog up folks.

The last was 17 December 2013.

Heres a little bit of info:  I will now post his weekly letters.  I won't try to catch up, the editing will take half a day. Elder's tend to sit down and type like crazy in lower case with errors and all because of time restrictions on computers.

Elder Anderson spoke with us at home on Christmas Day.  The connection was very poor but it was nice to speak.  He is doing well and now has a companion from the Phillipines who is a great cook, so the menu has a bit of variety now.  Elder Anderson has steadily improved in the Cebuano language and is now teaching most of the discussion when required.  His testimony has grown immensely.  He loves the Phillipino people with all his heart.   This coming week he has four baptisms.  He is so excited.

Elder Anderson has been notified that his original assigned mission has reopened and that he will in time be back in Tacloban mission which was wiped out in areas by the cyclone in November.  He looks forward to this.  He speaks very highly of his current mission president.

Elder Anderson loves photos of his little sister Pepe-Anei.  We send them almost daily.

Our impression as parents is that he is being an obedient and hard working missionary. His personal warmth and sense of humour is a blessing to the people.

Dale