Friday, July 22, 2016

June 2016 Arriving Batch

June 2016 New Missionaries

The arrival of our awaited June 2016 batch. They were welcomed by our great leaders in the mission and brought them straight to the mission office.

Their first picture with President Deyro and Sister Deyro

Elder Abarte from Quezon, Philippines

Elder Amone from Australia

Elder Arcega from Leyte, Philippines

Elder Asis From Mindoro Oriental, Philippines

Elder Del Castillo from Tacloban, Philippines

Sister Ejares from Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Elder Elisan from South Cotabato, Philippines

Sister Escandor from Laguna, Philippines

Elder Gatinao from Negros Occidental, Philippines

Sister Geografo from Metro Manila, Philippines

Elder Greening from New Zealand

Elder Layderos from Metro Manila, Philippines

Sister Lee from New Zealand

Sister Maglupay from Cavite, Philippines

Sister Maritino from Kiribati

Sister Morabe from Leyte, Philippines

Sister Reyes from Quezon, Philippines

Elder Roxas from Bacolod, Philippines

Sister Tokalolo from Vanuatu

Big smiles are spotted as they feast with the food that has been prepared. They need it for they shall preach the Gospel relentlessly with their temporary companions afterwards.

2nd day

They had their orientation given by the office elders and the Assistants.

Elder Dixon discussing how to fill out BCR, how to use the referral manager and the importance of key indicators.

Elder Raymundo "Missionaries Best Friend"

You need someone to fix things for you? Call Elder Lind.

The Assistants

President and Sister Deyro prepared the heroes for the journey that they are on.

They meet their trainers for the first time.

They all ate their lunch together with their companions and nourished by the good word of God afterwards by the assistants.

Our Menu for the day

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Message from the President

The Miracle of 12 Weeks

As soon as missionaries are in-field they start the First 12 Weeks training program. Their magnificently inspired trainers teach them about the rudiments of the work of the Lord, introduce the mission culture, and refine their teaching skills. The training in being exactly obedient goes on continuously until the end of the mission term. All of them would learn what Elder Sta Maria summarized:

“I observed as we continue trying to become exactly obedient, we felt that God is reaching out and helping us to find people to teach and our prayer was answered right away and especially this area became more fruitful than I ever expected. I felt like when we are doing our best everyday He also do his best to help us in doing His work. Now I realize the importance of being exactly obedient. It’s not just for safety nor restrictions but it’s also the way for God to bless us.”

Mission life is bumpy life. Many ups and downs. Many highs and lows. Jubilee (of baptisms) and misery (of being punted). This is exactly what missionary life ought to be – compressed life experiences in 24 months or 18 months. What is important is you did your best! Sister Piutau related this account:

“Although the sun burns, and we walk for miles, by the time the sun sets, there's nothing that satisfies me more than knowing that we've tried our 100% best.”

On their last 2 transfers, every elder and sister that I know who has set his/her mind to baptizing a family or one more before going home indeed baptized some more. How is it possible that on the last months of their mission they can do this? They intensely exercised their faith to find, faith to teach, and faith to baptize. They actually did what Helaman described,

“…wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.”

The wonderful thing about it is that you don’t have to wait until your last 2 transfers to baptize. Imagine that every transfer cycle is your last. Every area is your last. And you will do your utmost best as if your time is running out. See the miracle unfold!

Weekly baptism is a reality! Those who have done this will testify of it. These are the joyful, joy-filled, joyous missionaries! Indeed, we retain the recent converts and nourish the less active members but our main purpose will always be to teach repentance and baptize converts.

I believe that when we work relentlessly every day as if it is our last transfer, we will find, teach, baptize and confirm those whom the Lord has prepared for us. Witness the miracle of the last 12 weeks every transfer cycle!