We just finished another great week in the Philippines...having been very, very busy again in that we just completed our personal (Haidi's Team – our Public Affairs Director – with the six of us – three senior couples) involvement in the Manila Area celebrations of National Family Week. This is a very big deal here with nearly every Stake (or Multi-Stake of the Church) doing something to support their local government in making "families" an important part of their locale. Here in the capital (Manila) this week we had the Opening Tree Planting/Walk/Exercise/Speakers & more (as I think I stated last week) on last Saturday (morning/early afternoon). Then we had an Interfaith Service at one of our building on Sunday afternoon/evening, on Wednesday (all day) we had a Family Conference on the challenges and ways to keep our families strong, and lastly on Friday afternoon we had the Closing Ceremonies in Taguig (one of the waterfront communities) where the Mayor awarded the National Family of the Year. The three finalists (families) were in attendance with a nice dinner, awards, more speakers and wonderful music from the local high schools of the area.
One thing I have really noticed that when it rains in the Philippines is really, really rains. There is nearly always flooding in the streets, which adds to the challenge of driving for everyone and really slows things down nearly to a "parking lot." It took us one hour and a half to get to these ceremonies and two and a half hours to return only about 75% back to our offices (to our apartments - instead) that day. One of the vehicles you never want to challenge in your driving our the busses, they own the roads and go wherever and whenever they want. Stay our of their way (if they are coming) they truly will run you over. While going to Church today (this morning) one of the busses nearly took off the rear of our car, but swerved just at the last minute and missed us. I was driving and it scared me to near death. It would NOT have been a very good way to start the day, on the way to Church, to have been hit by a BIG bus. There almost appears to be angels looking over us to protect us from harm and get us from one place to another, those nice "tender mercies of the Lord" - if you are trying to do the right things and be the best you can.
Lastly, we attended an eighteen year old -birthday party for one of the daughters of a man we work with as a volunteer - on Saturday evening. Apparently, your eighteen year old birthday is a BID DEAL here, especially for young women. It was held at a local country club (party house) with music, a very nice dinner, entertainment, supportive friends/family remarks, dancing, and love all around. This man had just served for the past ten years as the Stake President, now he's our volunteer Public Affairs, Multi-Stake Director. His extended family are a third generation members of our Church and nearly all of the family were there - in supporting and sharing love with one another. It was very, very nice - one of the highlights of our time here.
We are beginning to settle into a routine of life and feeling more and more - at home - every day. I have now, rather then just being driven everywhere, began to drive myself. I'm getting better, but I have much to learn and understand about this experience.
Finally, we met with the Area President on Thursday, he's really our ultimate boss, while we serve here, in the Area Offices...it was very nice getting to know him, he comes from Salt Lake (of course) but practiced law in Idaho as his career before being called to serve (at his own expense) as a Mission President and then Area/Seventy. He's been here in the Philippines for about 28 months and freely admits he is just beginning to understand the people, the culture, and the world of the Philippines. He gave us a good book on the people, called "culture stock - the Philippines" which has been very interesting to read and to absorb.
Well that's about all for now, we love you all, appreciate your support and may the Lord continue to bless, protect, and support each of you in all your righteous endeavors. Mike
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Evacuation
The missionaries were evacuated from the southern Philippines. They are coming up here overnight and staying in the MRC. Tomorrow they will be reassigned. Things are violent down there.
* MRC is missionary recovery center. Like a sick bay. Our MTC is as full as it has ever been.
* MRC is missionary recovery center. Like a sick bay. Our MTC is as full as it has ever been.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Our First Dinner Party
We're just busy setting up the apt. And learning our jobs.
Last night we hosted dinner for 10 in our little apt. We actually have a table and chairs for 6 . Another mission couple brought down their table and 4 chairs. Every couple brought a dish so it was low stress. One of the couples that live in our building is going home tomorrow so it was a dinner for them.
I found paper and plastic stuff at the grocery store, so cleanup was easy. We still have to heat filtered water on the stove and wash dishes in a plastic bowl then rinse in more filtered heated water. Kind of like camping. People took there own dirty serving bowls home. Pretty easy, home is an elevator ride away.
We had some funny green fresh stuff given to us free at the grocery store and I didn't know what to do with it. I found out it was a veg. And it's peeled and sauted. So I did that, added salt, pepper, butter and tarragon (the only herb in my cupboard). It was really good. Also I made fruit salad. Can't get cool whip here, so I whipped fresh cream and cream cheese with a little sugar. It was good too. We are finding our way around.
