Akon pinalangga nga Pamilya,
I'm not really sure what I want to do for a course or where I want to live! Ah, man! I thought maybe on your mission you learn how to take care care of yourself. But maybe after my mission all I do is knock on doors and say, "Hey, I'm Josh. I used to be a missionary but now I'm not but I still want to share the gospel with you!" Mom, I don't know what I want to do with my life! But my companion said I should take a class from Brother Randy Bott, even though its a missionary prep class, so you should sign me up for that. I don't really want to think about that though.
I don't know if you've been watching the news but Jordan Guimaras is on fire right now. Not literally but when it comes to the salvation of the souls of the children of men, it is blazing. Elder Collins and I really thrust in our sickles with our might this week, in two ways. The first way is we went rice harvesting. I was going really fast and bragging a little, saying things like, "I was born to be a rice harvester! (is there a rice harvesting major at byu by the way?) Anyway, it was feeling way overconfident and I forgot some of the simple instructions given and didn't bend the rice back so I thrust in my sickle with my might but instead into the humay, or rice, into my finger.
Now, I'm sure you can probably make some parable out of my experience if you read it with your spiritual eyes.
Anyway, after that.. you can probably guess everyone's first reaction. The americans, like Elder Farnsworth, said, "You were born to be a rice harvester huh? I'm not even going to feel sorry for you" The filippinos, "Hurry! Get some leaves!!" Anyway, Joan, our recent convert, along with other relief society were there doing there relief society activity, 'cook-food-for-the-missionaries-so-they-can-eat-after-they-unskillfully-harvest-rice.' So Joan went and got a ton of leaves and like got them wet and squeezed the juice on my finger and they wrapped it up and it stopped bleeding. It was amazing. I need to learn my leaves and their healing powers. I told Joan for her first aid she gave me and she told me, "oh, it was second aid." hehe. Anyway, after that I ended up having to get stiches on my hand. It was a cool experience and now I'll have a sweet scar and a rememberence. Actually this week I told some people what had happened and most of them showed me their scars from rice harvesting. So, most rice harvesters actually have scars. I made a good start. Hey.. really check for me if they have that major.
Now, Elder Collins and I have also been thrusting in our sickle spiritually. Things in Jordan are on fire. There are 4 missionaries in our ward and we're all bringing families to church. The branch is so excited. In our Gospel Principles class our Branch Mission Leader was way surprised because of how many people were there. It's amazing. The Lord is blessing us so much.
The Gonzaga is doing great. Jim completely stopped with his cigarettes this week. Out of all my investigators, I've never really had to help someone overcome an addiction as big as his. Others maybe had drunk occasionally, but they've never had to overcome so much. He's doing amazing and I'm way excited for him. It was actually funny because we asked him how he's doing with smoking and he stood up, said, "no more!" and gave us high fives. yeaaaaa! His daughter, Jimjin, is actually already like a member. She already knows like everything. They are just a way good family, and a lot of good is coming from them. A lot of new investigators are coming from them too. They are a big help to our branch.
Anyway, I didn't tell you this last week because it was kind of weird, but we had a crazy experience. So last week there was a grandpa we had been teaching. He had passed away and we went there to see how they were doing and they asked us if we could pray for him with them. We agreed and I thought we'd go in and say like a graveside prayer or something. But we went in there and sat down (they like leave the body displayed inside the house for like 2 weeks, just something they do here.) Then this lady named Melenia kneeled like in front of him, and started saying this memorized prayer. As she was praying the people in the room would be mumbling stuff behind her and it was a little awkward for us too. It was way weird. She read this prayer for like 1/2 hour and we couldn't leave because we thought it would be rude. And then she finished reading like the 30 page book and pulled out like another 30 page book of prayers! Then they had us stand up and hold hands and they started doing other stuff. It was a weird experience and what we thought would be 5 minutes took an hour!
Anyway, after that, we talked to the lady who prayed and invited her to join in on our lesson with the Gonzagas. We invited her to church and she agreed and actually came on Sunday! She lives in Elder Farnz's area though but they visit her and hopefully she keeps doing good!
Also, I think I mentioned we were struggling with one of the recent converts in our branch, Nanay Bico. She had been praying for a job and got one at the catholic church. We had some frustrating lessons with her this week. She just had really needed a job. Her son had just gotten out of the hospital and she really needed the money. We talked about faith, about trust, about seeking first the kingdom of God, but she struggled. She didn't know if she could do it.
Anyway, on Sunday I actually was passing the sacrament and as I passed, I came up to Nanay Bico. We made eye contact and she just looked at me and smiled. My heart was filled with gratitude for the Lord's power. She had found a way, when she thought there was none. You can't doubt the Lord ever. There will always be a way.
Also one of Joan's kids, Jimwell, we got to teach this week. He's only nine and never wanted to go to church but we taught him, committed him to go to church, and he said no. But then he showed up. huh. Good stuff.
And then we have a new investigator named Roxanne, she's 18 and the aunt of some members. She just came here because her dad just died and she wanted to escape some of the temptations she faced in Iloilo. Anyway, this week was the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo on Sunday and she told us she wanted to go there and magbinuang, which according to my understanding would be, to go crazy in Iloilo. To me....that didn't really sound like a good idea... But she came through and came to church. And it was sweet because our stake President, Pastor B. Torres actually came! I'm way excited I got to work with this man, and get to correlate with him every month. He's one of the most powerful teachers I've ever met. He spoke in sacrament and said he's never been to Dinagyang once, because it's always been on sunday, and sunday is a special day for him. It was way good and Roxanne told us later it was what she needed. President Torres is a great teacher. I wish I could describe him. He just has a story or experience for anything you can think of and your faith is always increased as a result. He really helped a ton of our investigators and less-actives. It was a great week to go to church. Our chapel was filled with people! It was amazing!
That's mostly it! God is definately a God of miracles. The work of the Lord cannot be stopped!
I love you all!
Take care,
Elder Burton
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