New Experience

Today we had a new experience.  We have a missionary whose visa expires 3 months before his mission should end and we are starting the process of getting him a new visa so that he can stay to the end of his mission.  It entailed us meeting him and his companion at the temple and taking a ferry to downtown to get a physical.  It took us over 4 hours in travel time and waiting time at the appointment. We asked what he would do after his mission, he said "I have no education, I did not go to grammar school or high school so I will just get a job. He is from the Philippines, and he shared his touching story with us.  His mother passed away 7 years ago and his father has lost his sight. After Elder P's older siblings left home - he became the father and mother to his younger siblings.  He did not attend school but gave all his time to his siblings.  About 4 years ago, a friend asked him if he wanted to come and listen to the missionaries that were coming to his house to teach them. Elder P went, listened, learned and received an answer that the church was true and was baptized. He was able to share the gospel with his siblings and baptize them.  He decided he could leave his family to serve a mission as they had all gotten a little older and could care for themselves.  They do all attend school and he will finish his mission in time to go to some of their graduations.  He told us how he always wanted to be a rich man, but now he doesn't care because he is rich in the things of God. He could barely read when he got to the mission but he has now read the Book of Mormon 4 times, he says I now understand what I read.  He said "I am glad that I was not educated because I am very prideful and maybe I would not have accepted the gospel if I had education".  He is the first missionary from his ward to serve outside of the Philippines. When he got his call he said "I cannot go to another country, I am not educated" - then when he was visa delayed, he said "maybe I should just serve here. He was helped by a senior couple to work through the whole process and finally obtained a visa and got here after learning English. "He says I am now an educated man, I have been to another country, I can speak English, and I can read".  He is a happy man. It was our privilege to help him today - we hope and pray he is granted a new visa so he can finish his mission in Brisbane.