Dad is the Interfaith specialist and his spending his work time getting information about the attendees for a meeting we are having next week at our office. We had a mtg this morning with the area legal advisor and the area authority 70 to talk about this group. The area authority works in the office as an HR guy. He's Filipino. It was quite a spirited discussion.
Monday night we went to a movie screening of 10 three minutes clips about eating together as a family. All in Tagalog. 'Nibbles and drinks with press and VIPs. During that time we had a bad storm and some roads closed due to water. afterwards we waited an hour for a taxi and finally had to call the Dupaixs to come and get us. We were not far from our building, but we could not walk for reasons you would understand if you lived here.
I think we're finding our way. We constantly see people that remind us of each of you. Although we are surrounded by wonderful couples just like us, it's hard to be so far away.
Send us news about nothing at all. MOM
Last night we hosted dinner for 10 in our little apt. We actually have a table and chairs for 6 . Another mission couple brought down their table and 4 chairs. Every couple brought a dish so it was low stress. One of the couples that live in our building is going home tomorrow so it was a dinner for them.
I found paper and plastic stuff at the grocery store, so cleanup was easy. We still have to heat filtered water on the stove and wash dishes in a plastic bowl then rinse in more filtered heated water. Kind of like camping. People took there own dirty serving bowls home. Pretty easy, home is an elevator ride away.
We had some funny green fresh stuff given to us free at the grocery store and I didn't know what to do with it. I found out it was a veg. And it's peeled and sauted. So I did that, added salt, pepper, butter and tarragon (the only herb in my cupboard). It was really good. Also I made fruit salad. Can't get cool whip here, so I whipped fresh cream and cream cheese with a little sugar. It was good too. We are finding our way around.
Dad is the Interfaith specialist and his spending his work time getting information about the attendees for a meeting we are having next week at our office. We had a mtg this morning with the area legal advisor and the area authority 70 to talk about this group. The area authority works in the office as an HR guy. He's Filipino. It was quite a spirited discussion.
Monday night we went to a movie screening of 10 three minutes clips about eating together as a family. All in Tagalog. 'Nibbles and drinks with press and VIPs. During that time we had a bad storm and some roads closed due to water. afterwards we waited an hour for a taxi and finally had to call the Dupaixs to come and get us. We were not far from our building, but we could not walk for reasons you would understand if you lived here.
I think we're finding our way. We constantly see people that remind us of each of you. Although we are surrounded by wonderful couples just like us, it's hard to be so far away.
Send us news about nothing at all. MOM
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Two Weeks Abroad
Oh, yes we have been here for nearly two weeks … attempting to adjust to the strange world of Manila … the traffic is far worse than I ever thought … the smell of the city is strangely like a sewer (the human waste just runs into the river flowing through the city freely and then onto the harbor) and some type of garlic rice – regularly eaten (nearly every morning by one of our neighbors) … and the people speak neither English nor Tagalog, but some mix of languages – often called Tagalish. Our apartment is one the 28th floor of a condo complex (many of these in our area) and was absolutely filthy with many layers of dust everywhere atop things, apparently the senior couple having lived here before had a Filipino maid (who only hit only the high spots) and have been gone for a few months before our arrival, with one of them having a critical medical problem. They had the leave on short notice and have been gone since May. We have washed, and re-washed everything again and again including nearly daily the floors. Several days our hot water hasn’t worked, so cold showers have been the order of the day – I took them when I was much younger but these days – they just don’t fit the bill – very well. The electrical systems here "sort of work and sort of don’t" with lights going ON/OFF without notice. I have had many of them replaced with new ballast, since they are all florescent. Our bed looks like an "old horses’ back" with a deep dip in the middle, but we are hopes of replacing that. Lastly, we have had many challenges getting Internet and Cable TV, both removed during this absence. They say they are coming (that is the technicians from these companies) but work from 8am to 8pm and our building will only let you in between 9am to 5pm, neither will compromise with the other, so it takes days of staying home – just waiting for someone to come (hopefully) We have building security and building engineering (maintenance) both won’t talk to the either as well. And to think this is one of the better places to live here.
Oh, the joy of living abroad … and we just love it.
