So this has been another crazy week
to say the least. There has been so much going on, and this next week
is going to get even crazier. Gotta love the missionary life.
So here in the Philippines the kids love to say
whatever English they know at me when they see me. So some kid wished
me happy birthday really loudly this week... That was really nice of
him. Early, but really nice of him :)
Okay so an update on Brother Laus. He should have
been baptized this week right.... Well here in the Philippines (I'm not
sure if its like this in every mission) but we have to have our
investigators come to church 4 times in a row with no excuses at all.
So last week his wife came, but he wasn't there with her. So we asked
her why and she was really confused also and said that he left really
early in the morning in a rush. So we went back later that night just
to make sure that everything was okay. Well...... It turns out that he
was supposed to be taking care of this guys pig while he was out of
town. This guy was going to pay him a ton of money. Well, it turns out
that Brother Laus just happened to neglect the poor pig, and that was
what startled him out of his sleep that Sunday morning. So he said that
he drove as fast as he could to where this pig was at and upon his
arrival... he found a lifeless dehydrated pig... Yeah that sucked for
him hahaha :) Poor pig. So we have to wait a few more weeks for him, but
he is coming along very well. Its amazing to be able the watch the
gospel change their lives. Ive always heard stories like this, but its
different when you actually experience it change a families life. Its
pretty cool.
So every time we go to a gas station or a mall or
anything like that there are always these little kids that come up and
ask for money. So... In the states there's always beggars right, but
they always seem to live in a house and manage to eat Mcdonalds and
stuff, right? So I would kind of get annoyed because it my mind I
always imagined that their mom or dad was sitting around the corner
collecting the money that they are given. Well, one morning we had to
come into Cabanatuan early. Cabanatuan is the big city by where we
serve, where our stake center is. So I hopped off of the jeepney and I
looked out and there was a group of the same kids huddled up sleeping on
each other. No mom around, no dad around. Just a bunch of these little
kids that have nothing. So we kept walking and I saw three little kids
that usually come up to me sitting on a curb smoking cigarettes. They
are all like 5 or 6. So disturbed by what I saw I asked my comp what
was going on. He told me that they were kids who have either been
abandoned or their parents have died and they just wander the streets.
So I asked him if they just pick up smoking as a habit, maybe because
they think its cool. And um... He told me no. The reason that they
were smoking is because its the cheapest thing they can get that makes
them feel full. You can buy a cigarette here for two pesos, and that
may be all that they are given in a day. My heart sunk. As
missionaries the church has asked us not to give our money because then
everyone will target us, and know we have money. But, its so hard to
look at these kids that are starving and tell them no. Later that day I
sat down to wait for a jeep and a little kid came up and asked for
money, I said I didn't have any, then started to talk to him. He hasn't
talked to his Mom or Dad in 2 years he thinks. Has no idea where they
are. Hes 7. So he picks up the trash people drop everyday hoping they
will give him a tip, and maybe if the city feels nice that day they will
give him money for the trash he turns into them. So I went and got
some food from 711 for him. They never said we cant give food.
So this week I'm grateful for what I've had. I had
always heard of things like this, but being from the states I think its
hard for us to believe its actually true. I said when I left I would
probably cry more about the things that I saw here, then the fact that I
missed home. That's starting to become more and more true by they day.
I can't even imagine. So my Heart was changed a little bit that day.
I no longer get mad at the little kids, but feel sorrow every time I
have to say no. So lets be grateful for what we have this week :)
I love you all! Stay safe!
Elder Gordon
1. This is what a Filipino looks like on a trike
2. This is what a Big Redhead looks like on a trike
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