We attended the Manila Temple on Saturday the 25th with the Morong Branch that we were assigned to. The 11 members arrived in a Jeepney and we all were able to attend the 10:30 am session. It was great to be with them...familiar faces. While waiting for the session to start I visited with a Sister Missionary from the US. She was asked to be the Escort for a member of the ward she was assigned to . It was great to talk to her. I asked her about her apartment since being in security I wanted to know if her living conditions were safe. She smiled and said it was a "God send" and by that she meant that the toilet flushed and the shower worked. Her last area did not have those two amenities.
The members from Morong are not that anxious to have pictures taken so we did not take any nor did they say...."I want a picture with you". They just climbed back on their jeepney to get back home...about an hour away. Oh well.
On our way back to the apartment we stopped at a wet market that we heard was really good and I wanted to get some more vegetables so we stopped to take a look. We were impressed. It was good quality produce at a very reasonable price. Carrots are huge and very clean. I bought some potatoes that needed cleaning but once I scrubbed them they were ready to steam. Asperagus is one of our favorites and it was half the price that the grocery store charged. And tomatoes...oh my goodness. Like eating candy. We will be sure to go back for more of those. Pineapple is so plentiful here so we grabbed a good size one. Since it is on the way home we will stop there again. And there was fresh fish, shrimp and meat of various kinds. Usually pork.
Today Sunday we attended the Morong Branch services. Again it was all inspiring and they have a great spirit about them. Sunday school and Relief Society has very good discussions. Our branch president attends Sunday School with us. That is so nice to see. Sometimes you don't see the Bishop in Sunday School. Anyway President Albalante made valuable contributions to the Sunday School class. Our drive home is about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. I will try to take pictures next week.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
A memorable day Sept 24, 2010
One comment and one comment only. No pictures. No one was there to take my picture.
I DROVE MYSELF TO THE SM MARIKINA MALL AND DID SOME SHOPPING AND THEN DROVE BACK TO THE OFFICE. Wow. Impressive.
I DROVE MYSELF TO THE SM MARIKINA MALL AND DID SOME SHOPPING AND THEN DROVE BACK TO THE OFFICE. Wow. Impressive.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
a Few pictures of the day - Sept 23rd, 2010
Elder Al and our Supervisor Jess Batoon
Of our Outsource Guards and Church Employed Security Guard Carlos.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Photo of us when we were in Subic Bay.
This Photo is of us while in Subic Bay. We were looking over a resort for future references.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekend of Sept 18th and 19th - Day Trip and District Conference
We decided to do a day trip just the two of us to a place called Batangas and to a small community called Anilao. These two Barangay's are known for scuba and snorkeling so we wanted to look over the accommodations for a possible trip at the Holiday time.
We found a couple of very nice properties that would work very nicely and allow us some time to do island hopping to do some snorkeling. Imagine snorkeling at Christmas time. Well we shall see if that will work.
I wanted most to comment on the District Conference we went to today in Morong. We were invited by another couple who are the executive secretaries to the Area President, President Edwards and assigned to another branch in this same districts we are. This missionary couple are The Bunnells'. It is their second mission here in the Philippines. Elder Bunnell drove us all out there in his car. We enjoyed visiting with them and learning of some of the things we could see while we are here.
But the conference is what I wanted to comment on. It was great. We got about enough English or some translation from others to know about the talks given. Also I sang in the choir with the District choir not knowing I would do that but somehow I got pinned with a little red flower that all the choir sisters were wearing and I was up there trying to sound as beautiful as the other choir members....both brothers and sisters. I tried my best. The talks included some new converts, youth speakers, District President, Quezon Mission President and wife, The DeLaMares, Temple 1st counselor President and Sister Revillo and a 70 here in the Philippines, Elder Perez. Topics spoke about: Tithing, living the ordinances of the Gospel, claiming the blessings of the Temple, Temple Worship, Preparing to go to the temple, youth preparing to go to the Temple, doing work for our deceased relatives.....and I think that about covers it. The talks given were very well thought out and given with much grace, sincerity, poise and with a sobre attitude. Very sincere and from the heart bear true testimonies. I often felt that our job here is like a job that should be paid. Very corporate in nature. So why be a missionary? Well, we are missionaries serving in other capacities. The Mission President's wife noted that in her talk today. We all have a place here with our talents and experiences. We have missionaries that assist the Area President, work in Public Affairs, Perpetual Education details, The boundaries for wards and branches, MTC missionaries watching over the Young Elders and their preparations. Medical missionary couple who are a doctor and nurse (which I have had to see myself) , Missionary Recovery Center, Missionary couple who take care of those recovering from illnesses, surgeries or other just taking them to Dr. appointments. and Family History Missionaries helping the Filipinos with the computer looking for their deceased relatives and preparing the records for Temple work. If we were paid church employees known as Ex-Pats we would have missed this experience all together. We would surely miss the spirit that is spreading across this country as a "Marvelous Work and a Wonder." Sometimes our very presence to the Filipino brothers and sisters is inspiring to them. And not to mention that the simplest questions that we can answer mean the world to the members. I am finally getting my head around all of this.
