Philippines Legazpi Mission: Elder Feraer

TABACO | DAY 20 |

JANUARY 21, 2014:
We helped Bro. Bonaobra building a roof for an extension in our meeting house. Our investigator, Bro. Benigno helped a lot too. He planned and constructed it. He is a great carpenter and I'm really happy that he is helping to build it. 😊 We also ate lunch at the meeting house. Sis. Bonaobra cooked "laing" for us and it's good.

We studied the Plan of Salvation in our companionship study. We visited Sis. Irene and she just received her mission call and she is going to serve in Laoag Mission. We are happy for her.😊 Our last appointment is with Alejandro Family. I'm so happy because Elton John accepted our invitation to him to be baptized.😊

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TABACO | DAY 19 |

JANUARY 20, 2014:
My first month as a missionary and everything feels great. It is also P-Day today. I also started working out today because I'm gaining weight again. I had a fun conversation with my family during our e-mail time. I also update them on what's going on in my first month as a missionary. I also printed out some pictures for my other album. I decided that I'll put the only memorable ones in there. We ate dinner at a Japanese Restaurant and it is "eat all you can". I like most of the food there but not "sashimi". I didn't like it. 😖 Before I slept I read Helaman chapters 3 to 5.

with Sensei Nielsen

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TABACO | DAY 18 |

JANUARY 19, 2014:

I was told yesterday that I'll be one of the speakers today in sacrament meeting. I am really nervous because it is my first talk as a missionary and the cold weather causes more tension for me. Argh! 😖 As I'm trying to relax and loosen up, special visitors arrived. President and Sister Guanzon was there! Surprise! Haha. 😭 Thanks to our Heavenly Father, He helped me delivered my message about missionary work nicely. The concluding speaker was Pres. Guanzon and he acknowledged my talk and I'm happy about it (internally 😏). The attentiveness of the members while I spoke helped me too to ease the nervousness that I felt before. This is definitely one of the memorable sacrament meeting for me. Bro. Benigno was present again in church today together with his daughter Evette who attends for the first time. 😀

(Left to Right: Pres. Guanzon, Me, E.Nielsen, E.Yu, E.Todd and Sis. Guanzon)

My housemates also encouraged me before I spoke in front.

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TABACO | DAY 15 to 17 |

JANUARY 16, 2014:
In our District Meeting, the topic was "Teach People, Not Lessons". It is kind of the same topic in our Zone Training. We ate lunch at Graceland. I think that fast food only exists here in the Bicol Region. As for my experience, the food is not worth it for its price (expensive compare to other fast-foods). In the afternoon we joined the Zone Leaders in looking for a possible apartment near our area. We needed it because our travel is so time-consuming and it takes away some of our needed time in our area to work with. In the evening I met Bro. Dave's (one of the priesthood in my ward) mission-mate at the LCC Mall when we bought some food. She said that Bro. Dave messaged her that I'm assigned in Bicol and if I'll be assigned in her area, Bro. Dave asked her to please take care of me. Wow. I'm touched by Bro. Dave's gesture. What a coincidence also that I met Bro. Dave's friend. Unfortunately, I'm not assigned to their area but maybe someday I will. Bro. Dave is one of the older priesthood in my ward that I look up to.

My companion (E. Nielsen) and I after the District Meeting.

JANUARY 17, 2014:
During our exercise, Elder Nielsen and I invented a game called "cracker ball". It's like basketball but with a twist. It also has some obstacles in our rule. 😂 In our very first game, we had a deal that the loser will treat the winner Buko Frio (coconut milkshake) and I won.☝ We had an immediate rematch and I won again.✌ So I had a free buko frio and siopao at lunch. 😁 In my personal study, I'm nearing the end of Alma. In the afternoon we went to a computer shop for me to finish the required activity in my 12 Week Guide and it is called Family History Lesson. I learned that it can be used for the retention and activation of members in the church. It is also great for investigators. On our way to our area, we met Bro. Andres. He said that he met some missionaries before. We asked him if we can visit him and his family and he gave us his address. We taught the Delos Santos Family about where we came from in the Plan of Salvation. They participate really well and they have all different ideas about where we came from. At the end of the lesson, they are enlightened and glad that we are with Heavenly Father before we came here on Earth. 

