Finally Experiencing the Phillipines - Field Week 1

GRATITUDES

I completely forgot to do this in my last couple emails, but I am so thankful to be here. I am so thankful to live where I do, and in the situation I live in. I am thankful for my amazing kauban Elder Gamot, and his patience right now.

LEAVING THE MTC

I know this is the boring stuff, so I'll make it brief. Thursday I left the MTC, hopped on a plane and flew to Cebu. I met my mission president and his wife, the Scotts. We had an orientation and ate lunch and dinner at their house. I met my companion, Elder Gamot from Manila

Philippines, who at first I wasn't sure about, but I could not have asked for a better trainer. This dude is so cool, smart, fun, funny, patient, and he is constantly trying to help me. He is such a good person. The Lord truly blessed me. Then I said goodbye to my MTC friends. 

FIRST DAY

My first area is Consolacion in Cebu City. This place is crazy. I'm going to be honest, I woke up in the morning questioning why I am here, why am I doing this to myself. This was partly because my mattress is so thin that I can feel the metal bars underneath as I sleep, but mostly because this place is crazy. Some areas are pretty developed, and then a street away are houses made out of what seems to be whatever they can find, and their whole house is smaller than my bedroom back home. Walking through the city is like nothing I have ever experienced. I wish that I had cameras on my eyes so I was able to show you what it is like. I got to meet so many great people. The only issue is that I don't know the language. So all I am able to say is, "ako si Elder Lewis." "Taga Arizona ko." I tried balut for the first time, and loved it. There's a video of that in my photos album. We ended the night playing catch and hide and seek with the little kids that live in the apartment next to us. The little boy, whose name was Kay Primo (I’m guessing that's how you spell it), was teaching me Bisaya (Cebuano). When he had to leave he said, "we can study later," which I thought was so cute. And then me and my companion sat and talked, and enjoyed the rain, and the people doing karaoke outside. One thing about the Philippines is that no matter where you are or where you are going, you are going to hear someone singing karaoke, and they blast it so loud. I love it because I get to hear songs from back home. It was the highlight of my day, to say the least. Remember when I was questioning why I was here? This day made me quickly change to never wanting to leave.

SECOND DAY

My second day, we went to the church at 9 am for a ward activity. In the philippines, it is family week, so we did a family week activity. We got in groups and went and visited with inactive families, brought them food, and invited them to the activity and to church the next day. After that we went back to the church, had lunch, and then played games and talked with all the members that were there. We then had dinner, talked with the members again, and then went home. The whole time I was playing with the little kids, and by the end I had a whole army. I loved it. So many kids think it is crazy to see me. They all freak out, call me bro, or idol, or amerikano. They give me high fives, or they bless me, which is a sign of respect you do to older people like grandmas and grandpas. You grab their hand and touch the back of their hand to your forehead. They always ask where I'm from, and some have asked for pictures. One of the little boys said, "you have a big nose," and one of the girls, whose name was Ace, pointed at the picture on the back of my phone of my grandma and asked who it was. I told her it was my lola, to which she replied, "your lola is gwapa," which means your grandma is beautiful. 

THIRD DAY

The third day was Sunday. We went to church, and then me and my kauban went and took the Sacrament to a lady. We then went and visited with a bunch of different people. We even found some potential interested people. I say we, but it was really all Elder Gamot. Again, all I can say is my name and where I am from.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This place is so beautiful. The people are so kind, and they get so excited, even if all I say is thank you, or this food is yummy in Cebuano. All I want right now is to learn the language. I want nothing more than to just talk with these people, get to know them and build a relationship with them. I swear I give myself a headache with how hard I listen to Elder Gamot and the people speaking it, just trying to figure out what they are saying and learn it. I have my face in a Cebuano grammar book all the time, and am constantly just trying to learn it. I just wish that I could help my comp with the lessons, because right now I just feel like a burden. I am absolutely in love with this place. If you saw what it looks like, you wouldn't understand me when I say that it's beautiful, but if you could feel what I feel, you would understand. I live with 3 Filipinos, which is awesome. One, because they all know the language, and two, because all Filipinos can sing. And these elders play the guitar too, so I love to listen to them. I don't think you understand how happy I am to be able to cook for myself again. I missed it so much, and it is so fun to do every day. Last thing is that I know I will get used to this whole no toilet paper thing, but it's going to take some time. Also the first time I clogged the toilet, so that was embarrassing. 

CLOSE

I keep having to remind myself that it's only the third day, and that obviously I don't know the
language, because the only time I feel homesick is when I feel like I should know the language already. Other than that, I am doing so good. I am safe, and again, loving this place more and more each day. Thank you to everyone reading this, I love you all. Also, Davis if you are reading this, your guess for President Nelson living 7 more months was very sadly wrong. Amping!

Days left: 685

Would frolic in iceland,

Elder Lewis