As I am writing this I am seeing fireworks exploding in the distance from our 23rd floor apartment. It is the Christmas Season here. It starts in September. Amazing isn't it? They do celebrate Halloween I am told but haven't experienced it. Its not my favorite holiday...so stay tuned I will write about it.
I hope that those who read this will understand what a Senior Missionary experience can be like and really want to go and serve. We as Americans live in an advanced nation and we can be of service in a third world country.
A little trick one must remember when driving here....you must be calm, collective and courteous and remember that we are guests in another country and must respect the way things are done here. Elder has been recounting this to me in the last couple of days. I am grateful for his new found conviction. I don't know where he got it but I had been praying for it none the less. Thank you Heavenly Father.
We found a couple of very nice properties that would work very nicely and allow us some time to do island hopping to do some snorkeling. Imagine snorkeling at Christmas time. Well we shall see if that will work.
I wanted most to comment on the District Conference we went to today in Morong. We were invited by another couple who are the executive secretaries to the Area President, President Edwards and assigned to another branch in this same districts we are. This missionary couple are The Bunnells'. It is their second mission here in the Philippines. Elder Bunnell drove us all out there in his car. We enjoyed visiting with them and learning of some of the things we could see while we are here.
But the conference is what I wanted to comment on. It was great. We got about enough English or some translation from others to know about the talks given. Also I sang in the choir with the District choir not knowing I would do that but somehow I got pinned with a little red flower that all the choir sisters were wearing and I was up there trying to sound as beautiful as the other choir members....both brothers and sisters. I tried my best. The talks included some new converts, youth speakers, District President, Quezon Mission President and wife, The DeLaMares, Temple 1st counselor President and Sister Revillo and a 70 here in the Philippines, Elder Perez. Topics spoke about: Tithing, living the ordinances of the Gospel, claiming the blessings of the Temple, Temple Worship, Preparing to go to the temple, youth preparing to go to the Temple, doing work for our deceased relatives.....and I think that about covers it. The talks given were very well thought out and given with much grace, sincerity, poise and with a sobre attitude. Very sincere and from the heart bear true testimonies. I often felt that our job here is like a job that should be paid. Very corporate in nature. So why be a missionary? Well, we are missionaries serving in other capacities. The Mission President's wife noted that in her talk today. We all have a place here with our talents and experiences. We have missionaries that assist the Area President, work in Public Affairs, Perpetual Education details, The boundaries for wards and branches, MTC missionaries watching over the Young Elders and their preparations. Medical missionary couple who are a doctor and nurse (which I have had to see myself) , Missionary Recovery Center, Missionary couple who take care of those recovering from illnesses, surgeries or other just taking them to Dr. appointments. and Family History Missionaries helping the Filipinos with the computer looking for their deceased relatives and preparing the records for Temple work. If we were paid church employees known as Ex-Pats we would have missed this experience all together. We would surely miss the spirit that is spreading across this country as a "Marvelous Work and a Wonder." Sometimes our very presence to the Filipino brothers and sisters is inspiring to them. And not to mention that the simplest questions that we can answer mean the world to the members. I am finally getting my head around all of this.
As I am writing this I am seeing fireworks exploding in the distance from our 23rd floor apartment. It is the Christmas Season here. It starts in September. Amazing isn't it? They do celebrate Halloween I am told but haven't experienced it. Its not my favorite holiday...so stay tuned I will write about it.
I hope that those who read this will understand what a Senior Missionary experience can be like and really want to go and serve. We as Americans live in an advanced nation and we can be of service in a third world country.
A little trick one must remember when driving here....you must be calm, collective and courteous and remember that we are guests in another country and must respect the way things are done here. Elder has been recounting this to me in the last couple of days. I am grateful for his new found conviction. I don't know where he got it but I had been praying for it none the less. Thank you Heavenly Father.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
September 15th, 2010: The Durfeys, Bazaar and Zoobic
Patrons of the Zoo having their picture taken with the Tiger
Tiger about to step onto platform
Tiger jumping up on the cage.On Sunday Sept 12th, I checked in with Elder and Sister Durfey and found that Elder Durfey was released at noon that day. Went to see him and Sister Durfey in their apartment which is in the next building adjacent to ours. He has recovered from Dengue but is tired and weak and will need several days of rest to recover his strength. I brought over a few cookies for their treat coming home which they seemed to appreciate.
Once a month the American Women's Club of the Philippines has an International Bazaar that I go to with the other Sister Missionaries. I see some of the Ex-Pat wives (wives of church employees from the USA) there and really enjoy them all. The Bazaar has great stuff to buy so I enjoy looking at it all and buying it of course.
