Week 49 - Kamusta Kaibigans?!

Life is real good right now up here in Edmonton! It has been soo busy lately with all of the different things we have had to do. This last week was mostly just proselyting though, so we really got to hit the streets hard to find those who are prepared. Probably one of the more difficult things though, is the only real way we can find those who are going to listen to us is through the members or what other missionaries do to find. There is no purpose in tracting for us.. we might get lucky! Just whenever we drive around, we look for signs of the Filipinos.. we are getting pretty good. Good news though everyone, this week we found two new investigators.. so life is peachy! I can tell you how this all happened...

Okay so the first is named Nikko, we found him through some of our old former investigators in an area pretty close to ours. We went over there and we actually found him home. He is in his 20's for sure, and we just talked about the B of M and how it will be able to answer our questions. It is pretty funny to teach because right now I will throw in some Tagalog words that I know, but it is like Elder Laceste will go off for a little, I do my best to understand what is said, and then add my own words in mostly English.  It has been working so far though. He really seems to be interested; his family are all hardcore catholic, no surprise there, so that may get in the way. We will see how it develops though.

The other one was a member referral up in Coronation Park, when I say areas I realize you have NO idea what I mean by that, but this just helps me explain the story. It is probably a 15 minute drive or so for us to the NW if that helps. Okay so we stopped in at this guy’s place, pretty sure he is house sitting or something because it was just him and another Filipino guy who are like contract workers living in a multimillion dollar house... Maybe I am wrong, they might be rich! Anywho, we go and he invites us in and we spent like 15 minutes with him. One thing led to another, and he just started talking about how there is one God, one Jesus Christ, but why are there so many different churches who teach in such different ways--why is it this way? Now can you say he is prepared?! We love that question. We explained a little bit, but really we just invited him to learn for himself. Gave him a resto (restoration) pamphlet, told him to read it and pray and we will come back and talk about it. I think that is the biggest thing I have learned recently.. however easy it may be for me to just give someone the answer they are seeking immediately, I need to help them develop the skills to know how to obtain truths from our Father in Heaven. Truths that will be revealed to them through the Holy Ghost. So that is what we do. Giving someone the answer may be what they need, but just give them a portion, and continually let that desire work within them and they will truly see the need to seek and receive their own personal revelation. It is such a rich experience to be able to watch someone who yearns for the truth not just get an answer to their questions, but also be able to know how to obtain more truths in the future. 

The Filipino work we do is hugely revolving around the work we can accomplish through the members. So we have this member family up in the Riverbend Stake.. (That means nothing to you once again!) Okay so they are the Serafica family. So what happened is we went over there and had supper, and then after they just started calling these less-active part member families and would just say okay we are coming over!! ha so we would grab some food and just head over there.. That is the secret to missionary work, bring food. It is like a peace offering or something to Filipinos.. Anyways we met two families who we will probably go back to this week! it was awesome! Just put things into action immediately, people just need to be more like that! Only sad part, he is going to be in the Philippines for the next month with his wife!! But there are a lot of other members who are very willing to introduce us to their friends and get us in homes. It is a huge thing for the Filipino culture to stay close and at least listen. That is the opportunity we need though, that is when they will be able to feel of the spirit and be able to have that desire to learn more. Just leave it to the Lord and miracles will be accomplished!

Elder Laceste and I will be together for another transfer at least as transfer calls were today, but no worries we are still together. There are not too many changes in our zone this transfer, just a few different companionship, one area opening..So hopefully we can continue on with our work. It has been pretty wild driving all over the city of Edmonton. Not often does a missionary get an opportunity like that! We are definitely starting some sort of new legacy here in the Canada Edmonton Mission! The language is coming! I hope this week I can spend more time studying it. It really just keeps coming back to the amount of exposure to the language. The members all love it though. The big white guy who speaks, or tries to speak, Tagalog! We have a good time with it! We even decided I should just say I am from Ilongapo.. A US military base in the Philippines, so nobody has any idea what is happening anymore. Life is good. I hope life is great for each of you! Until next week!

Love, Elder McFall