Elder, Do you speak English?

Not really, but he tries his best sometimes. This is my new companion! Elder Caratao! (picture below). He's 20 months out on his mission, from Layde, Tacloban mission. He's a Bicol speaking beast, that fears no man. This week has been crazy, because now that Elder Richards is gone, which is weird, because I had just gotten used to him being with me 24/7. 

Transfer day was cool though, I got to see everyone from my original batch, there all were nervous to lead the area to. 

 

We actually got a lot done in our area this week, we have a ton of new investigators because Elder Caratao talks to everyone, and just walks up, and begins teaching. He's unstoppable. We also had two of the three investigators from last week attend church this week. So there still going strong! One of them now has a Baptismal Date, But she needs to get married first. So were working on that with her. 

 

The language is flying, mostly because now I'm forced to use 100% Tagalog, but it's weird, it's been only a week of no English, and I'm already so much better. At the same time Elder Caratao is teaching me the local Dialect of Bicol, which is also picking up pretty fast. I didn't think I could learn two langues at once, but the Gift of Tongues is certainly real.

 

We also had members help us out this week, which is dope, and has never happened before, but like I said, Elder Caratao is a beast. So that was dope to have them with us, they have such great testimonies.

 

Besides that, not much has changed, work as usual, just with a different Elder at my side. The work is picking up, and getting better. 

 

One last thing before I go, about Elder Caratao. He's a convert and the only member in his family. So I asked him, how did you know it was true? He simple said, " simple, through prayer and reading"(in Tagalog of course) and flashed me a big smile. I was shocked, I expected some big answer, some huge changing point. Instead I got an amazing testimony of the simplicity and truthfulness of this gospel. Because our testimony's aren't built out of huge defining moments, but rather small and simple things, each testifying of Christ. I love ya all, and remember

 

All is Well

Elder Bills

 

1.The New District (there's four Elders in Ocampo now) 2. Elder Caratoa and me (sorry about the hair, it was super windy.) 3. Me, Elder Richards, and Elder Richards' trainer Elder Jaboneta 4. Elder Caratao again