This past Friday was a holiday and Elder and Sister Ayres and us went to Subic Bay to look it over. We found it pleasant...especially the drive there. We also went to the Zoo there called Zoobic where they keep tigers and other forms of wild animals to look at. Monkeys Birds and stuff. But we wanted to see the tigers. It was disturbing to see them caged up and then fed chicken from the patrons of the zoo. Pictures of the Zoobic attached.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 7th, 2010 You Can Get Sick Here
Today I checked up on another Senior Missionary, Elder and Sister Durfey. Elder Durfey was admitted to the hospital with a high fever on Sunday Sept. 5th. He has been diagnosed with Dengue fever. It is usually transmitted through a mosquito bite. Elder Durfey cannot remember having been bitten by a mosquito. I am told that after being bitten there is a 10 day incubation period and then the Dengue fever takes hold. This spooks me as I am subject to the insect. They love me. I have found two mosquito bites on me in the last few days. I hope they were not infected with the disease.
Checked with them today Sept 8th and the fever has been down for 24 hours but the blood platelets need to be at a certain level. When that is achieved Elder Durfey can be released from the hospital.
Checked with them today Sept 8th and the fever has been down for 24 hours but the blood platelets need to be at a certain level. When that is achieved Elder Durfey can be released from the hospital.
Monday, September 6, 2010
What it is like here.
Yesterday as we were driving to and from our Sunday Services in Morong I was thinking about how I would describe life as I see it. So I here are a few.
The driving habits and traffic are erratic. I have driven myself in very few places. Jeepneys, trikes, cars, buses, motorcycle and bicycles have no rules other than basic. Well buses have to remain in a certain lane...but not all the time is that a rule that is obeyed. It is usually get out there and try to go to the places you need to go. There are light signals that sometimes you obey. The traffic police sometimes are out there to direct traffic and they do a good job. Gratefully they are there sometimes. It is frustrating to try and drive with the US rules in your head that conflict with what is usual here. Our vehicle has bumps, scratches and dents. The fleet service takes care of those repairs and that is where our car is today. It is repaired very fast actually and can be returned almost the next day. They give us a loaner so we can get around.
Jeepneys stop anywhere in the street to pick up or leave off passengers. Trikes (a motorcycle with a side covered car) scoots around where ever and you better be careful around them. So far we have been hit by a motorcycle, a trike and a jeepney. Heaven forbid a bus has not collided with our vehicle. The main rule here is....."The big lug nuts rule" And you better believe. it. I have riden in a jeepney and actually I felt quite safe. It is a ride that is rather pleasant. You have time to take in the sights and no one contests the jeepney. As for pedestrians, they wander everywhere in and out of traffic. We have almost hit a grandmother and two of her grandchildren. They just don't look out for the cars.
There is a little store every where you look. Outdoor eatery's are everywhere. If it isn't Jolley Bee (hamburger place) it is a McDonald's or other fast food places we are accustomed to. Then there are the mom and pop places that are just every other house with anything from rice and pork to chicken sticks and packaged products for sale. We like places called Wham Burger, Burger King and McDonald's. We don't go in for fried foods much while out. KFC is one we avoid. When we shop for food we buy the freshest food possible such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers asparagus, lettuce and tomatoes. There are very good grocery stores that we prefer to shop at as it is what we are accustomed and know it is safe to eat. We can get just about anything we want here that is similar to the US. The one item I miss is "I can't believe its not butter" . Its not here and likely never to be here so I deal with it.
This is a land of extremes. We have seen poverty ridden homes, businesses and wet markets with all kinds of fresh produce and other commodities to lavish hotels and very very fine restaurants very reasonably priced. Well presented dishes with interesting table service to eat from. We have seen very up class grocery stores and malls. With the extreme differences I don't know what the occupations are of the people that can afford what is sold at the malls. The meeting houses are among the nicest buildings in the area. The members take care of their chapels however, the chapels are frequently broken into to steel electronics or just metal to sell as scrap.
The restrooms are commonly known as CR's...Comfort Rooms. Most places I have seen are well taken care of with automatic flush toilets and sensor activated faucets for basin hand washing. I have seen some absolutely miserable restrooms where there is no flush but a bucket of water with a scoop that you dump water into the toilet to flush it. We visited some sister missionaries where the CR in their apartment is not up to my standards and I wouldn't want my daughter using such a thing. The toilet was about 12 inches off the floor and no flush. There was a big basin (BIG) next to it with water and the scoop thing. I am told from the Senior Missionaries over the apartments that this is the norm for most of the rural apartments. The Metro Manila areas do not have the plumbing to support flush commodes, but showers yes and running water to sinks, yes. Even in the US there are restrooms that leave something to be desired. It is a developing country and I am learning first hand what that is like.
It is not uncommon to see men urinating at the wall at the side of the road. Some walls actually have a small urinal where the men pee in. No such thing for the women. It is not uncommon in rural areas or small residential streets to see small children running around stark naked. But in other places more in the city it is clothes on all the time. In the outskirts of town it is not uncommon to see men outdoors with just their shorts on bathing with soap and water. In the city proper that isn't seen at all. In walking the streets of rural areas squatter housing, there is partitioned off areas where the women stand out doors and pull a bucket of water over themselves to bathe. Its survival at its best.
