20 POUNDS HAPPIER

Mainit!!! (It's Hot)

It's More Fun in the Philippines (highlights):

• It's crazy hot here! A typical conversation starter here begins with "MAINIT!" which just means "IT'S HOT!" People say it ALL the time, and it kind of makes us laugh because of how much we hear it in one day. Yesterday we counted each time we heard someone say "mainit," and it totaled to 54 times!!
• I have gained 20 POUNDS since the beginning of my mission!! I blame it on the rice.
• We ate dinner with the Mediano Family at "Kainan Sa Balsa." It's basically a bunch of floating, bamboo rafts, and the food is delicious!

In the Philippines, the Worldwide Broadcast of General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints comes late. We had the opportunity to watch it this last weekend, and I just want to share a few of the things that really caught my attention:

First off, Jesus Christ invites us to come unto Him. He is our Savior and Redeemer. As human beings in imperfect bodies on an imperfect world, we are subject to many issues and trials. However, Jesus Christ descended below our painful conditions so that he can lift us up to receive the blessings of his Infinite Atonement. If we feel a difficult time feeling and receiving his support in our life, we must consider what may be stopping us. Is it questions or trials that are stopping us, or is it our faith? The fact is, we are placed on Earth to "walk by Faith, not by Sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7). At times we may feel in the dark. However, strengthen your faith enough to take a few steps in the dark and the lights will eventually come back on. What I mean is, "feed your Spirit," by praying to your Heavenly father. Study the Life of Jesus Christ by reading in the New testament, or learn of the Savior's Atoning Power by reading in the Book of Mormon. We must dedicate ourselves and rededicate ourselves.

Elder Hemmert

STRAIGHT FROM BACOOR

Kamusta ka na?

It's More Fun in the Philippines (highlights):

-Fun fact: Buko Juice (juice straight from a coconut) can be bought on the streets from small cart vendors, and it is nearly the same price as water. So I drink a crazy amount of Buko juice!!

-It is getting insanely hot and I LOVE IT! It makes the days a lot more tiring, but I'm still bouncing around. We had an insane summer storm the other night, and we were drenched from the rain as we walked home.

-We are working hard to find new people to teach and share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As a mission our goal is to baptize 2 people per companionship in the month of April and then again in the month of May. And on top of that hit 3 baptisms per companionship for the month of June. These goals are crazy high but absolutely attainable. We are continuously working hard and striving to become 100% obedient to receive help from Heaven.

This last zone conference was extra special and "ONCE-IN-A-MISSION," because we all came fasting and each of us had the opportunity to bear our testimonies of Jesus Christ. With that I want to share with you my testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ:

   I know that the Plan of Redemption, which fully depends upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ, was laid from the Foundation of the World. Jesus Christ, as the center to Heavenly Father's perfect plan, was so full of mercy and charity that He was willing to give up His throne in heaven to enter a world that would scourge Him, smite Him, and spit upon Him. He walked a sinless life only to take upon Himself our sins and all of the pains, sicknesses, and temptations that accompany our imperfections. But no matter how imperfect we are, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I know we can all be made clean. And there is not a person on Earth that is an exception to this promise. His atoning sacrifice infinitely extends to every individual that will have faith unto repentance. He died for us, and He rose again. I know he loves us. He wants us to become as He is. He is the ONLY way to eternal happiness. He is our Savior and Redeemer. I am forever grateful for him, and I leave this, my testimony in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Hemmert

Happy Easter!

Maganda po Kayo sa Hapon,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

-I learned to cook Bicol Express and it is wicked good. It basically is a pork dish with coconut milk and super spicy peppers. I love the food in this country (as long as there is no liver haha).

-It is now hitting summer in the Philippines, so I am now sweating constantly; however, it's okay because everyone else is really sweaty also.

