Hey family! I am so stinking happy right now you have no idea. I am a
horse that has been in the corral for 9 months! Holy smokes I truly have
never felt better in my whole mission. I am in BAAO GROUP! I told our
group leader, Brother Jeff Botor, who is the man by the way, that I WILL
NOT GO HOME UNTIL THIS PLACE IS A BRANCH. SO Mom if you want me home by
June, pray this place becomes a branch- we are so close! I am so
excited I can hardly stand it!
This group, about 3 weeks ago, used to meet outside under a tarp
and the primary was out under the mango tree a little way off. Now we
have a small little house that we rent and we go to church there. It
fits about 50 people and we fill it up. I truly can't put to words the
happiness that is in my heart to be here.
On Sunday I was the concluding speaker and I was given 15
or 20 minutes or so. Now I do not mean to brag in my language skills, I
know that Chantz Davis is pretty terrible in Tagalog, but I don't
hesitate to tell you that Elder Davis can impress people. I know that I
haven't learned this language, rather it has been given to me. My tongue
has literally changed. I don't want to draw attention to myself by
saying this but rather give God the glory for the gift of tongues he has
given me. Anyway, I have never spoken Tagalog better in my whole life
than I did for those 20 minutes. I had been in Baao for 4 days and THE
BICOL HERE IS WAY DIFFERENT than the Bicol in Naga. People in in Naga
can't understand people here even though they are only like an hour
away. Anyway I even spoke some Ricwanada (I don't even know how to
spell it haha) you should have seen their faces when I told them, "isi
ko na isaddi kita sa matood na Simbahan ng Diyos!" They were shocked
haha. I have been studying their language and I hope to be very good by
the time June comes. I already have a big stack of flash cards and I
don't know if you can imagine this but they have no English on them.
When I started my mission I would have told you you were crazy if you
told me that I would one day study flash cards with Tagalog and Bicol
Naga on one side and Baao Rincwanada on the other side. Tagalog is
natural now haha. Did I mention I taught the 1 hour priesthood last
minute too- that was fun.
So I am training! I have a new kid (see pictures) His name
is Elder Arganda! I always say, U R GANDA haha I think it is funny- you
might not. The members call us Elder Ganda and Elder Gwapo haha he is a
really nice kid. He is 18 years old and the only member in his whole
family. He converted about 3 years ago! He is a chunk of clay that needs
a bit of shaping but I am very happy to be his trainer! We are just
hitting the streets and the rice fields and loving it. OPEN AREA IS
AWESOME! Very challenging but very fun. He is shy too, yesterday he did
his first approach to a person and was so scared to talk to them but he
did great- I was a proud Tatay. Training is the best. We are obedient
and diligent without exception and we are seeing the miracle as I have
seen my whole mission.
Also I forgot one calculation from last week. I forgot to
add how many times Gramps Sherwood was quoted from the pulpit in 9
months haha. But it would have to be a lot! Also, did I mention that my
IGIN (baao) meaning aki (naga) meaning anak (tagalog) meaning child
(english) gave a baptismal invitation in his first ever lesson to an
investigator? Well he did!
I just finished 1st Nephi and it is awesome! I love Nephi!
Anyway I was struck by the story of the Liahona. Especially opening an
area. It says that the Liahona worked according to their diligence and
faithfulness and heed which they gave. I told Elder Arganda that we need
a Liahona. I said that we might not be as lucky as Lehi and find it
outside the door tomorrow but as it teaches in Alma, "it is as easy to
give heed to the words of Christ" as it was for them to follow the
Liahona. I have never felt so guided and so blessed in my whole life as I
have this past week. You should meet the family we tracted into, fed us
and let us share with them. We are going back there tonight. I just
can't even say one tenth of what I feel right now.
The past 9 months have been great. I have learned a lot and
have been around two of the best men and 2 of the best women that live
today and I have learned so much. But to be frank I am so glad to be
out. If you would rather have a hot shower than be able to teach all day
then you are crazy! I love Baao! I love missionary work and I know this
church is true. I think I am just going to start writing to you in
Tagalog I can testify of truth more powerfully in Tagalog.
I love you all and I pray for you. Thank you for your
prayers. Baao needs them. I need them. I love Jesus Christ. I have never
felt closer to him. I will try to send you more pictures next week.
Have a great one. Choose the right. Love you a bushel.
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