Clean water is an issue here. The Pasag River that runs through the city and out to the sea almost always has trash in it. The church has a welfare couple that go to inspect water purification plants and get some ideas on how the church can help in its cleanup. It has been very successful. The river will remain the same however. Tree shrub clipping float down the river into the ocean. The frightening thing is that you see kids swimming in the river. I don't know how they can keep from getting sick.
Cock fighting is common here. In some places I have seen tethered roosters to keep them from fighting other roosters, but close enough to keep the desire to fight up so that when they are placed in a cock pit the roosters will be very aggressive. At times, the owner of a rooster can be seen walking the street holding his prize cock just back from a victory fight. We passed crates of hen chickens yesterday and we joked that we would just poach one for dinner. Just joking though. When I buy chicken I buy it at a grocery store and it is boned and skinned and packaged like the US. I see some goats slaughtered and hung by the side of the road. That's another story but really, why eat a goat. It eats everything in its path. I asked one man if he like goat..."yes"...me..."what does it taste like?" "Chicken" he says but then comes back, "It tastes like goat". Dumb question on my part. Back to the Roosters. We saw one in a crate at a gas station and Al went over to look at it. They are stunningly beautiful birds so worth the time to look at one. The owner asked "Do you want to buy it?" Can you just see us keeping a rooster in our apartment? Yes, the neighbors would appreciate the round the clock alarm. We had to decline and resist the option of buying a rooster.
What to buy that is a bargain here in the Philippines. Pearls, pearls and more pearls. We have been buying some. Anyone want some pearls? Let me know.
I go to an international bazaar sponsored by the American Women's Club of the Philippines. It is a huge vendor market in a very nice building. The sisters here in the office will go to it and shop for a couple of hours. Anything from Jewelry, tablecloths (hand made) clothes, foods, fragrances for your home, purses, you name it, its there And then I can socialize with the other Senior Missionary Sisters. Sometimes the Elders will come but not too often...maybe to drive.
The church employees here in the office have health care and they value it. Many sisters have braces on their teeth. There is never a time when a church employee sister is not brushing her teeth in the ladies restroom They really take care of their teeth. Impressive. And with beautiful smiles.
The main sport here is basketball. Every meeting house has a basketball court. Even the Cebu temple complex has a basketball court behind the stake center. Her in Manila there is a basketball court behind the MTC and it is used for exercise by the MTC missionaries and our guards here...and who ever. It is a pastime that is prized. Soccer isn't seen or baseball OR rugby. There are however golf courses, several in fact. One has the name of Whac Whac. Clever isn't it?
Al was at a meeting with the DTA this morning (Director of Temporal Affairs) and he mentioned that the Philippine priesthood leadership is about a generation away. By that it is meant that the leadership here is young. We have seen leaders in the US that are older for Bishops, stake presidents, and so forth. There are of course some older ones but many more are younger. The Branch President of the Morong Branch must be about 30. One of our officers is a Bishop and he is 31. He has been a bishop for five years. The church organization here in the Philippines is about 50 years old next year. There will be a jubilee celebration in the spring of 2011. It should be quite an event.
The children that attend school wear school uniforms with colors that is significant to the school. School is held all days of the week, not just Monday thru Friday but on Saturday and Sunday. Their schedule varies from week to week. High school is completed in three years and the advance education or college is three more years. The education can be completed by the age of 19 years old. They may have an education but no job possibilities. My heart goes out to these people with their struggles. While shopping in the grocery store across the street, asked for a kilo of ground beef from an employee behind the meat counter.. He said, "Sister, I am a member." He had a big smile on his face as he greeted me and he is happy to have a job. Minimum wage here is p250 or about $5 a day. Yes, a day. We pay our church employees more than that fortunately. Our security supervisor Jess Batoon has been in his positon for 18 years now and is looking to take advantage of his retirement next year. He is 52 years old. He told me today that church employment has been such a blessing in his life and for his family. If it not for his employment he would have no useful employment for him in the Philippines. Yet he is very grateful for what he has been able to accomplish through church employment. The members of the church are a happy people with real strong convictions about living the Gospel in all aspects of their lives. They are blessed also in finding some kind of employment, be it at the meat counter at the store, guards, drivers, domestic help, or office help in a city hall or a Barangay as it is referred to. They seem to find work and are adamant about paying tithing. Paying tithing has helped them through their faith to be self reliant and to progress. Strong testimonies were borne about tithing in the Fast and Testimony meetings.
While waiting for traffic to move there are kids who beg from car to car with sad faces. It is against Philippine law to give to them as this is a syndicated business. They are working for someone else and give any money to their bosses. One of our senior missionary sisters buys cookies and then gives the begging children cookies for them to eat. As in Mexico there are street vendors roaming from car to car with feather dusters, cleaning rags, cigarettes and what have you to make ends meet. Sad to see but it is real.
