Week #103 - last mission letter

October 4, 2016

Hello!!!

This week in the Philippines it was my last week.

I have learned so much in this mission that I don't even know where to start. It has been a life changing experience and has changed me.  The time has come that it needs to come to an end and I can't quite figure out how I feel. I feel as if this isn't real and I am just going to start another transfer but I know also that I will be seeing my family this week.

Anyways everybody expects it so this will be my last letter. My last letter sent from the Philippines. I am going to miss the days of emailing from sketchy little computer shops where you aren't quite sure what you are going to get. I will miss the kindness and the love of these people. I will miss my friends. I will miss the endless hours of walking in the sun and getting rejected but then to see the Lord bless us with new investigators. I will miss eating weird foods and not knowing what exactly it is. I will/do miss my companions. Elder Estrada taught me how to see fun in everything. Elder Dela Cruz taught me how obedience truly does bring blessings. Elder Thompson taught me how to be more patient. Elder Castillo taught me to see my own faults instead of just looking at others. Elder Clark taught me how to always have a smile. Elder Villanueva taught me how to have more fun while I am walking! Elder Brimhall taught me how to draw (kind of). Elder Ama taught me how to talk to people and gain others trust. Elder Rosit taught me how to chop open a coconut using a machete. Elder Tanginoa taught me how to be more humble. And Elder Antrone taught me how to budget my money. I will miss all these people and things but the reason I will miss this mission and the Philippines the most is because this has become my home. These people are my family and friends and I love them so much. I have learned so much from all of them and I am so so happy for the time I have had to serve them. The Lord has truly softened my heart and taught me to love.

My mission is over and I don't know where it went. I want to do it again and again. It has changed me. I testify that change is real and it is possible through the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through him all things are possible. I know that God is our Heavenly Father and He loves us beyond our ability to comprehend. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Through reading, pondering, and applying the teachings in that book we will come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church upon the face of this earth and we have a living prophet on the Earth today and his name is Thomas S. Monson. I love this work and I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

See you all in a couple days.

Elder Child

Week #102 - last full week in the mission field

September 26, 2016

Hello!!!

This week in the Philippines investigators find us, support packages come in, and I get to do missionary work with a car for the first time in two years!

So yeah this past week was quite eventful!! It went by super fast and so many things happened! On Tuesday we started off with my last ever district meeting and then we had exchanges with the Can-avid Elders. I got to work with Elder Gaddi, a Filipino from Luzon. He is such a hard worker and it was good to be able to work with him!! He is fairly new in the mission and is being followed up right now! It was great to see his enthusiasm for the work and it inspired me to be more enthusiastic! 

Also a huge miracle happened! So last Sunday a less active decided to come to church with his live in partner. Their names are Emmanuel Almejas and Mylein Joy Salvador. Emmanuel has been hiding from me for the past 5 months every time we went by their house but last week a huge change happened! We aren't quite sure what caused it... Anyways they both showed up at church, approached us, and told us the the sister wanted to be taught, get married, and then baptized. So we of course organized an appointment and then we visited them on Saturday! We shared with them the Plan of Salvation and it was such a spiritually rich lesson. We could see Mylein's desire as she listened. At the end of the lesson we felt prompted to commit her to baptism and she accepted! She commited to prepare herself to be baptized on December 10. Miracles!

Got 3 packages this past week! Thanks mom. Also the envelopes marked saying "don't open until your flight to Brazil" are really stressing me out.

So this past week we got to work with the assistants here in Borongan. Anyways long story short Elder Revillo and I got to use the car because the assistants have one! So that was a weird experience since I have been walking or riding in tricycles my entire mission! 

This is my last week. Time is passing fast. Thanks for all your love and support! 

Elder Child

Visa & Departure flight

September 21, 2016  

Brett was FINALLY issued his Brazilian Visa and we received his flight information.  Just 14 more days. WHOO-HOO!!!
------------------------------------------------
Dear Brother Child,

Appreciate your message.  We are pleased to inform you that Brazil visa of your son Elder Brett Child is already approved and received.

Kindly see attached for your reference.  The Brazil embassy has granted him 10years multiple visa with a duration of 90days duration of stay per visit.

We are also sending you the propose flight itinerary.

Via Cebu Pacific

5J 650   05OCT  Tacloban – Manila   0805  0930

Via Etihad Airways

CHILD/BRETT RICHARD MR

EY 421     06OCT  Manila – Abu Dhabi             0115   0620                       

EY 191     06OCT  Abu Dhabi – Sao Paolo       0835   1635                      

OPERATED BY SUBSIDIARY/FRANCHISE                                          

EY5210    06OCT  Sao Paolo – Brasilia             2015   2205       

Departure Schedule

Departure Schedule Oct 3-5 2016

Requirements needed prior to your departure:

·        Chest X-ray completed and clear as pre instructions in email sent previously.