Last night we attended a short films contest for "national family week" where they were promoting eating together at night as families, something our Church fully supports at a local theater. This theater was on the six floor of a mega mall, and I mean mega mall. Their shopping is either small, independent shops or these several football field sized, multi-story super shopping complexes. This was at one of the super-sized shopping malls. The finalists all receive cash awards and several of them were very touching.
We have eaten at "SHAKEY’S Pizza", "Wendy’s" and "Johnny Rockets" thus far sort of like home but with an Asian twist.
The cable TV man just left our apartment complex and finally now we have both Internet (installed on Monday) and now Cable TV (just installed) … almost starting to be like home.
Lastly both our Apartment Agent and Real Estate Broker were here and visited us this morning - while we waited for the Cable TV man to arrive for his installation and we might even get some "hot water" and a "new bed" (the mattress - after 14 years of tenant use), so finally we are beginning to adjust to our new environment here but still there are many challenges to face – but we are great! (Just one side note: There are an half dozen middle men involved in renting property in the Philippines and no one really - knows what they do for you)
Love you and may the Lord bless you and your family,
Elder Morello
Oh, the joy of living abroad … and we just love it.
Last night we attended a short films contest for "national family week" where they were promoting eating together at night as families, something our Church fully supports at a local theater. This theater was on the six floor of a mega mall, and I mean mega mall. Their shopping is either small, independent shops or these several football field sized, multi-story super shopping complexes. This was at one of the super-sized shopping malls. The finalists all receive cash awards and several of them were very touching.
We have eaten at "SHAKEY’S Pizza", "Wendy’s" and "Johnny Rockets" thus far sort of like home but with an Asian twist.
The cable TV man just left our apartment complex and finally now we have both Internet (installed on Monday) and now Cable TV (just installed) … almost starting to be like home.
Lastly both our Apartment Agent and Real Estate Broker were here and visited us this morning - while we waited for the Cable TV man to arrive for his installation and we might even get some "hot water" and a "new bed" (the mattress - after 14 years of tenant use), so finally we are beginning to adjust to our new environment here but still there are many challenges to face – but we are great! (Just one side note: There are an half dozen middle men involved in renting property in the Philippines and no one really - knows what they do for you)
Love you and may the Lord bless you and your family,
Elder Morello
Monday, September 9, 2013
No Trouble For Us
There is some unrest in the Southern Philippines. It is forever away from us. So no worries.
Internet & Cable Hassles
Well it’s Monday morning in Manila, about 8:15am, I have already showered, dressed, and gone to the adjoining commercial/business building to "our engineering department" for required "work permits" for the Globe Internet and Sky Cable installations scheduled (hopefully for some time today), in an attempt to bring some normalcy to our world. Apparent neither of the two other senior missionary couples in our same apartment building had anything like the many challenges we have been facing for either of these services being installed into their apartment units. One step at a time and one hurdle at a time to leap, to get anything finished in the Philippines. I say hopefully this happens today - because the "work permit" first have to be approved (by who I know not) and they are only good for - one day at a time. Plus I have some concerns that the planned technicians scheduled for today - actually do - show up. We just sit here and wait for their arrival, much the same as in the States, but here at least I had something meaningful to do while I waited. They are scheduled for anytime between 8am and 5pm, but with our luck (if they show up – at all) they will come about 4:55pm and take all night completing their installation task.
Yesterday we attended an English speaking Church Unit (a Branch) here in Manila, where we have been - for now - permanently assigned to attend (or for now at least.) The unit is made up of various (mainly Americans) English speaking people from around the world who are working here - in Manila for work. Many are in banking or with an Embassy and are here for several years with those assignments. Sacrament Meeting was being at home, but afterwards Mother and I were asked to cover a Primary Class of 7 to 9 year olds. They were wonderful and delightful to teach, during Sharing Time – Mother stayed with the class, but since I have been tasked to reach out to Foreign Embassies and Ambassadors, I thought it wise for me to attend Priesthood Meeting. I met several people in the Branch who might help me with that assignment over the next several weeks and/or months. The Branch President work at the American Embassy as an Assistant of some nature, who might be my best angle to start.
Last night Elder DuPaix and I returned to the same Church Building for Stake Priesthood which focused on getting more engaged in "missionary work" as families. The Stake President is wonderful and very talented, but some of the others (who were speaking and teaching) were using "guilt" as their motivators and it has been my personal experience that isn’t a very effective method, to get the positive results one really wants. The meeting lasted for nearly two and half hours, often repeating the same themes, but I have been told - the people of the Philippines are known to need repeated challenges to get the results you are looking for….it is never bad to repeat the "key challenges" if you want positive results.
