Called to Serve: From Kiribati to Legazpi

     Elder Bateiti traveled to the mission field this week on p-day.  This is the message that he sent on September 30th.     "I will travel on Cebu Pacific airlines flight 5J321 terminal 3 on October 2nd.  I will be in the breezeway at 12:55 am.  Depart the MTC at 1:25 am and at 5:25 AM I am going to depart from the airport.  6:40 AM arrival at Legazpi."      At 3:25 PM, I tried to track the flight on flight aware and this is the message that I saw.  0( Flight from Manila MTC to Legazpi - CANCELLED WHAT?      Then there was no news from anyone including mission travel about the whereabouts of the missionaries traveling to Legazpi.  Upon investigating on Facebook, one mom heard that they were traveling to Legazpi via a 13 hour bus ride.  On October 4th in Legazpi, I received this update from Elder Bateiti.      "I am so sorry that I haven't sent you a message.  We ta...

Kumusta,      This week started out rough because I am not felling good right now.  I been sick from last Sunday but I have some medicines with me which I am trying to drink them.  I am not used to medicines but I am getting used to it.  I am getting better.  I have a sore throat and fever with coughing in the night.  It so disturbing my roommate.      This week we had splits with Elders from the Manila mission.  It was so difficult for me to walk with many peoples and many traffic but it was a good experience.  I like seeing many people and it looks like they all have the same faces.  The people are so sweet and I was not used to the city like this.  I and my companion both walking to get the jeepney.  It is like a bus but small and you have to get on it from the back and it is like you have to sit facing the other passengers as well as they faced you.  It takes almost 45 minutes to get there and I ...

Latest news from Elder Bateiti and the Manila MTC:      This blog post is going to be written from the conversation that the Gutierrez family had with Elder Bateiti.  I was sitting at the computer when a call came through Google Hangouts from Elder Bateiti.  I quickly answered and I think that we were both a little surprised.  All of our communication previously was through Facebook Messenger so it was great to see him in person and hear what he sounds like.  Next week when he video chats, I will record it so the post can be in his English pronunciation.      A big group of Elders left the MTC last week for their missions so his group are now the seniors.  He is serving in a trio of Elders now with Elder Watson and Elder Holland.  Elder Holland is from Modesto, California.  In the chat picture, Elder Holland is closest to Elder Bateiti on the left and Elder Watson next to him.      There was a devotion...

Kamusta,          This week in the MTC we have to speak your language so sometimes my tongue right now is twisting and it's so hard sometimes for me to speak.  I get mixed up with Kiribati, English, and now Tagalog.  Three more weeks to go in the MTC.  My weeks are getting better than before.  I can say that everything getting more easier.      Last night, we were having a balut.  It is a Philippian food that the egg and a small little chicken inside.  THAT I AM NOT EATING IT!!  But some missionary try it but I am afraid to eat it that I might get sick.  I was so shocked.  I am really love egg but that time I was so amaze seeing a little chicken inside the egg shell.  I love sea worms but for the egg here it is strange to me that the MUM LOVE LITTLE CHICKEN and she even always keep them when they are too small until she let them free when they are matured enough.  Without the chicken mothe...

Kumusta,      Well the good news from here is that I am just back from the temple for receiving my endowments.  I am so happy and it is so interesting.  I am blessed to have this opportunity so I can feel how the celestial Kingdom of God will be.  I listened in English.  You know last week I had to meet with President Muir because of my baptism date.  I have not been one year a member and he says he was amazed about me and that I got my mission call earlier.  He says I have to wait to get endowed.  In the policy you cannot get endowed until you get one year member.  So I was sad and felt discouraged.  I did not know that so I had to wait for what the result would be for me.  My baptism date was October 26, 2018.  It is a miracle that I get my endowment now.      Well!  This week was going so fast that all the time the schedule is tight.  I was able to see some native people in the temple....

Kumusta, (Hello)      I am excited to go to my mission field as I know that the field is white already!  Life here is like celestial.  Anyways, I am trying my best as I can with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Last night we listened to Elder Smoot.  He shared some good testimonies which make my eyes burst with tears.  I want to be one with my kasama (companion).  I find in D&C 38:27 to be one.  I also find out all about the spirit in 2 Nephi 2:5.  All the scriptures I get to see through my studies are so helpful to me and also for my purpose in being a missionary.  Kahil means without the holy spirit and without studying the scriptures and the missionary handbook, I will be far away from my purpose.     In the Philippines, it has many population and it amazed me.  It is shows in the street as well many traffic.  It is the most beautiful country I have ever see with lots of vegetables and food.  T...

     Elder Akamatang Bateiti has asked that I post a blog for him while he serves in the Philippines Legazpi Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Elder Bateiti was set apart as a missionary on Sunday, August 18th, 2019.  He will begin his two day journey to the Manila Philippines MTC on Monday, August 19th.  Elder Bateiti will be a world traveler as he passes through Fiji, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and then finally arrives in the Philippines.  May the Lord bless him as he travels with two Sister missionaries also traveling to the Philippines MTC.  This blog will be updated weekly as Elder Bateiti sends me a group email with photos when possible.  Elder Bateiti was taught and baptized almost one year ago in Kiribati by my son, Elder Gutierrez and Elder Walker.  He now prepares to teach the people of the Philippines in the Tagalog language. Elder Akamatang Bateiti with President Boyd Foster - Mission Pr...