Language Testing October 3^rd Monday

Sister Odlime	Monday 3:00
E. Batikare	Monday 4:00

Mission Home

Monday Oct 3^rd

·        Ensure that your apartment is clean, before you leave it, and ready to receive your replacement missionary.

·        Pack a 2 day bag with clothes and necessities for Monday – Wednesday morning

·        No Meals Provided on Monday

·        Email and other preparation day Activities

·        Leave your companion in your area with a temporary companion and Travel to Tacloban Mission Office 

 Interview Schedule with President Maurer  

Elder Revillo	Monday 1:00
Elder Child	Monday 1:30
Sister Odlime	Monday 2:00
Elder Obrien	Monday 2:30
Elder Grande	Monday 3:00
Elder Miranda	Monday 3:30

Devotional beginning at 7:00 PM with dessert to follow

Tuesday Morning Breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM. Then following the breakfast, President will conduct interviews and some free time to visit members or do errands with a companion.

 Interview Schedule with President Maurer  

Elder John Elorde	Tuesday 8:30
Elder Jerom Villegas	Tuesday 9:00
Elder J. Maglente	Tuesday 9:30
Elder  Bachinela	Tuesday 10:30
Elder  Batikare	Tuesday 11:00
Elder  Schulkins	Tuesday 11:30
Elder  Woolston	Tuesday 12:00

Luggage Weighing: We have a luggage scale here at the office. All Luggage must be weighed prior to your departure to ensure that your weight limit meets the requirements. This is to help resolve any issues at the airport.  Your weighed bag will be left in the mission office until Wednesday morning departure

12:30pm: Lunch will be in the Relief Society Room followed by

Self-Reliance Departure Workshop with the Eakins. 1-4pm                                                          

Tuesday at 4:00 pm Travel from Mission Office to Mac Arthur Park for Batch Picture

5:00—6:30

·        Bring the finance Elders the amount required for power and water utility expenses for your last area and exit accounting also arrange for travel funds needed.  

·        Make sure you have Photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID see Travel Secretary

Dinner at the mission home starts at 6:30 PM. Following a farewell discussion beginning at 7:30 PM.

Wednesday Breakfast is on your own

Wednesday 6:45 am leave for Airport Departure meet at Mission Office 

Week #101

September 19, 2016

Hello!!

This week in the Philippines more pizza, recent converts go hard, and my companion decides to go on a diet.

So this past week was awesome and really busy! We had to travel for baptismal interviews but we still got some quality time to work in Borongan! Also our recent convert, Martin Baguinon, worked with us every day this week and told us that a year from now he is planning to be in the mission field so he wants to get as much experience as possible! He demonstrated this by referring us to his friends this past week! Their names are Gelirose and Jeran and they have a little girl. They were so amazing and Martin has been preparing them for several weeks so that we could go and teach them! They were so receptive during the lesson and said it was almost like an answer to their prayers. Later that night we received a text that they had been having financial problems recently and they said they had just found a solution to their problem. They told us it was almost like a coincidence. Blessings...

So here in the Philippines people kind of don't have filters on their mouths (I apologize if I offend anyone when I get home). So my companion isn't the skinniest person in the world and the members here love to tell him so. Also there is a restaurant chain called Jollibee and they claim that he is the mascot. So this past week he decided he was done being called fat so he decided to go on a diet. He lasted a grand total of 1 day. I think he lost like 1 pound though! Maybe...

So yes I am on a roll with the pizza. It is my new favorite food! We got the chance to go to Elder Clark's area again and eat some delicious foods.

So that's pretty much it for this week! Thanks for all your love and support!
Elder Child

Week #100

September 12, 2016

Hello!!

This week in the Philippines pants rip, power bills arrive, and I eat pizza hut :)

So this internet shop keeps deciding to cut off the internet or something so I am really struggling. haha but we will endure and see how this works out!!

So this past week I went to Manila again. Just to update you, two weeks ago I had to travel to Manila to apply for a Brazilian Visa. So I went and they told me that there was some paper work missing and I needed to come back. So that was kind of frustrating because coming back meant I would have to fly back to Tacloban and then travel back to my area. They told me I needed to go get barangay (if you don't know what that is, google it) clearance. So technically I had to travel all the way back to my area and talk to some guy that I have never seen before that is in charge of the barangay I live in and get a signed paper that says I am a law abiding citizen. Then I went back to Manila carrying that one piece of paper! Basta now everything is hopefully good to go!

