Hello po!!!
First,
I will tell you a little bit more about the culture here and then I will end on
a spiritual note. Haha. So first let me just explain how I wake up
5 times every night to the chorus of roosters and dogs outside my door - they
literally don't stop all night. Haha I honestly don't mind at all but it
is just funny. The other night I woke up because I thought there were a
bunch of people screaming outside... nope. Just the chickens and dogs
(plus the occasional moo from the baka).
EVERYONE
here has dogs. But most of them are chained up all day or are in the
saddest conditions. Super dirty or skinny and dirty. You can see
the fleas and flies all over them. And it doesn't help that my companion
is DEATHLY afraid of dogs. Seriously though. Every time we walk
past one she squeals and clings on to me. She was attacked really bad
when she was younger so I don't blame her.
Everywhere
we go I can hear people say ohhh Americana Siya! haha and then they will
scream things to me in English like "where are you going?!"
"What's your name?!" and all of the guys just scream "I love
you!" hahaha sometimes it is so outrageous I can't help but just
laugh. Haha and the people here lovee their music. They play loud
everywhere we go. And their favorite thing is kareoke. You can
often hear an off-tune voice in the distance singing an American song.
They call it videoke. So funny. My companion and I often sing songs
to start our lessons - mostly with the members. Last night I couldn't
help but just laugh because I didn't know the hymn at all we were singing and
everyone was singing so loud and off tune. But I love it. I think
these quirky things are what I will miss the most.
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This is at my Bishop's house, me with Sister Orchola
(pilipino) Sister Ika (Tongan) they are both the Sister Teaching Leaders and Sister Hangano
Anyway.... It is the tail end of the cold season here so
it really hasn't been that hot and actually I get cold sometimes. I wish
I had brought more warm clothes! Especially when we ride on the tricycle
home at night - malimig!! grave! (cold...the worst).
Here it is respectful to say po and so you often use it in
all of your sentences. My Tongan companion was explaining to me that po
is not a nice word in Tonga. Haha in our area, there is a little bit of a
different accent and sometimes they say ho instead of po. Haha we were
laughing because everyone here says hello po or hello ho (which isn't a good
greeting for girls in America). Anyway...
My favorite word now is daw. You say at the end of
something if it was said. uhhhh I don't know how to explain. For
example. Someone might text us and punt us and say they are busy so they
can't have a lesson. So my companion will say no lesson. busy
daw. or busy "it was said". Kind of meaning they're
probably not busy but they just said they were. Anyway, I don't know if
that makes any sense but yeah.
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| This is my favorite elder - so funny. Elder Tabbilos & Me |
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On
Saturday we spent the whole day in a certain Barangay trying to track down
less actives and seek referrals and it went really well. In the last hour
of the day we were searching and searching for this one family and couldn't
find them. We kept getting conflicting directions from people on the
street. Finally my companion said we need to turn down this one street
and right as she said, "no wrong way" we found them!!! We were
so grateful. They were really happy to see us and they have 4 children
that are not baptized yet. We had a really fun lesson with them and we
hope to complete their family.
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| Me and Sister Ott looking out over the valley |
Then,
as we were riding on the tricycle home I started talking to the driver. I
started testifying about the restoration to him and I could feel the spirit so
strong. He was silent for like 20 seconds and then he just asked me, when
can you come over to my house and explain your message more? Music to my
ears:) I know it is just a small victory, but it really made me feel like
I really am a missionary. I'm not sure where it will go... we're meeting
with him tomorrow but I have faith.
I
love all of you so much. Mahal na mahal ko kayo lahat.
You're
in my prayers. Ingat and kita kits next Monday.
Sincerely,
Sister Rasmussen
More Pictures from our Dinner at a Member's Home
where banana leaves were placed on a table with rice and toppings
on it.
At the top of the mountain we sang all of these songs and did little skit things with our zone. Haha it was pretty cheesy but you just have to embrace it.
The Hike
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| Sister Ott & Me |
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