Dear Ones,

We hope your Christmas was filled with love for family and that you felt the Spirit of Christ and His love for you and that you have come to know him just a little better this past year.

The year end is fast approaching and we have not written because we have had little time and lots to do.  We are afraid this letter may seem more business than past letters but it is the best we can do as we look at the past month.  December was full of meetings, projects, Christmas lights, gatherings, lights, meetings, choir music, Christmas parties, meetings, and lights, trips to the airport and newborn kits and new missionaries arriving.
 

Somehow during all our other activities Sister Webb and MaeAnne put together 300 newborn kits.  These were made possible with the help of donations of blankets from Willow Creek 7^th and the Eagle project of our grandson Josh. 

Area Office Christmas Party.  They Area Presidency having their pictures taken with the choir

Filipinos love a good party.  This is the finance group skit.

We had a Partners Dinner and Temple Lighting on December second.  Each year we take the opportunity to thank our partners for their help in making the year and our projects successful.  At the end of the evening we all head for the temple complex where we sing a Christmas Carol and at the appointed time the Temple Christmas lights are turned on.  Our partners and friends seem to enjoy the evening with its yummy food and music even though it takes them up to 2 hours or more to reach our location and then another 2 hours to get home.  This evening the traffic was particularly dreadful and many of our guests were struck for hours eventually turning their cars around and heading home. 

We had our Church employee’s party with skits, music and food.  We filled the Aurora Chapel for a devotional and then retired to the cultural hall for department skits and entertainment.  Our Area Office Choir is always a big part of our activities.  Sister Webb enjoys singing with the choir.

The first whole week of December blew in with the air of new adventure.   We went to the Christmas Bazaar, Purple Centers, and then to the School in Silang that needed more nuts and bolts for the chairs we delivered last month. 

Week 2 we picked up our Neo Natal specialists from SLC (Heidi McSweeney and Lis Anjuwierden) on Monday Dec 12.  We arranged meetings Dr. Calibo the head of Newborn care with the Department of Health on the 13th.  The DOH office of neo-natal affairs has been closed to working with LDS Charities since 2011.  Some offense was taken and an on-going project was closed down. Our overture to Dr. Calibo was a big deal.  The meeting went well. 

On the 14^th Elder Webb picked up our replacements, Elder and Sister Stroud.  Sister Webb stuck with Heidi and Lisa for Neo Natal meetings and shopping. The Strouds and Heidi and Lisa became our new constant companions for the remainder of the week.  Elder Webb drove a van through the streets of Manila.  He deserves an award for that.

Singing Christmas Carols

Blankets and newborn kits were given to Fabella as well as the gift of song.

We were told there were 278 babies with 10 women prepped for delivery. From some reason there were more women than  the number we were given.  

This is the Kangaroo Unit.  It seemed like every other mother had twins.
This mother received to newborn kits from LDS Charities.

On the 15^th Sister Webb and 8 other women (including Heidi and Lisa; Sister Stroud and Sister Ott, both new Welfare missionaries; our friend, Sister Crockett; and Sisters Bowen, Haynie and Schmutz, wives of the Area Presidency) went to Fabella Hospital to hand out the newborn kits.  We sang Christmas Carols in the 7 different wards of the maternity hospital. Sister Webb had asked Sister Crockett, a former member of the Tabernacle Choir to lead the group of women in Carols.  The only other request Sister Webb made was to include Away in a Manager and I am a Child of God.  Sister Crockett played her Ukulele except when we sang “I Am a Child of God” which we sang acapella. There was a reverence about this activity that everyone felt.  People came from different rooms of the hospital to listen as we sang in 4 sometime 5 part harmony.  We were told it did sound like the angels were singing.  It was an unusual group, our voices blending in a heavenly chorus as if we had sung together before; another time another place.  It will be hard to duplicate that experience.  One young mother came to us afterwards and asked us to pray for her baby who was sick in the NICU.  Sister Bowen offered a prayer.

Sister Webb Saying good bye to Terry at Mabuhay House

Mabuhay House is a recovery center where children and their families stay after repair work has been done.  There are many birthday defect corrected at this center as well a vision problems.

Jona Mae arrived in April with an
advanced cancer in her left eye.  She has survived
the surgery removing her eye and the treatment which
followed.  She is a bright spot in the day.  A positive
little things who loves life and the people in it.

