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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