But just some good things. While I was in Manila I ate Pizza Hut and Subway. I have not eaten that in nearly 23 months! It was quite delicious and I might have cried from happiness while eating it.

I saw a naked person walking the streets of Tacloban.

So yeah this past week my pants ripped. It happened because we locked ourselves out of the house and I had to climb a wall and stuff and then climb through a window to unlock the door. So the crotch of my pants ripped as I was climbing the wall! But it's good now! I had someone sew it all up!

So the work these past two weeks has been difficult here in Borongan. This past week something called Patron was celebrated. Basically the Catholics throw a giant fiesta and celebrate Mary's birthday. So anyways it was kinda hard to work because everyone was busy preparing and all the fathers were out working and stuff so we couldn't get in to teach anybody! But we did have some success! This past week we found a new investigator family! They are they Catilo family and they are so awesome! They are so receptive and they asked when we could come back and teach them again. We will be going back to teach them this week. Also our recent convert, Martin Baguinon, is a working maniac! He works with us almost every single day and says he is planning on going on a mission!! He is so amazing and he is growing so much in his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It feels so weird to say I only have 3 weeks left. I love this mission and I love the people here. I have seen so much change in so many people and I have seen it in myself. Thank goodness I don't have to travel anywhere anymore and now I can just concentrate on the work! 

Well that's it for this week! Thank you all for your love and support. I apologize for not sending pics. My card reader is no longer accepted by the computers here so I need to buy a new one!

Elder Child

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS PHILIPPINES TACLOBAN MISSION                                                             September 12, 2016 511 Maharlika Highway Fatima Village Tacloban City, LEYTE 6500 Philippines Dear Brother and Sister Child, Elder Brett Richard Child - We have had the honor and privilege of serving alongside your son as a missionary in the Philippines Tacloban Mission. He has been valiant in discharging his responsibilities and we have loved helping him grow during this period in his life. Completing a full-time mission indicates dedication and consecration, and you can be proud of his accomplishments.  We value the influence you have had in preparing your missionary for this dedicated service. He has been a great influence through his leadership and fine example, not only to members and investigators, but also among his fellow missionaries. As you are aware, he has served in the following leadership positions: ·        District Leader ·        Zone Leader ·        Trainer As the time of dedicated missionary service comes to a close, we feel eternal conversion is his focus.  As he continues to strengthen his testimony and serve his family and fellowmen, we trust you will welcome him home with love and enthusiasm.  Sincerely your brother, Wayne E Maurer Philippines Tacloban Mission President

Week #99 - no real letter

September 5, 2016

I didn't receive any pics. Also I can't send pics because I don't have my card reader. I didn't get my visa last week because there was some paper work missing so I am going back to Manila today and tomorrow to hopefully finish things up.

*Update:  We received an email from the church travel department telling us that everything went smoothly at the consulate in Manila and he is scheduled to have his visa issued on September 20.  Fingers crossed that everything works out since he has less than 30 days left in the mission field.

Week #98

August 29, 2016

Hello! 

This week in the Philippines a heat wave strikes, a boil is popped, and I realize that agency is sometimes a very hard thing.

So yeah this week was awesome! This is the first time that I have been companions with someone from my batch so we have been enjoying it a lot! Elder Antrone will be going home in november. We are having so much fun but sadly his first week here a heat wave decided to strike and at the same time a lot of people decided to use their agency against us. So this past week we spent a lot of time walking. Like a lot. But on the bright side I now look like a brown filipino walking around and I had lots of time to just talk to my comp! We get along super well and it'll be a really fun cycle!

So on saturday I got some weird news. Tomorrow I will be flying to Manila solo so I can finish everything and get my visa for Brazil. It's kinda weird because I will be alone and I shouldn't be on an airplane for another 5 weeks. I'm not sure how I feel about this. My companion is kinda dissapointed that he isn't going. I might be able to go to Dairy Queen or something!!!! Haven't seen one of those in 22 months!

So Borongan is doing good! The members are really starting to help us out more in missionary work! Ever since we got a new branch mission leader things have actually started going faster! The members are also super happy that once again another elder will be having his last area here in Borongan! They love parties!
So this past week I figured I should probably take more pictures or my mom will get mad at me.

Also yesterday a huge surprise came! Our recent convert, Martin Baguinon, was called as the district executive secretary. It was a huge surprise and nobody was expecting it. 

So that's all I got for this week. Sorry it's not that much! I will try for more next week!

Elder Child

Week #97 - one more trasfer to go!

