Week 12 ~ Failed Travel Plans and Jungle Warfare?

Hello mga Kaibigan (friends), 

This week has been a crazy and chaotic week for sure so let's start - sorry if this email is long, you can just skip to the photos if you don't have time, I won't mind.

Monday: Woke up and went to district council meeting which is a 30 minute jeepney ride. If you haven't seen a jeepney, look it up, it's so crazy how many people you can fit into one. After getting to district meeting, we went shopping in Legazpi, and there we got a call from the AP that on Tuesday, I would be flying to Manila for my Visa. They asked me to pack a two day kit and to be at the AP apartment by 7:30pm on Monday. Got there, slept on the ground on a mattress with no pillow or blankets or sheets, with cockroaches crawling around, but hey, cockroaches never killed anyone. All the Elders from the MTC were there so that was lit. 

Anyway we drive to the Airport on Tuesday at 4am and we get to the front and I hand her the tickets and my ID and she says, "These tickets are for tomorrow on Wednesday." President Whitworth comes walking over and then sits us down and tells us we are going to go to the Christmas Zone Conference for the South Cluster of the mission. Anyway we do that, the whole day is kinda boring, but fun. Then we finally flew to Manila, stayed in another fun hotel and flew back. Elder Villanueva and I proselyted for a little, and then we walked into a literal jungle to find this family. It looked like the Indian Jones ride from Disneyland! We met them and gave a lesson, then on the way back one of the biggest spiders I've ever seen, it was about the size of a dinner plate, landed on Elder Villanueva's umbrella. So he promptly threw his umbrella and now I'm scared of the jungle. Then we get home and a whole drum line and trumpet just starts playing the loudest Christmas music in front of our apartment it was so funny. It was actually crazy, but everyday that gets closer to Christmas the crazier it gets here. Christmas here starts in September and goes to February. 

Saturday: There's two reasons I named this email Jungle warfare: One because of the spider that attacked my companion. Two, because on Saturday we had to go to Bololo for a baptismal interview. In Bololo there is a little group called the NPA (New People's Army). Guess what they are known for? Kidnapping and cutting off the heads of Americans. Because of that we had to be on the lookout and couldn't walk on the roads, and we had to tricycle everywhere. It was a little scary but I know the power of the Lord will protect me as long as I'm careful. 

Spiritual thought: Having love for the people you teach is key, because it shows them the character of Christ through you. Sometimes it's hard for me, because the language is really difficult and I understand maybe 40% of what people are saying but still, listening is so important. Here's a little rant about listening: Listening also applies outside of missionary work as well. How many people just want somebody to listen to them? How many people choose to be selfish and only want to focus on themselves? Listening is how we can show our love and attention for other children of God. I promise that as you listen, you'll learn from others and have a deeper connection. 

Culture: My mom told me a few people have been wondering about the culture and I'd love to answer! The culture here is very conservative and Catholic and focuses on family and faith. They are also very hospitable towards others and foreigners especially. Always take off your shoes when entering a house, always be clean and take bucket showers daily. Always take the Lolos (grandpa) and Lola's (grandma) hand, and put it to your forehead. Never point your finger, use your lips to point. The festival culture here is amazing, so many festivals and people celebrating. If you're going knocking or proselyting, there's a good chance you'll be invited in to eat even if they don't have a lot. If a family is not doing well financially and feeds you, always eat just a little because they will feed you before they feed their children. Whenever they see me, they usually call me Joe or Bro. 

If you have any other questions about the Philippines culture I would love to answer them!

Tagalog word of the day: Pagbabayad-sala (Atonement) 

The Jungle (it's always raining here)

Lunch

Plane we flew to Manila on and the Volcano



Drum line outside of our apartment


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