From the Ground Up

Hello there,

Check out this video that describes some of what we are doing. 

I am learning about disasters from the ground up.  What it is like from people who experience starting over time after time.  Most people here start with so little and must go from there.  I am feeling a bit of a panic, knowing we have been asked to prepare a list of things that will be needed for any kind of disaster.  Here we live in a society where there is no order about such things.  No one is in charge when disaster strikes.  After the 7.2 quake that hit Bohol there was just numbness ( a normal response for the normal untrained person) No government official gave any directions whatsoever.  It wasn't until rescue workers showed up that any recovery began.The poor people in Bohol just began to recover from the earthquake when they were hit by Yolanda the Typhoon which destroyed anything that was left except the LDS church buildings which were damaged but still standing.

There has been greater effort from the government to educate people about what to do to begin rescue efforts.  Shortly after we got here the whole of Manila stopped what it was doing for 2 hours and we had an earthquake drill.  All the people in the area office gathered in the parking lot and then those who were assigned to be mock victims were rescued and treated.  It was something new here.  I have some pictures that I will share.  

The church is trying to prepare in small ways that will have a big impact.  I think there are few people who actually have a 72 hours kit even though there is a need all the time in this country.  Our Ward is pushing the 72 hour kits, trying to encourage every family to have theirs.  We are trying to prepare ours.  It's hard because the supplies are all different.  The things I have in my kit at home simply are not available.  Anyone have a canopy or tube tent or ground cover you want to donate?  What about chemical supplies for a make shift toilet?  We should be alright, but there are plenty of people for whom this request will be a struggle.  They will do what they can.

I mentioned that this past week we were given a new assignment in addition to the other projects one which we work.  We are to come up with a list of supplies that will go into container cars that will be used as needed in disasters situations.  A first response kind of things.  Something to get a recovery process going. Elder Webb is working on information regarding containers and I am putting together a list.  There are natural restrictions here that we would not have in the states, because of the weather, humidity and heat.  Long term storage of some items like batteries, food, or fuel is a real challenge unless there is climate control, which so far will not be available.  So you can see, our normal thoughts on the subject may not work. It is a puzzle.

I really feel like there is a way because we have been given the assignment, but the Brother of Jared (from the Book of Mormon) teaches me only the Lord knows the way it should be done. God knows what is going to happen here.  I have been asking about the Brother of Jared a lot in my prayers. What were the words he used, how is it he became so close to the Lord.  His story began before the emergency, but what did he do? I especially love that part of the scriptures.  I also love the way the Lord helps us see things beyond what we think in our every day lives.  He stretches us to be more and do more to become more.  I just want to do it with the same power the Brother of Jared used. With the Lord and hard work anything good is possible

The government has code days.  It is determined by what the last digit on your licence is.  On certain days one must be off the road during rush hour.  So on Thurs., because our plate ends in 8, we cannot be on the road between 7 and 10 or 3 to 8.  So we go to work at 6:30 am and leave for home at 2:30 and hope the traffic is not backed up.  If one is caught driving on blocked time it is a 500 peso fine.  The government is talking about doing this 5 days one week and 3 days the next to help with the pollution.  The thought of regulating the black stuff coming out of the jeepnies and trucks is not a solution because it is too hard to follow up. Leave the city and the air is much better, but all big cities suffer from this kind of thinking. 

Because we travel so much we have been assigned to the Ward most Xpats attend.  English is spoken.  We don't have an assignment yet, but we did have a "snack and chat" after church today.  Everyone brings some finger food to share and we stand around and visit for about 45 min.  We all live so far from one another that this gives us a chance to get together. 

This letter sounds like a downer.  Sorry.  We do not feel down.  I want to make that clear.  I also want you to know what is happening so you can remember us in your prayers.  Remember the Saints here.  They are wonderful people and can do more with little than anyone I know.  They waste not.  There are a few pride issues just like anywhere, but they are hard workers, who love the Lord.  We are learning a lot from them. 

Love to all,

Elder and Sister Webb

Baguio and Sagada

Sister Webb and Sister Bean enjoy learning the customs of the Mountain Province

Elders Webb and Bean at the Sagada Water Project Celebration

We've been here less than three weeks and have spent more time in the car than in the office.
This last week we traveled north from Manila to Baguio, a 6 hour drive into the Mountain
Province and from there another 6 hours north to Sagada, a charming mountain village of 10,000, where we celebrated turning on the faucet of the water project just completed.  The families of Sagada did not have access to clean water.  This project, on which the church partnered with other
NGO's and the people of the town, brings the neighborhoods safe clean water. 

The country side is beautiful.  The rice fields are still groomed by hand and
the rice stalks are dried on the side of the road as is the hulled rice.  It is a step back in time. 

