Wk 63

Hey everyone,               January 16, 2011  #63

   Things are going great as ever here on this side of the world:)

We had a few more trainings and got to see my old companion Elder Adams. It’s great to see him because he always gives me the update on my last area. He told me the coolest thing that happened this week. I have told you a little about this Greg guy right? He was a referral of our Ward Mission Leader in Molo. I guess he had a pretty crazy life before...but he all of the sudden decided to start going to church. Then he started reading the Book of Mormon and the Gospel Essentials and read it all. We were able to teach him because he was boarding at a place that wasn't in our area. So he moved. Our WML found him a place in Molo while he went to church for the next 4 times. We would give him assignments and told him to pray and read the Book of Mormon. Well he read the entire Gospel Principles with all the references to scriptures in that 4 weeks and enrolled in Seminary. We were finally able to teach him and that was right when I was transferred. Elder Adams taught him once and he asked us if he could be baptized that next Saturday. So they taught him the lessons.  He had to have an interview with President Pagaudan and he was able to be baptized on that next Saturday. He was super ready.  At his baptism on Saturday he bore his testimony for a good 20 minutes telling everyone all the things that had happened to him right before his baptism. A few days before his baptism he had two experiences where he about died. At one time he went to get his polo for church sewed and a man stuck a gun to his body. The man demanded for everything that was on him. He didn't know what to do so he just stood there. Then I guess some one from across the street turned their lights on and scared off the man. Then he told about how he was walking across the road and he heard two voices in his head. One said to keep on walking and the other said “STOP, don't take another step”.  And right as he decided to listen to the voice that said stop, a car zoomed right by him. He said that if he had taken another step, he would have been hit.

     I guess that is how much satan didn't want him to get baptized. On top of all that his family is Catholic and when they heard he was getting baptized, they weren't very happy. They kept telling him if he did, he would not be a part of their family. Well he just knew that he needed to get baptized and join the church. So he did.

      He had an interview with the Bishop in Molo this last Sunday. And will be getting a calling soon. He is just a great example of those people that are ready to hear the gospel - The elect.

     Our work here in Leganez is way fun. Me and Elder Misbach have been working with the Ward a lot and we’re able to get a referrel from an awesome family that is way excited about sharing the gospel. Even the little daughter that is 10 has been telling her friends at school about her church. I guess some of her classmates want to be taught by the white missionaries. :) We were able to teach their referrel a few days ago. We taught an older lady and her adapted daughter. Faith, the adopted daughter, is a really good investigator.  She is really sincere, and asks tons of questions. She wanted to know if there was a heaven and hell (inpierno)...well and a lot of stuff. We kept on having to tell her that we would talk about it at later meetings. She is excited about it. We will be meeting with her again this next week.

     I kind of had a hard time writing this letter because the kids here were playing America's Got Talent, and listening to a Guinness record of a man that rapped a whole bunch in less than a minute. It was really loud on the computer next to me.  Just hard to concentrate.

     Thanks for your letters. It was really nice getting to sit down and relax in front of a computer and read. Kind of reminded me of the office. :)

     Yes I think Dallas, Texas is where Elder Hills sister is. He looks like a sweet guy.

     The deers reminded of the moose in Alaska that would run around in our front yard. Just a little bit bigger though than the deer. And then one kicked me but no one would believe me.

     Everything is going really good here. Me and ELder Misbach are just trying really hard to get in with the members-Work hard-Be exaclty obedient-Have fun-Speak the Language. We’re pretty tired. It’s back to the Filipino "top of ramon" every night. Nah joke lang.  Just noodles.

     Well Love you all so much. I want you to know that. Talk to you next week. Hopefully less scatter brained.

Love you all

-Elder Garrett Kirschbaum