We have a housekeeper that comes to clean our apartment every other week for p750.
She is a member and cleans all the senior missionary apartments who wish to hire someone. It is worth it to have her do it as she is so thorough. She would wash my clothes but I prefer to do that myself. I have a washer and dryer.
We have had repairs done here at our apartment for our washing machine, DVD player and some plumbing. The repairmen are quite skilled and can fix anything. Even though we have some communication to work through they generally know what the issue is and get right to the problem to repair it. We are looking to get a garbage disposal also. It just might happen.
Are people friendly? Yes they are. I have not felt threatened in any way. Everyone seems courteous and kind. But this is in our every day move. There are break ins in some areas and we know about those to investigate how it might be prevented. It is a job.
Sept 7th, next day after I wrote the above paragraph. We got a call today from our Security Supervisor in Cebu. A Senior Missionary Couple was robbed at a mall last Thursday. It is a nice mall too. We have been there many times and there are guards all over the place. Don't know the details yet. Stay tuned. Received information that the Senior Temple Missionaries were out walking and going to a mall called Ayala mall. They were surrounded by kids begging and the Elder shooed them off. But then they were surrounded by older boys who were bumping into them. They shooed them away but when they got to the mall the Elder's wallet was gone. A pickpocket incident. A couple days later a lady called to say she found the wallet with ID and all other important things. Just the cash was gone. About p5,000 or equivilant to $100. Our Security Supervisor made strong suggestions on what to do when out walking so hopefull it won't happen again.
The driving habits and traffic are erratic. I have driven myself in very few places. Jeepneys, trikes, cars, buses, motorcycle and bicycles have no rules other than basic. Well buses have to remain in a certain lane...but not all the time is that a rule that is obeyed. It is usually get out there and try to go to the places you need to go. There are light signals that sometimes you obey. The traffic police sometimes are out there to direct traffic and they do a good job. Gratefully they are there sometimes. It is frustrating to try and drive with the US rules in your head that conflict with what is usual here. Our vehicle has bumps, scratches and dents. The fleet service takes care of those repairs and that is where our car is today. It is repaired very fast actually and can be returned almost the next day. They give us a loaner so we can get around.
Jeepneys stop anywhere in the street to pick up or leave off passengers. Trikes (a motorcycle with a side covered car) scoots around where ever and you better be careful around them. So far we have been hit by a motorcycle, a trike and a jeepney. Heaven forbid a bus has not collided with our vehicle. The main rule here is....."The big lug nuts rule" And you better believe. it. I have riden in a jeepney and actually I felt quite safe. It is a ride that is rather pleasant. You have time to take in the sights and no one contests the jeepney. As for pedestrians, they wander everywhere in and out of traffic. We have almost hit a grandmother and two of her grandchildren. They just don't look out for the cars.
There is a little store every where you look. Outdoor eatery's are everywhere. If it isn't Jolley Bee (hamburger place) it is a McDonald's or other fast food places we are accustomed to. Then there are the mom and pop places that are just every other house with anything from rice and pork to chicken sticks and packaged products for sale. We like places called Wham Burger, Burger King and McDonald's. We don't go in for fried foods much while out. KFC is one we avoid. When we shop for food we buy the freshest food possible such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers asparagus, lettuce and tomatoes. There are very good grocery stores that we prefer to shop at as it is what we are accustomed and know it is safe to eat. We can get just about anything we want here that is similar to the US. The one item I miss is "I can't believe its not butter" . Its not here and likely never to be here so I deal with it.
This is a land of extremes. We have seen poverty ridden homes, businesses and wet markets with all kinds of fresh produce and other commodities to lavish hotels and very very fine restaurants very reasonably priced. Well presented dishes with interesting table service to eat from. We have seen very up class grocery stores and malls. With the extreme differences I don't know what the occupations are of the people that can afford what is sold at the malls. The meeting houses are among the nicest buildings in the area. The members take care of their chapels however, the chapels are frequently broken into to steel electronics or just metal to sell as scrap.
The restrooms are commonly known as CR's...Comfort Rooms. Most places I have seen are well taken care of with automatic flush toilets and sensor activated faucets for basin hand washing. I have seen some absolutely miserable restrooms where there is no flush but a bucket of water with a scoop that you dump water into the toilet to flush it. We visited some sister missionaries where the CR in their apartment is not up to my standards and I wouldn't want my daughter using such a thing. The toilet was about 12 inches off the floor and no flush. There was a big basin (BIG) next to it with water and the scoop thing. I am told from the Senior Missionaries over the apartments that this is the norm for most of the rural apartments. The Metro Manila areas do not have the plumbing to support flush commodes, but showers yes and running water to sinks, yes. Even in the US there are restrooms that leave something to be desired. It is a developing country and I am learning first hand what that is like.
