Act I! Create a Stake!

It was an exciting and busy week to say the least. It was kinda hard to get work done because there was a lot that happened. We had exchanges this week with the zone leaders which was really cool. They changed it on us though at the last second, so we didn't have two days worth of appointments planned out, so me and Elder Anderson ended up doing a ton of door knocking which was really fun. We got to meet a lot of interesting people. And a lot of new people which was good, because our people we were teaching just totally bailed out on us. Such is life right?

We also had a musical play put on by the missionaries come to Iriga which was really cool to see. We have some talented missionaries here. I somehow ended up wedged in between the Director and the Music Director which was as interesting of an experience as it was terrifying. The play was really good though and a ton of people, including politicians attended. It was a cool night, also got to see a lot of missionaries.

Iriga is now an officially organized Stake! Yesterday day Pres. Shmutz came down and organized everything, so now also Iriga 1st is a Ward! We don't have a bishop yet, but nevertheless we are now a mighty stake of Zion! The progress in the Naga mission is insane, and it's been really cool to be a part of. The next step now is just to get a temple here in the Bicol region, which would be awesome since the nearest temple is in Manila(10 hours away). 

That's really it for this week. This next couple weeks should be interesting though because Pres. Zapanta is leaving this week, and we then get a new mission President. So we have our last zone conference with Pres. Zapanta is this week, so we'll see how that goes. But until next week!

All is Well!

Elder Bills

My card reader isn't working right now for some reason but here's a picture of the mighty Iriga Zone! (Taken in May 2019)

Spoke with Isaac again last night. He is so positive and happy. Amazing what a change in companion can bring! Four weeks ago, we asked if he was having any fun as a missionary. He just said, "It's been hard. Missions are hard." Last night, though, he said, "Missions are still hard, but I have learned they can be fun, too."

We talked for about an hour, but about 30 minutes of it was all about Iriga becoming a stake, his interested people and PBDs. The Christian family they've been working with told them to stop coming by ... they don't want to convert. So, that was a little sad for them. Although their teaching pool is small, he is still positive and enjoying meeting people. 

He told us about a less active gentleman that told them that God should never have let people choose to do evil things. He went off on how God should make people do good and that temptation should never have been introduced to people. His companion looked at Isaac and said something like, "You mean Satan's plan?" Funny.