Hey you guys.
Here's your answers mom:
Did you take a plane or boat over there?
So in order to get to the Camotes Islands, we took this little barge thing. We paid the extra 20 pesos for the nice Air Conidtioned room with cushioned seats and a big plasma tv. I'm not saying that the TV was the main reason that we took that option. It was mostly the air con. They showed Indiana Jones and the Alien that Built the Maya Civilizations Crystal Head. I liked it more the second time. But I guess anything is delicious in a famine...
Are you enjoying your new companion?
My new companion is Elder Hikila. He's quiet but me and him joke around alot. I think he's hilarious. Him and I have had some pretty good conversations about how some people are just out to make the Elders look bad. He's very good at controlling his temper. He said that he's had to work on that his whole mission...that makes two of us.
Did I understand you right that there are only four of you on the whole island?
That is correct.
How do you get food?
We eat garbage. Not literally but almost. I haven't been happy with the food yet but its one of those things where I need to understand that I won't be satisfied with what they have to offer. Its just not enough to sustain my large, muscular build and attractive composure!
How are the circumstances different than what you were living in before.
There are no jeeps. Just scooters so the air is a lot cleaner. Not to mention that the island is really small so we see the ocean all the time. That's pretty cool. Plus I have a car. Yeah. It feels great. And to top that off, it smells like my car back home. That made me miss home quite a bit. Also the fact that there is only 4 of us is different. Our house is the District AND the Zone. haha.
How is the new ward?
Its only a branch and its very small. Like 30 members. Maybe. Its mostly kids. But in the next 10 years this place is gonna blow up and be a strong ward. Glad I can be a part of it.
Do people seem to be receptive to your message? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! No. Not at all.
But things are going alright here in Camotes. Elder Hikila and I are really looking at things in a good light and just taking each day as it comes. We follow up with everyone and drop those who don't care. I hate dropping investigators but we have to sometimes. We had one tell us that she prayed to the Lord to stay in the Catholic church. I just gave her this blank stare and wanted to ask her, "then why in the world would you even have us come back?!?!" And then we finished up a teaching appointment with this family and I asked how they liked our message and she said, "Its great! Its just like the Catholic church but you guys do Bible Study." So Elder Hikila and I looked at each other, smiled and left them 2 Nephi 28. I told her, "This is the answer to whats different between the two churches." I really hope they read it. They deserve to know. Then we taught this middle age guy yesterday that said if we could tell him when "our Bible" was put together, he would join the church. So I said, "okay. Well first of all, we use the same BIBLE. So of course, you know when that was put together right?" He didn't answer but I took his silence and rolled with it. "As for the Book of Mormon, it is another testament of Jesus Christ translated by the Prophet Jospeh Smith trhough the gift and power of God. It was written by ancient prophets who lived on the American Continent starting at 600 BC and covering roughly 1000 years until 421 AD when it was buried by the prophet Moroni. Then, Joseph Smith retrieved the record, translated it and then it was published in March of 1830." Needless to say, he didn't commit to baptism since he didn't think we could answer that. But since this is the true church, we could. haha.
Its Holy Week here in the Philippines so things are going to get crazy here in the next few days. We've seen some people dressed up as Jesus covered in fake blood walking down the street getting whipped by guys dressed up as Romans and Elder Gertge saw three guys get crucified earlier this week. Its not even Holy Thursday yet. Thats when things start to pick up but Good Friday and Black Saturday are the biggest. Easter Sunday isn't as big as the other days though. They really focus on the death alot. Which is sad since, you know, Jesus was resurrected and all. I'm excited for this Easter. Love the season.
All right, I gotta go. Love you all.
Brandon
