Kumusta ang pamilya ko!!
Its been such a great week. Everyday, I come home tired, and leave in the morning ready to get back out, which is a huge blessing I see everyday. I know that it comes from prayers of yous from back home. So thank you all so much, for remembering the Hawaiian who is just a few islands away :)
This week was pretty hard, especially because of how new the church is here, but I feel that day by day, we've been making significant progress. The Elders here are hammahs, and they are a huge part of establishing the foundation of the church, here in San Luis.
The balut I ate was like a little unripe duck, theres a lot of overripe ones here, but I highly reccomend trying um a leeeeto bit medium rare, haha balut was 'ono! JAHS TRAHS!
No even sense share the whole week, I might as well write a book, with how much happens everyday. But Ill share one, before I went to BYUH, dad told me one thing, "Leave Puna, in Puna". For my family back at home, youll understand haha. We had a mission training, and watched a talk given by Elder William K Jackson, entitled "The Culture of Christ", for those of you who have heard it, great, for those who havent I highly suggest to do so. Elder Jackson explained the importance of finding belonging and purpose in the culture of Christ. He went on to explain that we are to exemplify this culture of Christ, everywhere we go, leaving behind some attributes of our own cultures that dont align with this Culture of Christ. My immediate thought was, "of course, dis guy without culture is trying to tell me to drop mines, and join his", immediately after I felt the biggest spiritual slap in the face, and my pride sunk with the memory of my dad, explaining to me that I am to forget myself and serve. Culture is so important and has a huge sense of pride for most indigenous people around the world. When we as missionaries, even down to simply members of the church, made the CHOICE to serve, we CHOSE to leave EVERYTHING behind, to become a part of the most beautiful and perfect and most ancient culture this world knows, this Culture of Christ. Elder Jackson said, "(we have) given up a little, and gained the potential for everything." Im not asked to drop being a proud Hawaiian, but have an even higher pride for this beautiful Culture of Christ.
Teaching in Zara this week, we met with a nonmember couple who had decided to get married. I was so happy, that I had the biggest smile and couldnt feel happier. I turned to Elder Smith, my companion, and told him that I had no idea why, I was so happy, I just met these people, and he reponded, "Elder Ishibashi, its because you love the people". Through the Lord, through this culture of Christ, instead of these cultural, or ethnic boundaries we draw, we can build bridges and love, and grow a purpose and pride like no other. I am still the most proud Hawaiian here in the Philippines, and will be till I die. But first and foremost I am a staunch believer and testify that this gospel is true. I left home, Puna will be left in Puna, what do we each have to leave behind, to sharpen our focus on the Lord?
Alam ko na sa pamamagitan ng kultura ni Cristo na ito, mahanap tayo ang talagang layunin natin. Para sa itong buhay, at para sa walang hangan. Nagpapatotoo po ako ang bagay na ito ay totoo.
I miss you all very much, and jahs know bradda man is top shape still yet.
Aloha au iā 'oukou pākahi āpau!! JAHS TRAHSS!!
ELDA ISHIBASHI
1. Valdez family, recent converts
2. Karabow
3. Hiwalayan Area
4. Power line haha jahs trow um 5 ft off da ground, get shocked? Your fault neva look!
5. This area is known for cobras and pythons, been looking but this is da spine of one made into a necklace!!
6. Medium rare duck :)
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