Week 80

Hello Family!

Things are doing really REALLY well here in Hamtic.  This week was another one where I got to stay in my area all week and didn't have to go to the city at all.  It is so much easier to get goals when you have weeks like this.  Elder Arrieta and I did really well as well getting the goals we set for ourselves this last week.  In fact, as a zone we saw a big boost towards our zone goals.  The missionaries here are really responding to the Lord's hastening of the work.  I think we really have some prime Elders and Sisters here in Antique and I am so happy to be able to work with them.  The other Hamtic area had a baptism this last weekend.  SO we have had baptism every week here for the last three weeks.  We have been so busy and so blessed.  The service was awesome and the family was so happy to have another member be baptized and join them in the church.  

Like I said, Elder Arrieta and I really had an awesome week of goal oriented work.  It really helps you balance your work when you have achievable goals that you set and follow up on everyday.  We had some more problems with Elder Arrieta's asthma again... rainy season is here... but we didn't let it affect us too much.  We found ways for him to rest and I was still able to go out and see our investigators.  I am so grateful for how much the Lord helps us here in Hamtic.  I had a couple cool experiences with street contacts this last few weeks.  We set a goal here that we would talk to more people on the street instead of just going to our appointments silently.  So The other week I actually got approached by this kid in the plaza while I was on splits and he said we could come over.  I for some reason thought his house was WAY further away than where it actually is.  SO it took me until Thursday this last week to find him again.  His name is Vance and it actually pretty interested.  Interested enough actually that he came to church this last week and attended the classes as well.  He even brought his neighbor friend who is a part member  (his mother is an inactive member here).  I was so impressed and then ELder Naylor (the ELder I was on splits with the night I met Vance)  said, "Man, I could've never guessed that the kid we met in the plaza that night would be at church the new week and be early!" I was way happy and he said that he had a lot of fun.  Let's pray that he will continue.  ...and he isn't a kid, i guess, he is about to turn 19.  I also went on splits in a neighboring area with one of the district leaders here in ANtique.  While I was there I started talking to a guy on the tricycle while we were riding and ended up giving him a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon.  He said he was even from Hamtic and that he would be going home to Hamtic this last Sunday.  So while I worked Sunday we went on a search for him.  We went to the place he said he lived... no one knew him.  I was so let down!  This guy was so nice and seemed like he really wanted to listen.  We had to give up after an hour of walking around trying to find him.  Then this morning I went jogging with ELder Sellers like we always do and we went down kinda close to where he said he lived and on our way home I saw him.  I didn't even really believe it was him so I ran past.  But then I just had to turn around and ask... so I did and he showed me where his house was and I set up an appointment for tomorrow to go and visit him.  So I was way impressed that it worked out that I got to see him walking home this morning and now I will get to teach him tomorrow!

So life is good here in the Philippines and I am enjoying my time here.  The people here have a special air about them.  They are so easy to approach and talk to.  It makes missionary work so nice when you don't feel scared to approach people and ask them questions and invite them to listen and learn more.  I have noticed so many little miracles here in Hamtic and it has really come down to whether or not I rely on the Lord and expect the miracles to happen. That is like my little mantra now "Expect the miracle"  I have been so grateful too every time I need a little miracle and then the Lord makes known his hand and it always seems to work out.  

I love you all in Georgia and wherever you may be.  I think and pray for you all often and I am working hard so that I can party hard when I come home.  Thank you ALL for the awesome letters/emails  you write.  I really get a boost every time I come to read everyone's experiences over the past week.  I love reading them and I hope I can help you all a bit with my letters.  I love you all so much and miss you all as well!

Halong, 

Elder Lowry