New Missionaries!!

Mangandang talghali!! Good noon!!

Oh man, my Tagalog is coming along slowly but surely. Elder Mangaoang is helping me so much and I'm learning new phrases and words every day. Here in Manila we are doing great! ayos na ayos!! We got our new companion fresh out of the MTC on Wednesday. His name is Elder Niutupuivaha from Hawaii. This guy is a stud! He's taking missionary life and living in a new place so well. He clearly has a strong desire to serve the Lord and learn to be an amazing missionary. I love the extra fire and desire that he has brought into our companionship. 

Last week I hit my one year mark!! That's so crazy to me to think that I've been out for so long. Time is really flying by. Also, Christmas season has apparently started in full force here in the Philippines. We sang "Angels we Have Heard on High" In sacrament meeting yesterday... I laughed a little bit when the bishop announced that we would be singing that song.

I developed a habit while I was India that I like to call "cross the street whenever you want because there are no traffic rules and people will simply go around you." Elder Mangaoang had to scold me a few times and remind me that here in the Philippines, there are actually established traffic rules and people will not go around me. I need to wait my turn if I want to cross the road. I'll keep that in mind so I don't get flattened... 

Until next time... Ingat Ka!! Take care!! 

Elder Kent Richard Thompson

Elder Niutupuivaha with President and Sister Ostler at the mission home.

So many new missionaries!!!

Meeting for new trainers and missionaries.  (There are almost as many people in this room as there are in my entire mission in India.  It's so crazy!)

This is called a jeepney.  It's how we usually get around.  It's fun to ride and really cheap.  I think I like it better than autos because it's a set price so the drivers can't rip you off.

Manila at night.

The sunrise from our apartment.

Elder Mangaoang, Elder Songcuan and me.  We were on exchange that night.

Exciting Times This Week!

So Elder Allen has finished his mission and will be going home tomorrow. The good news is that Elder Mangaoang and I will still be companions and we will be training a new missionary! He'll be coming in on Wednesday and we are excited to greet him. We don't know if he will be American, Filipino, or what but we are happy. We had a meeting with all the new trainers and the room was completely full with about 30 missionaries there. It's so amazing how many missionaries we have here in the Manila Mission. President Ostler expressed to us how the impact we have on this missionary will affect his mission and the culture of the mission as a whole. It's so important that we start this guy out strong and that's what we are going to do! 

I haven't improved too much on my Tagalog speaking but I'm sticking with it. I'm sure it will come with lots of time and effort.

Elder Ramos from our district was in the hospital with a dangae fever this week so we all took turns going on exchanges and staying with him in the hospital. We chilled out for a while and watched Meet the Mormons. Fortunately, he has been discharged today and shouldn't be going back!

I took a ton of awesome pictures this week that I'm excited to send out but unfortunately I forgot to bring my card reader today. I'll send those out next week for sure! 

That's all for now! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Thompson

Hello Philippines!

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!

My layover in Kuala Lumpur

Descending into the Philippines

Driving on the right side of the road!  With lanes!!!

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.

My new companions!!  (Try to guess who is Elder Allen and who is Elder Mangaoang)

Philippines, Manila Mission

Kent arrived safely in Manila.  Here is a picture of his new mission president and mission mom, President and Sister Ostler.  

My Last Day In Rajahmundry!

Hello,

It was a GREAT week for us! Veerraju was confirmed and we had another baptism for brother Nani. We took the help of the elders Dharavath and Sunny from 3rd branch to teach Nani in Telugu. He was baptized by his father Nagashwar Rao who can't walk but is worthy to perform the baptism. Elder Dharavath and I  held Nagashwar Rao up in the font while he baptized his son. It was a very spiritual experience for all of us.

Well, the time has finally come for me to leave India for some time. My time here has FLOWN by and I can't believe I'm leaving. Tonight I will get on a plane to go to Philippines and apply for a new visa. It's so sad to again say goodbye to all of my good friends. I hope that I will have the chance to come and see them all again. 

Talk to you all next week! 

Love, Elder Thompson

Our zone conference.  L-R: Elder Patten, Elder Burnett, Elder Larsen, Elder Dharavath, Elder Newton, Sister Newton,  Elder Rajendran, Elder Raju, Elder Sundas, Elder Sunny, Elder Battraw, Elder Braganza, and Elder Thompson (bottom).

Nani's baptism!  L-R: Prasad, Elder Thompson, Nagashwar Rao, Nani, Elder Dharavath, Chandra Shekar.

My good buddy Ravi Kishore

Some happy young girls

Elder Dharavath in front of a Paper Mill.

Wildlife in Rajahmundry

Wildlife in Rajahmundry

Veerraju's Baptism

Puppies

Baptism!

Hello,

This was a really great week for us in Rajahmundry. Our investigator Veerraju was baptized yesterday after church. He asked me to perform his baptism and it went well. He's a really good person and should be a strong church member.

Lately we have been going from home to home to make sure that Elder Sundas knows everybody for when I leave. He's learning the houses really well but is having a bit of trouble remembering everybody's names. I remember when I first came here and had the exact same problem names in this area are pretty confusing. He's really doing a lot to make sure that he is ready to take over. I'm proud of this guy! It's sad that we only have one more week together. Elder Sundas and I are best friends! Time has really been flying by lately. 

I took Elder Dharavath on exchange this week. He's going home after this transfer so it was good to talk with him and see how he feels and how the work is going in his area. He's training an Elder from New Delhi so it was nice to follow up on the training.

I have a bunch of pictures to send this week but unfortunately I can't send them from this computer. Hopefully next week I can get them all sent. 

Love, Elder Thompson

Nice Week

Hello,

This was a good week for Elder Sundas and I. We're really having a great time and working well together. It rained three or four times this week, but that can't stop a couple of zealous missionaries! We spent plenty of time riding our cycles through pouring rain and ankle deep puddles and rivers. Sometimes it will rain really hard and all the roads will turn into niagra falls! It's pretty exciting.

This week is Ganesh festival which means some crazy parties out on the streets. We've had lock down at 6:00 pm every other day. It kinda hurts our work but it's nice to have a little bit of time to get some extra studies in and relax a bit.

We've been teaching an investigator named Veerraju and he's just about ready to be baptized. He's scheduled to be baptized next Sunday. We're pretty excited about that. He's been so golden with learning the lessons, keeping commitments and living the commandments. All he needs now is the interview and he's ready! 

I also received word that I will be leaving to the Philippines on October 5th and I will be serving in the Manila mission while I get my Indian visa renewed. I'm excited to serve in this mission because the temple should be nearby to where I serve. It will be a wonderful opportunity to attend the temple after such a long time.

Pictures: 

1. This is what we eat during lock down when I actually have some time to cook. (American mashed potatoes and gravy with fruits and veggies.)

2. One of our investigators, Sister Vijaya at her birthday party. Her father is a pastor but asked me to say a prayer at the party. While I was praying, he started saying some pastor phrases  like "ohhh thank you!" and "amen!" I had to hold back my laughter.

3. I had a baptism interview for this young man on the right. His name is Acharya. He has a difficult family situation, but is completely ready to take baptism. I think it will help him and his family a lot. 

That's all for now! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Thompson