Mga kaibigan ko at pamilya ko,
Malapit na ang Pasko! Excited kami na mag-spread ng spirit of Christmas and Light the World in Magsingal.
I continue to appreciate every reply that I receive. I thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers on my behalf. I continue to pray for you as well.
I will go by the pictures I took, ‘cause that’s the record I have of the week.
Magsingal is a municipality made up of 30 (official) barangays. There are six barangays in Poblacion (Sentro) where most of the people live. Out of the 30, Elder Maroket and I have visited mga sixteen of them. Map included in the album.
Next, a picture of all the male missionaries (calls received, current, or recently returned) in the branch in Santo Domingo. They are a great bunch of guys.
Next, basketball. We bought a basketball to be able to play everyday. It’s fun to play with the kids that wander over from the adjacent elementary school.
Susunod, pictures from Christmas Conference. Pasensiya na kaunti sila, pero hindi ako nakapag-picture sa unang araw.
Huli, the Urmatam-Tiri family + friends. The mom is a previous investigator, almost fifteen years ago, and the kids really like us, so I have great hopes for them.
Salamat po para sa pagbabasa,
Mahal na mahal ko po kayo,
Elder Tripp
P. S. I’ve been to two wedding receptions and two birthday parties dito sa Pilipinas. The Filipinos throw some great parties. So much food!
Answers to Mom’s questions:
The only issues were not having a fridge, running water, or a stove. Without a fridge or a stove, we couldn’t store or cook food, but we have them now. We continue to have to pump all the water we want to use, but that’s okay.
To Ada:
Major differences between Philippines and US:
1: Food - Rice. So much rice. But always rice + ulam (anything eaten with rice)
2: Tindahans - So instead of a town having a grocery store, instead there is a public market (palengke or tindaan), but as well if you are farther away from the center of the municipality, there are these tiny stores called tindahans. They sell a bunch of stuff, but primarily drinks, snacks, soap, and cigarettes. Instead of going inside of them, you stand outside a window and ask for whatever you want and pay.
3: Phones - So instead of people having different phone networks, but still being able to call and text, in the Philippines if you’re on a different phone network you can sometimes text, but usually never call. It’s weird.
4: Transportation - In the Philippines, almost all public transportation is obtained by hailing them from the side of the road, whether bus, jypnee, or tricey. It’s definitely strange at first to be standing somewhere random along the side of the road and waiting to flag down a bus.
Stories:
No real crazy or exciting stories yet. Mostly we teach whoever will let us in, so no wild finding or teaching experiences yet. The most interesting thing is how much little kids think missionaries (and Americans) are cool. When little kids call you “kuya” or “tito” (big brother in Tagalog or Ilokano), you just feel so much love for them.
Weather:
Hot and humid. Not much to say there, as it’s the “dry” season now, so no rain.
Tagalog
Mga kaibigan ko at pamilya ko - My friends and family,
Malapit na ang Pasko! Excited kami na mag-spread ng spirit of Christmas - Christmas is coming soon! We are excited to spread the spirit of Christmas
Susunod - Next
Pasensiya na kaunti sila, pero hindi ako nakapag-picture sa unang araw. - They are a little sorry, but I did not picture the first day.
Huli - Last
Salamat po para sa pagbabasa - Thank you for reading
Mahal na mahal ko po kayo - I love you very much