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| Thanks Richard | 12 Sep 2004 |
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I served my mission in Mexico and agree with you ful hearedly. Never, never, never compare the country you are in to another country. Firstly, it offends the citizens of that country and it only becomes a burr under your saddles that not only irritates you, but it irritates those aournd you. Just learn to love the country you're in and learn to love the people you are serving. It's your job to serve them and that means you have to love them in spite of the differences which will be many. Learn the language and learn the customs of the people. They absolutely love it when a missionary does this. Another thing, learn to laugh at the mistakes you make with the language. You will end up saying something totally embarrassing and this is something to laugh about after your mission and to also hassle other missionaries when they maie the very same mistake. One time while on my mission I told the investegator that Christ put his monkeys on the pumpkins of the Apostles and he peed on them. The investegators and my companion were dying from laughter and it took a long time before he reminded me of that mistake. He still does it and it's been almost thirty years. Lynn Svedin |
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| Lynn Svedin | Send Email |
| Preparing for serving in the Philippines | 12 Sep 2004 |
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Here's my advice: (and I think I can speak with some authority--I lived as a foreigner in the Philippines for approx. 4 years. 2 as a missionary and 2 as a guy trying to keep afloat). 1. NEVER, EVER waste your time comparing the Philippines to the U.S. The Philippines is not the US. You will only end up bitter if all you do while in the Philippines is spend your time complaining to other missionaries about how the Philippines is not like the US. You will not believe how many missionaries gather at Zone Conferences and whine. It's annoying. So, don't do it. There are other things to appreciate about the Philippines than the standard of living. The best thing you can do is just accept the Philippines as it is and not worry about wishing it was more like the US. 2. LISTEN to the people speak. This is the best way to learn the language and the culture. Pay attention to the way Filipinos talk to each other. Listen to the words and phrases used and imitate them. The problem many Filipinos have with Americans is that Americans come across as MAYABANG. I think it's because many Americans simply do not convey that they are listening rather than merely hearing. If you want to learn to the speak the language fluently then spend most of your non-teaching time listening and mimicking. Eventually you will come to understand the why behind the usage of many words and phrases. 3. WORK HARD. What more can I say? 4. Learn to love the people. If you don't learn to care for the people you're teaching then you will never convey a sense of sincerity behind the message you will teach. People can tell when you're insincere. They'll feel it. Especially Filipinos whose entire culture is primarily an emotional culture. 5. Talk to your Filipino companions. They are probably the most underrated advantage an American missionary has. They're an instant portal in the culture, the language, the country. You can make massive advance in your language study when paired with a Filipino companion. You can learn more about the culture. Try and be a real friend, rather than a polite companion. 6. There are a plethora of languages in the Philippines. Do your best to learn Tagalog. Far too many missionaries attempt to learn Ilocano, Ybanag, or Itawes and fall short in their ability to communicate effectively in Tagalog. If you ever find an investigator who doesn't speak tagalog (and more than likely you will find one) then that's where the members will be your greatest asset. And that's where the members should be used. 7. Don't worry about trying to bring too many creature comforts from home. You'll be proselyting. Some important things: -flashlight, preferably a small pocket sized that is durable. -a camelback or water bottle. Something I wish I had done was carry water. I made one too many stops at a tindahan for fanta when I should have drank water. In the hot months you'll apppreciate water. You'll be offered a lot of soda and crackers, but water will keep you hydrated. The Church will send you a list of important and required articles. Follow that; it's more comprehensive than this medium allows. My best advice is don't go into this with any preconceived notions. Just accept the Philippines for what it is and learn to love it. You will experience a great many wonderful things. You also might experience some bad things. That's nothing different from living at home where good and bad happen too. If you're lucky, and this is a rare thing indeed, you might actually end up feeling at home in the Philippines. The Inang Bayan will always hold a part of me. Hope you enjoy your mission. It will be a wonderful, spiritual experience. Richard Bates |
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| Richard G.H. Bates II | Send Email |
| who said mail-order bride anyways? | 10 Sep 2004 |
