A Mish Mash of What One Might See in the Philippines

A loaded Jeepney

Very secured scaffolding..no vehicles allowed!

Outside a local bank in Eastwood

Not so secured scaffolding

Bare Tire - I mean Spare Tire   

Friendly neighbourhood Gecko

Local Pool Butterfly (4 inch wing span)

PAETE, WOODCARVING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

I have been on my mission a year and being here in the Philippines has been an amazing experience.  Several months ago we went to Paete, the woodcarving capital of the world.  The first month I was here one of the local woodcarvers came into the Family History Center and showed me some of his work.  I purchased my first Filipino Nativity, a liahona and had him make me a plaque.  As time went on, I attended the American Bazaar and saw other carvings.  I held off because I was told that Franco Cajumban at Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, has family members who carve as well.  Well, enough said.  I can't say I exactly went crazy, but let's just say I made a couple of purchases.  A few months ago, we went to Paete, to see these men and their work.  They had set up a display of each of the woodcarvers carvings for us. 

These men make it look so easy.  They make their living by carving and selling their work.  Franco's brother, Francis, did a beautiful carving for me.  I just sent him the picture of what I wanted and I just received it this past week.  He is currently working on another piece for me.

Most of the carving are Christian statues as most of the Paete woodcarvers are Catholic.  This country is very religious.  These men were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, hence we saw Captain Moroni's, Liahonas, Strippling Warriors, Missionary Name Tags and of course Nativities. 

Too big for my suitcase or I would have brought him home with me. 

FOR STRENGTH OF YOUTH 2019 - TELAVERA

I love the youth and last month, Sister Stone and I had the opportunity to attend FSY 2019 to assist Elder Rufina Mejia to teach them about FamilySearch and the importance of learning and writing about their family and ancestors.

With every event you participate in, you are awarded with
as Certificate of Appreciation. 

ANOTHER GENERAL AUTHORITY VISIT - ELDER DALE RENLUND

One thing about being here in the Philippines is all of the General Authority visits.  This past month, Elder Dale Renlund and his wife as well as Elder Carl Cook (Presiding Bishopric) and his wife came to the Philippines.  They have such a full itinerary when they come to these places, but did take the time to attend the Area Office Devotional.  Each speaker was amazing.  Sister Cook talked about how we need to simplify our lives.  Take care of what we need to do right now.  She told a story about President Nelson and keeping his desk clear by taking care of the work daily.  Apparently the evening before her husband had sent an email to President Nelson about a matter, and early the next morning, he had a reply.  President Nelson's assistant said that is just how he is.  He never leaves anything on his desk.

Elder Cook talked about strengthening others and helping them become self reliant.  Sister Renlund talked about the desire to be better and as we have our names linked with the Savior, it helps us to be more kind, thoughtful and be more in control of our emotions.

Elder Renlund - How to be recognized as a disciple instead of American (or Canadian).  What do I lack to become the person Heavenly Father wants me to be?  African Proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

I had the opportunity to sing with the choir at the Devotional.  This time
we got dresses.  Notice how my dress is the longest dress...Filipino mid-calf measurement.

MEMORIAL DAY - MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY

Having served in the Canadian Armed Forces, I have appreciated the sacrifice of those who have served their respective countries in all of the wars.  The Senior Outing for May was to attend the Manila American Cemetery Memorial Day Service.  We had to leave really early in the morning to be there early enough to get a seat under the canopy.  It was so hot and it wasn't even 8:00 in the morning.  It was a wonderful service and quite the somber experience to pay tribute to 17,000 American and Filipino soldiers who are buried there.  There are more than 36,000 names inscribed on the piers of the hemicycles of missing soldiers.
I have the deepest respect  and reverence for all military personnel who serve their respective countries that we may live in peace.

American and Philippine Flags were on each grave. 

MABUHAY DESERET FOUNDATION

One of my favourite things to do on Wednesday morning is to attend Mabuhay Deseret Foundation with some of the other sister missionaries to have a mini-sharing time with the children.  Last week we helped them blow bubbles.  I love these children so much.  It makes my heart full to see their recovery from their surgeries.   We have been told that even as short as our visits may be, each visit helps them in their recovery.  

I had the honour to leave my handprint on the wall of Mabuhay along with the handprints of many patients, volunteers and contributors.  

 

RAY GOODSON - HUMANITARIAN EXTRAODINAIRE 

Early in the year 1961, the first four American Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints landed on Philippines soil.  One of these missionaries is Raymond Lynn Goodson.   In 1974, he was called to be the Mission President of the Philippines Manila Mission.  Brother Goodson is quite the character and I have had the opportunity to meet with him, along with Elder and Sister Grimshaw for breakfast at Mary Grace. 

In a nutshell.... in November 2013, he and his wife decided to come to the Philippines to do some public relations work on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It was their choice not be be official missionaries.  Because of their extensive history in the Philippines, they felt they could do more good without being official.  Just a few days before they were to arrive, the devastating Typhoon Yolanda (Hian) slammed into the Philippines, leaving more than 10,000 people dead and tens of thousands more hungry, homeless and wrecking fishing and farming industries.

For four months they organized recovery efforts and called in all the resources from friends and family, hauling in food, bedding and clothing from wherever they could find it.  They recruited dozens of missionaries who had once served under them to come back and rebuild houses and repair infrastructure.

Five years after that typhoon, they started a non-profit organization called the Rise and Rebuild Foundation which has turned into a multifaceted, year-round enterprise and employs 200 Filipinos.

They began building bathrooms for communities and schools.  That led to drilling wells which led to building kitchens, which lead to providing day care centers for worker's children, which lead to building libraries in schools. 

Ray Goodson, Elder Grimshaw, Sister Grimshaw and myself.

The focus for the Goodsons is Service.   They are wonderful examples of people who give back to the less fortunate.  

FINALLY----

It was one year ago today that I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It has been an honour and privilege to be here and serve the Lord.  It hasn't been all breezy and smooth, but I wouldn't want to change one thing about it.  I have learned so much and I have yet to learn so much more.  I am grateful for this opportunity and for the people who have been super supportive.  

"Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work."  President Russell M. Nelson