So much happened this week I will try and make it all fit inside one email without you all getting too bored and going straight to the pictures at the bottom!!
Tuesday- We hopped on a bus and made our way down to San Fernando to attend a Leadership Counsel presided by Elder Schmutz of the Seventy. It was so cool to be able to sit and listen to Elder Schmutz, his wife, and President and Sister Bangal talk to us about our callings as missionaries and our roles in the mission. I also saw two members of the Sevilla Ward while I was in San Fernando which was a blast! I totally spaced when I saw them and was like "Hey whats up!....... WAIT HEY!!" And it was a good thing they were already used to my loudness so they werent too surprised haha. Elder Schmutz explained so clearly what it means to be a consecrated missionary and the importance of learning as much as we can while we are missionaries to prepare ourselves for the rest of our lives. We got on a bus back to Bangued and made it here around 11pm. Got to the house where all of the Elders in the zone were because we left on Wednesday morning at 6 to catch a bus to Candon for the Baguio Mission Tour with Elder Schmutz.
I feel super lucky to have been around Elder Schmutz two straight days learning from his thoughts and listening to his advice. Missionaries from Abra to San Juan, LA Union were there meaning I was able to talk to the missionaries who are currently serving in Luna, and also Narvacan! One of the people that we found in Narvacan was baptized a couple weeks ago so I got to talk to her, (Kate Nimes) and her family as well to say congrats. I miss the people in Narvacan and also Luna but they are in good hands with the leaders of the Church there and the missionaries spreading the Gospel.
Also a big shoutout to all the missionaries in the Bangued Zone who had to wake up super early and get ready, because not one was late and we all made it back quickly to our areas after the conference as well. I love the missionaries I am around.
Another cool thing that happened this week. Brother Matias, a member in the Bangued Branch, got super sick this week and ended up being rushed to the hospital. When he got there, he was given 4 bags of blood and rushed straight to the ER. Turns out, his liver and other organs were not functioning and he was lucky he got the hospital.
Well thats not the cool part but this is: Here in the Philippines, if you are given blood in the hospital, there is a minimum fee to repay for the blood you used.. But because they understand that it is difficult sometimes to make that payment, what you can do is donate blood and just replace what you had used. So the members of the Branch called around and brother Boy, the branch mission leader donated. Then, we were asked and we found 2 people to donate! (Foreigners arent allowed sadly) Elder Teope who is currently assigned in Lapaz came down, and one of our investigators, Alex also was willing to donate! It was so cool that neither of them had ever met Brother Matias, nor knew why they needed to donate but because they were asked and were willing, they did it. It was amazing.
Words cant explain how strong the gratitude and love was when we visited brother Matias at his house Saturday night. I love the care in the world and the willingness of others to sacrifice time and blood to help others.
Saturday and Sunday was the Bangued District Conference. President Bangal spake in all three sessions and I loved every single one of his talks. Again, President Bangal is full of the Spirit and I know that he is a chosen servant. I love the way he talks. He is so alive and a smile wont leave your face as he explains to you the very things you need to do to know who Christ is and why thats important.
Well thats all I got for this week. I will try and send pictures next week if the computer will allow me!
Dont Forget!!! Alma 37:37
HA THERES NO PICTURES GUESS YOU GOTTA READ THE EMAIL INSTEAD!! :)
--
Elder Pitt
