5-19-24 Grabe, mahal ko yng gawain na ito

Kumusta po kayong lahat, another very much blessed week as a missionary. By the miracles we as a companionship witness daily, there is an almost palpable feeling of how much the Lord loves this people, in which I am grateful that he allows me the opportunity to witness and feel such for myself. This week? Elder Pampelon and I worked. Got out to proselyte earlier than usual, and got home right at kurfew, because of how much work there is to do. Huge blessing initially, from first arriving here 3 weeks ago, opening an area, with no one to teach, to now, not having enough time to get back to all of our progressing people. What a beautiful problem to have. Crazy week, the motorcycle guy who crashed and almost got run over by the Semi truck behind him, as we were there perfect timing to help him off the road, or the lady yelling how much she hated us in PERFECT ENGLISH, which surprised me and complemented her English, or the walking miles in sewege flooded streets to our shins, with thunder and lightning, on our way home. The experience that I want to share happened on Thursday, as one of the days, it poured rain. When I say pour, small kine sore kine pour. While teaching a tatay, and testifying of the Book of Mormon, the sky felt the spirit so strongly, it decided to cry. Ball cry, but we didnt have enough time, to simply wait until it stopped, and had a few more appointments to reach. We testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and made our way back onto the street, without an umbrella, and smiling and laughing. Who does this? Is there pay? In worldly perspectives what are we getting from this? Nothing, but in the reality of eternity, we are gaining everything. While walking home, being in the farthest barangay or community in our area, we had the feeling to walk. People passing offered rides, but we had the simple feeling, to walk. As we got close to the house, we felt bummed that maybe simply someone needed to see us walking, but no one to teach, Elder Pampelon wanted to stop by the tindahan and buy fried chicken. As we did so, the seller asked where we were from. After introducing ourselves, he explained that hes 23, inactive, but his little brother just got to the mission field in Davao, mission. We talked to him, and shared a quick message as we made our way home. I dont know what will come of that, but I know thats the reason we had to walk. A ride would have made us miss the opportunity, and even though it was the farthest, and last place, the Lord allowed us to be where we needed to be, to talk to and testify to those who needed to hear it. That, is one of the many experiences I have the privilege to experience daily, in which I am grateful. I love this work, and I love the Lord, and for such I will walk, and run, and sweat, and bleed, and give my all, for all that he has done for me. One of my favorite scriptures is this... Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. None of this is easy. I still feel inadequate to do anything. I feel as if when I open my mouth, and teach, and share, the spirit is so strong that its simply not coming from me, but directly from the Lord. I cant explain the feeling, but when I get home everynight, I wish that was me! That my Tagalog really was that good! But its not, and it will get there, but the Lord makes weaknesses strengths in his work. Probably makes absolutely no sense, but easy or not, I will do it. The crazy week? Minah, and I will do it willingly, for the Lord. So no be selfish, stop putting a cap on happiness, and limiting what the Lord can do for you. Make your will his, and youll find more progress than you ever felt you could have made. It works, jahs trahs, I am a testimony of such. Alam ko na totoo ito. Ang simbahan, ang ebanghelyo, totoo po siya. Walang alinlangan, at nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon araw araw para sa pagkakataon na meron ako na makapagbahagi ito sa mga kapwa ko po dito sa Philippines. Mahal ko ang Panginoon, at dahil sa pagibig na ito, magpapatuloy ako. ELDER ISHIBASHI