TABACO | DAY 13 to 14 |

JANUARY 14, 2014:
We had a good companionship study today. We recognize that we had a small teaching pool right now that's why we studied "How Do I Find People to Teach". I learned that we should have faith in finding, we should talk to all the people we meet and the companionship of the Holy Ghost will really help us too. One of my weaknesses right now is being not able to talk to the people that I just met. It's really hard for me to overcome this shyness. When I read D&C 60:2-3 I realized that I should overcome this weakness because Heavenly Father through our living prophet gave me the authority to preach and share the gospel to all the people in wherever area I'll be assigned to. The gospel of Jesus Christ is really an important matter to bless all the people and to guide them in this world.

In the afternoon we went back to the Manamtam Family but we received unfortunate news. They said that we can't teach them anymore because their son is against it. We are really sad about it and this is the first time that I felt this kind of sadness in the mission field. 😔 I can see in their eyes that they want to continue to hear the gospel but it will create bad conflict for their son and we understand that. Maybe it is not their time right now and I hope that it will someday. Before we leave we offered them a prayer and they gladly said yes. Elder Nielsen leads the prayer for them, especially for Bro. Manamtam because he has an illness. They are really glad that we prayed for them and we can see that they have teary eyes. They said that we can still visit them as their friends. We will.

B.N.H.S.

JANUARY 15, 2014:
Elder Nielsen had an idea that we should try. We'll help other people by teaching English as a second language. He saw it in the Finding Ideas. He asked for my opinion and I told him that's a unique way of helping others. Here in the Philippines if you are fluent in speaking English it will really help your career in most of the high-end salary jobs. English is a global language and it will be an advantage to anyone. I think it is a good idea even if I'm not that fluent in speaking English. Elder Nielsen will take the lead and I have full confidence in him because he is an American. 😂 We decided to go to a national high school in Bantayan. When we met the principal of the school we offered our help for a free special English class for those students who are interested to learn it fluently. The principal was really happy to hear it and she is amazed by our free service offering. Even if she wants it, it will not be that easy because we should ask for permission first and send a letter to the supervisor of the school. She thanks us for our offer.

On our way back to Tabaco City we rode on a tricycle and eventually, there's a college student who boarded inside the tricycle. We felt awkward because there's only a small space inside the tricycle and we can't go to the top as we usually do because it is raining. Along the way, I took the courage to speak to her. I introduced myself as a missionary and I told her we are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to every people that we meet because we know that it will bless and help them in their lives. I gave her a pass-along card (introduction of our message) and asked if we can visit her and her family. She said yes! 😃 She gave me their address and number so that we can know when we will visit them. Her name is Sis. Erica. When we arrived in Tabaco City, Elder Nielsen was shocked that I finally took the courage to talk to other people who we didn't know and he is so happy for me. Haha. He looked like a proud father. 😅

In the evening we went to Bro. Caloy and we re-taught him the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is happy to be taught again by the missionaries and we will continue to re-teach him the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope it will help him to come to church again. When we came back to the apartment, Elder Gunnel cooked carbonara for our dinner. It's delicious. He's in the apartment because of exchanges with E.Yu.

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TABACO | DAY 12 |

JANUARY 13, 2014:
P-day! We went to Busay Falls in Malilipot, Albay together with our Zone Leaders/housemates. It is really far but it was worth it. The ambiance of this place is really great for relaxing our mind and body. We are also not allowed to swim during our time as a missionary so we didn't swim even though it is tempting.

(From left to right: Me, E.Todd, E.Yu, and E.Nielsen)

We rest up a little bit and went back to Tabaco City for our e-mail time. I love reading my parent's e-mails, it feels like they are just near to me. They also received the letters that I sent to them. I also sent pictures but not all (only my MTC pictures) because of a slow internet connection. My housemates and I had a great bonding time today and we also share some stories (before our mission life) before we sleep. 

