7/2

 We did a lot of finding this week in the area and found some new investigators.  We'll see if they progress at all. 

     Last week on p-day I did a bit of a food experiment.  Here they have a dessert called Biko.  It is basically just sweet sticky rice.  I tried making my own version of it last week by putting the rice in the cooker and adding sweetened condensed milk.  It actually turned out pretty good.

     Tuesday was another milestone on the mission.  On Tuesday I had exactly one year left on my mission.  

     This week we also did exchanges again and I worked in the other area.  We saw a fruit stand and I bought a watermelon that is yellow on the inside.  I think it tastes better than the red ones we have.

     Another day we had a fun service project in the other area.  We were weeding and clearing out a member's lot of land.  I thought it was really fun.  By the time we were done we had created a 4 foot wall of plants on one side of the lot.  We used sticks, rakes, hoes, and machetes to get it all done.  Afterwards the members fed us.

     We taught Aljan, one of our investigators about prayer and knowing that what we have taught is true.  He is living at the home of a member family so it is a good situation for us to teach him.  Unfortunately at the end of the lesson he thanked us for what we have taught him but he isn't really open about changing his religion because he is catholic.  It makes me a little mad when people just don't get it.  There are so many churches here in the philippines and none of them can compare to our church.  I have seen baptists, 7th day adventists, wesleyans, Jehovas witnesses, church of christ, iglesia ni cristo, etc.  Our church is the only church in the world that is organized from the top to the bottom.  The catholic church here can't even keep its incorrect doctrines straight.  If this church were not true I know that there is no possibility that there could be any other true or complete church.  If our investigators just knew this I don't think they could reject what we teach them.

     This week we also were able to contact a referral from  the sisters in the ward.  We were pretty lucky because we contacted them the day before the moved back to the area of the sisters that gave them to us.  I think this was a bit of divine help.  I'm sure the sisters will have a good time teaching them.  I always think it is fun trying to find people in the area.  Its kind of like an investigator treasure hunt.

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We will meet the new mission president on the 12th when he comes to Palawan.  I see tourists here but only in certain areas.  There are hotels in my areas but and one resort but we don't go to those places a lot.  I met a guy from Russia who does tourism here.  The branch here is alright but the members don't work with us as much. 

Thanks for the email. I remembered it was yours and dad's anniversary this week.

Love,

Matthew

Love, Elder Harkness