Wheel chair work

The following is a news clip of part of the service that LDS Charities is doing in the Philippines. This was broadcast on Tuesday evening on GMA Channel 7. The missionary that is shown is Elder Steven Hadlock. He and his wife share an office with Marcia and I...





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Daily activities

So what do senior missionaries do when they serve a mission? As Marcia and I were in the MTC we learned that there were many areas of service that seniors can do. First let me digress and say that it is odd to consider ourselves as seniors. This was especially so as we were in the MTC and we were younger by about ten years to all of our MTC group. In some cases we were twenty years younger than some of the couples. As we arrived in the field we again realized that we were somewhat younger than most of the seniors here. There is one couple here that is actually younger than Marcia and I. They are Elder and Sister Jensen from Canada. Sister Jensen is about three months younger than Marcia and Elder Jensen is three months younger than I am. So they do take the prize for the youngest in this particular area.

No longer digressing but back on topic. While we were in the MTC we counted a number of ways that senior couples can serve. This is not an all inclusive list but it does give one an idea:

1. Temple Workers
2. Humanitarian Missionaries
1. Wheelchair specialists
2. Country Humanitarian Director
3. Area Medical Adviser
4. Area Mental Health Adviser
5. Perpetual Education Fund Directors
6. Employment Center Specialists
7. Family History Missionaries
8. Member Leadership Support
9. Mission Support
1. Office missionaries
2. Apartment support

I am sure that there are number of other areas that I haven't covered but you get the general idea. It is exciting to be in the area office to see all the wheels that are spinning in so many different aspects. As an example- A number of missionaries met with the office of the Vice President this afternoon regarding the church's humanitarian efforts. The church is active in getting out there and try to determine what we can do to assist the needs here. It is exciting to see the work being done...

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The Teresa Branch

On our way to Teresa

Sunday we attended our new branch for the first time. It is located in the city of Teresa and is called the Teresa Branch. The building is a nice building with plenty of ceiling fans but no air conditioning (or as they say in the Philippines 'aircon'). We went first to the PAO where we met Elder and Sister Harris who we rode with to the  branch.

The drive was about an hour. Normally traffic is questionable but it was another holiday weekend in the Philippines so the traffic was light. One of the things we noted was that there were a number of people on bikes climbing the mountain as we made our way to Teresa. Apparently bike riding on Sundays is a universal thing as we frequently saw the same in Indiana.

Teresa Branch

We arrived a little before the start time of 9. The branch president is a young man who has been back from his mission for only two years. Now that is learning under fire. Not only is he a young branch president but he also has a young family with a baby of about one year.

Sacrament and most of the lessons taught were in Tagalog. There were a couple sets of young missionaries that had English speakers that translated for the Elder and Sister Harris. Marcia and I tried to understand using our limited Tagalog. There were occasions when the teachers would switch to English but for the most part it was in Tagalog.

Members of the Teresa Branch

 After church we stopped at a place on the mountain that is called Cloud 9. It is restaurant plus picnic area. With a lunch packed we stopped for a bite to eat and look over the view that was available. It was a fantastic view. One of the down sides was the pollution that hangs over the city. Other than that it was a great view.

Walkway at Cloud 9

This week will be exciting. We will have the opportunity to hear from Elder David Bednar of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. He is in country at the present time visiting missions and members. He arrived here last week with Elder Cook, also of the Quorum of the 12, and a member of the Presiding Bishopric- whose name at the moment escapes me.

Marcia continues to be busy. Currently I am assisting her in some paperwork as well as assisting Elder and Sister Hadlock in some of their presentations. It is good to be busy...


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Metro Manila

Metro Manila

San Pablo visit

Marcia and I returned this afternoon from a visit to President and Sister Peterson of the San Pablo mission. This mission is located south and east of Manila. We left yesterday, Wednesday, morning with Elder and Sister Jackson and Boycee. Elder Jackson and Boycee were heading in that direction to drop off a contract to a local hospital that will serve the missionaries there. Marcia and I were heading their at the direction of the mission president and the Area Presidency.

Once we arrived at the mission office/mission home we were able to introduce ourselves to President and Sister Peterson. They are a fantastic couple who have been serving in San Pablo for one year. They come from Arizona where he farmed cotton. They were actively farming prior to their call and will return to do so once they have completed their mission.

Inside the ferry

After our quick introductions we scurried off to catch a ferry to one of the islands that are in his mission boundaries.We headed to the island of Mindoro. It is a unique island with regards to mission work as half of the island is in the San Pablo mission while the other half is located in the Quezon City Mission. The reason for this is access. There is a mountain range that splits the island in half. To get from one side to the other takes a long drive thus it is easier to fly to reach one of the sides. With that said we went to the city of Batangas to get on a ferry to take us their. I was a little concerned regarding the ferry ride as my   stomach and the ocean can be fickle friends at times. I was especially concerned as the ocean was very choppy as another typhoon, while far away, was creating choppy sea conditions. The ride to Mindoro lasted about 80 minutes or so. Fortunately my stomach survived!

Diving for coins

As we walked off the ferry and on to the dock we were greeted by a young man- pictured on right- who was calling out for people to throw him coins to dive for. I didn't see it but one of the missionaries told us that the young man keeps the coins in his mouth once he dives down to collect them.

Once on the island we were met by a senior mission couple that are assigned to the island- the Campbells. Elder Campbell picked us up and drove us to the chapel where Marcia was to conduct a number of interviews. Once she was done we headed back and then spent the evening in the Mission home with President and Sister Peterson. After a very restful night sleep Marcia had a number of sessions this morning before we were picked up by Boycee and returned to metro Manila. It was a very good trip...

Parking under chapel. Branch President's "trike"

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Banana tree outside of fenced chapel on Mindoro

Bananas close up

Sister French and Sister Peterson

Three hours later and still calling out for coins

Our ferry to Mindoro

Just outside of Mission home and office

Mission Home

Mission Office

Chapel in San Pablo