Christ's Image in his countenance….
I’d like to introduce you to one of our great missionaries!
The first time he saw a white man was when he was young, probably around 3 years old. There were actually two white men, young men wearing white shirts and neckties. He was afraid of them but something inside of his tiny heart told him that their paths would cross someday.
His home was on a mountain where his family harvested and sold papayas, bananas and crops. They raised squash, egg plant, beans and rice. By age 5 he was expected to work out in the fields during planting and harvesting time. And until he was in his teens his family lived in a tree house. Every night his father would raise the rope ladder, offering protection from the environment. There was no electricity, no running water, no stove or refrigeration. Meals were cooked over a wood fire.
He never owned a toy or a book. But loved school and excelled in learning.
In high school he met a young man who was a Mormon—the only one in their school. Being naturally curious he asked the friend to tell him what he believed. He gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the missionaries’ message and desired to join the church. His mother, after much begging from him, signed the paper allowing him to be baptized. When his father found out, he was very angry at both the son and his mother. Once he was baptized he was active in Young Men’s Organization, and Seminary. For the first time in his life he owned a few books. Members could feel his genuine interest in learning all that he could learn and were happy to share books with him. He couldn’t get enough information about the church and Jesus Christ. He rarely missed church, walking an hour to where he could catch a jeepney for a 45 minute ride to the chapel. To pay for the transportation he hired out to members of the church who needed some extra help. He did laundry, cleaning, field work—you name it. Every Saturday afternoon was spent working to earn the little bit of money needed to ride to church. When he didn’t have money he would walk, leaving home at 4:30 am to make the 9:00 church meeting. Can you imagine walking 41/2 hours to get to church?
Because he was such a good student he received a college scholarship and attended college for one year. Serving a mission would mean that he would jeopardize the scholarship but that’s not all. When he approached his parents about his decision to serve, his father gave him an ultimatum…”Choose your family or the church.”
From day one at the MTC he was like a sponge, absorbing every bit of information. He immersed himself in the scriptures and the work. He had the capacity to love people with all his heart and it didn’t take long for the members and investigators to feel his love for them. Each one of his companions has noted that their lives have changed from being in his presence. When he was given the assignment to serve as an Assistant to the President the room of missionaries erupted into a thunderous applause and they gave him a standing ovation. Many had tears of joy falling from their cheeks.
Early in his mission he was reading in the Liahona magazine where President Monson counseled missionaries with non-member families to write them every week. He started taking his mission to his parents by sharing his experiences in a weekly letter. He never missed a week. The first year went by and no response. They wouldn’t speak to him when he contacted them at Christmas. A few weeks ago, just weeks before he was released his got a letter from his sister saying that his mother was taking the missionary discussions and now wanting to learn more about the church.
Elder Rondilla is one of a kind. When he talks to people he has the ability to totally focus on them. Others can see it and feel it. He has an innocence that is truly remarkable and a desire to do what is right at all times. He can correct people without making enemies. One time President Carlos asked him to get some important information from a missionary with obedience problems. He said into the cell phone, “Elder you must tell the truth. This conversation is being recorded in Heaven.” The missionary complied and confessed to everything. He has no guile and quickly begs your forgiveness if he makes the smallest infraction. Anyone who looks at Elder Rondilla can see Christ’s image in his countenance. His face shines with light and hope and love. What a blessing he has been to the Philippines Cauayan Mission!
