My Camiguin Experience

27 July 2013, Baptism of Sis. Belinda Pasa, Bro's. Winrel Mark Dablo, Robert Ogardo at Fishing Beach, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines

Aug 2013, Cabua-an Beach, Mambajao, Camiguin

17 Aug 2013, Baptism of Bro. Kurt Matthew Abian,at Mambajao Chapel

The Outpouring of the Spirit of Revelation [Missionary Work? It's a Hard Work!] Part I

Elder Brent H. Nielson, a General Authority presiding the Philippines Area, and Elder Laceda after the Interview conducted by the former, August 26, 2013

ITS been my first time to attend a multi-zone conference ( a gathering of almost 100 Full-time Missionaries around Northern Mindanao). From our proselyting area which is the island province of Camiguin, the travel to Cagayan de Oro City, which is the venue for the conference, is 5-6 hrs travel (by car and barge). :) Its quite tiring but its not a big deal what really important is the learning from the training I gain that enabled me to be more a Christlike Missionary.

It's really hard to be a missionary, it's hard work because 24/7 you'll be with people who came from backgrounds opposite from yours, it's hard work because you'll leave in an environment new to you, it's a hard work because you must strive hard to be accompanied by the Spirit (who is the sure and most helpful teacher in this work) and lastly, it's a hard work because you'll face the most tremendous opposition and challenges before you "can accomplish the most good".

Ironically, missionaries, duly certified by the scriptures, can do HARD things! With the help of the Master of this work,  I know a Missionary can accomplish his purpose. 

I just remember some insights from the speakers that edified me on that day, I want to share them with you. 

Sister Josefina Bulseco, Mission President's wife, "Don't let your companionship problem ruin and compromise the Lord's work....before you go out to proselyte settle first any misunderstanding", referring to the problem that usually arises in missionary's ineffectivity.

Sister Marcia Nielson, Area President's wife, "The principle is, most of the time, what really annoys you could be a great blessing to you if you'll just let Heavenly Father open your heart. And you must also to quit criticizing your companion, he, like you, is also striving hard to do what you ought to do, you bring the same gospel, you speak the same language" she added. "Your companion needs not to be like you before you'll love him/her, you came from different backgrounds and culture that makes you different!".

Hooosh.. It's really hard sometimes to understand why things happen and to recognize what God want me to learn why this happen? I know He had prepared this mission experience, He knew who my companion is, what lesson I can learn from him? I really really hope that I can do some efforts to let my Heavenly Father open my heart to learn the lesson I must learn in this circumstances. Am I not learning my lesson?

I must learn from it isn't it?. Of the things that I'm trying hard to do now, is to understand my companion, I know that God has a lesson for me in this circumstance, maybe, my wife would be worst than him?. I hope not. But no wonder that Missionary experience is a preparation for greater life experience like marriage, employment, education and among others that if successfully achieved would lead to quality life.

In general, I never expected that my current concern would not be addressed in the conference, for I did not told anyone about this, but thank my Heavenly Father by sending me "angels" to remind me of this very essential virtues or attributes that I must develop to be a Christlike Missionary.

God the Father, the creator of our Spirits, knows each and everyone of us, "He is in every details of our lives!".

In the name of Jesus the Christ who is the way on our Salvation. Amen.

Being Partakers of the Goodness of God

August 20, 2013

I'm happy to report again my progress and also the progress of the area where I'm serving the Lord and His children. Last Saturday, we were again able to bring one soul into the Kingdom of God through baptism and confirmation, Bro. Kurt Matthew Abian, a part-member, received the said ordinances through the combined effort of his family and we as the servants of God.

Also, a remarkable thing happened in my mission experience here in Camiguin. Let me tell also report it to you.

Last Sunday, August 18, our new investigator, Anabel Calderon, a member of a youth organization in this province, was able to introduce us to her colleagues during their regular weekly meeting. We were able to contact 28 precious souls out of that meeting, we were also able to introduce the message that we carry, centering about how the Restored Gospel bless their lives as individuals and as a family. A significant miracle also happened, not knowing beforehand, their founder/president informed us, that it's been a long time that he's praying that someone will come to them to preach the word of God, he also informed us that he even requested to some pastors if they can preach to his group but their schedules didn't permit them to share their message. It's really amazing how God personally directs this wondrous work! Now is the time that real messengers form God came to their organizations.

