Hey Fam,
It was just a lovely day today, one of my most chill P-Days of my mission. I actually took a nap. Quite refreshing. I got to play some ping-pong after district meeting. My game is still on. I beat Elder Misbach 3-0. He was pretty upset. Didn't talk to me for a while.
I am pretty happy to be companions with Elder Misbach. He is probably the funniest companion I will have. He is a really smart guy, especially in spiritual things. We are learning things a lot faster.
Things are picking up with the ward too. The excitement of missionary work has spread a little bit. We have been able to find new investigators from the members. We had a good meeting with our Bishop on Sunday, where we planned a missionary activity every week in February. I think the ward will continue to progress pretty fast if the Bishop keeps it up and we keep up with the Bishop. We are trying to get a Ward Mission Leader going. It’s hard for him because he is the Ward Clerk also. haha. That is how it is the Philippines. Everyone has about 3 callings average.
We have been teaching a bunch of 19-22 year old guys lately. We met them playing basketball on the side of the highway. We talked to them a little bit and set a return date. We weren't able to go back to them on the date we set. Then the next week we saw them walking on the highway, and they asked us where we were the other day. We were pretty surprised they asked us that. So we went and taught them a few days later. There was about 10 of them, all young guys about our age. We invited them to a ward party and they came. Then that Sunday we were pretty surprised when we turned around half way through Sacrament Meeting to see 5 of them sitting in collared shirts. It was pretty cool. The Ward was really surprised. They hadn't had that many investigators at church in a while. They kept on calling them out in talks and other Sacrament Meeting items. They learned that they were "Investigators". They were way good in church though. They sat through a lesson about The Law of Chastity,
a very detailed lessons of the Law of Chastity. Me and Elder Misbach were just dying inside. We had at least said 30+ prayers in that hour. After the class we told them that there was one more, and they were kind of surprised but they said "Lets Go!" (In English). The next class was on Courageous Parenting. We said a few more prayers for them in that class too.
This week me and Elder Misbach have been working a lot on truly understanding the investigator, their needs, the language that is coming out of their mouth, and why they are saying the things they are saying. We have been trying to be more open with them. A lot of times I will listen to the investigator, and understand perfectly what they are saying, then when the silence comes, it feels like... well now you Elder Kirschbaum need to say something. And a lot of times, you just don't know what to say. Or you start thinking of things you could say. Or start praying that the spirit will just give you something to say. But what we really should do is not worry about what you’re going to say, when your going to speak or if YOU will be able to solve their concerns. If that means that you tell them...well I honestly don't know what to say to that, then say that. It creates more real situations. I think it helps everyone feel a little more human and helps the investigator know that you care for them. And are not just trying to come up with some magic solution to all of their problems. So that is me and Elders Misbach’s goal this week. To just not worry about what we have to do or say, but just think purely about the investigator and love them.
Well I am going to have to cut this short. I have got to get going. I just want to tell you all that I love you so very much. I am super grateful for such and amazing family. Talk to you next week.
-Elder Garrett Kirschbaum
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