December has been a busy month, but to be honest it is a blur and I have to look at the calendar for a reminder of what has happened.  We started out on the 2 of December at Joy Kiddie Center.  John Go Hoc, an ordinary man turned extraordinary citizen, saw a need and stepped up to.  He freely admits that it is God who has opened doors for this community work as John has tried to help the children of Intramuros.  

John Go Hoc entering the after school facility he built for the children of Intramuros.
The children were still in school when we arrived for our tour.

This is John Go Hoc with Sister Webb and Sister Lemmon

This all started many years ago when his father advised him to buy a piece of property.  He did not have a vision at that point in his life, but he followed his father’s council and purchased the land.  Years later he said he received promptings to return to the neighborhood and do something with the land.  When he visited the area he noticed that the neighborhood children were left to themselves.  There was no place to play and gangs were starting to cause mischief in the area.  He felt the children needed some place safe to play, but he also felt they needed some guidance in their use of time.  So, he decided to use his property as an after school safety zone.  He built a nice school where children could come to learn different skills and get help with their homework.  He says the Lord’s vision has grown as different opportunities have open up.  Land adjacent to his property has come on the market and he has purchased it.  The Joy Kiddie School now takes up 4 pieces of property including a warehouse that he purchased a year ago.  It has been turned into class rooms.  The upstairs is now a community center where the University Students come to socialize and learn of Christ.  His message in all of this is that Jesus Christ loves each of us.  HE is the only way to peace in this world.  A nondenominational church service is held every Sunday morning at 11 am.  John teaches only the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Children coming to after school program

 He has used his own resources to guide these children.  He has a music building where piano and guitar are taught as well as vocal music.  (According to John, some of the children have been drafted by the nearby Catholic Church to sing in their choir because they have a good knowledge of music) There is a computer lab, a library, study hall, and game rooms.  The older children tutor the younger children.  The outside area has a trampoline on a small strip of grass; basketball court and volleyball court.  There is a small office for John and his staff that stands separate from all the school buildings.  The day we were there the stray cats in the neighborhood had gathered for their daily feeding.  It appears that all strays, children and otherwise are welcome at the Joy Kiddie School.

face of the future

John showing Elder Webb the music instruction room.  Guitars hang on back wall

John has helped hundreds of children complete their schooling, stay out of gangs and off drugs over the past 20 years.  The youth are well mannered and really seem to have a feeling of community caring for one another. They take school seriously and feel the need to excel.  This all because one man saw a need and asked what he could do to help.  John Go Hoc was a successful businessman when he returned to this neighborhood.  

Looking at the play yard with volleyball and basketball stands.  The building in the back ground is the warehouse that was purchased last year.  It houses a computer room, a library for reading material, classrooms and the second floor, above, is the
church/ community center for the older children in the neighborhood.

He had a family of his own, but he looked at streets of Intramuros and saw children unattended, some abandoned, some compromised and looked into a future that was frightening.  He decided that was not the future he wanted for this neighborhood.   He says with God’s help he as able to see a different vision, one of hope and productivity.

Library collection in the converted warehouse

Student Volunteers from the University  remember their days at Joy Kiddie School and want to give back.

Volunteers








This is the Church Community John Go Hoc built.
He wanted a place to keep young people safe. It has become a place to gather to learn of Jesus Christ.
This room serves as a Non-denominational church on Sundays.

Elder Haynie from our area Presidency met John and then asked what the church could do to help.  John said the school could use some more computers and a copy machine.  (They are training students on computers) Elder Haynie came to us and asked us to follow up on this.  So that is how Elder Webb and I came to meet John.  The Area Office has recently changed over some of its computers for new ones. 

 The old computers have been reconditioned and will now go to the Joy Kiddy School.  We have a hand over on the 11 Jan.  We loved visiting with this humble man of vision.

Partners meeting/ Christmas gathering include tributes to our partners.  The Ayala Foundation,
IIRR (International Institute of Rural Reconstruction) Physicians for Peace, Health Futures Foundations Inc., Charity Vision, Philippine Society of New Born Medicine, Catholic Relief, Philippines Marine Corp., the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation,    The Department of Education and the Department of Health

We sang Christmas Carols as part of our tribute evening.

Dinner with Iris Gokeeloa and her husband Vinson in China Town

 We had two typhoons in December, a partner’s dinner (Webbs were in charge of decorations) Temple lighting and dinner with the local dignitaries, two updates with Ayala Foundation (we are working with them on 3 programs in education) Dinner in China Town with one of our partners in Neonatal care; dinner and the Symphony with the Area Office Senior Missionaries; Another call to Balar after typhoon Melor,  call cancelled, emergency call extended, call cancelled again, a Christmas Party at Elder and Sister Bowen of the Area Presidency and a week in Baguio for Christmas Break.  Baguio is a post of it’s own. 