The people here have hard bodies from their hard work. They are a happy people and enjoy what they do. Each person seems to take pleasure in his or her job from the farmer to the weaver, the carpenter to the mayor.  There is honor in hard work in this Mountain Village. The people are gracious and every where we traveled we were met with smiles and warm respectful greetings.

Back to our trip to Sagada:  we wound our way up mountain roads that twisted and turned from Baguio to Sagada.  The last couple of hours the monsoon rains began and we found ourselves in dark clouds mixed with fog that slowed our travel.  Benson was concerned that we were going to be late for the celebration and was trying to hurry us along, but the roads were not cooperating. We actually turned the wrong way once and had to back track.  The road was washed out in a few spots but we were able to proceed until we reached Sagada and the party waiting for us.

The downpour continued in its strength as we struggled to get from our van to the Town Hall where all gathered before heading up to the party hall.  We were led about 100 yards up narrow paths made of slate and rock.  Rain run-off gushed down pipes and special channels constructed into the walk ways with flows and counter flows throughout the hillside.  I was amazed by what I saw.  We finally made it to the Barangay Hall, a large room about 20 feet by 50 feet made of cement and dedicated to town gatherings.  All the buildings are made of cement and they are almost all built on rock.  A firm foundation indeed. 

The room was filled with plastic chairs, many of which were occupied by the townspeople.  We were invited to sit in the front of the room.   The meeting began with a prayer and a song.  There were talks by the Mayor and the partners in the project. Then there was the unveiling of a certificate acknowledging the completion of the water project.  A door was opened at the front of the building and someone went out into the rain and turned on the faucet and water poured out into the yard. 

Next we were treated to a program from the locals complete with singing and dancing.  Pan drums were played for rthymn as the men and women danced the Bird Dance.  They were remarkably graceful as they acted out the mating dance of birds.  We were invited to join in the dance which we did.  Elder Webb was given a pan to play.  He did well, but it was not as easy as it looked.  The sweet sound of the experts was interrupted temporarily while the visitors attempted to play the music.

The building then turned into a banquet hall as chairs were stacked and a buffet table was set up for the meal that had been prepared by the women of the neighborhood.  There were salads, and meat dishes.  Pig knuckles, fish heads and a blood dish that included unidentified tubing and of course rice.  The salad was particularly nice as it featured the city's organic veggies and wonderful avocado.  We have to be a bit cautious when it comes to sharing these new foods.  Our digestive systems are a bit delicate.  We also recognize the tremendous sacrifice these people make in preparing foods for us that could feed their families.  We do not want to take away from their gift.  So we eat what we can and compliment the cooks on those things that are tasty.  The herbal tea with brown sugar was  warm and especially soothing.  Norriss, who is particularly fussy about his food, has been a real trooper moving well out of his comfort zone.

It was getting dark and still raining when we left for our rooms.  We stayed at a local inn surrounded by botanical gardens. Pictures will follow.  The morning arrived with beautiful clear skies and striking views from our bedroom windows.  We had breakfast and then took a short tour of some of the interesting spots in Sagada.  Our travel guide was the county travel director on assignment from the Mayor.  He was wonderful.  We only had a couple of hours to tour because we wanted to see the rice terraces and then get back to Baguio before the afternoon Monsoons hit again......We did not make it, but that is a story for another day.

The Philippines have many beautiful things to see and do.  We continue to marvel at our good fortune in once again being assigned someplace we never dreamed we would go.  A place full of people to meet and things to learn.  God's goodness is manifest each day in the friends and acquaintance we are making and in the things they are teaching us.  We change for the better every time we are introduced to a new project and the people it will help.  What a blessing it is to be alive and involved in such a vibrant place.  We miss our family and loved ones and are grateful for their support.  Their notes and letters are cherished.

The Baraga Hall filling up with those invited to the tap turning celebrating access to clean water.

Sights from Baguio street

Baguio Trip

Rice Terrace

More Terraces

Vendors in Baguio Park

New Picture

Dear Family,

We love you, and miss you but are so busy we have little time to think about how much.

We were here one day then were swept up at 6 am, still drowsy from jet lag, and taken to our first on the job training experience.  We attended the ground breaking for a new clinic in Looc, very small fishing community about 3 hours from Manila.  The ceremony started at 9 (happened at 10) in the morning.  One thing about traveling here, at least to destinations like the above mentioned one, there are not services.  No gas stations, no 7/11's, no bathrooms, no restaurants, no rest stops, and we travel with our own toilet paper.  The ceremony ended about 2 in the afternoon.  Pictures from the Church web page were posted by Victoria.

