Oh my gosh! Where to even start? I AM FINALLY IN THE PHILIPPINES, and I LOOOVVVVVEEEE it here :D It is so much different here than I expected, but also so much better. For one, it is not nearly as hot as I expected. I honestly think Texas summers are worse. Granted, I've heard it gets hotter around March, but I'm so grateful that I have a little time to ease into it. Also, it is beautiful here. There are trees, flowers, mountains everywhere, and it is so green. I love it! I have been taking so many pictures! I think it might be annoying my companion a little bit, lol. Jkjk. I love her. My companions name is Sister Villa, she is Filipino and she is amazing. She's only been on her mission for three months and is already training, which just shows how great she really is.
So... leaving the Provo MTC two weeks ago (wow! it feels like so much longer) was so hard! Our district had a testimony meeting the night before we left and I definitely cried a couple times. During the testimony meeting, Elder Flores was talking about how in our district we had our very own little breakfast club going. It was a really cool analogy and I think he was right. I really loved all the awesome people I met and got to be friends with in my district, they were all so amazing and taught me so much with their great examples and testimonies. Fortunately however, the Provo MTC was not the last time I saw them :) we got to keep our same districts in the Manila MTC.
So let me tell you a little more about my first impressions of the Philippines and the Manila MTC. First, I was SUPER EXCITED to see everyone from my zone again! I hadn't realized how much I missed them all until I got to sit next to Elder Brown and Sister Mosher on the flight from Hong Kong to Manila.
From the airport we drove for about two hours (because of bad traffic) to the Manila MTC and let me tell you, driving here is SCARY!
Some things I learned about Filipino culture at the MTC: when I heard that Filipino's eat a lot of rice I didn't realize that they literally eat it for every meal! So crazy. I thought I would hate eating rice (because it is kind of bland) but it is actually really good here. It goes with everything and mixes with other food really well. I think that the food was the first thing I fell in love with here. IT IS SO GOOD! Especially their deserts and their fruits. I think my favorites at the MTC were this tasty cake called graham cake (I think) and this amazing pudding with mango called Sagu. So good!
Also, while I was at the MTC I got to try purple yam and cheese flavored icecream. I know, it sounds gross. But they are both actually really good! Filipinos know how to icecream! ;)
At the MTC, we got to go out prosolyting for our first time. It was so amazing, fun, and extremely humbling. I got to go to a teaching appointment in the city and we taught in this tiny little makeshift hut. I remember feeling shocked as we sat, teaching the gospel to a lady and her child who had so much less than myself. Suddenly, all my problems seemed so much smaller. I know I just got here, but already I think I am gaining a huge appreciation for the people here. They are all so nice, kind, amazing, and willing to listen even though many of them have so little. It was a huge lesson in humility for me.
Before we left the Manila MTC, Elder Cook came to talk to us... AND I GOT TO SHAKE HIS HAND!!!!!!!!!! It was so cool! I think I blanked out a little when it was my turn to meet him because all I remember saying is, "You're cool." Lol, I guess that's a good way to greet a general authority. :)
After four days in the MTC, I FINALLY got to go to Naga! It was so fun, exciting, and nerve racking to finally be headed out. And hard to say goodbye for reals to my district :( I miss them all a ton, and hope they are all having the time of their lives in the Philippines right now. :) Getting to the Naga airport, I was SOOOO excited. I almost laughed when I saw that the Naga airport is a rundown little building... under construction. I rode in a tricey to meet the mission President and then to my apartment. We ride them everywhere! It is basically a motercycle with a cart attached. I have to duck my head to fit and sister Villa and I hardly can squeeze in. But I have seen 10 people fit on those things! Three on the motercycle with the driver, four in the cart, and three hanging on the back/top. Its crazy!
After meeting President Zapanta and his wife (who are amazing!)
~ Sister Zapanta, Sister Matheny, Mission President Zapanta ~
I got to meet my companion. Like I said earlier, Sister Villa is amazing! I love her so much... and she is so helpful with learning the language.
~ Sister Matheny & Sister Villa ~
So our area is called Goa Cam. Sur and apparently, it is really far south in Naga (I haven't seen a map though so I'm not sure...) All I know is that it is beautiful, the people are amazing and I love it here.
Our appartment:
Living in the Philippines is so much different than what I am used to! For one, THERE ARE SPIDERS EVERYWHERE! We have "house spiders" all over the walls, toilets, everything! We don't kill them because they eat the bugs and they don't really move so I guess its fine but still...spiders. In our bathroom, one of the spiders just had a bunch of babies so their are about 40 spiders in that corner. I think maybe we should get rid of some of them.
Additionally, we also have geckos all over our walls.
Apparently that is normal here (I've seen them in other homes too).
And I have already seen 4-5 cockroaches. One of them almost landed on me while I was in the bathroom. Finally, we have a mouse living in the cabnit downstairs. Whenever we walk over at the end of the day, it freaks out and starts running all over the place! So I'm always nervous to walk over by the sink.
Living wise, I sleep on a mattress on the floor (which is actually really comfortable - mine is the one on the floor with the white sheet). When we had exchanges this week, we fit six mattresses in that room! It was crazy! Also, we have a ton of huge thunderstorms here. When it rains, the roof right above my head leaks and some rain falls on me through the window in the night. On the brightside, I think I will be able to sleep anywhere through anything when I get home.
We shower with cold water but we are actually really fortunate to live in such a nice bahay. We have a real shower (not a bucket shower) and a washing machine. So we only have to rinse and dry our cloths. So nice! I really like hand washing my clothes. It is super relaxing, and gives me a chance to think (we don't get much timer for that).
The people: I love the people here! They are so amazing! We have already talked to so many people and taught a ton of lessons. I think that is also the hardest part about being here though. I want so badly to be able to understand and communicate better but I can't. It doesn't help that a ton of the people here also speak Bicol. So I can never tell if I just can't understand, or they are speaking an entirely different language!
TAGALOG
I know I need to be patient and the language will come, but I think it will be just a little frustrating until I get there. The people here are so kind, helpful and loving and they all do so much to help me learn Tagalog. It is amazing!
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT
Yesterday, we taught a lesson to some recent converts and I shared 1 Nephi 19:9 with them. Afterwards, we talked and I got to share my testimony about the atonement. I know my Tagalog is broken, but as I tried so hard to tell them how I know the atonement is true and that because of Christ's sacrifice for us none of us have to suffer, I felt the spirit so strong. It was amazing! We had such a great discussion and I learned so much. I think above all though, I really learned that while it is important to learn the language, the influence and love of the Holy Ghost is even more so. I know that this church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I know that the atonement is real and that it really helps each and every one of us.
Knowing that, I don't think it really matters whether you are good at speaking the language or not. All that matters, is having enough courage to bear record of what you know to be true, no matter how plain or in-eloquently.
I will get there, the language will come but until then, I am just going to keep working on loving, learning from and listening to the people. Every day has its ups and downs, discouragement, frustration, and sorrow as well as happiness, joy, and so much love! I really REALLY do love it here, and am so grateful that the Lord has given me a chance to serve in the Naga mission.
We all have struggles and trials in life. But when we rely on the Lord, life is great :)
Sincerely, Sister Matheny
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