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TABACO | DAY 11 |

JANUARY 12, 2014:
Last night I prayed and fasted sincerely for our investigators to accept the gospel in their lives and commit to it. I did it because I really know that the gospel of Jesus Christ will help and bless them individually and their family. Today, my prayer was answered. Bro. Benigno Delos Santos attends church! 😃 E. Nielsen and I were really happy about it and all the members especially our leaders in Comun Group welcome him gladly. We introduced and assisted him in every class and to all the other members. I felt that he really enjoyed the companionship of all the members of our group. Sometimes he also participates in the class and we are really happy for him. 😊

In my personal study, I like what I read in Alma. It says that no matter how sinful we are, God can forgive our sins no matter how big it is if we will repent sincerely, forsake our sins and we'll start to do the right thing by obeying His commandments. The gospel of Jesus Christ and His atonement will help us to make it possible. As we sincerely repent and receive a remission of our sins, our guilt is swept away, we are filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and we feel joy and peace.

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 JANUARY 11, 2014:
Most of our proselyting area is in Quinastillojan and Bantayan in Tabaco City, Albay. The people there are not as many compare to the people in the city. Our apartment is in the city and it takes 30 or more minutes to get into our area.

In the morning, the four of us (housemates) decided to jogged and we did it but we also ended up at Jollibee.😅 In my personal study, I continued the Book of Mormon and after that, we did our weekly planning and Elder Nielsen guide me in doing that.

Today we went to Bantayan and we visit and taught Sis. Renafe even if it is raining because we promise that we'll visit and teach her again. We continued the message of restoration and the member presents also testified to her. We also went to Delos Santos Family and taught them about the Book of Mormon and how can they know if our message and the Book of Mormon is true. We invite them to attend the sacrament meeting tomorrow. Hopefully, they will...

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TABACO | DAY 9 |

JANUARY 10, 2014:
We had a Zone Training and it only happens once every transfer cycle. This is my first time to experience it so I didn't have any idea before this. I'm excited to see my other batch mates from other districts as well. Elders Andrada (Manila), Mautatia (New Zealand) & Sister Seiuli (Australia).

The STLs workshop is great, Sisters Evans & Fabia taught us about "Teach People, Not Lessons". I learned that we missionaries must ask inspired questions, listen well, and follow the promptings of the spirit. Part of the program are testimonies of new and departing missionaries. We (trainees) bear our testimonies and I'm happy to share mine and my experiences so far in the mission field. Sister Evans also shares her testimony and inspiring experiences throughout her mission. She is coming back home soon. 

Schedules for training missionaries are different from normal missionaries. We have more time for studies. Because we had a zone training our study schedule moved to the afternoon. In my personal study, I finished Mosiah in the Book of Mormon and I like the powerful testimonies of the mission of Jesus Christ. I also love how Abinadi stood firm in what he believes and shows great faith in our Lord even through his death. I liken the story of Alma to the people that we met and will meet in the future. Through our sincere testimonies, we can change someone's life no matter who they are. Finally, we also had a chance to teach Bro. Elton John and we also met Bro. Caloy (his father). He is present during our lesson to his son and he is hospitable to us. We also invite him to come to church this coming Sunday.

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TABACO | DAY 5 to 8 |

JANUARY 6, 2014:
First preparation day in the mission field! I'm very excited about e-mail time and sending pictures to my family. Unfortunately, I can't because there's something wrong with my sd card. 😑 When we went to Photoline to print our pictures my sd card worked just fine. I figured out the problem and I'll fix it next week. 

We have a plan that we'll go to the Delos Santos family but the weather is not good. It's raining hard and there's no tricycle to Quinastillojan around so we decided to return to our apartment and call it a day.

JANUARY 7, 2014:
I measured my weight and I think I'm losing some fats in me. 😂 I weight 67 kgs in the MTC and now it's 64. I hope the decrease will continue. 🙏 Our first appointment today is Bro. Elton John (not the singer), he is a part member and the previous missionaries taught him before. We visited him and we set for the next appointment. 