It is not uncommon to see men urinating at the wall at the side of the road. Some walls actually have a small urinal where the men pee in. No such thing for the women. It is not uncommon in rural areas or small residential streets to see small children running around stark naked. But in other places more in the city it is clothes on all the time. In the outskirts of town it is not uncommon to see men outdoors with just their shorts on bathing with soap and water. In the city proper that isn't seen at all. In walking the streets of rural areas squatter housing, there is partitioned off areas where the women stand out doors and pull a bucket of water over themselves to bathe. Its survival at its best.
Clean water is an issue here. The Pasag River that runs through the city and out to the sea almost always has trash in it. The church has a welfare couple that go to inspect water purification plants and get some ideas on how the church can help in its cleanup. It has been very successful. The river will remain the same however. Tree shrub clipping float down the river into the ocean. The frightening thing is that you see kids swimming in the river. I don't know how they can keep from getting sick.
Cock fighting is common here. In some places I have seen tethered roosters to keep them from fighting other roosters, but close enough to keep the desire to fight up so that when they are placed in a cock pit the roosters will be very aggressive. At times, the owner of a rooster can be seen walking the street holding his prize cock just back from a victory fight. We passed crates of hen chickens yesterday and we joked that we would just poach one for dinner. Just joking though. When I buy chicken I buy it at a grocery store and it is boned and skinned and packaged like the US. I see some goats slaughtered and hung by the side of the road. That's another story but really, why eat a goat. It eats everything in its path. I asked one man if he like goat..."yes"...me..."what does it taste like?" "Chicken" he says but then comes back, "It tastes like goat". Dumb question on my part. Back to the Roosters. We saw one in a crate at a gas station and Al went over to look at it. They are stunningly beautiful birds so worth the time to look at one. The owner asked "Do you want to buy it?" Can you just see us keeping a rooster in our apartment? Yes, the neighbors would appreciate the round the clock alarm. We had to decline and resist the option of buying a rooster.
What to buy that is a bargain here in the Philippines. Pearls, pearls and more pearls. We have been buying some. Anyone want some pearls? Let me know.
I go to an international bazaar sponsored by the American Women's Club of the Philippines. It is a huge vendor market in a very nice building. The sisters here in the office will go to it and shop for a couple of hours. Anything from Jewelry, tablecloths (hand made) clothes, foods, fragrances for your home, purses, you name it, its there And then I can socialize with the other Senior Missionary Sisters. Sometimes the Elders will come but not too often...maybe to drive.
The church employees here in the office have health care and they value it. Many sisters have braces on their teeth. There is never a time when a church employee sister is not brushing her teeth in the ladies restroom They really take care of their teeth. Impressive. And with beautiful smiles.
The main sport here is basketball. Every meeting house has a basketball court. Even the Cebu temple complex has a basketball court behind the stake center. Her in Manila there is a basketball court behind the MTC and it is used for exercise by the MTC missionaries and our guards here...and who ever. It is a pastime that is prized. Soccer isn't seen or baseball OR rugby. There are however golf courses, several in fact. One has the name of Whac Whac. Clever isn't it?
Al was at a meeting with the DTA this morning (Director of Temporal Affairs) and he mentioned that the Philippine priesthood leadership is about a generation away. By that it is meant that the leadership here is young. We have seen leaders in the US that are older for Bishops, stake presidents, and so forth. There are of course some older ones but many more are younger. The Branch President of the Morong Branch must be about 30. One of our officers is a Bishop and he is 31. He has been a bishop for five years. The church organization here in the Philippines is about 50 years old next year. There will be a jubilee celebration in the spring of 2011. It should be quite an event.
The children that attend school wear school uniforms with colors that is significant to the school. School is held all days of the week, not just Monday thru Friday but on Saturday and Sunday. Their schedule varies from week to week. High school is completed in three years and the advance education or college is three more years. The education can be completed by the age of 19 years old. They may have an education but no job possibilities. My heart goes out to these people with their struggles. While shopping in the grocery store across the street, asked for a kilo of ground beef from an employee behind the meat counter.. He said, "Sister, I am a member." He had a big smile on his face as he greeted me and he is happy to have a job. Minimum wage here is p250 or about $5 a day. Yes, a day. We pay our church employees more than that fortunately. Our security supervisor Jess Batoon has been in his positon for 18 years now and is looking to take advantage of his retirement next year. He is 52 years old. He told me today that church employment has been such a blessing in his life and for his family. If it not for his employment he would have no useful employment for him in the Philippines. Yet he is very grateful for what he has been able to accomplish through church employment. The members of the church are a happy people with real strong convictions about living the Gospel in all aspects of their lives. They are blessed also in finding some kind of employment, be it at the meat counter at the store, guards, drivers, domestic help, or office help in a city hall or a Barangay as it is referred to. They seem to find work and are adamant about paying tithing. Paying tithing has helped them through their faith to be self reliant and to progress. Strong testimonies were borne about tithing in the Fast and Testimony meetings.