Last week at the office was just crazy, we had tours of the complex nearly every day, with getting snacks for each group. Apparently it is expected for guests to be fed (with food) when they join you for a visit at your home, business, or in our case our Church Complex. I think I already stated this but we tour the Area Offices, then our Philippines MTC and MRC (Medial Recovery Center for missionaries), then the Temple Annex and Temple Grounds (connected via a tunnel under the main road outside our offices.) Once we have Internet - I will send some pictures - so you can better see what I’m talking about. These tours have "PowerPoint" presentations to introduce ourselves – to our various guest - to start and overall last for several hours altogether. The purchasing of "these various snacks" is a BIG thing and often takes the better part of most mornings. We purchase from KFC, Burger King, or Krispy Kreme as well as from the local market about two block down the street. Since I don’t have a Church Credit Card yet, I’ve just been the "bag man" thus far – just carrying the goodies for the others. A lot of busy work, but we have built some beginning relationships with important government and/or political leader types in a positive way - towards the Church and our overall presents here in the Philippines.
Love you all and greatly miss you. I’ll keep you posted on our Internet and other connections to the outside world as they progress and are hopefully finalized.
May the Lord bless, protect, and guide each of our lives – Love Dad.
Later in the day (around 12:30pm) … well no one shown up yet, we have cleaned again, which is nearly a daily activity, follow-up called both Globe (the Internet folks) and Sky (the cable TV folks), assured they are still coming sometime before 8pm tonight and that installation will be complete before they leave. Further, we called our apartment agent (everything in the Philippines has a whole host of middle men involved and don’t really know what they do, except cost more money), but he still hasn’t gotten any word on the critical issues we are having with electrical (our flash water heater blowing breakers) and other poorly wired lamps, appliances, etc., our bed which looks like an old horses’ back, our window blinds, which are a yellowed and terrible bent mess, and our washer/dryer which only sort of work, our shower drain which was installed on the flat of the floor and doesn’t drain, and other requested items … we have been chasing our Singaporean landlord for now, nearly two weeks without any real positive result.
Our apartment engineering department did come up to see some of the electrical problems discussed above, but could only recommend purchasing items I dare not leave the apartment (in case the techs come from Globe or Sky while I’m gone) from the hardware store (across the street) to buy to fix things. All in all I’m just wasting time most of today, waiting on the tech to show-up!
In the meantime I loaded all of our receipts (expenses) into an Excel spreadsheet to check what things are costing and for getting started and it is more than what we have budgeted, so I think we might need to cut back - a bit - to stay on target, in upcoming months.
Love again Dad….
Still later (now it’s about 4pm) and we just finished installing Internet … HAPPY DAY ! All is well ….
Yesterday we attended an English speaking Church Unit (a Branch) here in Manila, where we have been - for now - permanently assigned to attend (or for now at least.) The unit is made up of various (mainly Americans) English speaking people from around the world who are working here - in Manila for work. Many are in banking or with an Embassy and are here for several years with those assignments. Sacrament Meeting was being at home, but afterwards Mother and I were asked to cover a Primary Class of 7 to 9 year olds. They were wonderful and delightful to teach, during Sharing Time – Mother stayed with the class, but since I have been tasked to reach out to Foreign Embassies and Ambassadors, I thought it wise for me to attend Priesthood Meeting. I met several people in the Branch who might help me with that assignment over the next several weeks and/or months. The Branch President work at the American Embassy as an Assistant of some nature, who might be my best angle to start.
Last night Elder DuPaix and I returned to the same Church Building for Stake Priesthood which focused on getting more engaged in "missionary work" as families. The Stake President is wonderful and very talented, but some of the others (who were speaking and teaching) were using "guilt" as their motivators and it has been my personal experience that isn’t a very effective method, to get the positive results one really wants. The meeting lasted for nearly two and half hours, often repeating the same themes, but I have been told - the people of the Philippines are known to need repeated challenges to get the results you are looking for….it is never bad to repeat the "key challenges" if you want positive results.