In our finding, we met the Manamtam Family and they welcome and received us to their home. They listened to the gospel that we shared and it seems that they are really interested. 😊 At night, we visit the Delos Santos family again together with our Group Leader and we taught them about the Savior's Earthly Ministry, the Great Apostasy, and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith. I also invited them to be baptized on February 15 and they accepted it! 😍 I'm really happy that Heavenly Father helped us in our teaching. The Holy Ghost will help them confirmed if our message is true and we know it's really true. We'll help them prepare for their baptism.😊

JANUARY 9, 2014:
We visited Bro. Elton John again and we also met his grandmother and cousin. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to teach because they're busy and we understand that. We just set an appointment with them. Sis. Nemia gave us a referral and she is Sis. Joy and we visit, introduce ourselves, and teach her. She is receptive and I hope she will receive us again next time. At night, Elder Todd cooked dinner for us. He is a good cook. 👍 

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TABACO | Day 4 |

JANUARY 5, 2014:
I'm really excited about this day. I'm excited to meet all the members of Comun Group. Our apartment is really far in our area so we went out before 8 a.m. and it takes around 30 minutes to get there. When I am not yet in the mission field I didn't know that there is a group in our LDS communities, I only know about wards and branches. This is something new to me and I'm happy to be assigned here in Comun and I'm looking forward to helping this group grow. 😊

The members are very "welcoming" to us. I really appreciate it because I am a new missionary. Most of the members can't pronounce my surname and they thought it was "Ferrer". I have this small problem since MTC. 😅 Sixty plus members attended the sacrament meeting and I think it is great attendance for a group. We (missionaries) teach in the Young Men Class. We also had a group meeting after Sunday School.

Because of the "travel circumstance," our schedule has been adjusted. We did all of our studies in the afternoon and after that, we went out at 5 p.m. and we arrived in our area around 5:30 to 6 p.m. It is really fun to ride the tricycles here in Tabaco City. This is my first time to ride on top of it. Haha. Extreme!😆 

We didn't have much luck at night because there is no electricity around. We visit the Delos Santos family and we can't teach them because there's still no light in our area. Coming back to our apartment is also challenging because there are no tricycles around. We just found out that there's almost no public vehicle going back to Tabaco City later than 8 p.m. We eventually walk back until we reach the place that has a ride back in the city. It is very tiring but it's alright. 👍

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TABACO | Day 2 to 3 |

JANUARY 3, 2014:
This morning I focus on studying principles 1 & 2 of Restoration. I wanted to understand this more because most of the time these are the message that we will share with our new investigators including "how to begin teaching". I also finished reading Jacob in the Book of Mormon and I really like how Jacob had an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ. Jacob taught and demonstrated the importance of diligently fulfilling callings from the Lord. I liken it into us missionaries that we must also be a hard-working disciple of Jesus Christ. After the studies we went to Tabaco Chapel for our district meeting.

In my very first district meeting the topic was "How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?". I learned more about the importance of prayer and how to identify the Holy Ghost. I also like the message of Pres. Hinckley that E. Nielsen shared with us. Pres. Hinckley said, “You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God”.

Tabaco District is composed of E. Nielsen (DL), E. Todd (ZL), E. Yu (ZL), S. Evans (STL), S.Fabia (STL), S. Simonson, S. Villeza (my batchmate), E. Bacalso, E. Lethaby, S. Longson, S. Sasagi, S. Siola'a, S. Coleman and me.

TABACO | Day 1 |

JANUARY 2, 2014:
I'm wondering who will be my first companion and trainer. I thought it will be a fellow Filipino and I was surprised that my first companion is an American. The first thing in my mind "Does he know already how to speak Tagalog?" and the first thing he said to me was "Kamusta ka? Masaya ako na ikaw ang aking makakasama." so it already answered the question in my mind. Haha. 😂 He seems like a fun and cool person and I'm happy that my trainer is like that. 😁

The ZLs introduced us to the leader of Comun Group, Bro. Bonaobra and after that, he gave us a referral and we went there afterward. Of course, I was nervous because it will be my first encounter with a real investigator on my very first day in the mission field. 😅 I prayed that the Holy Ghost will help me to teach. The name of the household of the family is Bro. Benigno and he accepted and welcome us happily. There are five of them in the family. They listen to our message about how the gospel can bless their family and Bro. Benigno commits to attend church this Sunday. Wow! This is very heartwarming. Our very first visit together was a success. Heavenly Father guided us to meet and share the gospel with the Delos Santos Family. 😊

It was a great day. I am tired but I am really happy about what happened today. We are really blessed on our first day together.

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LEGAZPI | Arrival |

JANUARY 1, 2014:
We travel from Manila to Legazpi via Philippine Airlines. Mixed emotions, excited, and slightly nervous at the same time. 😅 Philippines Legazpi mission here we come!