October 8, 2018 Old Sagay

maayong hapon sa inyo tanan!

well what a week. i guess the biggest news is that i got transferred from Old Sagay!! The AP's called us last night and I packed all night and we were in Bacolod by 9 am this morning. My new area is Santa Fe!! So right in the middle of Bacolod city! I am so excited to be in the city and experience this change of scenery. 

But yes. my new companion is Sister Bergman!! She has only been here 6 weeks. Which means, I'm in charge of doing her follow up training. even though I finished my own follow up training yesterday hahah. so send some prayers that the people of santa fe will be able to understand us cause i still dont know this language hahaha. but I totally know God will help us. He only asks us to do things that He knows that we can do!! And I am grateful for the opportunity to go to a new area and meet new people and have lots of new experiences!!! 

but wow leaving Old Sagay was the worst!! I am so grateful for all of the people there and the love and kindness that I felt from them every single day. I already miss them so so much. But my last day in Old Sagay was just perfect. We worked hard and at night we saw the prettiest sunset I think I've ever seen. I just felt God's love for me so distinctly in that moment last night. It felt like He had created this huge beautiful sunset just for me to enjoy my last night in Old Sagay. im so thankful for Him.

but good news-

WE GOT MICROWAVES!! it was so exciting. ive yet to find popcorn in this country but im sure they have some in the stores here. they have a lot more american stuff in the city i think. but it was a happy day for us over here

we had a really cool experience this week. so we went to go teach the Lapid family that just moved into Old Sagay! The mother is a member of our church but her son isn't and she asked us to come stop by and see them!! and lemme tell ya. what an emotional rollercoaster. So Ruel is 38 years old and in the past one year, got a brain tumor and became completely blind, lost his smell and taste and has strokes and siezures. his brother died 3 weeks ago and his mom just started having strokes as well. i was in absolute shock as i heard them discuss these hard hard trials that they've been going through. but most people in situations like this, probably myself included, would just look at their life as one big hardship and not know how to move on. But Ruel had the most postive attitude about his situation and so much hope for the future. I just cried through the entire lesson as I tried to imagine what he possibly could be going though. But he is so so strong. He ultimately told us that since they cant afford a brain surgery, he slowly is going to lose all his senses. But he still had such a strong desire to come closer to Christ and prays every single night and has used this huge stumbling block as something to push him forward instead of hold him back. i left their little house so so inspired and felt like theres no way i can even complain about anything in my life anymore.

so even if i am training a new companion when i still cant speak illongo and have a lot of fears about whats to come, because of him i am able to look at my situation with hope for the future and know that God is helping me every single step of the way!! 

As much as I love Old Sagay, I am super excited to be able to work and love the people in Santa Fe. The best is yet to come!!!!

(also sorry no pics this week somethings wrong with my sd card i think haha)

but i miss you all and hope you have a good week!!! 

sister johnson