And... Switch Letter 2/3/2014

Dear Family!

Well, I'm back in Tacloban and things are great! It was so good to see President and Sister Andaya again. President Andaya is a man of God and I am so grateful to have him as a mission president. Him and an emeritus seventy, Elder Banks have been all over these two islands with four office elders for the past couple of months getting things back in order for our return. After we landed we were taken to the Tacloban Stake Center which has been cleaned up a lot since we last saw it. We drove through the same destruction that we left. A lot has been done but there is a lot still left to do. I was amazed at the morale of the people here. On our ride to the Stake center there was this part where little kids were lined up on the road, cheering and it was a really neat experience. It's hard for me to describe. I am so grateful to be back here. We had an orientation meeting and received direction from President and Sister Andaya and Elder Banks. It has indeed been a joyous reunion. We then made the 5 hour drive down to southern Leyte. We drove through Palo or what is left. It was almost unrecognizable, and needless to say, my things were not recovered. 

I am assigned in Libagon down in Sogod Zone. It is super bukid but I love it and it is so gorgeous. We have mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. I will send you pictures soon. We also live in a castle. Our land lady lives up stairs and we live down stairs. It's pretty hollow but it's huge. We are in the Sogod district but work with a "Group" in Libagon of about 35 members. Our Group leader Brother L. is so cool and I have been so impressed with his conversion to the Gospel. He is so dedicated to helping us succeed in this area. My companion was assigned here before and so we have been able to revisit some of their previous investigators and have already extended a baptismal commitment for March 15.  We have already had some amazing lessons and I have felt the spirit so strong. It is a challenge switching languages again but I'll get through it. There is power in prayer and fasting. 

In closing I just want you to know that no matter where we live, as Latter-day saints we are the richest people in the world and this Gospel is a great treasure. Iapologize that this email is pretty short and I will answer your questions next week and will have many more stories for next week. Till than know that I love you and God loves you. Keep the faith and may peace be the journey. 

Oh and I'm actually speaking the language that was on my call letter. I love Cebuano and it's already coming back.

Love Elder Lowe