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I too have seen the effects when an "elder" comes back and under false pretenses. I've seen members turn inactive and turn TOTALLY against the church as a result of missionaries not fulfilling their empty promises. I don't recall anyone saying anything about mail-order brides though... If you're referring to meeting your future companion while as a missionary, then I guess mail-order brides has been discussed. As someone going through the process I TOTALLY do not recommend it unless the person is 100% certain! It is not a game to "toy" with a poor little Filipina. When you say you love her and she says she loves you, that is the point of no return! The point of no return can come sooner depending on the circumstances. So don't EVER say you'll come back for her unless you WILL come back for her! It's not some game to go "make out" or anything like that. I've heard of other RMs contemplating the whole process of coming back for a Filipina so that's why I shared my experience. That way the RMs and informed before they make hallow promises they can't fulfill. And if you are referencing the "Lock Your Heart" talk by President Kimball (is that right?), something else to consider is President Harold B. Lee met his wife while he was serving as a missionary. He admired her from a distance and immediately upon return home from his mission, persued her as a lady he deeply respected. There is nothing wrong with such things as long as relationships are keep within the proper bounds while a missionary (i.e. no dating, no promises). That's just my two pesos though. Take it with a grain of salt. And one other comment though, the ultimate goal of missionary work is the eternal life for those we teach, right? So eternal marriage is an ESSENTIAL part of this process. And if we marry in the temple and raise our children in the gospel, we are continuing the cycle of missionary work for generations to come! :-) |
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| Trevor Duston McGarrah | Send Email |
| "Lock Your Heart" | 10 Sep 2004 |
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Is this the Philippines Ilagan Mission Website or the Philipines Mail-order Bride Website? No offense to those of you who may, by some righteous coincidence, have found your eternal companion in the Philipines. I saw a lot of turmoil, pain, and injured testimonies in fragile branches when "Elders" came back for their brides. Can we just keep the dialogue at least somewhere close to MISSIONARY WORK? |
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| Ryan D. Berry | Send Email |
| immmigration | 10 Sep 2004 |
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By the way just the fiance visa will not end all the cost's. I have only experienced the cost's after being married. I am not from the US. and am currently immigrating it has cost around 700 dollars for all the other paper work that has to be done once you are married. I am unaware of how much will be eliminated after getting a fiance visa but there are still going to be expenses like a work permit 125 dollars a travel permit if you ever want to leave the country before you get a green card that is another 120. Fingerprints I think have gone up to 50 now. There are others too that I can't think of off the top of my head. Another good person to ask about the expense would be kurt Ulbrich His profile is here I am not sure if he has a number up by email him and he may have more insight as to the costs as he and his wife have been through all of this already. |
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| Jeff Quinton | Send Email |
| how to marry a Filipina! | 05 Sep 2004 |
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Well, I am engaged to one and looking at getting married as soon as she gets here to America. There are two routes on getting married, and for either I suggest visiting the following website for further information: http://www.asawa.org. The first route is going to the Philippines and marrying her there. I personally didn't choose this route because I would be separated from my love for half a year or even longer while being married! But there is the option of moving to the Philippines and staying with her there. The second route is a fiancee visa where you petition the US government to allow her to get a visa that requires her to get married to you within three months of arrival to the States. This is difficult because her family won't be able to attend the wedding. Again, another personal choice. Either way though, there is a six to nine month wait while all the paper work is processed. Either way you must show a bonifide fiance/spousal relationship. Meaning? A lot of phone calls, letters, packages, and hopefully more than just your visit to the Philippines as a missionary, although this MIGHT be enough to be able to get her to America on a fiancee visa if you can show pictures of the two of you together. As far as costs go though, you're looking at a LOT of money! I spend over $100 a month on phone calls. I also send her about $40 a month or so to help with her expenses with sending letters and text messaging me. Then there is the petition to get her to America. For a fiancee visa it is $165 I believe (not sure the cost for a spouse, though I believe it costs more). And then once she has a scheduled visa appointment in Manila it is