Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
Painting of aboriginal lady on a building just finished
The part of our area where we teleport to Vietnam
Monday, March 25, 2019
25 MAR 2019 ~ Week... - Already Week 4 of this Transfer?!?!
Sorry, waited to last minute to write this. Was a good week. We experienced a miracle, or a really incredible, shocking experience. I'll try to write about it next week. It wasn't super community changing, but it meant a lot to me and was powerful for my companion and I as we felt the Spirit in sharing the message of joy, hope and love that comes from the Gospel. Still don't know what's going on here in Samoa, but everyone is shocked when they find out I'm not asian but Navajo. Always shake my hand and just at me in awe. It actually made one lady start to tear up (she was Polynesian and felt a sort of connection I guess). Anyways, have a great week!
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
Painting of aboriginal lady on a building just finished
The part of our area where we teleport to Vietnam
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
Painting of aboriginal lady on a building just finished
The part of our area where we teleport to Vietnam
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
18 MAR 2019 ~ Week... - Great week
녕하세요!! (in Samoan),
Well this week we got fed nearly everyday... Sometimes twice a day... Even though the Sisters took all the meals from the ward meal calendar. Man this ward LOVES feeding missionaries! So many awesome families who are so keen to missionary work.
Our week was a little scattered since our third companion was finishing his mission this past week. We were saying goodbye to families till we took him in to the office on Wednesday night. He was pretty cool, and I kind of wish we could've been companion for longer, but now he's off to play professional D league Aussie basketball!
Since Elder Kaipuke went left us, we planned for this upcoming week and we are ready to tackle this next week! Super excited! I got to talk to the Korean guy in our area on the phone and it was AWESOME! Probably spoke as good as the missionaries I was in the MTC with during their first day in Korea, but it was alright and he's pretty excited to meet us and I think he's pretty keen to practice Korean with me!!
Me being Chinese and Filipino and all is back! We were having a meal with a family in the Samoan Elder's ward with the Samoan Elders and everyone was speaking Samoan and I wouldn't be surprised if I was actually in Samoa. I don't know whats going on, people talk look at me, look away, ask what I think is a question and then look at me for an answer, just a whole lot of confusion, but super cool! Anyways, they ask where I'm from and I say the States. Pretty sure that didn't answer what they were really trying to ask, so they ask me another question in Samoan and I just look at them... So fast forward to the feed, after a while they bring out rice. The father, looking super proud and keeps beckoning me that he has rice. Keeps saying rice! Rice! You want? Well I mean I like rice, who doesn't so I said sure. Well fast forward to after the dinner, after the spiritual message was given in Samoan and I just make something up to say to add to the message, we're driving back to the flat. I ask the samoan Elder if the family thought I was Chinese. They said, yeah they kept asking if you were from China. Is that why he kept asking if I wanted rice? Yeah... oh hahaha!
So I'm China man again. The Korean nametag doesnt help either. Nor Escamilla. Just having an identity crisis again. A Navajo with a Mexican last name who looks Chinese called to speak Korean in Australia and serving in basically a Samoan ward in a Vietnamese area... I'll just say that explaining all this to people is NOT EASY, not in the slightest. But hey, getting a new nickname - Elder Eski (which is what they call a cooler in Aussie land)! Anyways have a great week!
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
After going to another ward's baptism, a family invited ALL 8 missionaries to a buffet... Samoans LOVE missionaries!!
Missionaries in our stake, not quite the whole zone but 2 districts
P Day sports
Dinner with the Alikie family! These guys are crack up! Kids are super sweet!
Well this week we got fed nearly everyday... Sometimes twice a day... Even though the Sisters took all the meals from the ward meal calendar. Man this ward LOVES feeding missionaries! So many awesome families who are so keen to missionary work.
Our week was a little scattered since our third companion was finishing his mission this past week. We were saying goodbye to families till we took him in to the office on Wednesday night. He was pretty cool, and I kind of wish we could've been companion for longer, but now he's off to play professional D league Aussie basketball!
Since Elder Kaipuke went left us, we planned for this upcoming week and we are ready to tackle this next week! Super excited! I got to talk to the Korean guy in our area on the phone and it was AWESOME! Probably spoke as good as the missionaries I was in the MTC with during their first day in Korea, but it was alright and he's pretty excited to meet us and I think he's pretty keen to practice Korean with me!!