The 16^th we had a meeting with the New Secretary of Health.  We fought our way down town to the office of the Secretary only to be told her flight from Cebu had been cancelled.  Heidi and Lisa were hoping to get her support in our dealings with the Department of Health. Saturday we put Lisa and Heidi back on the plane for Utah. Sunday we sang in the Choir at church.

Monday of week 4 we were training the Strouds.  Tuesday we took the Strouds to Gentle Hands Orphanage introduced them and delivered Christmas boxes of oranges and apples.  Wednesday evening we had dinner with Elder and Sister Bowen (our Area President and wife).  We shared stories and games and sang Christmas Carols during the evening.  Their home is lovely and filled with the Christmas Spirit.

Thursday, we left for Baguio for a Christmas Break.  Friday we bought clothes for Elder Webb who left all his in the closet at home. We had lunch and dinner with our friends, Dayti and Ray Salvosa.  We actually shared our testimonies of the Book of Mormon.  Ray said he had one in his home but that he had never read it; he said he would read it now.   Saturday Elder Webb played golf with Ray, President of the University of the Cordilleras.  The played on the Camp John Hay Golf course.  Elder Webb had a legitimate “Tin Cup” moment that Ray will remember forever!  He and Dayti have become good friends and are gracious hosts.

Elder Webb and Ray Salvosa at the entry to Camp John Hay Golf Club dinning room

Baguio Golf Course

Christmas Eve we had dinner at the Manor, an historic hotel in Baguio.  We invited Elder and Sister McClure to join us. Every night in December the Manor has a lovely garden program.  About five o’clock a choir begins to sing and one can enjoy Christmas music for about an hour.  At six the nativity story is told complete with actors in period costumes, then a light show from the Christmas lights in the garden.  Then fireworks.  

Elder Webb saying goodbye to Tess our hostess Christmas Day

We love the fact that Christ is the big part of Christmas in the Philippines.  Everywhere one looks one will find a manger scene reminding those who pass by that Christ is the King.  We see one when we leave our apartment building; there is one in every apartment building, one across the street on the lawn at the Catholic Church, in office buildings and in malls.  Gifts are just a small part of Christmas here, and they are very modest gifts at that.

We never made it to church on Christmas Day.  We were struck in a traffic jam during the entire meeting.  We managed to move from the far right hand lane past two lanes to our left in order to make a U turn and head back to the hotel.  We also got word that we were to head back to Manila in case we were needed in the typhoon relief effort.  A bit of an awkward situation since we had agreed to go to a Christmas Day dinner with the Salvosas.  We gave our apologies, but Ray insisted that we go for a couple of hours since our host had gone to so much trouble for the Americans.  We did join in, but had to leave early.  It was the same group we joined last year.  Tess, our hostess remembered us and our first names.  Pretty impressive since there were about 70 of us there.  She is a lovely lady.

Christmas Day Dinner at Tess' home.  Here we are with the McClures and the Salvosas and their children

Charity Graff the director/owner of
Gentle Hands orphanage

We left for Manila heading down the Baguio Mountains while it was still light and spent Christmas Night in our own apartment.  The storm took a turn to the south and missed Manila entirely.  The relief effort in the south is well underway but we have received no assignment to help with this one.  

Before Christmas at gentle hand orphanage with Elder and Sister Stroud.  We delivered boxes of Oranges and Apples for the children.  They were having a Christmas Party of their own.

Yesterday we visited Mabuhay House  again introducing the Strouds to our partner.   Carol spent time talking with Terry who runs the recovery house.  So it’s training the new missionaries and finishing up loose ends.  The missionaries are the only people in the office.  The employees are taking a few personal days off.  Today is a holiday starting at noon, tomorrow is Rizal Day a national holiday, then Saturday. As in the states Monday will be a holiday because New Year’s Day is on Sunday.  So the week between Christmas and New Year’s is not very productive.  Why is it so hard to relax and just enjoy the time? 

Children at Gentle Hands Orphanage. The older children help the younger children feel a part of things.  It is like a big
family.  Charity was able to place 25 children in families before the end of the year.  Siblings are placed together.  It is a
wonderful organization.

As the New Year greets us we have mixed emotions.  We are anxious to return home to our loved ones, there is no doubt about that.  But, we have spent nearly eighteen months anxiously engaged in serving the Lord's children. We have worked most days with a purpose and meaning that give us joy.  We have met many good people who have given us a new appreciation for the life of God’s children here in the Philippines.  He loves them, and we have grown to care about many with great affection and deep respect.  We will miss them, and our purpose for being here.

