Hello, this is your bro and friend Michael Rowley but now
known as Elder Rowley. I'm sending this email to my Payson High bros, who are in other missions, to encourage and
uplift. Before I begin I want to explain two things.
First, I'm not perfect. I make mistakes, I don't want you to
think that I'm like a hipocrite because I make mistakes too.
Second, you may ask yourself by what authority can Michael
write all this. Well I have been out longer than any of you even if it is by
four weeks. If any of you have a problemn with it, I'll be happy to take it up
with you in 19 months. Now let's begin.
Let me tell you a lil' bit about my mission. I have to deal
with poisonous scorpions and snakes, I have to deal with porn that is all over.
I have to deal with companions that come from a completely different
background. My mission has been some of the darkest days of my life. I have to
deal with huge spiders and I have to check myself for ticks. I constantly work
with dropped baptismal dates. I've had people threaten to kill me if I come
back. I've had many doors slammed at my face. I've had people making fun of me
for not knowing Spanish. I walk during siesta(a time were everyone sleeps like
4 hours). I fear for my family and Mom's health and I fear for the future.
I also have seen a visible change in myself, I've seen my
testimony grow. I've seen people filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit. I've
learnt to be humble(almost) and patient. I wouldn't trade my mission experience
for anything.
I know that you guys are going through some similar
experiences. All I can say keep your head up. When thoughts of doubt and
darkness enter your mind(and I know they have) Pray. As if you were at the feet
of Jesus.
You may ask yourself why am I here? I feel like I'm failing
and you may not even have any baptisms. But now let's turn to preach my gospel,
pg 10, paragraph 1 says 'Your success as a missionary is measured
primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people and to
help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the
Holy Ghost.' Guys aslong as you're committed and you wake up
on time and try your hardest everyday and be obedient then you're a good
missionary. It's on how hard you try. God doens't judge you on how many times
you get knocked down, He judges you on how many times you get back up.
Jesus knows what you're going through. When you
think your backpack is heavy, how do you think Jesus felt when He had a cross
on His back. When your knuckles hurt from knocking, Jesus is hurt too as He
hung from them on the cross. When you're too tired to wake Jesus was too tired
to walk after feeling your pain all night in the Garden of Getsemaney. When you
get mad at your companion and hate him for everything he is(don't worry I've
been there) Jesus forgave all who killed Him. Jesus has been there, He knows
you and your pain. Take advantage of the Atonement.
Guys one day we will be united, The Bros. We will
ride and blast music and go Y and R. We will have fun. But for the next 2 years
we are warriors for God. I have declared war on Satan and I'm asking you to
join me. Alma 56:17 is my motto. I will conquer (like the armies of Antipus) or
die trying. We can do it, represent Utah! Let's go!
Elder (Your Bro) Rowley As a good Elder once told
me- Your BROther in Christ. (Eldgredge)
P.S- Check out my blog, eldermichaelrowley.blogspot.com
and watch out for them storms my Philipean bros.
More notes:
Well we 3 (me, Elder Fisher, Elder Zapata) are going to be together another transfer, things are going well, that man that called me out in sac meeting apologized. Yea Elder Zapata is laughing right now. Mom, he rmebers you asked him about backpacks or bags, when you called the mission office. He is ok now i guess, we talk our probs ut ALOT.
Well, do you really want to know how i teach people? I dont
just bear my testimony and zone out the rest of the time. I asked ALL the english
elders and they said it is normal to zone out a little,when you don't understand everything. BUt teaching is good. People
here are rude though so we don't get in a lot of times.
Mom, i am your only son, Tell me whats going on with your
health adnd you. Thank you for bringing me up in the gospel. This last week I
read aboiut the sons of Helamen, i read the book of Mormon like for 2 hours
everyday. I love reading it. You raised a good warrior. Thanks. I am in Ether
right now.THe nephpites are SO stupid to forsake God over and over every like 3
to 5 years. My testimony of the Book opf MOrmon is the strongest thing i
got.
Dad, those "battle tank" shoes you bought are the only ones that are comfortable for walking 15 miles a day.
Haha i am so happy to
see the pics of my bros from Canyon's Farewell. I am glad you saw Priscilla, haha! Now, we can pray for Hyrum, as he works to save for his mission.
.JPG)
Hyrum and Canyon at Canyon's Farewell - (Canyon is downhill so he looks shorter) 11-10-13
Answers to questions from Mom:
1. We have to clap at gates cause people get mad if i knock
at there doors.
2. People drink Tang here and eat with their hands. They
also have NO speed limits so people drive crazy and motorcycle weave in and out
of traffic.
3. Yea im pretty wise with my money. i get like 830 pesos and 300 for
travel a month.
4. I am fed lunch everyday. Lunch is dinner so i eat eggs
for breakfast and at dinner at 9 pm. thats really all.
5. I just drink bottled water. I can take hot water.
6. So this next email will be for kaleb and my bros.
7. I have heard of no missionaries being harmed in the
philipines.
Dad, i dont really write anybody specifically besides you and
mom and literally 1 or 2 sentances to Priscilla. and then the mass message. I
suck at typing so that one takes for ever. I wil email more when we dont have 3
elderes trying to cram emails into a 4 hour window. I kinda thought that my
mass message was kinda like, heres whats going on. ya know. but you all are my
1st prioroty. haha, have a good week!
And our latest baptism, Julio! 11-11-13
Hors d'oeuvres - our pre-lunch snack-11-11-13
My hand after being bit-11-11-13
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