Philippines Legazpi Mission: Elder Feraer

BAGAMANOC | Day 199 |

OCTOBER 31, 2014:
We have plenty of options for member presents this week because of the semester break. Bro. Dong, Sis. Hermaine, and Sis. Lyn worked with us. Their testimony really helps especially to the investigators that we visited and taught. In my experience so far, I can see that every time a member present bears their testimony, the investigators are more attentive especially when they said it with their local "Bicol" dialect. It is more understandable and relatable to them. We had a fun and productive day again today. Thanks to our member present also. 😃

(L to R) Dodong, me, E. Bongolan, Dandoy, Sis. Joy S., her other two kids, and Hermaine

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BAGAMANOC | Day 197 to 198 |

OCTOBER 29, 2014:
I told Elder Bongolan about my personal journal, study journal, and my habit of taking pictures every day as much as possible. I know this will be important records for the future. We can look back and remember all the things that we learned and all the memories we have during our mission. I think this inspires him to make his own journal too. 👍 We focus on the recent converts and less actives today. It was a good day overall. 😊

(L to R) E. Bongolan, Daisy, and me

OCTOBER 30, 2014:
Two hours of companionship study during training can be boring sometimes so I made it interesting today. My companion and I have a common interest in Anime. So on our practice teaching, we use my anime figure "Luffy" to portray as an investigator (using my voice. Haha). It was funny at first but it was fun and made our practice teaching lively. Sometimes, you must change or add something to make it fun and interesting. I learned it from my trainer and I want to do it to my trainee too. 😉

We had 10 lessons today and it is our highest so far. We also have two new investigators. It was a great proselyting day today. 😀

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BAGAMANOC | Day 196 |

OCTOBER 28, 2014:
Last week we only had two days to proselyte because of events and travels outside our area. Now, it's time to get serious and do our best from now on. There is more time in studies now and less time in proselyting because my companion is in training but it doesn't mean we can't achieve SoE anymore. I want to balance it as much as possible while obeying the schedule. We just need a good plan and stick to it. Besides, I'm also the District Leader that's why I want our area and our district to set a good example to others.

We had a productive day today and we also met new potential progressing investigators through referrals. We also continued to re-engage and teach some of the part member families. It's also nice that my new companion is willing to learn just like me when I was in my training days. I know that I will also learn something good with him during this training. I can feel right now that we'll do something great during our time together. I'm optimistic about it.

(L to R) E. Bongolan, Sis. Lovely T., Bingay, and me

Elder Bongolan

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BAGAMANOC | Day 194 to 195 |

OCTOBER 26, 2014:
It was a month ago since my birthday and I only received the letters and package that my family sent me these past few days. It is one of the downsides if you're assigned in a faraway area. Haha. It's alright as long as it arrives. 😄 At least once every transfer cycle (6 weeks), my parents are sending me letters and packages and I am really thankful for their effort, love, and support to me. Even though they are not members yet, they are really supportive of my decision to serve a full-time mission. They are all my inspiration for this journey. I am also thankful for all the blessings that are coming to my family. I miss them so much but I have to endure and do my purpose as a missionary for the greater good.

When I opened it, I'm surprised at some of the things that are inside. I'm really happy not just for the material things, but for the thought and love from it. My parents are the best! 😊 I also share some with each of my housemates. I always do this to whoever my housemate is, because sharing is caring. This was a good and blessed Sunday overall and today was also my first productive day with my new companion. 😀



OCTOBER 27, 2014:
First P-Day of Elder Bongolan and we spent most of our time cleaning and organizing our stuff in the room. I also displayed the wooden boat that the Garcia Family gave me. It was really nice. We also worked at night to start our first full week in a good way. It's a good start to our companionship and to my new missionary companion. 😊

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BAGAMANOC | Day 193 |

OCTOBER 25, 2014:
Because of being away for a whole week and I became a Trainer, I almost forgot that I am also a District Leader. 😅 I prepared my workshop early in the morning and we had a District Meeting today. This was also Elder Bongolan's very first district meeting in PLM. Today's topic was "Teach People, Not Lessons". It is about focusing on the needs of the learners (the people we teach). As a missionary, we must never obscure their view of our savior Jesus Christ by standing in the way or by shadowing the lesson with self-promotion or self-interest.

We must seek to understand those we teach. We must understand their background, interest, and needs. We should also ask inspired questions, listen to them carefully, and observe what they say and do in different situations. We must also pray before we teach, to invite the spirit and help us and the learners to teach and understand better. The more we understand the people we teach, the more we can help them see how the gospel will help their lives.

In my experience so far. Week Planning Session and daily planning at night was a big help to start. We can analyze and understand what the people in our teaching pool needs. We could also use the Personal Study time for the people we plan on that day. Christlike missionaries are not committed to a particular style or method, they are committed to helping people build faith in Jesus Christ and become more like Him.