While waiting for traffic to move there are kids who beg from car to car with sad faces. It is against Philippine law to give to them as this is a syndicated business. They are working for someone else and give any money to their bosses. One of our senior missionary sisters buys cookies and then gives the begging children cookies for them to eat. As in Mexico there are street vendors roaming from car to car with feather dusters, cleaning rags, cigarettes and what have you to make ends meet. Sad to see but it is real.
We have a housekeeper that comes to clean our apartment every other week for p750.
She is a member and cleans all the senior missionary apartments who wish to hire someone. It is worth it to have her do it as she is so thorough. She would wash my clothes but I prefer to do that myself. I have a washer and dryer.
We have had repairs done here at our apartment for our washing machine, DVD player and some plumbing. The repairmen are quite skilled and can fix anything. Even though we have some communication to work through they generally know what the issue is and get right to the problem to repair it. We are looking to get a garbage disposal also. It just might happen.
Are people friendly? Yes they are. I have not felt threatened in any way. Everyone seems courteous and kind. But this is in our every day move. There are break ins in some areas and we know about those to investigate how it might be prevented. It is a job.
Sept 7th, next day after I wrote the above paragraph. We got a call today from our Security Supervisor in Cebu. A Senior Missionary Couple was robbed at a mall last Thursday. It is a nice mall too. We have been there many times and there are guards all over the place. Don't know the details yet. Stay tuned. Received information that the Senior Temple Missionaries were out walking and going to a mall called Ayala mall. They were surrounded by kids begging and the Elder shooed them off. But then they were surrounded by older boys who were bumping into them. They shooed them away but when they got to the mall the Elder's wallet was gone. A pickpocket incident. A couple days later a lady called to say she found the wallet with ID and all other important things. Just the cash was gone. About p5,000 or equivilant to $100. Our Security Supervisor made strong suggestions on what to do when out walking so hopefull it won't happen again.
Sunday Sept 5th
This is actually Monday morning but I wanted to express my feelings regarding our experience at the Morong Branch. First of all it is air conditioned so it is easier to concentrated on the message. When we arrived about 20 minutes early there were members and investigators already in their seats with the piano playing prelude music. The young Filipino member was practicing her new skills by taking part in the service in any way she could. All the members take the time to greet everyone with a handshake and to mention each others names when doing so. They are all dressed in the best they have even if it is jeans and a t-shirt. Most of the sisters have dresses, skirts and blouses and the brethren have shirts and ties and slacks. The young Aaronic Priesthood holders come dressed in white shirts and ties to administer the sacrament. All are ready to participate in this important ordinance.
The Bishop greets everyone and his counselor conducts the meeting. Most of which is spoken here is Tagalog but with some English thrown in. So we get the jest of the meeting. All hymns are sung in English even if the pianist is rather slow in tempo. She is just learning and is brave enough to practice her skills with us singing.
It was fast and testimony meeting where members have an opportunity to express their feelings about the gospel and bear testimony of it truthfulness. We can pretty much understand their feelings of what they say.
Sunday school is great. The Gospel Doctrine class is taught by the former branch president and he is very astute in the Gospel. He is well prepared and he teaches with conviction and testimony. His occupation is a "Driver" for an executive here in Manila. Oh I wish I could afford a driver. It can be stressful here in traffic. Our drive to Morong and back is less of a hassle than previously and the countryside is very beautiful. Back to the teacher......is lesson was number 35 in the lesson manual about Amos being called of God to be a prophet and about listening to our prophets as quoted from scripture, if it is by God's mouth or that of his servants it is the same. Good lesson. The counselor to the District to which the branch is under was there today and had given instructions to the Branch Presidency to instruct the members about what to give a testimony about. It is about five items, testimony that Jesus is the Christ, Church is true, Joseph Smith is a true prophet of the restoration, Book of Mormon is a true testament of Christ, and President Monson is our living Prophet today. We were all cautioned about giving a "storymony" I can relate to this. We usually have a Sister Testimony or a Brother Testimony every month that gets up and drolls on. Good counsel I thought.
Relief Society message was given by our Relief Society President who chose to relate one of the articles from the Liahona regarding unity. The article discusses one sister in Peru who provided her perspective on unity and compared it to a stone wall. Even though we all have differences as the various stones in an ancient wall, we can all fit together like the cut stones in the wall that are actually cut to fit. All corners are cut to fit in. As we all have differences we can learn to love to give, to tolerate, to help and to provide strength to each other to build a strong wall of spirituality and love. Good thoughts I thought. We then had a testimony meeting which most participated in. I was invited to share my testimony. I included the five areas of course but I wanted to let the sisters know that as members of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we are all unified in heart and mind with Christ. It is true all over the world and it unifies us as daughters of our Heavenly Father and as sisters in the Gospel one to another. One day we will all be in the Celestial Kingdom with Heavenly Father who created us all with differences and know that He loves us very much and wants us to be happy and wants us to be with Him again someday. Gives me the feeling I feel when I am in the Temple. I love the Temple and when I am sitting there with all these Filipino people I am grateful for the knowledge we have.
