Two Miracles: Bananas and Carabaos

Today I'd like to share  two simple miracles that happened recently here in our mission. It is just proof to me that God does know us and does create miracles when we need his help--sometimes using strange elements. These miracles revolved around bananas and carabao (the work animal here).



The Banana Miracle


We have a North American elder who texted me to say he was having bad case of lbm (loose bowel movements). So I told him what medicine to purchase and instructions for taking it. Two days later he texted back to say it was still there. So I contacted our area medical authority in Manila and he suggested the elder stop eating regular food for a couple of days and just eat bananas and rice. Well there was 4 days left until he would get any more money and he was broke except for his trycie fair. He had rice and sardines in his apartment and planned on eating that until more money was deposited into his account. So that morning he said his prayers and asked Heavenly Father to help him be obedient to my suggestions. He asked that somehow he could figure out how to get some bananas. Well he and his companion worked all day and evening and no one offered him a banana. They worked right up until 9:30 when it was time to head home. That last investigator said good night. The missionaries walked down the lane to try to catch a trycie when the investiagor, a woman, yelled, "Elder would you like some bananas?" And she handed them a bunch of bananas. Some people say that must have been a coincidence. That missionary believes it was a little miracle. Guess what? In two days his lbm was gone!



The Carabao Miracle

Two elders were teaching a family and the father was very hard headed and not very interested. They had taught him to pray and asked him to pray on several occassions, but he always declined saying he didn't much believe in prayer. So the elders had prayed that morning that they would know how to touch his heart and help him progress (something that's not possible if investigators don't pray). Later that day they went to their house for their appointment. The father greeted them and said the they couldn't have a lesson because his carabao was missing. He was a rice farmer and his most prized possession was his carabao. They use them like tractors here. Carabaos live to be around 25 years old and do all the heavy work. So instead of leaving, the elders asked if they could help him look for it. They searched everywhere for about an hour and determined that the carabao was nowhere to be found. One elder suggested they go inside and say a prayer. The man reluctantly agreed. The elders asked him to pray. He gave the most simplest prayer. He said, "Heavenly Father, help me find my carabao. In the name of Jesus, Amen." The elders went with the man outside and the first place they looked was under a tree (where they had previously looked). There was the carabao laying in th shade. Some people might say that was just a coincidence but those missionaries believe it was a miracle to teach that father the value of prayer. When the father saw the carabao he couldn't believe his eyes and he started to weep.

Every Monday our missionaries write an LTP to President Carlos (Letter to the President) they are filled with similar little miracles. He sometimes calls me over to read them and I always am amazed at our many touching and inspiring little miracles are happening right here before our very eyes!