San Vicente District | Elder Bongolan, Elder Feraer, Elder Irabon, and Elder Abuel

I know that being a District Leader and a Trainer at the same time is challenging. But with the help of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and becoming united with my companion, I will get used to it and I can do it. We also had Branch Home Evening at night and it was fun. It's a good day overall. 😊

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BAGAMANOC | Day 191 to 192 |

OCTOBER 23, 2014:
Touchdown Catanduanes! My new companion was excited to arrive in our area but it won't happen today because of the limited transportation to Bagamanoc. We have to wait and stay in Virac today and leave tomorrow morning. I told him that he is the first missionary ever to be trained in San Vicente. He also met our Zone Leaders (Elder Pulido & Elder Fifita). This day was tiring because of the hot weather and long travels. We only rest a little bit because the ZLs invited us to work with them. I worked with our new Z.L., Elder Pulido. We tract and tract in the streets of Virac at night. I'm really exhausted but it was fun. It's nice to have a chance and to know our new ZL right away. He is a nice missionary and I can see that he is a hard worker. It was a long and tiring day today and I can't wait to be back in San Vicente. I was away from my area for exactly one week. I miss San V!

with Elder Bongolan

Elder Agustin and Elder Benson

with Elder Bongolan at San Andres Port

OCTOBER 24, 2014:
Finally! We're in San Vicente now! 😃 The waves are kinda strong today but I'm happy that Elder Bongolan enjoyed his first ride. After I introduced him to our housemates and ate lunch, I told him that he can rest first. I won't force my tired companion to work right away and our situation is different from others because of the long travels. Around 4 or 5pm we went out and I introduced him to our Branch President and then to some members of our branch. We also did our first daily planning at night. I also orient him about our area and our teaching pool. Tomorrow will be our first full day to proselyte and we're both excited about it. 😀

The first boat ride of Elder Bongolan.

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BAGAMANOC | Day 190 |

OCTOBER 22, 2014:
The new missionaries arrived! All of us trainers are excited to meet our trainees. I'm also sure most of the new missionaries are much more excited to be here in the mission field. Maybe some of them are a little nervous too. 😅 Then there comes the moment that our mission leaders announced who'll be our new companion. My 5th companion is... Elder Bongolan! He is from the city of Makati. When I met my new companion, I really felt like I'm a trainer now. He seems nice and humble. I'm really excited about our journey as a companionship. 😃

There's another interesting moment that happened today. I saw Sis. Santiago! She's my wardmate! She's also assigned here in Legazpi Mission. Haha. What are the odds? I never expected that I'll saw someone from my homeward. I'm happy for her. 😀 There's a lot of new missionaries in their batch. As I heard them bear their testimonies, I felt that maybe most of them are the future leaders of the Philippines Legazpi Mission.

Trainers | E. Pangilinan, E. Siarez, E. Benson, E. Feraer, E. Savedra, and E. Cabacungan

Trainers | E. Manning, E. Matautia, and E. O'Connor

Trainers | S. Mwea, S. Maualuga, S. Lesa, S. Sebia, S. Genegaling, S. Leonardo, S. Ilago, and E. Manning

Thanks to Sister Guanzon for always cooking and preparing delicious food during special events.

(L to R) E. Tevaga (AP), Bro. Addie, and E. Abenis

(L to R) E. Hatch (AP), E. O'Connor, and E. Yu (AP)

with my Trainee and 5th companion, Elder Bongolan. 😁

Top | E. Feraer, E. Bongolan, E. Manning, E. Dollete, E. O'Connor, E. Alvaro, E. Dalit, E. Savedra, E. Witehira, E. Benson, E. Agustin, E. Robinson, E. Siarez, E. Shumway, E. Cabacungan Middle | S. Mwea, S. Maualuga, S. Sebia, S. Leonardo, Sister Wilcox, E. Matautia, Elder Wilcox, E. Rupp, S. Genegaling, E. Pangilinan, S. Lesa, S. Ilago Bottom | S. Bwebwetaake, S. Matthes, S. Santiago, S. Surigao, President Guanzon, Sister Guanzon, S. Dellona, S. Centeno, S. Lopez

(L to R) S. Sebia, S. Santiago, E. Bongolan, and me

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BAGAMANOC | Day 189 |

OCTOBER 21, 2014:
We had Trainer's training today and I have 3 batchmates that will train new missionaries too! It's always awesome every time I see my batchmates. We talked about how fast the mission is and we're on our 10th month now. We're all happy for each other. 😀 We learned a lot during our workshop and it will help us to become good Trainers.

We also saw and heard all the testimonies of all the departing missionaries. Elder Pesidas found out that I'm assigned in San Vicente and he told me that he was also assigned there before and he wants to send his regards to some of the members of our branch. It feels like he also enjoyed his stay in San Vicente.

Today was also the last time that I saw and be with Elder Centeno. He is one of the most influential missionary leaders to me besides my trainer, Elder Nielsen, and my former Zone Leader, Elder Yu. He had some really good advice for me in terms of leadership and I will treasure and apply it during my remaining time here in the mission field. He's a great leader. I also consider him as one of my friends here in Legazpi Mission. I wish him all the best in his life after this mission. Today was a good day overall. Time to rise up!

Blurry pic with my batchmates | E. Feraer, E. Savedra, S. Villeza, and S. Atienza

with Elder Pesidas

(L to R) E. Benson, E. Centeno, and me

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BAGAMANOC | Day 188 |

OCTOBER 20, 2014:
We woke up very early because we have a lot and long travels today. E. Agbayani, E. Aguilando, and I traveled to Tabaco together with E. Benson. While E. Peterson stayed in San Andres. Elder Benson became my temporary companion until our new companion arrives in Legazpi. He will become a trainer too. Today was also my 10th month of being a missionary. Yay! 😀 It was a long and tiring day. Looking forward for tomorrow.

"This is the end" Elders 😂 | E. Feraer, E. Agbayani, E. Peterson, and E. Aguilando

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