5/8/10

So this was an exciting week. At first I worried that I wouldn't get to talk to him for Mother's Day cuz he hasn't said anything about it. I got an e-mail at about 7:00 p.m. saying he'd call in 2-3 hours. So we read his latest e-mail and waited.
He stated that he interviewed with the AP at a district meeting. He was quizzed as to whether or not he had a girlfriend there. Apparently that was the problem with some of the other missionaries. He (and his companion during an interview) assured the AP and the mission president that he was girl-free. They also mentioned to him that after he gets comfortable speaking Illongo, they'll probably transfer him to a Cebuano speaking mission (that was his fear). But he said in his last e-mail that if that happens it's okay cuz he'll "Go Where He Wants Me To Go." That's his motto-and the song he and Krystin sang at his farewell.
They had 5 baptisms Friday and he and his companion sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." He said it was really good. I'm glad he has opportunities to sing, because he has the talent and enjoys it. He said everyone came to the baptism in jeans and t-shirts and they were the only ones dressed in a white shirt and tie. He was able to do almost all of the baptisms and 2 of the confirmations. He said Zebedee was supposed to baptize one, but couldn't get the words right and almost drown the kid, so C.J. had to take over. :( Poor Zebedee. C.J.'s been able to learn a lot on his mission about the priesthood and how the spirit speaks through one giving a blessing. I'm so excited that he's had that experience.
We finally got to talk to him! He had 40 minutes on his calling card and was allowed 45 min. to talk so he gave us the number of the member's home he was at so we could call him back when it ran out. We did-and I talked an extra 5 minutes. I think he was getting nervous cuz he is trying really hard to obey all the rules to the letter. I feel bad that I made him falter :( But I needed those last few words.
He likes Chicken Adobo and eats oatmeal for breakfast and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch and has rice or ramen or dinner. He says they don't have dinner appts because the people can't afford to feed others. They did once, but they paid the member for the food. He asked for macaroni and cheese. I sent him some the next day along with otter pops-he has a freezer. He washes his clothes in buckets and they have a shower but the shower head doesn't work so they wash themselves with buckets of water too. He says they have running toilets and toilet paper, which I think disappointed Taylor cuz he was looking forward to hearing about that experience. He says they have chickens and turkeys run through their yard sometimes and the only other pest has been fire ants that walk along wires that hang low by their apt. If he forgets it's there he runs into it and the ants fall on his head.Even though his area is just outside of Northern Bacolod, his apartment is in the city and he's about 15 minutes from the mission home.
He hasn't gotten sick at all and has adjusted really well. I'm very grateful for that. I'm sure other areas will be more challenging so I'm glad the Lord is breaking him in slowly.

5/02/10

We're FINALLY getting some info on where C.J. is serving. I guess it'll take a lot of letters and a phone call before we can get the real scoop. Their ward has 800 members! But only 75-80 are active :( Apparently his mission president has been there since last June. C.J. says that he's trying to clean up the mission. Some Elders were sent home because of disobedience, and some sent to Panay (that's the area that will be its own mission in July) I told C.J. I was gonna call his mission president if he missed another e-mail. He said not to, cuz he might get sent to Panay.
He says if he stays in this area of the mission, there are 2 areas that speak Cebuano. He's a little nervous about learning one language and possibly being sent to another.
Most of their investigators are teenage boys. He enjoyed doing splits with a new convert that's 17. His name is Zebedee

Got Two 4/26/10

So apparently last week C.J. tried to send us 5 photo attachments to his e-mail and it didn't send. Therefore, although it looked like we didn't get anything, it was sitting dormant in his email folder. That was rectified this week when he got rid of the pics :( and sent the e-mail on its way and then sent another after.
So CJ got his wallet stolen-fortunately all of the important stuff was in his missionary handbook in his pocket (he lost his Eagle Scout card).
He's put on a total of 20 pounds since leaving home.
Here's a picture of C.J.'s companion, Elder Labii, who's from northern Luzon and speaks Ilakano. His English is also pretty good.