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| Kolby's trainer Elder Canaya |
Hello everyone! Kolby surprised us last night around 9:00 with a video call from Philippines! We knew it would be around Christmastime, but we didn't know when because of the 15 hour time difference. I had already put Hazel to bed, but we woke her up. The other kids were visiting family, so we called them to come home right away. They were able to see about half of his hour long conversation. He has only been in Philippines for a few weeks, so it was fun to talk to him about all the new things he's seen and done! He was at one of the stake presidency counselors homes so we could hear well (the picture would come on and off) and he had earbuds so he could hear us well too.
A few highlights:
His companion is Elder Canaya from Philippines. He speaks excellent English
He was able to attend the Manila temple to do initiatories and it was in English
He has only received one of my three packages (the two I sent in October by boat are in customs so he should get them soon!)
He loves the food, has gained 13 pounds since he left. He said there are many resturants and the McDonalds serves rice with everything. He really misses beef (steak especially). He ordered a hamburger once and it was small and not the same. He said he can get all kinds of ingredients and has stocked their pantry with flour, sugar etc. and requested recipes. They have a fridge and a hotplate to cook on and he bought some supplies to make a box oven.
He said it's hard not to buy everything because it is so cheap! He did order some nice pants for 7 dollars.
He told us in detail about eating balut. I recorded this conversation because we all know how much he HATED eggs before he left. I can't believe he ate it, but it just shows how brave he is!!
He played the violin at their zone Christmas party.
He had his first baptism! A young lady named Diana.
He didn't seem frustrated about the language, but he is very anxious to speak better and understand more. He said people stare at him all the time and it makes him feel stupid. (I told him it was probably because he's tall and blonde!!!!)
There will be a new mission created on July 1st so depending on where he is serving at the time he will be in Quezon City, Cavite or (the new one) Antipolo. He is hoping for one of the last two because they aren't all in the city like Quezon City will be. (he wants some jungle and adventure!!)
He hasn't seen a lot of spiders, just cockroaches. He described how at night the lights from the jeepney's revealed so many cockroaches all over the road.
They find people to teach by walking along the homes near a canal. He said the houses are pieced together.
It doesn't rain everyday, but the times it did rain the streets were flooding with water.
He mentioned how crazy everyone drives and he wishes he could drive too! He wants to build a sidecar when he gets home and he studies it everytime he rides in one. He loves jeepneys and scooters and has even seen someone get hit (!!!)
I asked if he'd been homesick at all and he said no. (it doesn't surprise me!) He is so good natured and up for adventures so I don't think he has had time to miss home! (He does miss Hazel though, and she loved seeing him and hearing him talk to her.) He did ask about the truck and was reminded he has a motorcycle. He also wanted to know about all the changes Preston did to their room!
He bore his testimony to us in tagalog and it was awesome! I recorded it but Hazel was crying. If you don't mind the crying you can still hear him. I will try to post it on his blog. (quezoncityelderbanister.com) It was so awesome to talk to him and laugh with him. We love hearing about his mission and all his adventures. Thank you for all your support!! He loved all the Christmas cards and letters.
Love, Beth
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| Kolby and his mission president: David Koster and his wife. |