Me being Chinese and Filipino and all is back! We were having a meal with a family in the Samoan Elder's ward with the Samoan Elders and everyone was speaking Samoan and I wouldn't be surprised if I was actually in Samoa. I don't know whats going on, people talk look at me, look away, ask what I think is a question and then look at me for an answer, just a whole lot of confusion, but super cool! Anyways, they ask where I'm from and I say the States. Pretty sure that didn't answer what they were really trying to ask, so they ask me another question in Samoan and I just look at them... So fast forward to the feed, after a while they bring out rice. The father, looking super proud and keeps beckoning me that he has rice. Keeps saying rice! Rice! You want? Well I mean I like rice, who doesn't so I said sure. Well fast forward to after the dinner, after the spiritual message was given in Samoan and I just make something up to say to add to the message, we're driving back to the flat. I ask the samoan Elder if the family thought I was Chinese. They said, yeah they kept asking if you were from China. Is that why he kept asking if I wanted rice? Yeah... oh hahaha!
So I'm China man again. The Korean nametag doesnt help either. Nor Escamilla. Just having an identity crisis again. A Navajo with a Mexican last name who looks Chinese called to speak Korean in Australia and serving in basically a Samoan ward in a Vietnamese area... I'll just say that explaining all this to people is NOT EASY, not in the slightest. But hey, getting a new nickname - Elder Eski (which is what they call a cooler in Aussie land)! Anyways have a great week!
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
After going to another ward's baptism, a family invited ALL 8 missionaries to a buffet... Samoans LOVE missionaries!!
Missionaries in our stake, not quite the whole zone but 2 districts
P Day sports
Dinner with the Alikie family! These guys are crack up! Kids are super sweet!
Monday, March 11, 2019
11 MAR 2019 ~ Week 19: A Whole New World!!
안녕하세요 Mates!!
So wow, what a week.... so...
- Sydney has got to be one of the most diverse places in the world.
- I've been moved to about 45-60 minutes from the city in the Liverpool area.
- From small branch of 30-50 to huge ward of over 200!!
- In this area, one second I'm in Samoa, the next I'm in Vietnam
- we've got a Korean Fried Chicken restaurant in our area!
- There are so many people! I'm not used to seeing people, so many Muslims, Hungarians, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan, Chinese, but no Koreans, YET! We'll find them though!
- There is apparently 1 less active Korean guy in our area!! His wife and kids are also Korean and his wife ONLY SPEAKS KOREAN (which means she'd be forced to put up with my bad Korean! Which means KOREAN PRACTICE!!!!! Hope you know how excited I am to meet them)
- In a flat of 5 Elders. One from Samoa, Elder Taafua. One from Utah but Samoan speaking, Elder Aloi. One finishing his mission this week, Elder Kaipuke. Then my companion who is basically Samoan speaking since he's served around Samoans his whole mission, Elder Kowallis. Don't know half of what goes on between them b/c they speak half Samoan and I just don't understand.
- District leader is tough here b/c everyone in my district and zone either already knows each other super well or speaks Samoan... Then I'm still pretty fresh and Green compared to most. So yeah...
- We had a mission conference with all 250 missionaries in our mission. Elder Nielson, the executive director of the missionary department and Elder Ardern from the Area 70 gave us a training. I got to see all the other missionaries that I've come to love, from serving with them. It was a really great day. Every missionary tells me that I'm in the best area of the mission.
- I asked my companion if they teach people in this area. He said yes and looked at me weird. I said like real lessons? Legit teaching? He said yes and thought I was weird. Man this just made my day b/c I haven't been able to do much teaching.
- Since our ward is primarily Samoan, 1) they love missionaries and 2) they love feeding missionaries. We get fed so much.
- Our ward is just so full of solid, strong, funny az members who are so keen to do missionary work.
So pumped for this transfer! I just made a complete 180°, so crazy. From nearly nothing to so much. Excited to get to work.
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
Pic 4 - Elder Fellingham, my fun Kiwi zone leader who goes home at the end of this transfer
Pic 5 - our whole flat doing finding
Posing in front of our flat with Elder Taafua, still fresh from Samoa.
Elder Wu and I. Love this guy, the most solid missionary I will probably ever meet. He goes home to Hong Kong next transfer.
My first zone leaders, Elder Wu and Tobler, such a solid companionship. The best missionaries I'll probably ever meet.
My trainers, Elder Scott and Neas, and my first zone leaders. Throwback to the Port Stephen days
So wow, what a week.... so...
- Sydney has got to be one of the most diverse places in the world.
- I've been moved to about 45-60 minutes from the city in the Liverpool area.
- From small branch of 30-50 to huge ward of over 200!!
