....Hey! I'm here. The best way I can describe everything here is
crazy. I will tell you what has happened since I talked to you last.
ok here we go.
We left Hong Kong at about 7:30 am. We got to the Philippines at
about 9:00. I walked outside and the humidity I thought wasn't that bad, but then it got bad. Haha It is SO hot. We met the members who were there to pick us up, and wow, what happened after that I will never forget. Picture this. Take away all traffic laws in Utah and that is what you have here. I seriously thought I was going to die. Everyone driving just goes where ever. They don't stay in the lines, its a free for all, but somehow they manage to not get in crashes, except for last night, but I will talk about that a bit later.
Ok. So we got to the mission presidents house which was good. We met the President Delamare and his wife. They are pretty cool. Very nice people. We got our companionships. My companion is Elder Smith from California. He is so tight! Way cool guy. Ok. So then we went to our areas.
We are in the city.
There wasn't enough room in the cars for everyone, so my comp and I and two other elders decided to go by taxi. After about an our of standing on the street with all my luggage we finally got one.
We got to the general area of where we live and then we started walking the rest of the way. Quezon city is SO Dirty and it is basically looks like complete ghetto. You would not believe it. So it was completely dark and I have all my luggage out on the street and there are sketchy people everywhere. Ha. I was a little scared. We finally got to the house and got settled. E. Smith and I got there last and there are only four beds. So we are sleeping on the ground. Don't worry, we have mattresses. That was a rough day.
Here's the next day. I had my interview with Pres Delamare and he is awesome. He gave me a lot of comfort. After that, we began tracting.
We are basically opening this area cause it got white washed. That means that every Elder who had previously been in this area got transferred out. No one who is here has been here before so it is like we are starting from scratch, but it is good. We tracted and talked to a cool guy. I can't understand anything...Ha I pick up tiny bits and pieces, but I am getting better. Our ward missionaries are the BOMB. They work with us a ton. They are tight. The Philippino people are so nice. Everything and everyone here looks sketchy, but once you talk to them and get to know them, they are so gentle and nice.
Anyways so we were tracting trying to get to know the area and we asked these people for directions. They got in an argument and started duking it out. I know that contradicts everything I just said,
but they are the exception. One day they will be Elders quorum Presidents. Haha. It is so crazy here.
We were in the bishops house and a rat decided to fall down the stairs. So far my trainer said that this has been the weirdest transfer he has ever had. None of these sort of things have happened to him since he's been here and he has been here for 18 months haha. I guess weird things are just happening around me. Also we saw a bakla. That is a cross dresser. So my first day of tracting was pretty eventful. I think I have had a whole Philippino experience already except I haven't tried Balut yet. Man, Philippino food is so good! Also it can be pretty bad. haha. But yeah. Sunday was super good. We worked with the Bishop and the ward missionaries. I'm sorry this email is all over the place. Its just been crazy.
Wow. What else. Oh, We had an investigator at church so that was good. Oh this new training program we are doing is tight. It's designed so that if needed, all trainees could be trainers by the end of 12 weeks. What? Crazy! Ha but that's the goal of the church.
Oh yeah! The crash we got in last night. We were in a Jeepney and he crashed into a taxi. both of the zone leaders I was with said that was the first time that has ever happened in their missions. They have been here for like 17 months. Man, I just got to experience the fun stuff my first couple of days. haha. It's pretty fun. I'm beginning to love it a lot here. It's pretty fun when the people are like "Hey Joe!" That's what they call Americans. Its great :)
The church is still true all the way over here in the Philippines. I know the Lord is caring and watching over all of us. I got to bear my testimony to my ward on Sunday. It was sweet. Trust in Lord and look to him in all thy doings. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Ingat po
