Marinduque - The Island (10)

Marinduque is the name of island I am now stationed on. One of two islands on the mission. My island, is the best island, and you will soon know why.

Well, first and foremost I must report my last few weeks in Pagbilao. Sadly, the work was in a stasis of sorts. Our investigators were in a good spot, but weren't pushing past their prior inhibitions. Joanabelle for example, has stopped coming to church, even though she had the financial means to get there. The reasons were never very clear, but the final excuse she gave before I left was that its hard to wake up early and it's a long bus ride. That's rough. My other investigators were in similar boats, but when I left there was an incredible couple named Malou and Daunte that the senior couples referred to us. They are golden, and are thirsty and hungry for the fullness of the Gospel. I'm sad I wont be there to see them progress. As for Walter, we had a final good spiritual experience wherein he received a blessing that will carry to his baptism which will hopefully happen this coming June or July.  

[I neglected to tell the story of Walter in my last two epistles, and I feel it's inappropriate to leave his story out of this considering that in reflection, my entire four and a half month ministry was essentially for him, and the preparing of him for his Salvation. When I met Walter, I admired him as one of the kindest most charitable members I had ever known. He loved to spend time with us, but he always had a darkness looming over him, a heavy burden seemingly unliftable. He would come teach with us, and his testimony was so powerful, so knowledgeable, that I felt stronger spiritual impressions from his teaching than my own. I was awed by his influence, and his ability to Spiritually amplify charged environments when investigators or even I was in need of Godly influence, but as I mentioned...there was something there. In one of the most confusing and controversial discoveries of my life, I learned that Walter, was in fact, an ex-communicated member. I'm a fairly new convert still by this point, I've only been a member really two years. I didn't understand the logistics or the doctrine behind such circumstances, but I knew one thing, and that God wanted Walter to re-enter the kingdom for a very very important purpose. We battled those demons that had had a hold of him for so many years, and as mentioned in my prior epistle, we experienced both the hand of God and the very presence of angels, and conversely, the manifestation of opposition, darkness, and evil. That blessing that I referred to above was the liberation of Walter from his burden, and a strict charge to obedience till he could be reinstated as a full member holding the priesthood, I left before he was cleared for baptism, but my story with Walter was far from over.]

I had a hard farewell evening my final night in Pagbilao, saying goodbye to ward members and friends. This was the longest I had been in any area, and attachments had been made...but that is the way of the missionary. To press on, and keep moving. I'm now onto my fifth area. It was also hard to say goodbye to my Tongan brother in arms. Elder Lotima. He taught me a lot, about myself, and about missions in general. He added a different dimension and approach to my mission because his weaknesses and strengths were very different in comparisons to my last companions. It was a great companionship. And I'll miss him.

So Transfer day came. and naturally I was the very last one called just for the suspense of it all.

"And Finally, Elder Mace is transferred, your new companion will be, Elder Lebumfacil in Marinduque, Elder Mace is the new Zone Leader!"

...

View from our back balcony

Ritualistically I ran over and gave my new comp a huge hug. cheered a lot just like everyone always does in transfer meeting; but the gravity of what was actually happening didn't really sink in yet. It is now four days since that happened...and it still hasn't sunk in. I will hit my one year mark in a week and I'm called zone leader? I was blown away. I had heard whispers and gossip about this happening, and actually Matt Park told me flat out about a week before transfer day what would happen. But it didn't really sink in. Still hasn't. But whatevs! I'm on the freaking sweetest island ever! I have by far the best apartment in the mission! and when I say apartment, I mean beach-house. Two story beach house, that is 15-20 feet from the water. My backyard is sand, and then ocean. My house has warm water for some reason. I get not-cold showers! wooohoo!! First time in like 9 months! We sleep on our 2nd story balcony underneath the stars cause its nice and cool, and the sound of the ocean and the clear starry sky is entrancing. I just sit there sometimes, on my porch, just staring out into the ocean and am brought close to tears just out of pure gratitude of where I'm at right now. If you know me, I have a deep affinity with the ocean, I should have been born on a beach. It is the most calming thing to me in the world, and after having been through a crazy dramatic last two transfers...I can breathe...I can rest while working, it's hard to explain. Its liberating.

 I kind of feel like a junior again, as my zone leader comp is teaching me the ropes of the island and being a zone leader. He is the man. The effing man. Ive called my other comps the man before, but for real, this guy is the man. He is going home this transfer, and its the only bad thing that's happened in all of this. I'll only be with him one month dangit! He's experienced, he's hooking me up with legit guidance and direction. He's a lot of fun too, likes to jam on the guitar with me, and we tell stories and just enjoy the work. One of my favorite parts about it is being able to just speak pure Tagalog. Ive had two foreigner comps, which means a lot of English obviously, but now its straight Tagalog and I love it. Our teaching clicked immediately, we talked maybe 30 seconds about how we'd like to teach together, and I simply said, "Hey, if we are focused, listening, paying attention to each other, and are eager to share, our teaching will flow."...and that happened. He stays focused, attentive, and picks up on my ques as if he knows right when I'm going to stop, and I do the same with him. He is probably the best missionary I've had the pleasure of having as my companion.

I love the ward here, they are kind of struggling, but I love them all the same. They all leave after sacrament, and those who do stay are forced out after the 2nd hour because the 3rd hour does not exist. But we'll be working on that. The people are so nice out here, even if they aren't interested, they like talking to you and are just nice in general. I love this island. I am in love with this island. Its clean, no traffic, its a ton of jungle mountains, the people are wonderful, and I live on a beach. I'm serving a mission in paradise for real. God is a God of tender mercies.

For Zone Con, we all rocked purple in honor of Sis Tui'fua/Amarillo (front)

I'm the only zone leader lucky enough to get a truck in the mission. awwwww yea. I think Mindoro might has one, but it got wrecked... but chya, basta, I get a truck. Way cool, I'm so stoked for ZLC (Zone Leader Council). Life is so freaking good. I've never been happier in my life. Sorry Mom =D, but I don't even ever want to go home, that's how amazing everything is right now.

I Love God. I love my comp. I love my zone. and I love you

-Elder Mace