Padayon Baclayon!

Transfer Week, and I am staying in Baclayon! I knew I wouldn't transfer, because in the days leading up to transfer calls I was just receiving so much insight and revelation about what this area needs, what I can do, etc.

But the trisome has come to an end....I'm really going to miss my two comps, they are so much fun and I've learned so much from them! My new companion is Sister Smith! She is a singer and pianist and I'm SO excited to work with her!

This week was full of meaningful experiences. There is a member in our branch, Nanay Edith, who is suffering from severe breast cancer right now. We did a service project for her, we deep cleaned their home and all the surrounding area, cutting down trees/plants, clearing out trash, organizing, sweeping, burning ants, etc. Then we cooked her family a big meal of rice, fish, and malunggay sabaw. Even though it hurts her to walk and move and stress, she is currently serving in two callings in the church, with the youth, and came with us to visit and teach less-active members. I can't not cry as I listen to her bear her testimony to them about how we can be happy during trial because of the Gospel, because of the hope we have in Christ. She has two sons, 14 and 7 years old, and she is a huge example of faith and strength to them and to all of us! Please keep her in your prayers.

Last night we taught a new investigator, and after the lesson she asked if she could come to church? If we can go visit and teach her friend too? So of course we followed her to her friend's house and taught her too and then set up a ride for them to simba this dominggo. I am giving a talk this Sunday, so hopefully they'll be able to come!

We have some exciting things planned for the area: we are planning a Book of Mormon Flood as a branch activity and I am setting up a bi-weekly English class at the chapel. Filipinos ALL want to learn more English...there are just so many more job opportunities, social benefits....every member and investigator that I've mentioned a possible English class to has said "Moapil jud ko ana! Kay, English man ug wa'y bayad!" I think it will be an effective way to strengthen and unify the members, FIND NEW INVESTIGATORS and serve the people! :)

I'm not sure I know how to teach English, but 8 months ago I wasn't sure I could speak Bisaya. I know that anything I set out to do with the intention of serving and fulfilling God's will, I can do it. Especially with Sister Smith as my companion because there was an English class in her last area, so she has some experience! What a huge blessing.

Love you all! Please pray for Nanay Edith and her family.

-Sister Bertoldo

haley's breakfast! a whole fish and boiled bananas

Python!

This week was sakit-free! So we had a nice long week of hard work in our area. We also watched the Philippines Area Broadcast last week. One thing I liked from Elder Ardern's talk was: "Don't let what you do today limit what God can do with you tomorrow." In other words, we need to be keeping the commandments and exercising faith in Him BEFORE we see WHY or what His plans are for us. There was a huge focus on making and keeping covenants: keeping the Sabbath Day holy, doing family history work, and attending the temple.It was wonderful! The Philippines is 2nd in the world, after the U.S., in doing family history and genealogy work. So great!

We also had Zone Conference and learned about making baptism the "why" of each lesson as a way to be more successful missionaries. I've been working on it, and so far it seems successful.

It's interesting to see how in small branches it tends to be the same people doing everything- the same people who are teaching the classes and serving in the callings are also working with the missionaries and playing key roles in fellowshipping investigators. We have one such member, Nanay Annie, and she is the Relief Society president, her son is the BML, and she is the only regular kuyog that teaches with us. And then they ask her, always to say the closing prayer and sometimes I just thinking, ask one of those people sitting in the back! They can pray at least! haha. It's important for everyone to participate, bisan gamay, because "Participation brings Revelation". It's the people who participate who benefit.

Today for P-day we went to see the giant python and all the baby pythons. I thought I'd be too scared to hold it, but it was so nice and harmless and I had a blast playing with all the snakes haha. I feel that my mission has destroyed any and all my sense of "fear". Wala na ko'y fear, labi na sa mga mananap. Next P-day we are going ziplining! Puhon! Kon naay kwarta!

I hope you are all having a good week!

-Sister Bertoldo

P.S. I wouldn't be a good missionary if I didn't leave you with a scripture. In honor of the snakes, read Helaman 8:14-15

Malipayong Pasko

It was GREAT week here in Baclayon! I love this area- the branch is small so there's a lot of work to be done!

Christmas Day we spent at the meetinghouse teaching Sister Jen her last lesson and waiting as she got her baptismal interview. It was so amazing to see her happiness and to hear her testimony! It reminded me of Mosiah 18:8-11, labi na verse 11, because she has such a strong desire to be baptized.

As we waited behind the church we found natural aloe vera growing (which we harvested to use in our hair/skin!) and we found GIGANTIC spiders living in huge webs. So of course we caught bugs and threw it in their webs and watched them attack and eat it. Kind of morbid, pero lingaw! All the kids here in the Philippines play with spiders as a pastime, so we're just blending in with the culture....

Then on Saturday we had the baptismal service for Jen- it was beautiful! We went out and picked tropical flowers to decorate the table, and I got to give the talk about Baptism and we had all the women in the ward give a musical number. She was so happy and the Spirit was so full in the room!

Funny teaching moment: we were teaching an old Tatay and he told us about how his wife just died a few months ago. We were of course about to express our sympathy and everything, but he went on to say how he wants a new wife now to cook and clean for him! He said even though he's old, he can still find a new wife!

Also funny, last night my companion left her bag of sliced bread out of the fridge. In the morning was two giant armylines of ants- one going to and one coming from, each ant carry a tiny piece of bread! They carried like 3 whole slices! My companion will never leave food out again haha.

We have so many new investigators right now and even though it's hard to remember where they all live (no addresses), I am loving the chance to introduce so many people to the Gospel. There is so much potential here in Baclayon.

People here are so generous and kind. Even though they don't have much, they share so willingly. We were invited in by complete strangers on Christmas Eve and they fed us paniodto and then told us to come back another day and teach them and all their relatives! Our neighbors brought us food too. And we were given tons of fresh kapayas by an investigator....lami gyud kaayo! And we were blessed to spend Christmas Eve night at a members home teaching a lesson about Christ! :)

I'm so happy to be bringing in the New Year here in Bohol. All of the missionaries are meeting in the chapel in Tagbilaran on New Year's Eve night to watch Disney movies, since it isn't safe to be out proselyting while people are shooting off fireworks and partying haha.

I hope you all have a great New Year's! 

-Sister Bertoldo