an additional $100 for a medical exam and $100 for HER actual visa application. Not to mention all of your letters to her including postage. Are you getting the idea of how much this is going to cost? A LOT!!! But lets say you're going back to the Philippines to visit before this whole process begins to get pictures, signatures of various forms you'll need, etc. Depending on the time of year and how you buy tickets it will cost you between $800-$1500 going through a travel agent (I suggest www.angeltravel.com). And then lets say you want to go pick her up and bring her back once the whole six-nine month ordeal of waiting is past. You're then looking at an additional $2000 or so for your round trip and her one way ticket. Again, the time of year depends here as well! It's not a cheap process. It's not an easy process! There were times I was spending over $200 a month on phone cards to talk to my love. It's hard being a long ways apart. If you've never been in a long distance relationship, make sure this is what you want! If you break it at the last minute, she will be crushed, humiliated, etc. (especially if you go and spend a significant amount of time with her). And also there is TONs of tsismis coming from people in her ward/branch. You have to make sure she can handle it. It's REALLY tough being separated for such a long time. It's been nine months since I left the mission and it's been three months since I went and visited her for three months. Her visa interview is scheduled for the end of October so we're REALLY excited! :-) Make sure this is what you REALLY want before you begin! I'm a full-time college student and all the money I earn for my job goes to her (or the whole saving money for airline tickets). So far I've spent upwards to $3000 on her and am looking at another $2200 or so for me to go get her and bring her here. So it looks like I might get up well over $5000! Have I scared you yet? Oh, by the way, one requirement to get her here is to demonstrate you are ABOVE the national poverty level for two people which will be either $12,000 or $14,000 a year income. Or get co-sponsers to help her get here. But it looks better if you can do it yourself. Being a full-time student though I don't make enough but my sister and parents are willing to help me out there! If you have any other questions, etc. just let me know. I'll be glad to help! :-) |
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| Trevor Duston McGarrah | Send Email |
| Mahirap bang magkasal ng Pilipina? | 05 Sep 2004 |
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Is it difficult for a U.S.A. white guy to date and marry a Filipina? What are some difficulties, hardships, differences, etc.? What are some good things, similarities, etc.? What about marrying a Pilipina from the Philippines, bringing her to the U.S.A. from the Philippines? What are the difficulties involved in being married? What are the good things? |
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| Andrew Graham | Send Email |
| re: mission reunion | 03 Sep 2004 |
| I served under Paat for a month, and Gaviola for almost all of my mission. but let me know if there's going to be a reunion in Hawaii anytime soon! I don't think I'll be back on the mainland anytime soon. | |
| Andrew Wight | Send Email |
| Mission Reunion | 03 Sep 2004 |
| Hey, is anyone planning a mission reunion for those us that served under Pres. Paat? If not, then I'll put one together for next month here in the Provo/Orem area. Please email me if you know anything along those lines. Salamat. | |
| Adrienne Leigh Woolley | Send Email |
| Mission Reunion | 03 Sep 2004 |
| Hey, is anyone planning a mission reunion for next month for those of us that served under Pres. Paat? If not, I'll put one together here in Provo/Orem area. Email me if you know anything along those lines. Thanks. | |
| Adrienne Leigh Woolley | Send Email |
| Mission Reunion | 03 Sep 2004 |
| Hey, is anyone planning a mission reunion for next month for those of us that served under Pres. Paat? If not, I'll put one together here in Provo/Orem area. Email me if you know anything along those lines. Thanks. | |
| Adrienne Leigh Woolley | Send Email |
| Wussup | 16 Aug 2004 |
| Hey everyone, long time. Just wanted to say hello and let everyone know who cares that My wife just had her baby, we had a little girl on June 30, Shayla Lynn Hernandez, she was 8 pounds 7 ounces and healthy. I'm doing good too. See yall. J | |
| Jon Hernandez | Send Email |
| Arizona Reunion | 23 Jul 2004 |
| It was great. | |
| Richard G.H. Bates II | Send Email |
| Arzona reunion | 08 Jul 2004 |
| I wish I could attend the reunion, but unfortuantely I have school. Those that do make it say hello to everyone for me. | |
| Bryson Tanner Green | Send Email |
| Philippines Area Conference Broadcast | 07 Jul 2004 |
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Elder Dallin H. Oaks will preside and address the Filipino Saints before he completes his term as Area President. This will be held on July 11, 2004, 10:00am to 12:00noon and will be broadcasted. So be in your respective stake centers where satellite transmission is available. It would a wonderful opportunity to be there!!! |
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| Joey Solomon Soria | Send Email |
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