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.