There is a responsibility of the knowledge which the Filipino Saints really embrace and are so diligent in living the Gospel. It really shows in their behavior and willingness to serve. They can recite scripture and participate very well in Gospel discussions. Their love of the Temple and willingness to pay tithing on very little that they have is inspiring. It is the same here as it is in the United States or where even else I am. Truly this is the truth. In Jesus Name Amen.
In the evening we invited Elder and Sister Ayres over to share dinner with us. By their request we had Boeuf Bourguignon Julia Child's recipe. We all enjoyed it. I made a killer salad and some rolls served with sparkling grape and peach soda. Chocolate chip oatmeal walnut cookies for dessert. We talked about current and past Missionary experiences.
The Bishop greets everyone and his counselor conducts the meeting. Most of which is spoken here is Tagalog but with some English thrown in. So we get the jest of the meeting. All hymns are sung in English even if the pianist is rather slow in tempo. She is just learning and is brave enough to practice her skills with us singing.
It was fast and testimony meeting where members have an opportunity to express their feelings about the gospel and bear testimony of it truthfulness. We can pretty much understand their feelings of what they say.
Sunday school is great. The Gospel Doctrine class is taught by the former branch president and he is very astute in the Gospel. He is well prepared and he teaches with conviction and testimony. His occupation is a "Driver" for an executive here in Manila. Oh I wish I could afford a driver. It can be stressful here in traffic. Our drive to Morong and back is less of a hassle than previously and the countryside is very beautiful. Back to the teacher......is lesson was number 35 in the lesson manual about Amos being called of God to be a prophet and about listening to our prophets as quoted from scripture, if it is by God's mouth or that of his servants it is the same. Good lesson. The counselor to the District to which the branch is under was there today and had given instructions to the Branch Presidency to instruct the members about what to give a testimony about. It is about five items, testimony that Jesus is the Christ, Church is true, Joseph Smith is a true prophet of the restoration, Book of Mormon is a true testament of Christ, and President Monson is our living Prophet today. We were all cautioned about giving a "storymony" I can relate to this. We usually have a Sister Testimony or a Brother Testimony every month that gets up and drolls on. Good counsel I thought.
Relief Society message was given by our Relief Society President who chose to relate one of the articles from the Liahona regarding unity. The article discusses one sister in Peru who provided her perspective on unity and compared it to a stone wall. Even though we all have differences as the various stones in an ancient wall, we can all fit together like the cut stones in the wall that are actually cut to fit. All corners are cut to fit in. As we all have differences we can learn to love to give, to tolerate, to help and to provide strength to each other to build a strong wall of spirituality and love. Good thoughts I thought. We then had a testimony meeting which most participated in. I was invited to share my testimony. I included the five areas of course but I wanted to let the sisters know that as members of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we are all unified in heart and mind with Christ. It is true all over the world and it unifies us as daughters of our Heavenly Father and as sisters in the Gospel one to another. One day we will all be in the Celestial Kingdom with Heavenly Father who created us all with differences and know that He loves us very much and wants us to be happy and wants us to be with Him again someday. Gives me the feeling I feel when I am in the Temple. I love the Temple and when I am sitting there with all these Filipino people I am grateful for the knowledge we have.
There is a responsibility of the knowledge which the Filipino Saints really embrace and are so diligent in living the Gospel. It really shows in their behavior and willingness to serve. They can recite scripture and participate very well in Gospel discussions. Their love of the Temple and willingness to pay tithing on very little that they have is inspiring. It is the same here as it is in the United States or where even else I am. Truly this is the truth. In Jesus Name Amen.
In the evening we invited Elder and Sister Ayres over to share dinner with us. By their request we had Boeuf Bourguignon Julia Child's recipe. We all enjoyed it. I made a killer salad and some rolls served with sparkling grape and peach soda. Chocolate chip oatmeal walnut cookies for dessert. We talked about current and past Missionary experiences.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Clean Up of the Guard House
Besides fresh paint, the drawers have new face fronts. Also Underneath the monitor there is a pull out tray with the keyboard on it. Elders idea.
The louvered cupboard door is new and it covers the wiring underneath for the cameras around the complex and for the Internet wiring. It was a spaghetti mess before and the guys just had to put a board in front of it to cover it up.Clean Up of the Guard House
Jener and Paul sitting by newly painted desk and redesigned keyboard tray
The Roof of the Guard House is being repaired due to a leak.One of our many goals here is the renovation of our Guard House on the Area Office Side of the Manila Temple Complex. It had not been painted in the inside for five years and the doors were falling off. I am only going to show you the end result as the before pictures are on Elder's computer at the office. If I get them I will post them. The inside shows new drawer fronts and fresh paint and a louvered door to cover some electrical wiring.
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