Me and my companion also observed that their organization is exceptional, they are Potential Leaders both in the church and in the community. The members age average from 16-27 y/o. So this is a good starting point. We will do all we can to prepare and help them come unto the Lord Jesus Christ by teaching them the Restore Gospel and helping them make appropriate resolution in their lives. After the discussion 2 of them seemingly wants(requested) to be baptized. Thus we will still continue to help them to be prepared.

I know if we will just be prepared and humble the Lord will make us "partakers of his goodness" (2 Ne. 26:33)

visit: mormon.org and lds.org

Up's and Down's

Another remarkable missionary week had passed again. This week we had been working hard so that the souls whom we teach will progress in the Gospel by keeping Commitments like reading assignments, Church attendance and among others. This Sunday, August 11, was one of the most attended Sacrament Meeting in almost 6 months, we were happy to see this miracle happening in the branch as well as others. 

This Saturday, August 17, our part-member investigator will be baptized and will be confirmed in the following day. I know that God let's us to experience hardships and challenges for us to value those "up's" or success that we will have in the near future.
I'm always inspired by what I read some time ago that was uttered by Jesus Christ to His worried disciples , "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you" (John 14:18). I also know that God is the author of Miracles. 

Also this Saturday , August 17, 2013, a Missionary Fireside that we planned with the branch presidency will be held. Personally, I strive hard to extend support and skills to the branch leaders to help them fulfill our purposes in hastening "the Work of Salvation in this Island of Camiguin". That is the title or theme of the fireside, it is created to provide genuine technical and doctrinal support for the branch leaders and members to bring souls unto God, to nurture His children and to rescue the His lost sheep.

I'm prayerfully and sincerely seeking out the revelation of God that can help us in this effort.

The Power of Meditation

July 10,2013

I'm happy to report my experience, progress and challenges this week as well as the area I'm serving. This week has been a productive days for the missionary work in our proselyting area. We extended 5 baptismal invitations to our progressing investigators. All of them are part members, that's why I really testify that members are the really best source of prepared people to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Also, before we were able to contact them, I really pondered and prayed for ways to locate those members of the Church, both active, less-active and inactive, because I really know that's a good way to start. At first, it sounds unsuccessful to my companion because he taught we might not locate them and in the end, just wasting my time, but for me, even though I'm just in my two weeks in my mission, I'm really enthusiastic to locate those people because there is something I feel that the Lord wanted us to do.

After I wrote the names of families and individuals, I prayed for them and for us to "be drawn nearer to them and them nearer to us". And this event is a one testimony that God's promises are really true. During the day, we were able to contact those members and they were able to introduce to us their families and friends who are now our new investigators and we already had a Baptismal Date with that single effort. I know that God really direct this work personally, He expects us to do our very best and to be worthy for His companionship, if we will not be worthy, this work will be in vain, because the Master of this work can't guide us, even He wants because of the "stumbling block across the way". I know, that the adversary will do His best to stop this work from progressing, but I also know God and righteousness will always be the triumphant and victorious at the last moment. 

Furthermore, I'm still in improvement stage as far as my Cebuano language is concern. Sometimes there are challenges in my companionship (with my trainor) but I'm always striving to be a good example to him and striving to show love for him in spite of our differences and imperfections.

In general, I really love this work, and I don't want any single moment to disappoint my Lord if I'll not do my very best. I really thank Him for the Trust He has given me and I'm working hard to give Him back that Trust.

Thanks and May God continually to sustain us in this work!

 lds.org

Hastening His Divine Work

July 2, 2013

It's been my first week here in the mission field and the feeling of excitement every time we proselyte is always there. This week has been both challenging and a learning days for me.

During my studies, I really felt and learned the importance of relying in the Spirit and doing our best to prepare and teach. In my studies I also learned that I must really first to have the Strong affirmative conviction of the truthfulness of the message I share and the Authority I'm charged to proclaim this message, the authority and power of God, even the holy Priesthood.