Evangelina is a mother of 4 kids and lives next to the ocean. Her home was destroyed in a terrible fire that occurred last July. Ever since that day her family has been living in the remains of their home which consists of a concrete floor surrounded by a 2 foot concrete wall and 4 old advertisement tarps that are strung over top for protection from sun and rain. Not to mention the fact that their home experiences annual floods for a week at a time during the rainy season. She wakes every morning at 4 am to begin her work which pays for her family to eat and go to school. Evangelina expressed her pains and struggles and also her desire for an escape from these same pains. We immediately explained to her that the escape she is looking for was created two thousand years ago with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions of every kind; and... he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people." Jesus Christ bled from every poor as he felt our pains, depression, sicknesses, sins, and trials. And because he felt our anguish, he understands us and knows how to help us. He is extending His arm toward us. The question is, are we accepting his help and reaching for his hand? Are we seeking his guidance by doing the simple yet crucial steps of praying to him, reading his scriptures, and going to church with intent to become more like Him? Are we opening the door to blessings? With tears in her eyes Evangelina expressed her love for the Savior and the message we shared with her. And with sincerity in my words I express to you that I know Jesus Christ suffered for all of our infirmities, and he will help us in our weaknesses as we reach for his hand. He is our Savior and the only escape to find permanent happiness.

CHECK OUT this video to learn of Jesus Christ:

https://www.mormon.org/site/jesus-christ/following-jesus-christ

BINYAG NI VANESSA (BAPTISM)

Kamusta ka na?

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

- Transfer Day today, but Elder Hart-Stephens and I will be together for another 6 weeks!! WOOOOHOOOO!

- March 23, 2019 was the baptism of 21 year old Vanessa Lorejas. We originally found her six weeks ago as we were walking down a dirt path. We began sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her, and she began attending church, institute (church classes), and even the ward choir. Many people thought she was already a baptized member of the church because she was not shy at all. She was reading the Book of Mormon, and her testimony of Jesus Christ grew exceedingly quickly. This past week she was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I am so happy for her, because I know how important this message is. I have seen it change the lives of so many people. She notices the daily changes in her life, and now she desires to serve a mission in order to help others experience this change too!

Here is a crazy story of a man I met: At 9 years old, JR Castillo, ran away from his home in Mindanao Philippines and headed for Manila (different island). He made his way onto a boat and begged day to day for food and transportation. When he arrived near Manila he ended up working construction, and lived on his own. One day two men walked up to him dressed in white shirts and ties, they were missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They helped JR get back up on his feet as he was really struggling. JR began attending church, and not long after he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. A few years later he decided to leave home again, only this time he would be sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a Missionary. Years later he became a branch president, got married, and now supports his wife and two kids as a landscaper. In his words, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news around, and everyone in the world needs to hear it. Try to imagine where JR would be right now if he had not found the church...  

Elder Hemmert

Darn! They're taken by God!

Kamusta ka na?

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

-I went on Splits with one of my companions from the MTC, Elder Garner. We literally ended up finding the entire day, because all of our appointments feel through. We probably walked 10 miles

-As we were buying a drink from a tindahan (small store), a girl asked if we were single. I told her we were missionaries, and her friend quickly responded with "Darn, they're taken by God!" It definitely gave us a good laugh because it is SOOO TRUE!

Just a few days ago we met a man that used to attend our church and was even baptized in our church. We sat down and offered him a prayer and scriptural thought. As we spoke with him he opened up that he has been wanting to come back to church, but he said he couldn't. We asked him why and he mentioned that it was because he had made too many mistakes. I reflected on his statement for a moment as silence filled the room. I broke the silence by asking a few simple questions, "Do you believe that God loves you?" He took a deep breath and responded with Yes. "Do you believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior?" He paused and once more said Yes. "Do you believe that the power of Jesus Christ's Atonement and suffering can make us clean from sin?" With another heavy breath he said Yes. "Do you believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ your sins can be made clean?" He paused extra long here... took a deep breath... and responded with a near to tears, YES.

I told him, and NOW I TELL YOU: I know God loves each of us so very much. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He suffered and died for each one of us. YOU are not an exception to this. He suffered and bled for YOU! He payed for YOUR sins. His arm of mercy is extended to YOU. No matter your past mistakes or current situation, YOU can find happiness in this life and in the next. Your pains and sins can be made clean through Christ and his Atonement. And I say these things in His holy name, the son of the living God, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Hemmert

There is still time....