Last week at the office was just crazy, we had tours of the complex nearly every day, with getting snacks for each group. Apparently it is expected for guests to be fed (with food) when they join you for a visit at your home, business, or in our case our Church Complex. I think I already stated this but we tour the Area Offices, then our Philippines MTC and MRC (Medial Recovery Center for missionaries), then the Temple Annex and Temple Grounds (connected via a tunnel under the main road outside our offices.) Once we have Internet - I will send some pictures - so you can better see what I’m talking about. These tours have "PowerPoint" presentations to introduce ourselves – to our various guest - to start and overall last for several hours altogether. The purchasing of "these various snacks" is a BIG thing and often takes the better part of most mornings. We purchase from KFC, Burger King, or Krispy Kreme as well as from the local market about two block down the street. Since I don’t have a Church Credit Card yet, I’ve just been the "bag man" thus far – just carrying the goodies for the others. A lot of busy work, but we have built some beginning relationships with important government and/or political leader types in a positive way - towards the Church and our overall presents here in the Philippines.
Love you all and greatly miss you. I’ll keep you posted on our Internet and other connections to the outside world as they progress and are hopefully finalized.
May the Lord bless, protect, and guide each of our lives – Love Dad.
Later in the day (around 12:30pm) … well no one shown up yet, we have cleaned again, which is nearly a daily activity, follow-up called both Globe (the Internet folks) and Sky (the cable TV folks), assured they are still coming sometime before 8pm tonight and that installation will be complete before they leave. Further, we called our apartment agent (everything in the Philippines has a whole host of middle men involved and don’t really know what they do, except cost more money), but he still hasn’t gotten any word on the critical issues we are having with electrical (our flash water heater blowing breakers) and other poorly wired lamps, appliances, etc., our bed which looks like an old horses’ back, our window blinds, which are a yellowed and terrible bent mess, and our washer/dryer which only sort of work, our shower drain which was installed on the flat of the floor and doesn’t drain, and other requested items … we have been chasing our Singaporean landlord for now, nearly two weeks without any real positive result.
Our apartment engineering department did come up to see some of the electrical problems discussed above, but could only recommend purchasing items I dare not leave the apartment (in case the techs come from Globe or Sky while I’m gone) from the hardware store (across the street) to buy to fix things. All in all I’m just wasting time most of today, waiting on the tech to show-up!
In the meantime I loaded all of our receipts (expenses) into an Excel spreadsheet to check what things are costing and for getting started and it is more than what we have budgeted, so I think we might need to cut back - a bit - to stay on target, in upcoming months.
Love again Dad….
Still later (now it’s about 4pm) and we just finished installing Internet … HAPPY DAY ! All is well ….
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Our First Full Week
Today was our first full week here in the Philippines, it has been quite an experience sooooo far – we have now seen the worst driving in the world – hands down - we thought it was bad in Sicily but Manila has it beat in so many unbelievable ways. Mother talked about cars, trucks, busses, jeepneys, motorcycles with side cars, bicycles, wagons pulled various animals and far more I can’t even begin to outline. We took a taxi today to the Airport for problems we are having with one of our shipments, customs, etc. on some display boards coming from Salt lake and nearly two times a bus wanted to be in my front taxi seat with us during the travels. It seems they all want to occupy the same space at the same time, but luckily they are moving at a very, very slow speed with good brakes otherwise the chaos would even get to be much uglier. Yesterday Mother and I went to get our Filipino Driver’s License and in and of itself - that was likewise unbelievable, no way your Mother should have passed the eye examine they had to get out the Big E’s Chart for her to see everything that would allow her to see - but it seems money says everything in the Philippines and she did actually pass to health exam. Than more money at the actual government bureau, three sets of head shot pictures (who knows why) and now - we are "legal." We actual are legal to drive (so they say and that unbelievable) but the whole experience is most frightening, but I’ve committed to drive on this next Sunday to the Tagalog Church Branch (out in the country – someway) with Elder Bailey (one of the other senior couples in Public Affairs with us) as my co-pilot.
Nearly every day so far we have hosted someone (groups of ten to twenty persons) to the Area Presidency’s Offices Complex (one side of the road) plus Temple Grounds (another side of the road) by giving "PowerPoint presentations, visits to the several building on the extended properties, and with a guided tour and photos. This extended complex is the place we work each day, with an office complex (with more than hundred employees plus senior missionaries), a MTC for Asian languages (around 250 missionaries), MRC (Medical Recovery Center for sick full-time young missionaries) , the Temple, and a Temple patron housing unit, etc. This complex is set-up on two sides of a very busy road with a tunnel under the road between the Temple and the other buildings. Our guided tours allow visitors to learn about it all and have their personal questions answered. Remember we are the "horn blowers" not the gospel instructors, we just tell the story and let the testimonies be borne by the other missionaries.