While others were having a lunch of rice and many kinds of dried fish I took my plate and visited with some of the locals. I mentioned to someone that they begin their celebration with a community Karaoke hour.  It seemed to community Fathers were designated by red shirts and their singing.  A great way to break the ice. 

The people spoke some English so we were able to talk about their needs.  A young mother was carrying her two year old son.  He was the sweetest thing.  She kept saying how grateful she was that we were helping in building this clinic. (The church is providing all the material)  She said her son was not well, not thriving.  He was so skinny that his little arms were sticks.  They do not have access to doctors or nurses or care of any kind unless they travel to Manila and they do not have money for transport so she has just watched her son waste away.  She was no heavy weight.  I would say she is suffering from the same malady.  Others from their little community seemed healthy.  She kept telling me she has been praying for help.  She told her son to pray, which he did by putting his hands together quietly saying a few words and then crossing himself as the Catholics do.  I think of them still.  We returned home after dark.

Next day at 6 am we were off to Naga a 9 hour drive.  I have mentioned already the 3 days we were there with the National Measles Initiative.  The celebration was huge kick off.  We are on the board of this organization representing the church.  The Saletas are a service missionary couple who are actively involve in connecting the church in the community.  They were with us, in fact drove us there. What an amazing couple.  Danny Saleta has been instrumental in getting us connected with the DOH (Department of Health). Last year the church paid for the vaccines, this year we provided the posters for advertising the program.  40,000 posters to be exact.  The priesthood leaders through the country were assigned distribution to all the schools.  We will meet soon to decide what the church will contribute next year.  We work with partners to accomplish the goals.  The main objective is to help the Philippines to be self sustaining in what ever we do.

We also work with DOH implementing Neonatal and mother care along with newborn recitation.

Today, in our Area Devotional we met the new councilor in the Area Presidency.  Elder Haynie

and Sister Haynie spoke and we were treated to the area Choir.  Which was exceptional.  The Filipinos love to sing and they have beautiful voices.

We leave in an hour for our next event.  Turning on the tap (ceremonial) at a water projects in the North country.  We travel 5 hours to Baggio where we have a meeting on a different project and will spend the night.  Apparently there are only a certain number of rooms that have their own bathroom.  Elder Benson has reserved us one of those rooms.  The next day we travel on to Segota another 5 hours where we cut the ribbon for this water project.  We will head home the next day, taking a little side trip to the rice terraces.  There are several missionaries who have had business in the North but have always been in such a hurry that then have never seen this part of the Philippines.  Apparently they are breath taking and one can walk through them if the weather is not rainy.  We will hope for the best.  I could use a walk in a more natural setting. 

There is tremendous need.  The order of the city is pretty chaotic.  It's interesting, because where we go to church, it's like a different world.  The sections of the city where the church is located just happens to be property that the U.S. military kept for years.  Even it's construction projects seem more orderly.  There are not as many cars on the road, and everyone obeys the road lines and traffic rules.  It feels so peaceful.  In Quezon City where we live it is a mad house.  I really cannot describe the way it functions, but function it does.  We live there because it is closer to work.  It takes us about a half hour to go 5 miles when the traffic is light. Walking is not an option because it is too dangerous for pedestrian.

We are making a way though.  Yesterday we were issued our car.  A red Camry and we drove ourselves to and from work twice.  It took both of us to remember the turns but we made it.  Norriss parks the car on the 5th floor underground parking which according to him is straight out of Dickins.  

We have everything we need, and are trying to remember we have way more than most people who live here.  We have made a pact not to complain.  It is working, and we are able to focus on all the good and wonderful things around us rather than the few inconveniences and strange customs. 

It is truly amazing to see how the Lord helps those who are not able to help themselves.  He is orderly in his workings even as he works through flawed man.  He is aware of my little friends in Looc who are praying for help.  We feel incredibly blessed that he would send us here to grow and stretch and become more than we were when we left by serving others.  We are learning a lot but still have mountains to climb.

Yes the weather is hot, but not as hot as it was in May and June.  We are in the monsoon season now, but there have been no great floods and we are told the rains are light compared to normal.  The thunder storms come most afternoons and last several hours.   South Africa still hold the place for the best thunder storms in our hearts, but we are learning to love the cleansing storms here.  One can almost feel good about taking a deep breath after a rain.  Remember there are no air quality controls here.  Black smoke from cars and ash is jut part of life.  I will send pictures along when I return.  I am trying to do the blog, but have been unable to find the correct place to do that.  I will need you Victoria, to help me when I return.  We will be able to Skype next weekend if any of you are available.

We pray for you always and trust the angels are watching over you with tender care.

Love, mom

Groundbreaking Ceremony 7/31/2015