- In this area, one second I'm in Samoa, the next I'm in Vietnam
- we've got a Korean Fried Chicken restaurant in our area!
- There are so many people! I'm not used to seeing people, so many Muslims, Hungarians, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan, Chinese, but no Koreans, YET! We'll find them though!
- There is apparently 1 less active Korean guy in our area!! His wife and kids are also Korean and his wife ONLY SPEAKS KOREAN (which means she'd be forced to put up with my bad Korean! Which means KOREAN PRACTICE!!!!! Hope you know how excited I am to meet them)
- In a flat of 5 Elders. One from Samoa, Elder Taafua. One from Utah but Samoan speaking, Elder Aloi. One finishing his mission this week, Elder Kaipuke. Then my companion who is basically Samoan speaking since he's served around Samoans his whole mission, Elder Kowallis. Don't know half of what goes on between them b/c they speak half Samoan and I just don't understand.
- District leader is tough here b/c everyone in my district and zone either already knows each other super well or speaks Samoan... Then I'm still pretty fresh and Green compared to most. So yeah...
- We had a mission conference with all 250 missionaries in our mission. Elder Nielson, the executive director of the missionary department and Elder Ardern from the Area 70 gave us a training. I got to see all the other missionaries that I've come to love, from serving with them. It was a really great day. Every missionary tells me that I'm in the best area of the mission.
- I asked my companion if they teach people in this area. He said yes and looked at me weird. I said like real lessons? Legit teaching? He said yes and thought I was weird. Man this just made my day b/c I haven't been able to do much teaching.
- Since our ward is primarily Samoan, 1) they love missionaries and 2) they love feeding missionaries. We get fed so much.
- Our ward is just so full of solid, strong, funny az members who are so keen to do missionary work.
So pumped for this transfer! I just made a complete 180°, so crazy. From nearly nothing to so much. Excited to get to work.
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
Pic 4 - Elder Fellingham, my fun Kiwi zone leader who goes home at the end of this transfer
Pic 5 - our whole flat doing finding
Posing in front of our flat with Elder Taafua, still fresh from Samoa.
Elder Wu and I. Love this guy, the most solid missionary I will probably ever meet. He goes home to Hong Kong next transfer.
My first zone leaders, Elder Wu and Tobler, such a solid companionship. The best missionaries I'll probably ever meet.
My trainers, Elder Scott and Neas, and my first zone leaders. Throwback to the Port Stephen days
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
05 MAR 2019 ~ Week 24: TRANSFERS!!
안녕하세요 여러분!!
How're things back in the States or wherever you are? We finally got our transfer call last night. So *drum roll* Elder Neas and I will BOTH be LEAVING PORT STEPHENS. Elder Neas will be heading to the city, he's pretty happy about that, and I will be going to Prairiewood (About 30min-1hr West of Sydney) and will be serving as a District Leader there! Pretty excited and nervous. A change of scenery, new companions (Elder Kaipuke - his last transfer, and Elder Kowallis - his 5th transfer in the area). It'll be a Polynesian ward so we'll get fed heaps. Hopefully I don't get too fat...
Unfortunately, Port Stephens will be getting shut down for at least a transfer (meaning no missionaries will be sent to replace us for 6 weeks, or more. Who knows).
I cannot help but feel as the Lord of the Vineyard in the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees found in the Book of Mormon: "But what could I have done more for my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it?" (Jacob 5:47). This area wasn't the best for teaching or finding new people, but I will miss the Branch. Wonderful Saints devoted to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Willing to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places. I found the most joy being able to serve them. In particular, one older widow: Noni. Who reminded me most of my grandma whenever we went by to mow her lawn, making me wish I could do all the same things for her (washing dishes, mow lawn, talk, listen, make her laugh, etc.). She's gone through some very difficult trials. Her husband has since passed. Her son has for much of his life struggled with drugs and alcohol, going in and out of jail. She has struggled to support his family and her grandkids as much as possible. No longer knows what to do. She was deaf (could only speak to her through a whiteboard) for a long time (has since undergone a procedure to get it back somewhat) and has several physical limitations and ailments that restrain her from being able to leave home by herself.
HOWEVER, she still holds on to the Gospel. Always trying to find ways to share it with others. (She's so awesome!) What helps her get through these very difficult trials in her life is relying on our Savior, Jesus Christ. Who knows everything we will ever feel and experience, because He took upon Him the pains, struggles, weaknesses, etc. of every single human being who has lived, is living and will yet live. One of the first scriptures where I truly understood this, is found in the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:11-13. The prophet at this time is Alma, who is speaking to a city (around 83B.C) regarding the coming of a Savior:
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."
