Family,
Wow that was a close one. You really think a Super Typhoon
can scare me off? Hahaha but really I'm okay. I've been here for 3 months and NO
TYPHOON. So when I heard there was a Super Typhoon headed our way and we had to
prepare with our 72 hour kits and emergency funds...I was pretty pumped
up. But I guess all those prayers from Houston, Texas were heard because, the
Typhoon didn't even touch us. WAY TO SPOIL ALL THE FUN. THANKS A LOT.
Other then that false alarm it's been a pretty good week.
Transfers are next week and I finish my training. Elder T thinks he's
getting transferred and that I'll probably train but I hope he doesn't. There's
so much I still don't know (like Tagalog for example).
I know for a fact I was meant to be here. Sometimes I feel
like the Philippians is still stuck in the 80's. Every bus, trike or jeepney we travel on always has 80's music blasting. We walk through neighborhoods and
people are jamming out to Bon Jovi everyday. I love it. Just the other day
we're on a bus and Chicago, "You're the Inspiration" was playing. "No
way" I yelled out, "this is my mom and dad's wedding song!" And I
joined the other Filipinos on the bus as we sung along. (I'll repent
later). Dad, I have seen about 12 red GEO-METRO's and I'm flooded with
childhood memories. I know you loved that car.
Elder T and I make a pretty good team. Every time we
walk around I always talk to random people, but after some small talk that is
usually the extent of my Tagalog. So I then talk to and play with the kids,
while Elder T talks to everyone else. It actually has been working pretty
well. For example one of our area's we teach is an area that missionaries from the past
haven't had much success in. For some reason people don't trust the missionaries and
think we're here for their money. But every time we go to that area, there's a
bunch of Filipino kids running around playing sports. So I join in with them. The
first couple of weeks we didn't teach many lessons there but the kids we're
always excited when I showed up so they could pick me to be on their team. After a while
the parents come outside and watched us play. While I play with the kids the
parents go up to Elder T and ask him why is that American playing with the
kids? Why is he so happy? Of course Elder T explains how we're
missionaries and we're just to serve and share these message that make's us so
happy. Now, the doors have been opened for us. People want to hear our message.
Every time we walk through the neighborhood all the kids yell,"Si Elder
Strader dito! Tara na!" (Elder Strader is here! Let's play!) And then we
commenced in playing a Filipino version of baseball. I'm so grateful for the
talents the Lord has blessed me with. Although I can't speak Tagalog yet, I'm
able to use the talents that I do have, while I can work on my
weaknesses.
Well I love being a missionary. I love the challenges the
Lord gives us. Sometimes we complain about our trials, hard times or problems.
Why does this happen to me? But those are times that we come closer to God.
It's like the story of the Gardner and the Fig Tree. The Gardner comes and
see's the wild fig tree with long branches but it's not bearing any fruit. The
Gardner then cuts of the branches really short so it grows back stronger. But
when he got done cutting he thought he saw a tear drop on the Fig Tree as if it
was crying. He thought he heard the Fig Tree,"Why did you cut my branches?
I was such a big tree! Why did you cut me down?" To that the Gardner
responded, "You weren't bearing any fruit my little fig tree. Don't worry
I know your potential. You can't see now but it will be worth it in the end.
With my help I can make you a beautiful tree with much fruit. One day you'll
say...thank you Gardner....for loving me enough...to cut me down."
Sometimes the Lord cuts us down and we don't understand why, b
Thank Gardner for loving me enough....to cut me down.
Your Valiant Missionary,
Elder Strader
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