BE BOLD BUT LOVING

Hello Po,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

• Well, I transferred this morning. I left Bacoor 1 and am now in San Gabriel B. My new companion is Elder Burton from Colorado and I am the senior companion. It's sad to say goodbye to the people I was teaching, but I'm excited to work in a new area!

The Gomez-Sales Experience: We met the Gomez-Sales family over a month ago. They seemed golden. They accepted us in, and they participated in the lesson. On the conclusion of the lesson the family invited us back. When we returned a few days later the son (22 years old) and the uncle (50 years old) came out and told us that we were not welcome to come back. They told us that the father, JoJo (50 years old), was not strong enough to tell us no, but they were not interested in our message. It hurt to hear, but we picked up our feet and left. Well, one week ago we were walking the street when all of a sudden the father, JoJo, saw us. He yelled out to us, and we quickly ran over to him. He told us that he missed us and wanted us to come back on Tuesday to teach his family. This greatly confused us because of our last conversation we had with his son and the uncle. Nonetheless, on Tuesday we returned them. We knocked on the gate, and the uncle came to us. He told us that the family had moved away. But I saw a shadow move inside, so I called the uncle out, "We know you are lying. Where is JoJo?" At that moment JoJo came running out the door to welcome us home. But at this point I was a little bit angry. I turned to the uncle and with maybe a little too much anger in my voice I told him to never lie to us again. I told him that he was not allowed to control the choices of his brother JoJo, but that he could only control his own decisions. At this point the uncle escaped back into the house stunned by the fact that he was called out. My companion then turned to JoJo and bore his testimony to him of the importance of the gospel. He shared that if JoJo desired a happy family with honesty, peace, and love than he would need to accept the message of Jesus Christ and become an example for his family.  I then told JoJo that if he desired us to teach him and his family than he would have to come to church this Sunday to prove it. I told him, still with a little frustration in my voice, that we would never go back to him if he did not attend church. And with that we left. My heart was pounding. It wasn't until later that I realized I had maybe not been as loving as I probably should have, but in that moment I felt a need to be bold with this man. Well, the week went on and that experience was constantly in the back of my mind. Sunday rolled around and as we were walking a few people to church we received a text that said, "Hello, It is JoJo. I am right outside the church." We quickly ran to the church and with massive smiles on our faces we welcomed JoJo inside. Church went as usual, but when we concluded he came up to us. He said, "I'm not sure what it is, but your church is much different than other churches I've been in. It feels special. I told my family I was going to the grocery store but instead I came here. I'm going to go home and tell them the truth and invite them to come to church next week. I plan to come every week. Will you please come teach my family this tuesday?"

It was extremely special, and I'm so happy JoJo took the step to come to church even if his family didn't fully support him. We plan to help him and his family accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and eventually gain honesty and peace in their family. It may take work, but we are willing to work. I now look back and wish I was a bit more loving. But I suppose that is why as missionaries we have companions. I was bold and my companion was loving. Ultimately we made a powerful combination!

Elder Hemmert

WANT TO BE RICH?

Kamusta Po,

Sorry, short email this week.

We have been teaching a young couple. They have come to church nearly ever weekend and twice they brought their 15 year old cousin. This last Monday we were teaching the young couple and the cousin showed up for the end of the lesson. As we were leaving we asked them if they knew anyone that would benefit from knowledge of Jesus Christ and our message. The young couple and the cousin both said, "Our grandmother loves to read. Maybe she would like a Book of Mormon." So we asked the cousin to show us where she lives, but her response was highly hesitant. However, we told her we might as well give it a shot. She agreed, and we began following her to her grandma's home. We went down some tight alleys which opened to a swamp field. From there we walked across a narrow bridge made of bamboo that wound between a few trees just above the mud of the swamp and ended at a house on stilts. Upon entering the house (which was without doors or even much of walls) we found the grandma. However, as we tried talking to the grandma we quickly realized she is blind and deaf.... So maybe she enjoys reading but she is definitely not ableto read in her current condition. We found out that this 15 year old cousin (Vanessa) was living there taking care of her grandmother and her 11 year old brother. Her uncles worked a few side jobs to bring in a bit of money, and Vanessa had stopped school and was now doing side jobs such as washing laundry fro other people. Her parents are separated and rarely visit her, and Vanessa is extremely independent because of the circumstances. Because the Nanay was deaf and blind we asked to share with Vanessa in which she agreed. On teaching her we found that she had read the new testament twice, and she knew a lot about it. She said, "We don't have a lot, but the word of God makes us rich." After the lesson she asked that we would please continue to teach her and that she wants to continue to come to church and be baptized. I suppose their truly was good reason that they referred their grandmother even though they knew she couldn't read or hear.  

CHALLENGE: Reflect on the words, "We don't have a lot, but the word of God makes us rich." How true these words are. When said from the mouth of a 15 year old girl in Vanessa's situation, my heart was touched. It doesn't matter what we have if we will PUT GOD FIRST. My challenge to you this week is to PUT GOD FIRST. Be creative in how you do so. Have Fun!

Matthew 6:33

Elder Hemmert

VIDEO TOUR OF ELDER HEMMERT'S APARTMENT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1pzeU7Nnq4

EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

Kamusta ka na,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

• EARTHQUAKE!!! It was April 22 around 5:15 pm. We were teaching Vanessa Lorejas inside the church, when all of a sudden I began feeling extremely dizzy. I thought I was going to pass out. I felt sick and I could see the doors inside swinging on their hinges. The spinning feeling stopped abruptly, and I looked away form the doors and back at the people in the room with us who all looked a little confused as well. All of our eyes met and opened wide as we all yelled, "LINDOL!!!!!" or "Earthquake!!!" We quickly rushed outside for safety, and after realizing no damage had been done, we chose to finish the lesson outside. It was absolutely crazy! As far as I know it was a 6.1 magnitude earthquake!
• Fun fact: we typically eat at little street restaurants called Carinderias. They basically just have a bunch of cooked food in pots and you choose which one you want. They then take a scoop of it and throw it on top of a plate of rice and that's your meal. A typical meal at these places will cost 55 pesos or about $1.

I don't have a whole lot to say today, but I do want to share that I have really been striving to follow Russel M. Nelson's advice which is, "Daily Repentance is the Pathway to Purity." Each day I keep track of every time I make a mistake or even when I could have improved. I am trying my best to utilize ever minute of the day for the most important things. Each night I evaluate my day and report to Heavenly Father in the form of prayer. I first repent for the mistakes I made, My desire to be better, and how I plan to improve. I am NOT perfect. Luckily, God does NOT expect us to be perfect. He expects us to TRY to be perfect, and when we make a mistake we must simply repent and then strive to be better. God will bless us for trying because he loves us.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Each night evaluate your day and report it to Heavenly Father. Repent of your mistakes, and express how intend to improve.

Elder Hemmert

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