This week was a busy one! We didn’t have very many investigators in our teaching pool so we focused a little bit harder this week on obtaining “Mga Bagong Investigators” or new investigators. In many parts of the world it is difficult to do street contacting or tracting, but here in the Philippines it works pretty well if you do it correctly. We aren’t given cars to drive or bikes to ride because of the amount of opportunities it would restrict for us to OYM or “Open Your Mouth”.

Near the sea in Tanza

Now, finding isn’t always fun and can be a little bit disappointing at times, but we try to have a lighter attitude about it, hence the title of this post, “Playing Dora”. We were walking around in a part of town that we had never been to before and we started asking around about our whereabouts. It was a really good way to get a conversation started and able to talk about the Gospel and our purpose as missionaries with these people.

A little boy charged us 5 pesos to get across the stream!

It was worth the money!

Another amazing thing that we’re able to focus on is families. Some of the things that the kids say here are super funny. I love them more every day! Especially now that I can kind of understand them. Families are the most important social unit to us in this life and the next! Nurture it here. Do what you can to strengthen the bonds within your family with every sibling and each parent. Even if it’s something small. DO IT! They’ll appreciate it.

Elder Burbidge doing missionary work

A chapter that I came across this week really helped me realize the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love it. It’s in The Book of Mormon in 2nd Nephi and Chapter 4. Read it if you haven’t, and if you have, read it again!

I know that this work is true! Accept His Gospel in your life. It’s REAL. I love my Savior and Redeemer. I love my Father in Heaven. He has given me strength and love through difficult times and has helped me realize the blessings I have in my life.

I miss you all! AND GOOOOOOOOO SEAHAWKS!!!

Love,

Elder Hunter Burbidge

Hi everyone! There is not much new to report this week but transfers are coming up soon and I am not sure if I’m transferring or not. I’m excited for this next week. I’m going to focus on becoming a better teacher. It’s something I kind of struggle with. I wish I could get better, it’s just really hard for me. Other than that, this week should be good. Nothing too big, but just another week in the life of a missionary!

I was pretty sick last week, but it’s okay because I’m feeling better now, but on Wednesday here I had some pretty severe gastro-intestinal distress!!  It’s gone now, but it was pretty difficult haha I couldn’t keep anything down, not even water, until the next day. My roommates and my companion took really good care of me though!

I’m really trying to devote my time to Heavenly Father.  The rest of my week was just okay because we didn’t have very many lessons due to my being sick, and it was hard to get back in to the swing of things, so I’m still working on that a little bit.

In regards to the Seahawks, no I can’t watch the games, but I have friends here that I’m rooting against.  An elder in an area close to mine is a huge 49ers fan, so it’ll be fun to rub it in his face. Go Hawks!!

Well, that’s it for this week!  Sending out love to everyone back home!!

Love,

Elder Hunter Burbidge

Kumusta po sa lahat! I hope that all of you are doing well! This week went by sooooo fast.. We had a zone meeting on Tuesday, I went on exchanges on Wednesday, and then we had a dinner appointment on Friday (Which is always something to look forward to). Also, we’ve witnessed a few miracles this week, which has really helped boost my faith and testimony of Missionary Work, but also of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bridge across a river!

In missionary work, nothing happens until we find somebody to teach. We’ve been struggling a little bit in finding a good progressing investigator (somebody that is really interested) and so we’ve been praying and really asking for help from members. One night we received a text from one of our members saying to come over later to teach his girlfriend. When we got there, there were two people I’ve never seen before. Turns out, one of them was the brother of the member we were in contact with, and the other woman isn’t a member, but has a LOT of questions for us! We’re seeing miracles left and right. It’s amazing to see the hand of the Lord in this true work.

Rice patty! The field is GREEN and ready to harvest!!

I hope that all made sense, I had to write it fast! This is the hardest thing anyone has done, is doing, or ever will do. There are so many ups and downs that it’s hard to know what you’re feeling sometimes. And then the Spirit hits you and says, “You’re a Full-Time Missionary for Jesus Christ. He has sent you to the Philippines to share His message.” Sometimes it’s daunting to have such a big responsibility, but as long as we give our best, the Lord will do the rest! And, He loves us. ALL of us. I know it! To anyone who is thinking about going on a mission. DO IT. Pull the trigger and make the decision to go. I’ve learned so much about myself and about the Lord, things that I wouldn’t have learned if I didn’t choose to go on a mission.

When in doubt, pray. When in pain, serve! I love you! Keep safe and Choose the Right!

Love,

Elder Hunter Burbidge

Elder Hunter Burbidge with his Zone Leader, Elder Jordan Anderson from Puyallup!

Hello everyone – I am writing this blog post on what seems like just another P-day! P-days always seem like they’ll be awesome, but then it’s just laundry and sweating haha but HEY, That’s okay! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how long I’ve been out on my mission, it’s crazy! right – time seems to be going by very quickly!

Elder Hunter Burbidge and Elder Doloritos near the sea shore.

It’s getting hotter every day it seems like, But at least it seems to cool off at night usually which is nice! The work is doing a little better than usual. We’ve been really focusing on extending baptismal dates on the first lesson that we teach, so we have more baptismal dates than I’ve ever had on my mission so far, but the sad part is I might be gone by the time they get baptized! I’ll talk more about that later. We have a zone meeting tomorrow and I’m going on exchanges (which is a 24 hour companion swap with our leaders) with Elder Anderson from Puyallup! I’m excited, he’s a really funny guy! Also, later on this week we have some return appointments for some people that we taught earlier. And we also have some really good dinner appointments to look forward to as well haha I’m guessing that this week will fly by!

My language is getting a little better. Last night we were teaching this less active family and a branch missionary was working with us. After the lesson he said, “Magaling ka na sa tagalog!” ( I don’t even know if that’s correct grammar) but it means, “Now you’re good in tagalog!” I was like, “Yeah right…” He went on to say that he could tell I was improving. I used to use a little bit of english in our lessons, but now I really try to limit myself to the tagalog that I know. I’m getting more conversational. I’m not there yet, and it varies every day, but I can feel that I’m getting better! I don’t want to sound over-confident but at least it feels like I’m improving.

Recently we’ve found two or three part member families to teach which is really good because they already have a little background about the church. I’ve been wanting to teach part member families for such a long time and this last week I think we had four! I’m getting pretty close to the Elders Quorum President of our branch. He reminds me a lot of Grandpa Reed. He’s also really funny and he likes to interact with the missionaries. He is also fitting two of my shirts because they’re getting a little too big!

Elder Burbidge and the Branch Elder’s Quorum President.

We’re still teaching Janet and Dennis if you remember who they are, I think I talked about them earlier. And we are teaching another couple that have three little kids and the wife isn’t a member yet. Their names are Rhea and Edmar. So I’m excited with that. It always helps when a member is present to help explain things more to the exact needs of the investigator. Please keep these individuals in your prayers that they will progress and accept the gospel.

The next transfers are on the 29th or 30th and there is a good possibility that I’ll be transferred to a new area. I’m kinda nervous about it, but if it’s what the Lord wants, I’ll do it!  Well that’s about it for now! The photo below is of a gigantic spider we came across near our apartment! Dad would not like it very much!

Gigantic spider in a web!  You may need to zoom in to see the whole thing!

Love,

Elder Hunter Burbidge