Magandang Hapon po,

It's More Fun in the Philippines (Highlights):

-We have set a mission goal to hit 2 baptisms per companionship per month for the months of April and May, and then 3 for the month of June! I'm excited for the following months!

-We met a cute little family this week named the Balagas. The wife works at a call center for America. Which means she has to work a night shift because the time in America is 13 hours different. I have a small piece of ADVICE: when you call a call center and realize they aren't native English speakers then try to be as nice as possible. When you are mean they can't understand your English and then they just think all Americans are super mean. HAHA! She said it herself...

This past Monday a lady yelled for us "ELDERS!!" We came to her and she said she used to be a member of our church but hadn't come for over 20 years. She said she wanted to come back but was too shy to go by herself. The following day we visited her family with a few other members of our church, and we got to know the family. The Realango family has been living in a small house for the past 5 years without electricity and work has been quite scarce for them. They have four kids, and all-in-all are a very beautiful family. We invited them to church and they are so happy to come, and also the husband, Edgar, is not a member and has asked that we teach him about our beliefs. The said they have recently felt like something was missing in their lives, and they said as we began talking to them they realized that we were the thing they were missing. I know that our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. He sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to be our Savior and Redeemer. His gospel is what can and will fill the holes in our lives. No matter where we currently are in life, or what decisions we have made, there is still time to come unto Christ.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pick someone that could use some help right now, and then pray for them by name every day this entire week.

Elder Hemmert

This is a great video of Elder Hemmert at a dinner appointment, the highlight is at the 12 second mark!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BxhyMZARLE&feature=youtu.be

BE BRAVE & OPEN YOUR MOUTH

Kumusta ka na,

It's More Fun In The Philippines (highlights):

-We met a few old Nanays that were sitting on their porch, and we offered them a prayer and a little taste of our message. We asked if we could return and share with them about Jesus Christ and our beliefs on a different day, and they said "No, we are ALWAYS busy. We literally never have any time." It's so funny because we get responses like that extremely often. I suppose it is not their time to listen to our message. Maybe in a month or in a year they will be willing to at least hear what we have to share.

-We had zone conference, and we got the new version of the Preach My Gospel.

While walking one day we watched a kid jump over a 8 foot concrete wall. We thought nothing was back there, but we wanted to know where the kid was going, so we peaked over and realized there were TONS of squatter homes back there. Basically people that didn't have a home had made a bunch of small homes where they have been living. We looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders a little and said, "Lets do it." So we jumped the wall and went to the first house to ask them some questions and get to know them. The first people to see us were a bunch of little kids and it was very obvious that they had never had a white man at their house before. All of them were going crazy, some of the kids were yanking on our bags and pulling our shirts. Other kids were running around to show their friends that white people were at their house. The mom and dad were curious to know why we were there, so we said we were missionaries and asked if we could offer their family a prayer. It was a great experience, but with us through all of this was a 20 year old man from our church that is preparing for his mission. When we left he said he felt very awkward through the whole thing, because it's not common that people jump walls to talk to strangers. He is right, it is weird, before my mission I would never have been willing to jump a wall and knock on someone's door let alone talk to a stranger. However, as I have gotten more and more comfortable talking to strangers I am now willing to open my mouth and become friends with everyone I meet. As I have faced my fears, the things that used to make me uncomfortable are now totally normally.

MY ADVICE: Don't be afraid to do something that is new. As long as it is a good thing, then be willing to get out of your normal routine. As you do so, the things that make you uncomfortable or scared will quickly become normal. This especially applies for missionary work and sharing the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ. It may be hard to open your mouth to share the Gospel or Doctrine of Christ to others; however, as you strive to share you will find that it will become more and more normal. You will feel blessings come to your own life, and you will see blessings come to those you share with. I know that this message, the message of the Restoration of The Gospel of Jesus Christ, blesses individuals and families. I know that the work of sharing the gospel is the greatest work on the Earth because it is HIS work. BE BRAVE & OPEN YOUR MOUTH.

Elder Hemmert