Dear Family and Friends:
So this week was the week leading up to Easter, so the Catholics call it "Holy Week". There was all this crazy stuff happening, but thankfully it wasn't as gruesome and horrid here as it is in other places.
See, the Philippines is one of those places where they actually act out the whole crucifixion. People are whipped, stoned, carry crosses, and there are people who actually die. Frankly I didn't feel like seeing anything I didn't want to see, so my companion stayed in a lot of the day. So, sorry I don't have any more stories more in detail, but I didn't really feel like experiencing that. And the funny thing is that all the stores are closed for most of the week and then everything goes back to normal on the actual day of Easter. Sounds a little messed up, doesn't it?
On the upside, the language is coming REALLY well. I think I can say I'm about fluent. My goal is to be completely comfortable with the language both speaking and understanding by the end of this transfer (May 7th ish.) And it's totally possible.
Another upside is that our members are really becoming more receptive to us. Technically when we go to a member's house or visit with them, we are supposed to share a scripture or lesson or something. But my companion and I felt like that's not necessarily what they needed right now. So we just spend time with them as people and as friends. I have a feeling that some of these relationships have been damaged by previous missionaries. So for now we have become better friends and are just trying to get to know them. The referrals will come eventually, even if it's for other missionaries in the future. But I truly, truly love these people.
That's really it for now. Pray that I don't drown in my own sweat (sadly, that's not much of an exaggeration) and that we reach those who want to learn this wonderful Gospel! Love you all!
~Sister Allyson Lefebvre
So this week was the week leading up to Easter, so the Catholics call it "Holy Week". There was all this crazy stuff happening, but thankfully it wasn't as gruesome and horrid here as it is in other places.
See, the Philippines is one of those places where they actually act out the whole crucifixion. People are whipped, stoned, carry crosses, and there are people who actually die. Frankly I didn't feel like seeing anything I didn't want to see, so my companion stayed in a lot of the day. So, sorry I don't have any more stories more in detail, but I didn't really feel like experiencing that. And the funny thing is that all the stores are closed for most of the week and then everything goes back to normal on the actual day of Easter. Sounds a little messed up, doesn't it?
On the upside, the language is coming REALLY well. I think I can say I'm about fluent. My goal is to be completely comfortable with the language both speaking and understanding by the end of this transfer (May 7th ish.) And it's totally possible.
Another upside is that our members are really becoming more receptive to us. Technically when we go to a member's house or visit with them, we are supposed to share a scripture or lesson or something. But my companion and I felt like that's not necessarily what they needed right now. So we just spend time with them as people and as friends. I have a feeling that some of these relationships have been damaged by previous missionaries. So for now we have become better friends and are just trying to get to know them. The referrals will come eventually, even if it's for other missionaries in the future. But I truly, truly love these people.
That's really it for now. Pray that I don't drown in my own sweat (sadly, that's not much of an exaggeration) and that we reach those who want to learn this wonderful Gospel! Love you all!
~Sister Allyson Lefebvre