August 22, 2016

Hello!

This week in the Philippines families are found, sicknesses occur, and I find out I am going to be a grandpa!

So yes it just so happens that we found out this past week that my son, Elder Clark, will be training this cycle so that means I will be a grandpa!!! It's so great to see my posterity grow!! And even better is that we will be staying in the same zone!!!

So outcome of this past transfers. I will be staying in Borongan for my last transfer in the mission! That makes a total of 4 cycles here but I gotta say that I am loving it! Borongan has been such a huge blessing to me and I have learned so much here!! I am looking forward to spending my last cycle here and continually serving the people here! My new companion is Elder Antrone who just so happens to be my batch!! Sadly he isn't here right now and he will arrive tomorrow! I am currently companions with a branch missionary and we had a super fun morning of cleaning!! 

This past week we were finding and we decided to "maupay" a house that looked like it had nobody in it. It was a fairly big house compared to the rest of the houses on the street. Anyways when we "maupay"ed the house a very nice woman named Lizel came running out and talked to us. She was very happy to talk and immediately invited us to share. Sadly her husband was sleeping so we didn't get to teach but we rescheduled an appointment! When we went back they both sat down and said that they had been waiting! It was such a good lesson and the spirit was so strong. They shared to us of how they want to raise their kids in a Christ centered home and how this is what they were looking for.

So Elder Tanginoa left this morning to go to Tacloban! He will be leaving on Wednesday to go home. It really hit me watching him get in the van this morning that I will be doing the same exact thing in 6 weeks. It's all been so fast and wish it would go by slower. I have enjoyed my mission so much up until this point and don't know why it has to end so soon! This means that I have 6 weeks left to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ. I"m not going to be slacking off anytime soon! 

Well that's it for this past week! Thanks for all the love and support!

Elder Child

Week #96

August 14, 2016

Hello!!

This week in the Philippines MORE BAPTISMS, a father and son outing occurs, and I eat a 14 inch pizza all by myself :)

So this week was quite amazing!! We saw so many fun things and had so many good experiences!! To start off with Martin Baguinon got baptized!! This is the 4th Saturday in a row that Borongan has had baptisms and there will be some more this coming Saturday! I guess it helps that there are two companionships here in Borongan but it's a team effort! Anyways Martin enjoyed his baptism and it was an amazingly spiritual experience. He had the opportunity to share his testimony also and he shared about the change that he has seen in his life.

So Elder Clark and his companion are having a lot of success in their are also! We got to go up to their area and conduct some baptismal interviews and ended up getting stuck there for the night due to no rides... Anyways we worked with them that night and Elder Clark and I had a good time and lots of success! We wrapped up the night by going to a local pizza place, which was actually pretty good, and ordering 2 14 inch pizzas and some chili cheese fries! It was quite marasa (delicious) and I could have eaten more! I think it had to do something with the nametag I'm wearing though! Ever since I've put this bad boy on I seem to have a black hole in my stomach. Then that night we slept outside. Turns out that wasn't a good idea because I got eaten by mosquitos. I think they like my blood type because Elder Clark didn't get one bite!

Elder Tanginoa and I are getting along great and working hard! This will be his last week here in the mission so it's his goal to endure to the end and work hard!! We have seen so many blessings in our companionship! I have learned a lot from him and this will be a good last week for him!

This past Tuesday we had ZTM or zone training meeting! Elder Tanginoa and I gave a training on finding how we can be more urgent in the work of salvation! It was an amazing training and since then we have seen such a great jump in the success of the zone as they strive constantly to talk to everyone!!

Well that's it for this week! Shout out to the family cause they are now in Brazil. Sad thing is that I don't even have a visa yet. Oh well I guess I'll just stay in the mission a little longer! That wouldn't be to bad! Thank you all or your love and support!

Elder Child

Father/Son dinner: Father and son means that I am his trainer and he is my trainee.

 Our districts definition of finding:

 Zone lunch:

 Baptism:

 Baptism:

Martin's baptism:

Weeks #94-95

August 8, 2016

Hello!! (first three paragraphs were written before the black out last week)

Last week in the Philippines baptisms happened, parties were thrown, and I decide I want to learn how to dance!So this past week was quite memorable!! To start off with we had a baptism on Saturday!! Brother Nikki Rivera was baptized and then confirmed on Sunday! It was such an amazing experience and the spirit was so strong during the service! The sisters that are also assigned here in Borongan also had some baptisms so it was a good experience! To this day I still sometimes struggle to pronounce peoples names when I am baptizing them!! But it all went ok! Sadly our other investigator, Martin Baguinon, couldn't be baptized for other reasons but he will be interviewed be President Maurer this coming Saturday and then will be baptized on August 13th! He is so excited and can't wait!

