Well, I made it safely to the Philippines and this place is AMAZING! I literally feel like I am back in America. People know english that is really easy to understand, the food is absolutely delicious, I can basically find anything I need in the stores (7-11s on every corner), and the driving is on the right side with little to no honking. I made it to the mission home without any trouble and met my new mission president, President Ostler and his wife, Sister Ostler. They are so nice and greeted me with much love and support. Right when I got to the mission home we had a meal of BEEF STEW and GREEN SALAD! No masala, no chili peppers, and no eating with our hands. What a strange thing it was for me!
I met my two new companions, Elder Allen and Elder Mangaoang. Elder Allen is from Utah and is finishing his mission in just a few weeks but regardless of that, we're doing some serious missionary work! He's super nice and fun to talk to. Elder Mangaoang is from the Philippines and is one of the kindest and most considerate people I have ever met. I am so happy to have been greeted by such kind people. The local people are also all so nice. I can't speak their native language of Tagalog yet, but most people can speak pretty decent English.
The adjustment to a new culture has been interesting. Elder Allen keeps telling me not to talk in an Indian accent when I teach people. He says "just talk slowly and like a normal person." He also has to remind me quite often to speak in complete sentences. I hate to say it, but my English has changed quite a bit from living in India, especially from being in places where good English is very uncommon. So in the meantime, I'm learning Tagalog and trying to get my English to sound more like a normal person. Tagalog is a really cool language! From a foreigner's view, it sounds like a lot of ung or nung sounds. I've started to learn some basic words and phrases like ako po si Elder Thompson. (My name is Elder Thompson) and Taga Utah po ako (I am from Utah). People actually know where Utah is when I tell them that because they recognize the Utah Jazz. The NBA seems to be very popular here. In India, I had to tell them that Utah is "close to California" because that's the next closest state that they have ever heard of. Anyway, the Philippines is different but it's great. The climate is fairly similar but a little less hot. We don't have hot water, a/c, or a washing machine in our apartment which will take a little bit of getting used to but I'm ready for it. In reality, you really don't need any of those things to be happy and healthy!
The work here is great! We've been doing a lot of street contacting and finding new investigators. I hope to learn the language as fast as possible so that I can be a better help to my tri-panionship. For now, I'll do my best and work to be blessed with the gift of tongues!
Oh also, we watched General Conference over the last few days. It was great to hear the words of the apostles and prophet. Fortunately, they played it in English. Indeed a great experience.
I'm so pumped about this! The Lord's work will press on throughout the Earth!
Love, Elder Kent Richard Thompson
I didn't get a ton of good pictures this week but here they are.
One thing I forgot to mention is that I REALLY miss India. That place is like my home! It's ok though, it's a cool experience to be in a new country and learning a new culture. I'll get my visa and go back but for now I will serve these people with all my heart!
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| My layover in Kuala Lumpur |
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| Descending into the Philippines |
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| Driving on the right side of the road! With lanes!!! |
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| Our zone! This mission has a ton of missionaries in a pretty small geographical area. It's really cool to see that. I'm sure India will be like this some day. |
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| My new companions!! (Try to guess who is Elder Allen and who is Elder Mangaoang) |