We are looking forward to seeing you very soon.  

We love you.

Mom and Dad

Elder and Sister Webb

Gma and Gpa

Norriss and Carol

Dear Ones,

November came and went and we did not have time to write.  Here is a quick catch up.

We began the month with a visit from Quentin L. Cook along with Bishop Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric.  Waddell is a very tall man, besides being an fine speaker. As we were leaving the Area Office devotional we were invited to shake hands with our visitors.  When I finally stood next to the man all I could say was, wow you are really tall.  Like the man doesn't know it?  I am quite sure I lost any chance of being assigned a cushy job our next mission.

We had two missionary couples scheduled to arrive the same day in November.  That was changed to one couple after we received news of an accident involving Elder Jensen who is now recovering from a broken neck.  I promise this report will get better.

We picked up Elder and Sister Ott the new missionary couple who have been called to start a new addiction recovery program here in the Philippines.  They are converts to the church as well as recovering addicts with personal experience in addiction recovery.  We love their honest straight forward proactive approach to the 12 step program the church is promoting in answer to President Duterte's plea for help from the religious communities.  

Our new friends Elder and Sister Ott

Elder and Sister Ott found their ride into Manila from the airport to be a harrowing experience.  That same evening Sister Webb received a call from Brother Ott who was having an anxiety attack.  He said they really needed to be assigned to live somewhere else.  He knew he could not drive in this city. Sister Ott was concerned because everything she saw and felt reminded her of old trigger points in her recovery.  Just about everyone who arrives here from the states for the first time has a similar reaction. Especially following the long flight in coach where one finds sleeping ellusive if not impossible. The Otts are both fully grown adults with 6 foot frames that have lived full lives.  Elder Ott was a pro baseball player.  The seats in coach are made for the petite Filipino frames, used to crowding as many people in a space as is possible.  The Filipinos are pretty amazing that way; there is always room for one more.

Elder and Sister Ott are in a better space emotionally now.  Elder Ott picked up his car after church today and drove to the place they are now living.  We have had them to dinner several times and find they are beginning to laugh at their initial introduction and reaction to life in Manila. Sister Webb has encouraged Elder Ott to drive our car during the times of the day when the road is less congested. They have gone to and from the Area Office and back to the hotel.  Sister Webb enjoys the challenge of driving now and knows it is amazing what confidence comes from familiarizing oneself with the road and the driving customs.  It is the beginning of a whole new world of independence.   

We also welcomed our daughter Felicia and 3 of her children two days after the Otts arrived.  Our grandson Josh organized his Eagle Project around a couple of our projects and we were able to take them with us to three different locations.  It was wonderful.  

Felicia and Sister Webb at American Cemetery

The ride home form the airport was fraught with the same gasps of unbelief and "oh my you can't be serious" as well as "why not take that space" or "is that bus really forcing us into the next lane" or "did you know there are 5 lanes of traffic but only 4 lanes painted on the road" or "watch out the car in the far right hand lane of traffic looks like he may be turning left, yep there he goes in front of three other lanes of traffic." "Oh my gosh, no one crashed into him.  How did that happen. Can you believe that" ?  Many of the same comments we had heard the week before were being repeated as we made our way to Eastwood and our apartment.   We remember saying many of the same things on our first ride into the city from the airport 16 months ago.  All we can do is laugh at it now, because the frustration and time spent on the road is just part of life for the people and businesses that make their way here.

WWII murals at the American Cemetery

Our grandson Josh had prepared school kits to take to one of the mountain schools we have worked with.  This time we were delivering new chairs for the one room school in Silang, Cavite.  Felicia and family arrived Friday.  Saturday we hit Greenhills Mall where everyone had a quick lesson in shopping the Filipino way.  We were in the basement where shop keepers are given a space to hang their wears.  One is expected to bargain with the shop keeper for the best price for items one is considering for purchase.  It didn't take long for our grandchildren to zero in on different items of interest.  They listened to the salesperson try to seduce the buyers and watch the different responses then tried for themselves.  It was interesting to see how selective they were and how happy they felt about the good deals they got.

Josh with Grandma 

Sunday they were introduced at church.  They enjoyed their classes after which we headed for the American Cemetery for an afternoon of reflection.  They all commented on how much their dad, Lt. Col. Raymond Hanosek, would have loved the history and reflection of this sacred spot.