Did I mention the landslides?  There are a few of those.

Looking at what has just been written it appears we are two party animals.  We may be, but let me assure you there are plenty of hours spent at the computer or on the road as we work visiting with partners and work on projects that are part of our job here in Welfare.  We are blessed to know that God is directing the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Because of His kindness we are meeting some incredible people.  We are learning new concepts; about new cultures and peoples and new ways of seeing things; we have a greater awareness of God's power and his patience.

Being gone for Christmas is hard, but one Christmas is down and the tears were minimal; in part to the good people of Baguio who kept us busy.

Love, mom and dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Elder and Sister Webb

Dear Lovlies,

The past two weeks have been filled with conferences and meetings.  The planning and coordination for the Welfare Department training session was given to me.  You have to understand that we really do not have a budget for such things.  It has been the desire of our chief, Benson, to have a conference and gather all the service missionaries together in some lovely location for instruction and for a show of appreciation for their service.  He has wanted to do this for years.  The service missionaries are a group of wonderful Filipino Saints who serve a couple of days a week at their own expense, just like we do. Most of them have not retired yet and are juggling their every day jobs as well.  Just the time on the road is a sacrifice because it takes for ever to get anywhere; the financial sacrifice is on top of that.  So Elder Misalucha went to the powers that be and plead his case.

Planning committee MaeAnne and Sister Webb  (MaeAnne is the secretary: "do everything" person in our office)

We did get special permission and of course our budget was very conservative.  I spent some time finding a location.  Most of the places were beyond our budget.  Then we came upon Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center in Baguio.  The Girls Scouts of the Philippines run the place and it IS used for them, but they rent it out as well.  So, we reserved a spot for ourselves for 2 and 1/2 days.  I originally thought it was going to be an easy relaxing time, but Benson filled every minute with training.  We started with breakfast at 6:30 am and then classes running constant except for meals and breaks.  We had 12 private rooms, a dorm for our sister missionaries and a room with 4 beds for one family who came with a special needs daughter.  There were 38 of in all.  It was a wonderful experience for everyone.  The Girl South facility catered the event for us.  Benson wanted them to do snacks as well.  Can I just say their idea of snack is pretty hearty, we had lasagna for one morning snack and all the others were as filling.  They served a snack in the morning and then again in the afternoon.  We had to stay on schedule or our snack would get in the way of our meals.  It was crazy, but no one missed a meal or snack as far as I know.

The Welfare missionaries from the Philippines Area 

Evenings were free.  The Filipino sisters love shopping so that is what they did.  I was told there is a place that is open 9.00 pm until 1 am.  You go to some location and they have boxes there with items for sale.  Sister Gorriceta came back with a Gucci bag she picked up at a very good price.  Apparently it had the letter of authenticity with it.  It was lovely.  There is a funny story about this place that I will share when I get home....if I remember.

taking a break

Special recognition for service: each couple received a plaque thanking them for their hard work in LDS Charities  This one is presented to Elder and Sister Soleta by Benson Misalucha (L) and Kenneth Gomez Lee (R)

                       

tired after a full day

Elder Webb discussing what we learned from Typhoon Lando

view from the conference room

Benson giving instruction

 

Baguio was a breath of fresh air, literally (well at least the conference grounds were).  It lifted our spirits and felt like the Pacific Northwest; cool evenings and mornings with Evergreen trees and lovely Hydrangeas some of the things we love and miss.  Downtown Baguio is like any big city here, lots of people, traffic, beggars, noise and smells.  We loved the fruit and veggie markets downtown and were able to load up on Sagada Oranges and fresh greens before we headed home. The broccoli was 1/4 the price of Manila stores: so sweet.

We couldn't  help but think the Girl Scout Camp would be the perfect place for a family reunion; if one lived here that is.  The rooms were big and good rustic with private baths and beautiful views. You can google the place using the name listed above if you are curious. The private rooms run about $40 a night.

I'll tell you about our partners evening in another post.

We are doing well.   Keeping our ears to the ground weather wise.  It is still Typhoon season.  There is a low front headed for Mindanao as I write this.  I hope it does not pick up steam.

Love and miss you all,

Elder and Sister Webb
Mom and Dad Gma and Gpa

Meals were served buffet style with several meat selections, rice, veggies and salad at every meal.  Everyone was pleased with the selection and variety.  There was more than enough to keep this team going.

                                                    Baguio's farmers market at night

Fruit stand in Baguio farmers market