Week 23 (Binalbagan)

Maayong udto! 

Wow this week was so full of greatness! So on Monday we along with the elders and a YM from the ward who is preparing for his mission went to the beach. Sister Ronquillo took pictures while I collected shells with the help of the elders and Brother Jayjay. The elders then made a small fire on the beach and we made s'mores! They had never heard of s'mores before! I was honored to show them the deliciousness that is s'mores. Thanks to mom for sending hershey's chocolate :) afterwards we went to this nice pizza place for dinner and we got two party size pizzas, a liter of royal orange soda, and some wings&wedges for in US currency $13 crazy right? Anyways it was a good day of fun and mentally preparing for the week ahead. 

We went on exchanges with the sisters in Pontevedre this week. I was super excited to work with Sister Ferrolino again and visit a different area from my own. Sister Ferrolino explained to me that we would go to an area called Sua and meet some members who would come with us to lessons that day. She told me that one of the members (newly married sister) has been waiting to meet me? I was a little shook. I guess she had seen me in November at the Stake RS activity and wanted to meet me then but we had to leave the activity earlier so she didn't get the chance. When we got to their balay (house), Sister Ferrolino had me hide around the corner and when the member saw me she had a mini freak out and hugged me and their family got really excited that I could understand and talk with them in Ilonggo. It helped me realize that my Ilonggo has really really improved and I can actually talk to people now. Also, the members in the Philippines are so strong in their testimonies and so kind to us missionaries, I love them very much.

As we were looking for a bus to Pontevedre: a bus with air conditioning said it was 60 pesos to ride but it's cheaper if it doesn't have air con so we decided to pass. As the bus was leaving the driver leaned out the window and called out to me "sister! only $2!" I shook my head and waved. Ulo mo (expression, like you thought sort of, direct translation is your head....) I know that $2 is 100 pesos :P 

So on to more missionary related matters, on saturday we walked like a million miles. We walked from area to area the whole day and were only able to share two lessons. What was important was we got to just have small conversations with people we met. Sometimes even just a maayong hapon! Kamusta kamo? The people are so nice here, I wish you could meet them!! I think Heavenly Father rewarded our efforts Saturday on Sunday....As we were sitting in Relief Society, we were informed that someone had arrived at the church. A little confused, we went outside to see Sister Analiza, who we had only visited a few times, at church with her two children and niece! I'm so happy that she made the decision to come to church because I know she will be blessed for coming to church and that it's a step closer to Christ and our Father in Heaven. She is very kind and also pretty shy. In our lessons, she'd always be shy to pray. But we'd always invite her to give the closing prayer. Then in our most recent lesson, she invited her friend to listen to us, she said the closing prayer without any hesitation! I'm so proud of her and I hope she continues to follow Christ and come closer to him.

Palangga ko kamo!
Sister Bingham

Pictures: drinks to go means they pour your soda in a plastic bag with a straw
mango agogo (ice candy like a Popsicle) SO NAMIT
Collecting shells and s'mores on the baybay
PIZZA LIBRE KO 
me and sister ferrolino in pontevedre, the sister in the pink headband was the one who really wanted to meet me, she was married last may, the other sister is her friend who is investigating the church

Sister Bingham & Sprite "to go"













 These turkeys were outside the door being loud and so I went out to take pictures. It was a little shocking cause when I opened the gate they slowly came closer and then when I started to close it they bolted for the gate to try and get in and I was like OH SHOOT NO


Star Apple - yummy!






Sister Ronquillo & mango agogo



inside a jeepney

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