Monday morning came early.  We start out a 5:00 am .  We arrived at the parent school at 8:00 am. The children were quite taken with the visitors from the States  and flirted and exchanged greetings.  We were treated to an exhibit of the morning exercise routine as well as the filling of chores.  We waited for Elder and Sister Soleta our wonderful service missionaries who were going to accompany us as we delivered the chair parts up the mountain.  

They finally arrived and we followed them to a large field where we transferred the chair parts to a Carabao Cart.  Elder Webb transported the chair parts in the back of our van.  Elder Soleta took a few minutes to put one of the chairs together so the teacher could see how it was done.  He will organize the parents to put the chairs together this coming week. Sister Webb counted out the nuts and bolts so there would be enough to complete the project.

Elder Webb and Elder Soleta putting the new chair together.
Chantal holding the umbrella to shelter from the sun

After the chair was put together and all the parts were loaded into the wagon it was time to hike up the mountain.  It's only a couple of miles, but it is uphill and rains the previous day left parts of the path muddy.  Walking was tricky in a few spots and one of the Sister missionaries fell, but other than that it was a straight shot.  

Starting the walk up the mountain side

Josh handed out his school bags.  The children were not all that responsive until they opened the bags.   The little girls were excited to see that some thoughtful person had included a necklace and bracelet in each of the bags for the girls.  That pleased them enough to smile.  These are very sober serious people. They are dignified even in their poverty and we do not often get a smile from them.  They express their gratitude with fruit from their trees and vegetables from their gardens.

chairs loaded into the cart

The walk down the mountain was faster than the hike up.  One sister fell in the mud hitting the ground quite hard.  She insisted that she was fine.

School girls sporting their new necklaces and holding their school kits

The next day we left for Baguio, where Sister Webb was in charge of the Annual Welfare Training for the second year in a row.  We got there the night before and were guests of the President of the University of the Cordilleras.  In the morning we headed over to Ating Tahanan, the girl scout facility we rented for our training.  We put together the welcome bags and the training material and delivered them along with large bottles of water to each room.  Sister Webb made the room assignments so that when our training began at 1 pm everyone was ready to go.  Lunch was served at noon.  Felicia and her kids had a room at the center while we did training. They did their homework and Felicia graded the essays assignments that were coming in from the students she teaches on line for BYU Idaho. It was a good time to catch up, on sleep, on work, on relaxing.

Love this picture of a mother transporting her little ones 

The next morning we headed north towards Benaue and the rice terraces.  We had driven about 3 hours before we had a good look at some terraces.  They were not rice terraces, but vegetable terraces up and down the mountain side.  Felicia said that was good enough for her.  The switch back of the roads does not make for pleasant driving do we headed back down.  We got back to Baguio in time to take the kids to the open fruit and vegetable market where they did a little more shopping.  We also found a bakery where fresh hot raisin cinnamon rolls were being popped from the oven pans.  We bought one pan of 8 rolls for 20 pesos.  We went to meet Elder Webb on the street.  He had been waiting for our call.  We ate the rolls and the kids thought they were so good they ran back to buy another pan each.  Finding something that tastes familiar in the midst of all these new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes can be a delight.  This was.

Meeting new friends

Friday morning we headed back to Manila from Baguio.  Saturday was the last day for this adventure.  We headed to Quirino Hospital's NeoNatal NICU.  Josh and the girls had put together newborn kits and we received permission for them to distribute them.  We arrived and were told only three people got to go in, so Josh, Chantal and Celeste all dressed in scrubs and were escorted into the NICU by Dr. Patrico.  They looked like interns as they towered over the Filipino mothers and doctors.  They handed out the kits, and spoke with the mothers. It is not an easy thing to see these tiny babies struggling for life.  

Josh, Celeste and Chantal look like medical interns doing their rounds

When they came out, there were still a number of newborn kits left so they handed them out in the hall.  The waiting mothers stay in the hall, sitting on the floor or standing until it is time for their babies to be fed or a diaper changed.  There are no chairs. 

Help from grandpa

This was a hard thing for our grandchildren to see.  These are very humble people and they lined up to receive the gifts we brought.  Josh and the girls gave away all the kits they had put together.

Upon arrival home, Chantal, our 17 year old grand daughter went to her room and had a good cry.  This was not an easy thing for any of these kids, but it is something they will never forget.  We are so blessed in America. Our poor struggle, but not like the people we had just seen and met.  

