Dear Family & Friends,
Another great week under our belts here on our mission in the Philippines; as usual we have worked hard all week and now that the weekend has come we are totally exhausted. I think now that it is Saturday, we’ll just chill here around our nice apartment. We have our weekly cleaning chores to do and then just read and/or watch some TV to relax. This week was particularly hard since we were still covering for both our assignment as well as the Pyles’ – who are still in Utah until after the 23th of May, when they return near midnight via those “short flights” from the U.S. Speaking of those short flights - we have one of the couples leaving this upcoming Friday, after having served for eighteen months in perpetual education – that is where they oversee, distributing and following up on scholarships to deserving young people – wanting to get an education to better their opportunities for better employment and careers. They live in our same apartment (building); in fact, they were the first of now more than six other couples - to move into this particular apartment complex. They have been very helpful in our adjustment, for the third time after moving into Eastwood (the overall mall complex where we live now), with all of the other senior couples of our mission.
As I stated last week once in a while we need a day to recharge your batteries, so on Saturday we just chilled around the apartment and mall – not doing much of anything but resting. Sister Morello had a lesson for the Relief Society (the Women’s Organization) to prepare for Sunday but I didn’t have anything especially since I had finished my dropping off and picking up the laundry, and some small shopping for a few items at the grocery store on Friday early evening. So Saturday was generally very restful for me.
On Saturday afternoon (early evening about 5:30pm) we attended a Ward Talent Night, with much of the congregation performed in one way or another with light refreshments provided by everyone. The talent was great and the laughter was even better. We totally enjoyed seeing from children of four or five years of age to senior missionaries in their seventies, doing all sorts of performances of musical, readings, dancing, playing instruments, etc. during the night’s event. Truly this is a very gifted and talented group of people we attend church with each week. Our Bishopric (all three members who often volunteer service) are leaving the Philippines in the next weeks or so, so we expect this upcoming Sunday a see a total change in staffing generally throughout the unit. People in these type of International Church Units, are here about three or five years at the longest and then move onto either other countries or return home (from wherever they are from.) We have visitors from around the world nearly every week at church with us, making this whole experience (each week) very interesting and insightful.
On Sunday we went to Church early to sing in the Ward Choir, since our Director (the wife of the Bishop) who is wonderful and outstanding and their family - are leaving in a few weeks to return to the United States. He has been here with the US Government assisting in distributing financial aid among the Filipinos and has been given a nice promotion to return back home. In think they are going to Northern Virginia, where all good Federal Government officers live. In one of those small mansions – located there. They are a wonderful family and have contributed much while they have been here for nearly five years - now. They truly will be greatly missed.
We’re off to another event, or hosting someone, or something (not sure now) haven’t looked at my calendar yet - but busy as ever as we begin another week of serving. We love the people, love the land, and the weather is crazy hot. NO COLD WEATHER HERE ! We have been told the rains are about to begin in a few weeks (near the beginning of June) and we have been told that the outside temperatures will reduce a bit then. We have had a rather dry Winter/Spring thus far with only a few days of rain this year. But we understand the rainy season will make up for that very quickly once it begins. In fact, in a country of nearly 90 inches of rain each year, they are talking of drought and water shortest if the rains don’t come soon. Just one more climate challenge to deal with amidst earthquakes and seasonal typhoons, these poor people can’t get a break – one disaster after another seems to be their lot. And on top of everything else in the South – they keep on fighting after having signed a peace agreement. Haven’t learned the first rule of the playground, put down the rocks and stop throwing them. It should be time of naptime with milk and cookies, not fighting with one another all the time. We are responsible for the southern third of the Philippines, from a Public Affairs standpoint - but because of all the fighting and the periodic kidnapping of “white folks” we can’t travel into those areas. So all of our support of their public affairs efforts comes via either the internet or on the telephone. Our Director travels there and offers the “hands-on” support they might need and we follow-up.
Well that’s about all for now, in conclusion, may each of you be bless, protected, and guided by the wise choices you make and may everyday be your best.
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