Never forsaken
This last Saturday, on the 17th of October, Caroline Grace Lumapas got baptized, And the unfolding of the events of her baptism were miracle-filled. Up to the very minute that she stepped into the waters of baptism, Sister Pamesa and I were, for sure, saying prayers in our hearts. Because about twenty minutes before she got baptized, she was in tears. Because about five minutes before that, she got word that some people (that she loved) that she was expecting to come...were not going to make it anymore. And to be honest I was so disappointed. I remember turning around in my chair, seeing her face in her hands, and being so disappointed. I remember saying in my head, "I thought we had fasted and prayed for a miracle, Heavenly Father. Why is this happening?" I was in tears all throughout. But I still kept praying. I kept the faith. And literally ten minutes before she would step into the water...I looked out the window. Saw a car pull in. Saw Carol's member boyfriend, Josh, step out of the church to the parking lot. Saw a man walk in with him. It was Carol's brother. The only member of her family to make it.He made it, and he saw Carol get baptized. Carol did it. She took courage, despite persecution, despite doubt, despite rejection. She did it. And she was a hero that day. (PLUS she made her OWN rockin' program! What! I've NEVER seen a baptismal program SO pretty!)
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From dark to light
Later that same afternoon, Ronel was baptized as well. Ronel is the first investigator that I've had where we found, taught, and baptized, all from start to end. We met him towards the end of July and I cannot tell you the amazing change that we have seen in him. The first time we met him he looked so weighed down. It wasn't that his life was problematic. It was just that...there was this heaviness about him. And this Saturday, after stepping out of the font, and especially on Sunday, after being confirmed...the light about him. He shone. He literally shone. His face, his countenance, was literally LIGHT. This gospel does something to people. And it's a real thing, a real change. I have high hopes for Ronel. Hopes that the gospel will do for him what a high-paying job or the luxuries of this world will ever do for him. He is happy. And he will continue to be happy. + + + + + + + + + +
Baptism - by Zonrox and Baygon
Zonrox = bleach. Baygon = cockroach-killer spray.
For real. This last Wednesday all four of us in the apartment cleaned out the ENTIRE apartment. Our apartment is TINY. Way tiny. I don't think I've ever lived in such a small space. (But it's actually possible!) Anyways...everyone knows me, right? Do I like insects? Roaches? NO. No, no, no. And I think we killed about 50 huge ones that day. Oh my goodness. So gross. And so as a disclaimer...yes, there will be pictures. Of those cockroaches. So disgusting. Ew. Can't get over it. The night before that I had even DREAMT about cockroaches...................I can't believe how many cockroaches were in the apartment. Okay. I'm done. + + + + + + + + + +
Jerry
I think we had with Jerry what I would consider a pretty powerful lesson this last Monday. We brought a rope with us (from our 72 hour kit!) and at the start of the lesson we tied his hands together. Pretty tight. And we told him that this is basically the state that he is in now. His addiction- it is a bondage. We hoped it was powerful for him, because it sure was powerful for us. That is what addictions do to people. They tie them down. I will never forget that lesson. + + + + + + + + + +
Changing weather
So I know that a storm is passing through the area, although the actual typhoon is up north. The winds are cold (SO GOOD!)...but so is the water. If someone told me a year ago that I'd shower in such cold water, I'm not quite sure I would have left on my mission. Actually, if anyone even told me HALF the things that would happen to me on the mission, I'm not sure I would have left! This mission cracks me up!!!! And last night I woke up with a nose that wouldn't stop running, a throat that was BURNING, and body chills. It was so unexpected. Earlier that day at church I had been feeling a little off, but I didn't think too much of it. Well, something definitely went down in my body last night because I could NOT stop sneezing! And then I had this weird cough that made it hard for me to breathe and I thought I was going to die in my bed. Good thing I'm still alive typing this. Yes!
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On the streets
I also just have to put it out there that last night...as Sister Pamesa and I were going through the ward list to try and find all the less-actives roaming this area (you will NOT believe how many less-actives there are in this country! All around the world!), we talked to a woman sitting by a corner and tried to ask her for help. She was smoking a cigarette, dressed in a hoodie, no big deal. And then all of a sudden, while we were just casually speaking with her, a man rides by on his scooter, stops by, this woman pulls out for her bag a PLASTIC bag, and the man hands her something, and then rides off. All within ten seconds. Um. Yes. We saw drugs dealt in front of us. Sister Pamesa and I tried to think of something else it could have been, but we KNOW that based on where we were and our surroundings and their behavior, that woman dealt drugs. That was a FIRST!!! I can now say that I've seen drug exchanges go down!
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Sister-training-leaders...plural!
Guess what! Our roommates are being called as NEW STLs! And so with Sister Pamesa leaving, I'll be the oldest STL in the apartment! Weird! My new companion will be Sister Esmolo, whom I have never met but whom I know is going home in April with me!!! She's currently on Palawan right now (in the Puerto Princessa branch) and will land on the mainland this Wednesday. Let's see how this goes! + + + + + + + + + +
I'm seeing, day by day, why God sent me here to the Philippines. These revelations come, little by little, in increments. But they come. It has been an adventure. A once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And I am happy that I came.
With love,
Sister Teo
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