The mothers waiting in the hall to feed their babies wanted to know how much they had to pay for the newborn kits.
They were touched by the gift and very thankful.

November passed with a delayed Thanksgiving dinner held by the Senior Missionaries.  We were treated to a nice reading by Elder and Sister Bowen the area President and his wife.  Sister Bowen and Sister Haynie cooked the turkeys and the rest of us filled in complete with homemade rolls and candied yams.  No rice!  It was fun to have all the old familiar flavors that make up the tradition of Thanksgiving in the U.S.  You can be sure we are very thankful for our home, family and friends.  We are most thankful for our Savior who gives everything we do meaning and purpose.  

Add to the above a few projects and trips to partners along with paper work and more traffic and you have another month gone by.

Thanksgiving Day in Baguio at MARIO's 

We love and miss you all and hope you are feeling the Light of Christ in your homes and families. May you remember that HE IS THE REASON FOR THIS GLORIOUS SEASON.

Love, Elder and Sister Webb.

Dear Ones,

The last couple of weeks have been filled with service opportunities manifested in many different ways.

Last week we were asked by GMA Kapuso Foundation if some volunteers from our church would be able to help them pack any amount of the 80,000 Christmas bags they put together annually for poor children.  We set up a meeting with our Public Affairs director Haidi Fajardo thinking we were making an introduction that would lead to future meetings and possible help with the project.  Well, we took Roger to Haidi's conference room where he explained his needs.  Then we watched as Haidi made phone calls, organized an event with 100 volunteers, arranged for the use of a church building and committed to have 30,000 kits put together by the weekend.  Our meeting was on Tuesday.  Product was delivered to the church by GMA Kapuso on Wednesday and the kits were started that afternoon.  Thursday, missionaries were called in by the Quezon City Mission President and along with the helping hands volunteers they put together 13,000 kits in one day. 

Then the Typhoon hit in Northern Luzon.  All GMA trucks were commissioned to take relief supplies to the north.  Our office sent two full time employees to assess the damage and begin food relief.  However, the kits for children continued to be filled by the volunteers working at the church.  With no trucks to haul the bags to a GMA storage unit the church began to fill.  The gym was so full of bags it made working to put them together difficult because there was no place for the assembly.  The bags were moved to class rooms downstairs.  Police from a local barangay were there helping the missionaries to move the bags. 

Finally, on Friday GMA began sending smaller trucks to transport the bags to another location. Again the police, missionaries and helping hands volunteers lined up and down the hallways and stairways and passed the sacks of bags down a line and into the truck.  Ten of the gift bags had been loaded into a large gunny-sack kind of bag. And those larger bags were stacked everywhere in the church.  One by one the large bags were loaded in truck after truck until Saturday afternoon the last bag was loaded.  Sister Webb was in the bag line moving the filled sacks along while Elder Webb tried to work out the logistics of the trucks.  It took nearly a week, but the good people volunteering did not complain or sit down on the job.  They were great.  And best of all, the church officials who had to deal with activities and such (around the bags!) were cooperative and willing to help!

The next week brought Family Day at the office.  The first ever.  The H.R. department had been given the assignment to bring some fun and unity into the Area Office.  So the idea of a Halloween spinoff showed up and the staff ran with it.  Such impressive displays of Disney themes!  It was great fun. 

Along with those two events we have two water projects we are just about ready to submit and another order of chairs that are to be delivered to several schools.  

Elder and Sister Webb are heading over to the warehouse to count out the screws and bolts that go to each school to assemble the chairs.  Two hundred chairs here, two hundred chairs there.  That’s a lot of screws and bolts.

Sister Webb is planning the Welfare Training Conference, and Elder Webb is getting ready for the new Senior Missionaries who will be here the first part of November.  They are experiencing some of the same anxiety most missionaries feel before they come here.  16 months seems like a life time ago in some respects, but we totally remember how we felt.  It is nice to be able to ease their minds, with information and truth, rather than rumor and imagination.   The missionaries we replaced were long gone when we arrived, so there was no one to answer our questions.  It took us longer than it needed too, to get things comfortable.  Heck, we are still learning new things but we know more than we did when we got here!

