MTC - First Email!

First Missionary Letter from Alex – July 9, 2011

Hello!!

How are things? Things are going well here. My P-Day is usually on Fridays, but because it's the first week we only have a half P-day and it's today. Thanks for the letters!

My companion is Elder Tamale. I love him! He's from Tonga, and speaks very little english. It's definitely a challenge because it's hard to communicate. We had interviews with the Branch President on Thursday and he told me that I had a big challenge in front of me. He told me that companionships are made by the Missionary Committee through inspiration and that I was put with Elder Tamale for a reason. He's such a trooper. I can't even imagine how frustrating it must be for him to have everything in English. He's only been a member for three years, and is 24 years old. He's the only member of his family. What tremendous faith he has. Yesterday we were working on the first discussion. Because his English is limited, he was teaching in Tongan and I in English. The spirit was so strong! I had no idea what he was saying but I could feel the Spirit testifying of its truthfulness. One of the blessings of this experience is the simplicity of the principles we're teaching. I have to really boil these concepts down to one or two words that are simple to explain them. I've found that that's truly the best way to teach!

I've seen a ton of people here! It truly is the Mini BYU. I've seen Elders Heap, Abutaa, Leydsman, Mika, Needs (He's in my District), Bell, and others. Still looking for Elders Forrest and Scurr...

We've learned how to testify, set up an appointment and learn about someone in Tagalog. Alam ko po na totoo ang Aklat ni Mormon. Alam ko po na buhay si Jesu Kristo at propeta si Thomas S. Monson. Alam ko po ito dahil nagdasal po ako at naramdaman ko. Alam ko po ito dahil sa mng biyaya na natanggap ko at nagtonong po ako sa Diyos na totoo ito. Alam ko po na mahal tayo ni Jesu Kristo. Sa pangalan ni Jesu Kristo, Amen.