Week 24 (Binalbagan)

Maayong aga sa tanan!

We met a European this week. It was weird to see a white person just chillin. We and our District leader and his companion were going to our investigator for their baptismal interview and we saw this man. So of course, we talked to him in English (3 of us being American). He really wanted to learn Ilonggo and was impressed that we Americans were able to speak to the natives. Even me, 4 months lang out here and I was translating to my companion what the European was saying. He invited us to come to his home anytime and hopefully we can teach him Illongo and the good news of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

We visited one of our investigators at their store in the market who we haven't been able to teach in a while cause they are super busy. He told us that he's noticed changes, small changes, but changes nonetheless in his life and the life of his family since Sister Soriano and I started teaching them back in December. I was a little shocked to hear that since it's been at least a month now since we've taught them but I was so happy that he is beginning to see how our message can influence his life. I know for a fact that this gospel is the only way for us to have true and lasting happiness for all eternity, not only for ourselves but for our families.

We had a baptism this last week! Sister Conception, 17 years old. Her father and younger brother are members but she never was sure about the Mormon church. She agreed to listen to us and we taught her once before Sister Soriano was transferred and then Sister Ronquillo and I continued to teach her. She is super kind and smart. She was never afraid to ask us questions if she was confused and I could tell she was searching for the truth. When we asked if she had prayed about our message, she said she felt nami and kalipay (like good and happy feelings) and accepted the invitation to be baptized. She is about to graduate high school this month and I am so glad she will have the blessings of baptism and the Holy Ghost (next week cause yesterday was stake conference) as she takes the next steps in her life.

Yeah so stake conference was yesterday. We sang with some members of our ward and that was exciting :P The pianist/director told us all to wear make up so we wouldn't be ugly ..... haha. President Barredo and his wife also attended. It was super awesome to see these leaders and to see the members from the stake gather together in Binalbagan. President said that Binalbagan stake is the strongest in Bacolod mission. I believe it, the whole cultural hall was full and other rooms in the building. The faith of the converted Filipino members of the church is so strong and I learn so much from them.

Love you all ! See you next week
Sister Bingham

Pictures:
I got to see Sister Clarke (batch from Provo MTC) and Sister Soriano (trainer) last Monday in Bacolod! 
Baptism ni Conception!
Stake Conference (Elder Bagante, Elder Cabato, Sister Ronquillo, ako) 

Sister Clarke (Provo MTC)  & Sister Bingham
Sister Bingham & Sister Soriano (trainer)
I almost died cause I was standing right next to this spider

Sister Conception's Baptism

Stake Conference (Elder Bagante, Elder Cabato, Sister Ronquillo, ako)
Stake Conference (missing a name here sorry!, Elder Bagante, Elder Cabato, Elder Blanco, Elder Brown, Sister Ronquillo, Sister Bingham) 

Sister Bingham
 
Large Shrimp

Coconut water
Sister Bingham


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