Halloween decorations made from cardboard boxes; very creative ideas came up during this week of fun.  WE loved seeing how simple material turned into wonderful  professional looking characters

We were in a meeting with the Area President the other day and he turned to Elder Webb and asked him if he was having a good time on his mission.  Some people struggle.  Elder Webb seems to have a good time no matter where he goes. Even in the Manila traffic.  He has a continuing conversation with the other drivers.  This seems to help him release stress and he arrive at his destination happy.  Sister Webb has finally realized that he is not expecting her to respond to his dialogue or even help in navigation.  He has his own way of surviving. For a long time she actually thought she was helping and then she realized he most likely had never heard her response.  

We had FHE potluck last week with the Senior Couples.  WE played Mormon Jeopardy with the Stewarts (MTC dental office couple) leading the game.  With the help of a handicapped computer connection the game took a humorous twist and we all laughed as Sister Stewart worked with the computer malfunctions and Elder Stewart responded like a straight man.  We laughed and laughed.  It was great therapy.  We look forward to playing the game with family when we get home. 

We also had a going away dinner at 8cuts (a burger joint) for the Hilliers.  They have served as the MTC nurses and have done a fabulous job.  It is hard to say good bye.

Elder and Sister Webb with the Gokeeloas

This beef and broccoli was so yummy.

Friday night we had dinner at the Lucky China Mall with our partner Iris from the Purple Centers Foundation. After finding a place to park our car we walked through an open market.  We asked directions to find the Lucky China Mall, our meeting place. There were no doors so we just continued to veer right.  WE found the Mall decorated for Christmas.  It looked like a wonderland.

Fabulous decoration every where.  

Christmas wreath

When we came out after dinner it was like the twilight zone.  Nothing looked the same.  All the shoppes were closed and the garage type doors pulled down and locked.  This is the open market not the Mall.  We had trouble locating our car because we had walked through the open market.  Fortunately Iris and her husband know their way around and together we were able to relocate our car. This after we walked down dark alley ways filled with garbage sacks and people curling up for the night. We took Iris and Vincent to a street close to their home and they pointed us in the direction of Aurora Blvd.  They texted us about 5 time to make sure we were on the right path home.  They are really great people.  We arrived home about 11:30 pm.  

As you can see we do have fun on our mission.  We love the variety the Lord has chosen as our mission experience.  We feel his guidance in all aspects of our work.  He gives us instruction.  He provides people to help us learn what we need to know so we can do the work that is waiting to be done.  We feel his love as he allows us to reach out and touch the lives of those in need.  He loves all his children and trust he is watching over and caring for you.

We love and miss you all,

Elder and Sister Webb
Mom and Dad
Gma and Gpa
Norriss and Carol 

October 10, 2016

Dear Ones,

We can't believe how fast the days are flying by and how the needs of the poor seem to be increasing at an alarming rate. Maybe it is just that we no longer search for them: they come to us.   I think I was feeling a little overwhelmed last week – the emotions of a single day still linger.  We visited the Smokey Mountain neighborhood again (the garbage dump).  

Family store front mentioned in this post.  

I saw a little family the children of which were playing in front of a caged space that was about 5 feet by 7 feet.  The street side of the cage was covered in metal fencing in 2 inch squares.  It looked a lot like Samson's kennel.  A small opening in the front was for the exchange of money.  The mother sat inside the cage (her make shift store) while her children played in the street in front of her home. She sold penny candy and other supplies to the neighbors. She had a set of triplets as well as other children but it was the triplets that grabbed my heart. It is a miracle they have survived. They were 3, maybe 4.  It's hard to tell because malnourished children are generally stunted in growth.  These boys were naked, just playing in the street.  They were beautiful children.  Their expressive eyes held my attention for the longest time, then they were back to the important stuff of play.  I looked but could not see what had captured their attention, what occupied their time.  There was nothing but dirt and rock but they were busy creating something .  .  .  out of nothing. 

Soup kitchen and training center for mothers of malnourished children

Just a couple of shacks away from this family's home I saw another mother cooking over a small fire.  She had a wok filled with boiling oil (which no doubt is never changed) and she was frying food that had been reclaimed from the garbage; food that other people had half eaten.  She was re frying chicken wrapped in KFC papers and boxes. I could see where other people had eaten what they wanted and left a few scraps.  There were several of these boxes with chicken pieces and left over rice. It would feed her children for that day. No fresh fruit, no veggie, no fresh anything.

Man carrying his bag of garbage treasure.

This scene has haunted me for the past week.  Up until last week the Lord has helped me see the good things that are happening in these communities.  I have not been overcome or shocked and repulsed by the smells and scenes from Dickens-style pictures of poverty.  This time my heart ached and I felt to cry for them.  Not with them because none of them were crying, but for them.  

