Kia Ora 朋友和家庭!
I feel really nervous about sharing about any of the people we are currently teaching. None of them are very far along, and if they end up dropping us/things don't work out, I might have to update you-- and that would not be fun! At the same time, I love reading some emails from missionary friends about their experiences with those they're teaching!
I'm still working on time management for writing emails, among other things, too. I've found the last couple weeks, even on P-days we have a lot to do besides talking to family and writing letters. So, I'm basically still experimenting with my emails, as through them I truly want to uplift people as much as possible!
I'm going to try this week to write about a few of my experiences in more detail.
Who am I teaching?
We've been teaching a couple from China who was referred to us right as I got to the field, Cacerlyn and Kewell. They are honestly couple goals! They usually wear matching clothes when we visit. They really work hard to do what they are passionate about, including travel, food, and loving their cute cats! I feel a special love for them especially as they are my first found-and-currently-teaching-couple.
It's wild to see the difference between people who really are ready to accept Christ into their lives, and those who just aren't interested. This couple is super keen to learn more about their purpose here on Earth and God's plan for them. Last week we taught them the first lesson through and through, and rather than having concerns about our doctrine, one just asked what our church organization looked like. To us missionaries, that's something to celebrate. A lot of the people we teach have a harder time developing faith. I'm super excited to see how they continue progressing, and honestly, as we call all of those we teach 'friends', I really do consider them my friends. Since being here I've truly learned more about having unconditional love for those I've met.
Positives: [Despite the concerns I expressed at the beginning of this email I actually have found so much joy and freedom from distress here!!]
- Our branch had a Christmas Activity and it was awesome! I sung in 3 songs-- there was a number with a traditional Chinese flute, which was cool; there was a cool photo booth and I tried on literally all of the clothes to take pictures with different people; and there was food. It was just done so well and I really felt for the first time like it was Christmas.
- Me and Sister Rich as Wise Women- hah!
- Pahutakawa Trees (New Zealand's Christmas Trees!) :)
- We taught some ants about Jesus's plan for them
- People wearing pajamas at 3pm, but still wearing makeup and/or having their hair done up inspires me beyond belief! (New Zealand's nap-time is 2p-4p, especially since a lot of people end work by that time)
- We had been teaching a woman named Peu Sum (spelling questionable) who ONLY speaks Cantonese. She doesn't understand Mandarin, and the only thing she really says in English is "I liking looking" when we show her the Book of Mormon videos. We were able to video call a member here in Auckland who just recently got back from a Cantonese-speaking mission, and they were able to tell her why we keep visiting her and showing her videos. That was cool! Cantonese sounds wack, but also it's cool to see how it still is Chinese. Apparently she doesn't really care to 'choose a church', she just likes nice people- which is good, but also she probably won't feel a need to continue meeting with us to progress further, which is sad. We are going to try and invite her to church, so we'll see.
- For P-Day today we went to the Whatipu beach, and then we went and had Korean BBQ with our district. It was SO good! Wow. I rarely have eaten beef here, and I miss it. So that was a good opportunity to eat bulgogi and another beef. I also had deokbokki, among other things. SO GOOD.
Negatives:
- Sister Bennion and Sister Johnson are leaving tomorrow!! I never got a chance to be their companions, but I love them!! I'm also very excited for them to go on with their lives, so it's bittersweet.
- Sister Bennion and Sister Johnson during morning exercise excursion <3
- I really wanted our 'friends' to come to our Christmas event, and they were busy, so that was honestly SO SAD. I just love them so much, so it really ended up being disappointing. But, also my expectations shouldn't be that high, and they'll have more opportunities to come to activities.
Food Review: All these got the same rating - I would recommend each for different situations/tastes
- Rock Bread (Sister Johnson ♡): Super good textured sweet bread, RATING: 70
- Grilled Pepper Steak Limited Edition Bluebird Potato Chips: Tastes like meat!! Much more accurate than Lays has ever been. Kinda like jerky (I miss steak), RATING: 70
- Grilled Chicken Lime & Chili Limited Edition Bluebird Potato Chips: Less chicken flavor, more lime and chili. Super yummy! RATING: 70
Bluebird Limited Edition Potato Chips
Simple truth: (I honestly never remember what I've already done so sorry if I repeat something- it's true no matter how many times I say it c: )
God knows us and our struggles and he always provides when we come unto Him!
3 Nephi 13: 31-33
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you"
This scripture really comforted me at the MTC, as I was still worried about the money I had earned before I left, about my family's welfare, about friend's etc.. Christ tells us here that we have no need to worry for those simple needs- God knows of our needs and he provides as we come closer to him. As I serve him I can have confidence he will take care of all other temporal needs- he will do the same for you!
Much love!
馬姐妹Sister Martinez
Christmas video!
Missionaries in the Chinese Branch
Beach this morning (I wrote my name in the sand :))
I would love to hear from you!
carly.martinez@missionary.org
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