So much happens here in the mission and I feel like I can never express it all in an email. And after emailing my president and reading your emails my cranium gets a little tired. In a few months I’ll be able to tell you the stories in person and you'll get a little dose in a little over a month for Christmas. Let it suffice to say that I miss my family. That is the one thing I really miss here in the Philippines. Everything else I can do without, I’m a pinoy now. (Pinoy- a male Filipino, usually younger and strikingly handsome, sometimes American. Probably comes from the Filipino word "Filipino" where they chop of the first half which really doesn't mean anything and then throw a "y" on the end to make it sound cool.)
We have been struggling a bit to get our branch to progress. It is so small and the leadership doesn't know how to lead, so not much happens. The Baileys are working with us to strengthen the branch.
Here is an excerpt from my letter to President Schmutz. You might find it interesting.
President,
Yesterday I went on exchanges with Elder Surio in his area. What an extraordinary missionary! I have never worked with a missionary who has applied so many principles from Preach My Gospel in his work. He does everything! He is relentless. The investigators can’t get away with anything. He gets those who don't want to listen to listen and then slams them with the spirit so that in their closing pray they pray that we can come back and teach them again! He takes every opportunity to teach and takes every teaching opportunity seriously. He must have sanctified himself because he definitely teaches with the power and authority of God, more so than I have ever seen in a missionary. I am grateful to be able to serve under him. He has edified his calling.
I have seen progress in the district. All of the areas are progressing and have success in the near future. I am especially grateful for the help of the Baileys. They will have a tremendous impact on Bogo and can help my little branch in so many ways. They are the heaven sent help we need. I have also been prompted to look back at the baptismal records in my area and find inactive recent convert males that are melchizedek priesthood age and to focus on reactivating them. The Polambato branch needs priesthood. It will also help us to find part member families.
I feel to ask you for any advice on the matters I have addressed, in particular in strengthening the Polambato branch and the role I can play in helping it become strong.
I love you President. Thank you for all that you do. I am excited to see you at zone conference in a few days.
Love,
Elder Schenk
I had an experience this week we taught 3 sisters. The previous lesson we had taught about the Restoration, and we had planned to teach about the Book of Mormon, but I felt prompted to watch the Restoration dvd. So we did. After we talked about it a little and they said it was helpful to be able to see it visually, that they now understood it better. Then we talked about the feelings we had while watching. Gi-Gi, the eldest, said that she had gotten goosebumps when Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ had shown themselves to Joseph Smith. I told them that what they had felt was the spirit. They now understood what it felt like. Then we read Moroni 10:5, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." What they had felt was the spirit testify to them that what they had seen was true. We committed them to pray about Joseph Smith again and then wait for the answer. It would come in the same form as how they had felt the spirit right then. Hopefully they will pray with real intent and listen for the spirits answer. Then we can proceed and they can progress. I am grateful to have experiences like this. We had a similar experience with two sisters in Elder Surio's area yesterday. Teaching through the spirit is the only way that people will truly learn.
Well, take care. I love you all. Thanks for the shirt and socks. I'm going to wear them out with pride!
Love,
Elder Schenk
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