Those two(2) principles are really essential in missionary work for us to become effective and fulfill our purpose. When I was assigned here in this wonderful Island, I'm really really excited about the work and process whereby I will learn more and help the people here. I was really glad when I discovered that there are lot's of rooms for improvement and I reiterated my purpose to "help others to come unto Christ...". I'm very privileged to help this humble area to progress and attain its potentials, I know if missionaries here will do their very best, yea, even perspiring and facing lots of difficulties, there are lots of souls to harvest! And also this glorious work will be fulfilled through the combined efforts of the Missionaries and the Saints and their leaders here. When I came here, I heard some negative feedback from others about the area, but I'm glad to say that those are "rooms for improvement" and it's a good opportunity to prove "my" [our] covenant and commitment to the Master of this work and also to have a great experience helping this humble area attain its fullest potential even making it a Haven for the Saints of God. 

This week, we taught a recent convert, Bro. Pacifico Lagura, we taught about the Temple and how can he prepare himself to enter the holy house of the Lord and also we arranged a next lesson with his wife and grand daughter for us to teach them next week. We also met and we're able to teach to Bro. Rogelio Sanchez's live-in partner, Sis. Angelita Gonzaga. Sis. Gonzaga is a former investigator but this is just the time missionaries were able to meet her for almost a year since the last visit. Sis. Gonzaga is really knowledgeable about the Restoration of the Gospel and she has a desire to learn more and to be baptized, we extended a baptismal invitation to her and she accepted it, it was scheduled on August 3, 2013. The only concern is that she and her live-in partner, Bro. Rogelio who is a member, are not legally married. We hope for a response for this case President. In general, our work is good but I know it's not yet enough as the Lord requires us to do, there are still "rooms for improvement". 

It's a wonderful experience to watch the broadcast about the Work of Salvation last Monday, even though we traveled for about 4 hours to Balingasag chapel it's worth watching, I was really edified and clarified it's been a wonder for me before I watched on hoe the members can really help in the Work of salvation, through that broadcast, I know local leaders also the members can now ACT upon themselves to help the Lord in hastening His work. I have a plan, President, to download the broadcast so that the Local church leaders here can have the opportunity to watch it, and we, as missionaries assigned here, will help them formulate their plans for the Branch Mission Plan and how they can help to the work. While listening to President Monson's message about the St. Thomas Branch, I really imagine in my mind that that situation will happen here in Camiguin with also a handful of active member to sooner than later will be an island of faithful Latter-day Saints. I want to really help this area and if I'll stay here for a longer period of time it will be favorable for my purpose to "help others to come unto Christ" and "to leave this area better than I found it" however, the will of the father will always be the one to be fulfilled.

The Field is Green

 June 25, 2013

I'm so much grateful that I was called to labor in this beautiful island of Camiguin. I saw a lot of beautiful places here while we're going into our proselyting areas, but I know what truly makes this place a wonderful place to dwell are the People dwelling in this place. And I'm so thankful that the Lord, sent me here for a purpose, it's quite challenging here because the area is quite vast and also members of the Church are far from the center. But I know, I and my companion must do our best to help this area to progress and attain its glory that God wants it to have.

This week I continued my personal study about the Restoration of the Gospel, the Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I related those three doctrine with one another and studying it further for future use for the needs of our investigators. We also went to our proselyting areas in three different places where we "Invited to Learn" families and individuals. I'm very excited in finding people and families prepared by the Lord to hear the Gospel. Also, we met a Member of the Church last Saturday and she is very glad that she found missionaries because she taught the Church is not present here in Camiguin because she came from Negros Occidental and we have a return appointment to her this week with her family. We also helping our recent convert, Bro. Pacifico Lagura by reviewing the lessons taught to him before his baptism also he is now more acquainted with other members. It's always my prayer that we can have unity in all our teachings with my companion. At first, I'm quite stressed, maybe I'm still adapting but fortunately I'm handling and managing it well now. 

Before I applied for a mission, I made a promise to myself and to my Father in Heaven that wherever area I'll be assigned, I'll do my very best to "leave it better that I found it". I do hope that all the missionaries that were assigned and will be assigned here have the same goal and I know this Island will be a Haven of Peace and Love and if that happens, that many will come unto Christ through baptism, this place will be blesses. There are lot's of work to do here President and again I thank you and the Lord for sending me here.

This area has lot of potentials and I hope me and my colleague will also feel and know that so that we will not think that this is a hard work, proclaiming the gospel in this Christian devoted Island. Like the disciple Luke said "For with God nothing shall be impossible"

I do hope and pray that we, the assigned missionaries here will do our best and be diligent and always have the integrity in serving God and His people.