So there are 2 people leaving to go on missions from Borongan! On Saturday night the branch held a going away party for them then of course we had a giant feast! Sadly the future elder didn't show up... just the sister! But oh well! It was still a fun time considering that the youth had a dance off! Also last Monday we had 2 FHEs that we had to go to so our schedule was kinda hectic! But we had an awesome time and came home that night quite full and ready to sleep!!

This week in the Philippines more baptisms happen, lots of meetings, and I realize that I am living with a hermit.
Yes all that is true! This week was full of traveling and lots of meeting that made me very very happy that I haven't yet or ever will be assigned in the office because meetings are so boring!!! But I learned a lot so that was good!

More baptisms in Borongan! I've gotta admit that sisters are amazing at missionary work! Don't know what we would do without them! They had 2 baptisms this past week and I got to baptize one of them! It was a good service and President Maurer himself decided to attend! 

Yes it is true. I am living with a hermit. He likes to be alone upstairs and absolutely refuses to sleep in the same room. He kinda has his own little nest up there!! He really doesn't talk either and only comes downstairs for companionship study, bathroom brakes, to take a shower, and to go out to work. It's a lonely life but ill survive! He has been like this his entire mission so it's nothing new I guess.

I am very very tired at the moment. I just got over being sick again and we have been traveling a lot but the work is amazing! Martin Baguinon will be getting baptized this coming Saturday and he is so excited! He is ready to be baptized and still going strong!

Our other investigators are doing fantastic! We are working hard and seeing so many blessings here in Borongan! Basta that's it! Thanks for the love and support!

Elder Child

"My batch all combined at ZL & DL training. Actually there were some missing...

 Brother Rivera's baptism:

 Companions:

 "we went on exchanges and this crazy tatay decided to lay down on my companions lap"

 District lunch:

 "a little girl I got to baptize for the sisters"

 "another investigator I got to baptize for the sisters"

 lunch:

 "yes, that's a bandaid on my forehead.  I had a very large pimple"

 MLC:

 Past companions:

Week #93

July 25, 2016

Hello!!!!

This week in the Philippines memories are made (like always haha), companions are reunited, and I discover I have a parasite! :)

So yeah this week was CRAZY!! It went by so fast and so many things were going on! We started off on Monday by having a super fun FHE at a members house and we had some of our recent converts attend! For anyone that doesn't know what an FHE is, it's a program of sorts where a family gets together on Monday night and has activities, learns about Christ, and becomes more unified! You should try it! It was super awesome and we had a good time! My companion gave a cool message involving food and 1 Nephi 8:12. Read it and eat something delicious at the same time!!!

So on Wednesday and Thursday I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with Elder Rosit, the new AP. It was a super fun time! As we were out trying to find new investigators we "Maupay"d a house. That's what you do here when you go to someones house. You don't knock on a door or anything. You simply stand outside and yell "maupay" until they come out! Anyways we were essentially yelling at this house and this lady comes and and yells back that she doesn't want to listen to us because they are Christians. We then happily told her that we are Christians also and then she went back inside. Anyways it was a good laugh. But yeah "Mormons" are Christians.

So I was informed that I might have a parasite! For the past 4 or 5 weeks my body has been weird. I can eat very little amounts of food and if I eat to much I throw it all up and get the runs the next day! So I have been getting very skinny. The other day I weighed in at 160 pounds! That's crazy!! Anyways I think I am getting better now and I have been able to eat a little more over the past few day! haha

So yesterday was district conference in Borongan District! We had an area seventy preside and there was also a new district presidency called! We also had 6 investigators at church! It was such an amazing meeting and the spirit was so strong! I would like to add that I sang in the choir and we sounded like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

So my companion and I and a branch missionary had a very fun activity this past week while working. It involved putting bottles on our head and then using a home made slingshot to shoot them off! It was quite the trust building activity! I learned that I am not very good at shooting a slingshot but luckily I didn't hit anyone! haha

So this coming Saturday we will be having 2 baptisms! Martin Baguinon and Nikki Rivera are ready and their testimonies are so strong! They are both excited for their baptism as is the entire branch!

Well that's it for this week! Thank you for all your love and support! I love you all!
Elder Child

Pic 1 - Elder Child and Brother Louie
Pic 2 - with Martin and Raffy (a Branch missionary)
Pic 3 - with some Branch missionaries and Martin
Pic 4 - a cool quote
Pic 5 - before I got a haircut.  anyways please read this nanay's shirt.  hahahahahahahaha