Friendly field worker on his Carabao (notice the baby calf following behind)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

The people we have met in the Philippines have been so kind and accepting of a couple of foreigners.  I marvel daily at their gentle and easy going nature.  And a smile given readily elicits a smile in return.

Earlier this week, I met an older Sister who asked if I would be attending her Church on Sunday.  I told her not this time (we try and visit a different ward or branch every Sunday).  As we were holding hands, she said, I wish you could come; I want to bring you something.  She then smiled and said “another time”.

Dr. Deyro’s daughter returned from her mission Thursday evening.  We love Dr. Deyro and her husband. Dr. Deyro helps me greatly with medical concerns of our missionaries; she does this as a free service.  Thursday evening we were invited to their Church for Ina’s welcome home party.  Her flight arrived late and even at 8:00 pm the ward was there to greet Ina.  The ward prepared a program that included a lot of singing.  Dr. Deyro asked me if in America we celebrated the homecoming of missionaries.   I told her the initial celebration was usually a close family event.  She looked out at all the people attending and remarked “this is our family”.  Today we attended Church to hear Ina speak.  Sitting next to Dr. Deyro on one side was a new convert and an investigator.  The Deyro’s are wonderful examples of Christ like service.

The other night we were having trouble finding a location and asked for directions.  (In this area there are very few street signs and addresses aren’t used).  Several helpful people gathered around and gave us directions that eventually took us to our destination.

Sister Vinco and 3/10 children

Saturday we attended the baptism of a sweet Sister and her daughter who came in contact with the Church through the Liahona Foundation children's feeding program.  She is a widow and mother of ten children.  Her youngest child is around three years old.   No welfare or social security available; she supports her growing family by taking in neighborhood wash.   

Sister doing wash

Doing wash using my machine in US would be no big deal (I used to love to wash), here it is a big job.  Many of our young missionaries wash using the same method she does.  A wash pan with a piece of wood and a scrub brush; clothes are usually hung outside on a clothes line, or hung over a fence.  Last night it was raining, I watched a man washing his clothes using the water that was running down the gutter.  But people are clean and wear washed clothes here!

(By the way, calling someone Sister or Brother here is common usage, regardless of faith.)

Beautiful jungle scenery along road

Common dwelling along road

Roadway scenery

Friday we traveled north, way north to remote areas where some of the young missionaries serve.  I thought Bacolod was green, this was even greener.  Is that possible?  Our backs are still sore from some of the unpaved rocky roads we were on; we are thankful for a truck to journey on these rough roads.   

We take turns

Bigger is better--so following a bus through usually helps speed things up

 

Addresses are very vague, it helps when the missionaries come out to meet us--especially in the jungle!

Small path in jungle leading up to missionaries Apartment

Yeah--new water containers! (this is a city apartment)

We enjoy visiting with the young missionaries.  They are especially pleased when we bring letters and packages from home, or to a lessor extent--supplies from the office (and gets us out  of the office ;-).