River front property.

I wonder about these children what hope they have?  Then .  .  .  I remembered the Purple Center Foundation just down the street.  These good people are actually doing something. They are a Christian-based organization that has reached out to this community.  They will be one of our partners and LDS Charities will contribute to helping feed wasted school children. 

These men with Elder Webb are rebuilding the old school space.  They are floating the floor because the ground floods every time it rains.
Behind this gated door and wall is a maze the old space being resurrected .  Part of the space will be a new Christian church. The first in this neighborhood.

 Many of the children from this very neighborhood are going to the Purple Center school, and yes, it is a PURPLE four story building that stands out big time.  They get food two times a day and are in classes that would come close to reaching the quality of those in the talented and gifted program of Lake Oswego, Oregon.  Large corporations have stepped up to the plate and donated supplies and electronics (the latest styles or product line) to the school – including the ocean shipping containers that have become part of the classroom itself.  

The side of the Purple Center's School looking out on the sewer treatment plant

students from purple centers sitting on the edge of the basketball/ play area

The kids are dressed in uniforms and they play happily on the indoor basketball court just like kids from your neighborhood.  It is harder to get people to help with the feeding program, there is no flair, no pizzazz in food to attract sponsors.   Yet, the children cannot learn if their brains are not nourished. We are hoping LDS Charities will contribute and help solve part of this problem.  There are two ways to go about it.  One is just giving rice, which is a short term solution.  The other possibility is a community garden on the school property where they can grow fresh veggies for the school and community food program.  The garden could be part of the science curriculum as well as community outreach.  It is not a huge space but it is enough for a good sized garden. That will take time to develop but it would give them a sustainable source of food. It is the Lord that is guiding this process.  It is He who will heal these people and bring them out of poverty.

hugs from the school children

Of course there are many issues that come up in working in a community like this.  One problem is that not all parents will allow their children to go to school.  They do not see the importance of education because their whole lives have been spent on the garbage piles.  It's all they know.  Their children work beside them in the garbage.  Change is difficult and the fear that many people feel with change is real and can be a controlling factor. The woman with the children I mentioned earlier is going to allow the triplets to go to a preschool the Purple Centers Foundation has set up in their Barangay.  That is pretty big. The children who are allowed to go to school, will have a chance of breaking this cycle of poverty that is generations old.

scrap metal become a child's playground

So I find myself thinking about these people a lot. I try to see the good in these neighborhoods.  I know this is a dangerous place.  The garbage recycle industry is run by a mafia.  They set the prices for the recycled garbage and decide who will collect what. The average worker makes about $2.50 a day.  There are drug issues and incest abounds.  Killings are part of everyday life.  Still they are working, not just sitting around complaining, waiting for a hand out.  There are no entitlements.  They do have a code of ethics and they hold people accountable, but it is vigilante justice. It is their form of government.  It is the tradition of their fathers. A first world country would say they live in a state of chaos. They do, but is organized chaos.  It reminds me of scenes we read about in the Book of Mormon of secret combinations. 

This is home 

This is an adventure we never would have chosen, but I am grateful that my eyes have been opened to this kind of living –  worldwide this includes more people than live in the United States.  By the way, we have no poor in the U.S.  No one need starve to death in the U.S. There are soup kitchens and public aid that these Filipino people would think was first class living.   Here people go to bed and do not wake up because they have nothing to eat.   

With three months left we are looking forward to warm hugs, cool water from a faucet from which we can drink, fruit we can eat and beef that taste like beef.  We have learned ground beef, depending where one is shopping, is not always just beef; some also contain dog, goat or pig.  Elder Webb wants fish dinners that do not look back at the diner. I look forward to sleeping without ear plugs and blinders because of the noise and lights from C5; a major thorough-fare that runs in front of the complex in which we live.   These are simple pleasures for which we will be even more grateful.

We have committed to keeping full steam ahead until we leave, but home has begun to beckon us with stronger emotions.

The Philippines is a relatively young nation.  The Church here is also young, but it is growing at a fast pace with amazing people who love the Lord joining the ranks.  We feel grateful we have had a chance to work with some of them.  We are humbled by their dedication.  We too  love the Lord and can testify of His tender mercies in our loves and the lives of those with whom we work. 

May God bless and keep you.

Love,

Elder and Sister Webb

Mom and Dad

Gma and Gpa

Carol and Norriss