Philippines--Week 1

Kamusta ka everyone!

I'm here in the Philippines in a mall as I type this big ol' letter!! It's so crazy how fast time has flown by, I can't believe I'm finally here. So here is my week so far:

On April 2nd I, along with the two Districts leaving for the Philippines, packed our bags and got on the airplane in Salt Lake City. We had a 20 hour flight from Utah to the Philippines! We went from Utah toPortland, Oregon, and then from Oregon to Tokyo, Japan, and from Japan to Manila, where we stayed in the Manila MTC for 5 days. The flights were so long, but a lot of fun. I got to sit next to my companion, Sister Tauteoli for the first flight. And then I sat next to Sister Tago for the second, and Elder Snijder/ Elder Robanakadavu for the last flight. The moment we stepped off of the plane and out of the airport, BAM; the muggy, moist air hit us. For a couple of days I had the hardest time being able to breathe. I felt like I was going to suffocate to death because I couldn't breathe correctly! But all's good now. We then packed our bags in cars and headed to the Manila MTC.

When we arrived at the Manila MTC, it was about 10 o'clock at night and we met President Trask. He and his wife then talked to us and gave us instructions and our schedule for the next 5 days, and then we went straight to bed because we were all so exhausted from the flights.

Here are some interesting things that happened while I stayed at the Manila MTC:

I went to Quezon City and proselyted with Sister Tomasi, Sister Tauteoli, and Sister Tatarata-Maheahea. It was a little scary and hard, but fun being able to get out of the MTC and see how the Philippines and the people worked. Each of the "new" Sisters were challenged to give away a Book of Mormon to someone on the street. Oh man; it was kind of scary just walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation with them, and then easing my way into telling them about this book they've probably never heard of. I talked to a young man by the name of John. I talked to him a little bit and then started talking about the Book of Mormon. After I gave the book to him, my companions and I started walking away, and I looked back and saw him reading some of it! Hopefully he reads it all and gets interested in the church.

We were able to go to the Manila Temple and do a session! They showed us the newer video, and the room was so tiny. But the Temple is so beautiful and peaceful no matter which one you go to.

We also went to the Bureau of Immigration to get our Visas together so we could stay in the country for 2 years. It was so awesome being able to drive around and see the city of Manila. Their driving is... hectic! It's crazy fast and out of control. But it's so weird because everyone just goes about their day and the traffic flows. There aren't really any accidents because people know when to go, and when to stop. Even the pedestrians are crazy! They don't have crosswalks, so people just walk wherever, whenever. It's so different form home, but it's so cool.

Then on April 8th we said our goodbyes to the Tacloban Missionaries in our two Districts, and the Cebu/Cebu East crew drove to the airport to grab our bags, meet our Mission Presidents, and leave to their homes. I had to say goodbye to the missionaries serving in Cebu. The missionaries serving there are Elder Villamar (New Zealand), Elder Fuiamono (Samoa), Sister Tago and Sister Kennach (Australia). It was one of the hardest goodbyes ever! I've become so close to all of them and it was so hard turning around and seeing them leave. But I know I'm where the Lord wants me. I then met my Mission President, his wife and the Assistant to the President Elders in our Cebu East mission, Elder Mataupu (New Zealand) and Elder Micabani (Ilo Ilo, Philippines). They remind me of Elder Faamoe and Elder Dapat, my zone leaders from the Provo MTC.

We then drove to the Mission President's house where he and his wife gave us breakfast/lunch, instructions and vitamins. There I got to meet my trainer/new companion! Sister Lagan is from Palawan in the Philippines. She's the sweetest little Filipino I've ever met. We're assigned to serve on the Island of Bohol. And my area where I'm assigned is Jagna. So many missionaries, including my companion have told me that I'm the first American to be serving in this area. Sister Lagan was so excited when she found out I was her new companion. She just kept looking at me and saying, "Sister, I'm just so happy you are my companion. It is beautiful in Jagna. The people will love you."

After staying with the President for half of the day, Sister Nalawas (from my District in Provo/Manila MTC), her companion, Elder Robanakadavu (from my District in Provo/Manila MTC), his companion, Sister Lagan (my new companion) and I all said our goodbyes to Sister Tatarata-Maheahea, and Sister Tauteoli (my "ex" companion). Sister Lagan and I then went and spent the night in a couple of Sisters' home the night before we left for Bohol. I got to sleep on a small mattress on the floor. I took a shower in the morning, and the shower is nothing like home. Instead of a big tub with a shower curtain, shower head, lots of water pressure, my shower was a medium bucket and a big ladle. You fill the bucket with water, use the ladle to scoop up some water and then dump it on yourself. Now, I don't mind having to shower like that, it's not such a big deal, but what is a big deal, is having little visitors watching you. I looked up at the wall and guess what I found? A huge cockroach!! Oh man; I've never had to deal with big cockroaches before, especially in the shower, so I was pretty creeped out. Worst shower ever! haha. But all's good now. I'm just going to have to either learn how to kill them (even though they're so fast!), or learn to live with them.

Well, so far that's my life in the Philippines. The showers, the air, the people, the city, the poverty, and the food is all so different, but I'm excited for this new adventure in my life, and I know that the Lord knows I'm ready to serve Him and His children.

P.S. I found out something super exciting and surprising! So before my Mission, my mom had told me about the Chocolate Hills and that it's in Cebu East where I was called. Before I got called here, they split the Mission so there are now two islands where the Cebu East missionary's can be assigned. Before I found out which island I'd be assigned to, I kind of got a little sad because I thought, "The Chocolate Hills probably aren't on my island, or anywhere near me." But guess what people? In case you didn't know already, God really does answer your prayers. I kept hoping, and hoping that I would be able to go to the Chocolate Hills at least once before my Mission. And my very first transfer I get assigned to (Jagna, Bohol), I find out that the Chocolate Hills are close by and that if my companion and I request it, my zone can take a little road trip there on one of our P-days!! That's so awesome! I screamed when I found out because I was so excited.

I just want to say thank you for those that have supported me and my decision to serve a Mission. I love you all and l hope you're having an awesome day/week!

Gihigugma kita! <3

-Sister Johnson