In a few weeks, towards the end of September with are deeply involved in the National Family Week, as a major co-sponsor with other government and social agencies. This should be our first real taste of the personal involvement of the Church with government and corporate leaders in "building bridges of common understanding" and mutual respect. Should be real exciting – we will keep everyone posted as things develop and occur.
Love for now and I’ll write again real soon with more updates. Our daily prayers are for each of you and your families and maybe by next week (pray to help this happen) we’ll may finally have "internet in the apartment" and I’ll try my hand at starting to "Skype." May the Lord bless and support each of you – bye for now!
Nearly every day so far we have hosted someone (groups of ten to twenty persons) to the Area Presidency’s Offices Complex (one side of the road) plus Temple Grounds (another side of the road) by giving "PowerPoint presentations, visits to the several building on the extended properties, and with a guided tour and photos. This extended complex is the place we work each day, with an office complex (with more than hundred employees plus senior missionaries), a MTC for Asian languages (around 250 missionaries), MRC (Medical Recovery Center for sick full-time young missionaries) , the Temple, and a Temple patron housing unit, etc. This complex is set-up on two sides of a very busy road with a tunnel under the road between the Temple and the other buildings. Our guided tours allow visitors to learn about it all and have their personal questions answered. Remember we are the "horn blowers" not the gospel instructors, we just tell the story and let the testimonies be borne by the other missionaries.
In a few weeks, towards the end of September with are deeply involved in the National Family Week, as a major co-sponsor with other government and social agencies. This should be our first real taste of the personal involvement of the Church with government and corporate leaders in "building bridges of common understanding" and mutual respect. Should be real exciting – we will keep everyone posted as things develop and occur.
Love for now and I’ll write again real soon with more updates. Our daily prayers are for each of you and your families and maybe by next week (pray to help this happen) we’ll may finally have "internet in the apartment" and I’ll try my hand at starting to "Skype." May the Lord bless and support each of you – bye for now!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Anniversary
Today, Sept 3, we celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary here in Quezon City. We started by getting Filippino drivers licenses. We had a wonderful man from the office helping us and we all took a taxi. It only took 3 hours . Then we had a meeting with the Red Cross.
Tonight we went to the Mall across the street for haircuts, and I had a manicure. Also the laundry shop and maybe (hopefully ) we have internet ordered. Then Shakeys Pizza for dinner. Not American pizza (not even lousy O'Fallon pizza) but at least it wasn't rice. It was a nice evening. And all in our building or the mall.
The public affairs office continues to feel like a new job, where the new kids are having the new kid adjustments. I'm sure it will get better. The Dupaixs and the Baileys could not be nicer or more patient. Hats off to them!
We still have no car to drive and that is OK too. This is one scary place for driving.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Worst Job in the Mission
I have just heard about the worst job in the mission. We have a couple who deliver things to the young elders and sisters. Yes, they drive all day every day in Quezon City. If I ever figure out how to upload pictures, I will send one of a typical road. We have motorcycles, motorbikes, (motorcycles with side cars), reg. cars, taxis, vans, trucks, and jeepneys (cannot explain those), bicycles, and pedestrians all sharing a trash strewn road.
Anyway, there are no lanes, no lights, no rules. Also houses and little stands to buy things spilling over on the road. Also little children and animals, and sometimes in the smaller towns, the farmers will put their rice out on the road to dry. What a mess! And this couple drives all day, every day.
We are going for our drivers licenses tomorrow!
Anyway, there are no lanes, no lights, no rules. Also houses and little stands to buy things spilling over on the road. Also little children and animals, and sometimes in the smaller towns, the farmers will put their rice out on the road to dry. What a mess! And this couple drives all day, every day.
We are going for our drivers licenses tomorrow!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
First Sunday
We made it thru a Sunday with riding more than six hours to and from a Tagalog Branch! Plus four hours of Church - long day. Maybe we should have studied harder, this first week has been very physically challenging but I think we are adjusting. The best way to end the day was eating chicken divan and jello plus desert for dinner with our two other missionary couples. Please pass this along to the family if you would. Love Dad & Mom
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