Like Alma, this is the testimony which is in me. I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, and died on the Cross. For each of us. He lives. He overcame death and offers us peace from our past mistakes. Hope for a better and stronger future. Love from our Father in Heaven who loves us unconditionally. Who just wants us to come home. It was after reading this, while I was doing my seminary reading, my first year of Seminary after being baptized, that I received a profound witness from the Holy Ghost that these things were true. Testified to me that Jesus Christ knows me, Brandon Escamilla, and what I am struggling with. That He knows exactly how I feel, and how to comfort me and help me to keep moving forward. Emotions overcame me as I read this in my room before bed nearly 8 years ago. I'd invite you to do the same. Find a quiet place. Pray and then read this passage. I promise you that will feel the same things that I felt. It is with this knowledge that success is possible, progress is manageable, and life is meaningful.
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
The Tongan couple in our Branch that we always mess with and get them to feed us. They're great. Always laughing and teasing.
Brother Nightingale, couldn't have started Navajo Mow without this handyman. Fixed all our mowers and gave us an edger for a little bit. There's never a moment where we're not laughing with him.
Noni. From Christmas... Forgot to get a picture with her. She's such a sweet lady.
How're things back in the States or wherever you are? We finally got our transfer call last night. So *drum roll* Elder Neas and I will BOTH be LEAVING PORT STEPHENS. Elder Neas will be heading to the city, he's pretty happy about that, and I will be going to Prairiewood (About 30min-1hr West of Sydney) and will be serving as a District Leader there! Pretty excited and nervous. A change of scenery, new companions (Elder Kaipuke - his last transfer, and Elder Kowallis - his 5th transfer in the area). It'll be a Polynesian ward so we'll get fed heaps. Hopefully I don't get too fat...
Unfortunately, Port Stephens will be getting shut down for at least a transfer (meaning no missionaries will be sent to replace us for 6 weeks, or more. Who knows).
I cannot help but feel as the Lord of the Vineyard in the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees found in the Book of Mormon: "But what could I have done more for my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it?" (Jacob 5:47). This area wasn't the best for teaching or finding new people, but I will miss the Branch. Wonderful Saints devoted to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Willing to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places. I found the most joy being able to serve them. In particular, one older widow: Noni. Who reminded me most of my grandma whenever we went by to mow her lawn, making me wish I could do all the same things for her (washing dishes, mow lawn, talk, listen, make her laugh, etc.). She's gone through some very difficult trials. Her husband has since passed. Her son has for much of his life struggled with drugs and alcohol, going in and out of jail. She has struggled to support his family and her grandkids as much as possible. No longer knows what to do. She was deaf (could only speak to her through a whiteboard) for a long time (has since undergone a procedure to get it back somewhat) and has several physical limitations and ailments that restrain her from being able to leave home by herself.
HOWEVER, she still holds on to the Gospel. Always trying to find ways to share it with others. (She's so awesome!) What helps her get through these very difficult trials in her life is relying on our Savior, Jesus Christ. Who knows everything we will ever feel and experience, because He took upon Him the pains, struggles, weaknesses, etc. of every single human being who has lived, is living and will yet live. One of the first scriptures where I truly understood this, is found in the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:11-13. The prophet at this time is Alma, who is speaking to a city (around 83B.C) regarding the coming of a Savior:
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."
Like Alma, this is the testimony which is in me. I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, and died on the Cross. For each of us. He lives. He overcame death and offers us peace from our past mistakes. Hope for a better and stronger future. Love from our Father in Heaven who loves us unconditionally. Who just wants us to come home. It was after reading this, while I was doing my seminary reading, my first year of Seminary after being baptized, that I received a profound witness from the Holy Ghost that these things were true. Testified to me that Jesus Christ knows me, Brandon Escamilla, and what I am struggling with. That He knows exactly how I feel, and how to comfort me and help me to keep moving forward. Emotions overcame me as I read this in my room before bed nearly 8 years ago. I'd invite you to do the same. Find a quiet place. Pray and then read this passage. I promise you that will feel the same things that I felt. It is with this knowledge that success is possible, progress is manageable, and life is meaningful.
Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
The Tongan couple in our Branch that we always mess with and get them to feed us. They're great. Always laughing and teasing.
Brother Nightingale, couldn't have started Navajo Mow without this handyman. Fixed all our mowers and gave us an edger for a little bit. There's never a moment where we're not laughing with him.
Noni. From Christmas... Forgot to get a picture with her. She's such a sweet lady.
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