To start this email, I want to say it won't have much to do
with San Miguel, Because I transferred. One cycle only in San Miguel. It's a
real shame. I am now in Palo, Tacloban. And to make things more interesting, I
am the new Zone Leader. Yeah, terrifying. as if district leader isn't hard
enough.
Palo is on the southern side of Tacloban. it's nice because
it has great restaurants, good internet shops for emailing, a real
transportation system, and is pretty nice. It is a wonderful area, with a
thriving church membership. we had the chance to see 140 people come to church.
My new companion, Elder A, is batch with Elder D, and is from Davao,
Mindanaw. You know, the place I can never go because of the whole kidnap
Americans thing happening down there. he is a real hard worker, if not a hair
trunky. this is his last cycle, and he is really trying to go out with a bang.
But, he really does work hard, and it is so nice to have a companion who is
older then me that can teach me new things. such a nice thing to have.
I went on splits, and my companion was Brother T. He is
an absolute fireball! he was baptized in '95, and wouldn't leave the church for
anything. He pedi-cabs during the week, and on weekends, he loves to work with
the missionaries. He knows EVERYONE! members, less actives, even all our
investigators! he is simply amazing.
the work of a zone leader is hard, but it also has several
key blessings. I have the chance to help not only our investigators, but also
can help the missionaries in Tacloban zone, or my zone. I collect numbers, and
am in charge of helping others do the work. I see it as a big chance to help others.
lots of paperwork. not a big fan of that.
we had the chance to go and have dinner with a family. They
have one person in the family, a little boy, who is as white as me, and speaks
only English. His father is from Denmark, and is a member. The strangest thing
to speak English to someone not from America.
we had a CSP, where we built a new kitchen for a family.
Building here is down to earth and not fancy at all. nothing more then wood,
some nails, no building codes, and aluminum. I was able to help because I could
get heavy things higher then the others. for support, we just nail bamboo to
the frame, and then people start climbing up it. no fancy tools, just a hammer,
nails, a saw, a level, and some string. yet, we built a whole kitchen, with
furniture, in about 6 hours, and it's not too shabby. I think I like this
style, it's less complicated.
in this area, Waray Waray is used, however, there is a great
deal of Cebuano and even Tagalog. I was actually recommended to start learning
Tagalog from my companion and a couple members. So, now I dive into this
strange new world of an organized language with national usage. hopefully, it
will be easier then Waray, since the language structure is almost identical.
Different words, some different markers, but that shouldn't be too hard. so, I
think while I learn the Waray, I will start Tagalog. Wish Me luck with that.
I miss march madness. Really, I do. I have no way of knowing
how that is going. Well, Ty, you always were ridiculously lucky when it came to
the tournaments, so get er done, Ty.
Dad, sounds like you are enjoying the travel. should be
pretty enjoyable. trip to Moab, then to Oregon. Some jobs have better benefits,
I guess.
Morgan, I am so glad you are still doing well. I will not
lie to you, I miss the temple. I can't go, due to travel constrictions, but
nonetheless, I really miss it. I am definitely going to enjoy it when I return
to the good ol USA.
That's really all for today. Working hard, getting some
things done. We are meeting my old zone leaders at a place called the Texan,
which apparently is REAL American hamburgers. Couldn't be more excited! I will
be withdrawing today, because I am told it is a little mahal (expensive, I just
type Waray as a reflex), so that is personal funds for that. other then that, I
will be talking with you all next week,
good luck to Grandma and grandpa on their journey to
Germany. Next time, Take me with you, eh?
LOVE YOU ALL, AND PROUD TO SERVE THE LORD IN HIS VINEYARD OF
THE PHILIPPINES!!!!
Elder Kuehne
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