This week was... different. With the transfer and the new assignment,
Elder Buque and I have had just enough time to say hi, work twice in our area :(, receive training, and visit the hospital several times.
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| Elder Buque, my new companion. |
Immediately upon arriving in Cebu, we dropped luggage off at the apartment and headed out to get repairs done on a few of the sisters' apartments.
Elder Buque and I had fun taking apart a couple bunk beds with one, non-powered screwdriver and an electric fan.
Friday we worked in our area in San Nicolas and it was great! Big and very cityish, but it's great.
Friday night, one of the newer missionaries in our zone was in the hospital due to an odd swelling of chest muscles causing loss of feeling/pressure on his heart. We went on exchanges on Saturday so that they could get some work done in their area and his companion (District Leader) could conduct a baptismal interview.
Sunday was great! A solid 164 in attendance in Sacrament - that was an amazing sight. I love being in a ward.
Monday, however, brought even more news. Elder Ngungutau (another Elder in our zone that has been sick since last week) was taken to the hospital due to non-stop bleeding, nausea, and fever. We met them at the hospital and got things situated. After taking blood tests and all that, they said he was free to go home. I went back with him to the house and Elder Buque and Elder Archibald went out to get some work done in their area. It went fine and Elder Ngungutau got some rest. We thought he was starting on his recovery process.
On Tuesday, we met in Lahug at the Mission Offices
for MLC (Missionary Leadership Council.. I think?) at 9am.
When we arrived, we could tell something wasn't quite right with President and Sister McCurdy.
They were very emotional and President made an announcement that Elder N was taken back to the hospital late Monday night and, due to loss of blood, was undergoing a transfusion at that moment.
That set the mood for our day. We contacted the entire mission to include him and his donor in their prayers, and we knelt in solemn prayer many times that day.
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| MLC |
When we arrived, we could tell something wasn't quite right with President and Sister McCurdy.
They were very emotional and President made an announcement that Elder N was taken back to the hospital late Monday night and, due to loss of blood, was undergoing a transfusion at that moment.
That set the mood for our day. We contacted the entire mission to include him and his donor in their prayers, and we knelt in solemn prayer many times that day.
Yesterday at MLC we focused a lot on obedience and The Adversary.
The Cebu Philippines Mission has been known for the past three years as one of the most obedient missions in the world. This was much due to President Schmutz and the many wonderful changes that he brought in. The culture of the Cebu Mission is unmatched anywhere.
Having said that, we have noticed that, in the past few weeks or so, we have been the target of some of the Adversary's strongest attempts. This comes in the form of temptation, sickness, homesickness, etc.
The Cebu Philippines Mission has been known for the past three years as one of the most obedient missions in the world. This was much due to President Schmutz and the many wonderful changes that he brought in. The culture of the Cebu Mission is unmatched anywhere.
Having said that, we have noticed that, in the past few weeks or so, we have been the target of some of the Adversary's strongest attempts. This comes in the form of temptation, sickness, homesickness, etc.
I know that temptation, pain, and sickness is a 100% crucial part of our life on Earth. It is necessary in order to develop the faith unto life and salvation. We are put through a constant refiner's fire because Heavenly Father truly knows what we can become. It is important to know and understand that, the moment we are tempted.....at the exact same time....we are also being encouraged and prompted by the Light of Christ or "the Spirit". We need to use our agency (2 Nephi 2:14,26) and CHOOSE to follow the Savior (2 Nephi 2:27).
As we were studying about this and receiving revelation in this light, I was reminded of a book I read called "The Screwtape Letters", by C.S. Lewis,
I do not remember that exact quote, but C.S. Lewis teaches an eternal principle when he teaches something along the lines of, "If Satan can prolong the trial [or temptation] just past what we think can bear, he's got us."
I know this to be true. I know that if we just hold out faithful, be firm in our testimony and try to understand the big picture, and reject Satan, he will flee (James 4:7). I know that trials are a time given to us to prove whose team we are really fighting for.
We know who will win. Let's fight hard, with all we have, and be on the winning team.
I do not remember that exact quote, but C.S. Lewis teaches an eternal principle when he teaches something along the lines of, "If Satan can prolong the trial [or temptation] just past what we think can bear, he's got us."
I know this to be true. I know that if we just hold out faithful, be firm in our testimony and try to understand the big picture, and reject Satan, he will flee (James 4:7). I know that trials are a time given to us to prove whose team we are really fighting for.
We know who will win. Let's fight hard, with all we have, and be on the winning team.
In closing, President McCurdy invited us to invite our missionaries to a mission-wide fast this Sunday, August 10th.
We were encouraged to invite anyone who was willing - including family and friends. I realize this is contrary to a phrase in the white handbook, however, President has received revelation that this is what needs to happen. There are missionaries struggling, and prayer and fasting is what will solve this.
I read in Isaiah yesterday and had an interesting thought. Isaiah 58:6 talks about fasting and putting off all unrighteousness. I realized that, because Satan can ONLY get power as we make wrong decisions, and that power is limited to the will of the flesh, when we fast, we are completely putting off the will of the flesh - giving Satan zero power over us.
We were encouraged to invite anyone who was willing - including family and friends. I realize this is contrary to a phrase in the white handbook, however, President has received revelation that this is what needs to happen. There are missionaries struggling, and prayer and fasting is what will solve this.
I read in Isaiah yesterday and had an interesting thought. Isaiah 58:6 talks about fasting and putting off all unrighteousness. I realized that, because Satan can ONLY get power as we make wrong decisions, and that power is limited to the will of the flesh, when we fast, we are completely putting off the will of the flesh - giving Satan zero power over us.
I hope you can take this seriously and join with us in our Mission Fast this Sunday for the Philippines, Cebu Mission.
We are fasting and praying for a miracle to save the life of Elder Ngungutau. We are fasting and praying for greater strength for the missionaries to battle on and conquer the trials facing us here and discouraging feelings that can accompany trials.
President closed MLC with one phrase that I would like to repeat:
"This week, let's pray like we have never prayed before. Let's be obedient like we never have before. Let's fast like we never have fasted before."
Brothers and Sisters, I know that this is the true church of Christ. I know that we are entitled to call down the powers of Heaven - and that is what we are going to do this week. I love you all and LET'S BE STRONG.
We are fasting and praying for a miracle to save the life of Elder Ngungutau. We are fasting and praying for greater strength for the missionaries to battle on and conquer the trials facing us here and discouraging feelings that can accompany trials.
President closed MLC with one phrase that I would like to repeat:
"This week, let's pray like we have never prayed before. Let's be obedient like we never have before. Let's fast like we never have fasted before."
Brothers and Sisters, I know that this is the true church of Christ. I know that we are entitled to call down the powers of Heaven - and that is what we are going to do this week. I love you all and LET'S BE STRONG.
Love,
Elder Jacobs
