My life in Mapandan

This is my house

Birthday party for one of our fellow missionaries

Baptism!

Cute little goats...they remind me of Martha....Sassy!

On the road

What we eat when we are shut up in our house during a typhoon - we will definitely be more prepared next time...

Safe and Sound

Just a quick note, I AM SAFE. I am now very popular in the mission and everyone knows Kurt Gentry...good to know that I still have an overprotective father! I am safe of course. The Lord takes care of His missionaries. The typhoon was probably worse in other areas of the Philippines and luckily we live in one of the higher barangays (neighborhoods) in Mapandan, so no flooding. Alrthough, some of our investigators have flooding up to their waists. So probably dont watch the dramatic news in America. All is well, if there is a people who know how to deal with a "bagyo" it's the Filipinos. We do have another typhoon coming this weekend, this time we are more prepared, but my house is safe and all is well. I have food. I have protection. All is well. 

Thank you for your prayers. I feel all of your love here in the Philippines. I am enjoying the cold that comes with the weather. Pray for those who are in worse conditions than I am in. I don't know what is happening in other parts of the Philippines, hopefully everyone is alright.  Short amount of time because internet is slow here. But I love you all very ,very much. Hopefully I can email you next week, but if we have another typhoon this weekend...probably not. BUT DONT WORRY. I really, really, truly am okay. 

MAHAL KO KAYO lahat.!!!!

HELLO Fantastic people of America.

I. Love. You. 

This week has been a wild one. My trainer finished her mission, so I got a new trainer. Sister Ufau. She's perfect. I love her. But, they kept me in my area, and got rid of the other sisters in Mapandan. So know we are opening the other part of Mapandan. So I am leading an open area. Thankfully, I have been on exchanges with the other sisters before, so I kind of know where things are, but this is definitely something that is another challenge to overtake. But all is well of course. God is good. Filipinos are beautiful people. My heart is full. For all that of you that asked, hong kong is not a thing anymore (I was bummed too). turns out it was all just planned in order to be able to get a visa, but the trip was never really going to happen. 

My new companion is Sister Ufau, she is from Samoa. She has been out for 15 months (so as long as I have left) and is almost to the end:( But, like I said, shes perfect. So kind. so loving. Our house is getting uglier and uglier everyday. I went to take a shower and a giant spider was in the bucket. I lost it and now we are looking for a new apartment. So if you know of anyone renting in Mapandan,Philippines HMU. 

General Conference was BEAUTIFUL. Oh man, I loved it. One common theme that stuck out to me (there were many) was Self improvement. As saints we are required to constantly be perfecting ourselves. Constantly becoming more obedient, more humble, more faithful, and ultimately more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I really loved what was said about Women in the church from Russell M. Nelson and Jeffery R Holland. For any people that feel that church doesn't hold women with the highest regard needs to listen to those talks. It was such a stark contrast from how the world dictates how a woman can become more powerful. The world confuses people into thinking that Bold, Influential, Nurturing and loving are contradicting characteristics. The bretheren made that very clear, that that is not the case. A woman's most powerful and influential characteristic is her maternal, nurturing Nature. As women, we have been blessed with a very divine characteristic and should not turn away from it, but embrace it. When we embrace those divine qualities, our influence will not only impact life here on earth, but will reach into the Eternities. No earthy quality of being seductive, aggressive, or selfish can ever have such a far reaching influence. compared to the eternities, this life here is a small moment, we want to be sure that our influence will not end once this life ends. The words coming from the bretheren, which really come from our Father in Heaven, eloquently state what manner of women we ought to be. It definitely put a lot of things into perspective for me and helped me understand to whom I should look to for an example, and whom I should emulate. 

Then all the other talks were perfect too. RE-read and re read and ponder and then re read general conference. It is literally Heavnely Father's modern day counsel for us, in this moment of time. SO important for us to heed to and apply its words. 

I hope everyone is getting my pictures, I have been sending them to mom and dad when I have wifi. I am getting fat here in the Philippines :( so sad. Also, my legs now look like a war zone. the mosquito bites are out of control. No malaria here tho, so we are safe. So yes, the Philippines has made me ugly, I hope you all will still love and accept me when I return. 

MAHAL KO KAYO. 

Sister Gentry

My beautiful friends

Q & A

Okay, I’ll try to address your questions this week:

Dad: Is a transfer in the works? How often do you transfer and how many sisters are in your mission?

Sam: Actually, tomorrow, my companion is going home. She is finished with her mission and is returning to Manila. Transfer day is on Thursday and I don’t find out until Wednesday if I am being transferred or not, but I have a feeling I am going to stay in Mapandan. Which is kind of scary, cuz that means I will have to lead the area, and show my new trainer around. We will see!! So I get a new trainer and this next transfer is only 4 weeks (usually 6) for some reason, and A LOT Of changes are apparently in the works. WE WILL SEE. LOTs of sisters in this mission, probably close to half of the missionaries.  

Dad: Of the areas in your mission, would your area be considered poor or better off?  How comfortable is your bed?

Sam: My area, is pretty mixed, there are poor barangays and wealthier barangays. Definitely not the poorest area in the Philippines. I think my whole mission is in a more affluent area. But in comparison to the states, it is all still very humbling. WE are extremely blessed. Very humbling experiences…My bed is acceptable, just glad I have a bed. 

Dad: do the members drive cars, walk or take Jeepnies….how do you spell Jeepnies?

Sam: No cars really, that is only for the wealthy. Most people walk and if they are more middle class they drive trikes. Trikes are our most common means of transportation throughout the day. We only take jeepnies when we are going to different cities. 

Dad: What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day? Did your frog dinner taste like chicken?

Sam: My food, is well, not great. RICE every meal. Breakfast: rice and hot dogs is normal. Lunch: rice and meat and Dinner: rice and meat again. But the rice was making me sick so I have tried to eat different things and not eat rice. Food is difficult in this area, especially right now, not a lot of fruits available and they eat A LOT of processed food here. I am hoping I can just figure out my menu so that I have the energy I need to work hard and take care of myself. STILL figuring that all out, it has been frustrating, but I am still alive. FROG IS VERY GOOD. It actually tastes like chicken but better, like more moist. You just have to get over the whole eating a frog thing. Just trying to avoid dog. 

Dad:  Do you miss your Dad?

Sam:  Of course, I miss my dad. EVERYDAY. It has been very difficult being away from you. I had to remove my picture of us from my study area, because I found it was making me too homesick. I love you, I am homesick for you, but I am so immensely grateful for the love you have given me. Honestly. I have been so lucky to have a father who loves so dearly, because it has really helped me truly understand how much my Father in Heaven really cares for me and all of His children. I remember as a little girl you told me that Heavenly Father loves me even more than you do, and I had a hard time even comprehending that. Thank you for your love. Thank you for teaching me the correct principles and that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and knows me. Thank you for showing me how to love God. Even though I am away from you, your protection and your care, my Father in Heaven is here with me. I take great comfort in that. I feel it every day. I feel a portion of His love for His children, and that small portion is enough to cause change. I look forward to the day when all of us can be with those that we love dearly in the arms of our Creator that loves us most. 

Don't worry about me. I am safe. I am so happy. I am watched over by our Father in Heaven. He is strengthening me. He is changing me. He is helping me everyday. I love you so very much. I pray for you and mom every day. You two are constantly in my heart and of course, I feel your love all the way here in the Philippines. 

Please tell everyone at home I love and miss them and pray for them.  

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Gentry