Back at work 2016

January 14, 2016

Hello there, we're back at work,

Thank you Willow Creek 7^th.  We just received the Christmas messages from our dear friends in the Ward.  We noted that the post mark was Dec 17^th.  Like all third world countries, and some 1^st world countries, things kind of slow down during the Christmas Holiday.   Thank you for thinking of us; we loved reading the notes.

It’s the 13^th of January and we have been busy.  On the 4^th we headed to Looc and the small Health Station / Birthing Center on which LDS Charities partnered.  We were late by about 20 minutes because we stopped to pick up one of our Service Missionary Couples and the road was crazy.  It was a little surprising because we left the house at six am and the ceremony was schedule to start at 9:30 am.  We got there a little after ten.  There were others driving the same road that got there later than we did.  That is just the way people live here.  Anyway we had a lovely ceremony complete with Mayors, Baranguy Captains, a Senator, TV personality and a famous radio Host, Dr. Galvez Tan. Elder Webb spoke on behalf of the church and we were part of a tree planting ceremony.
 

Nearly six months ago, early in the morning the day after we arrived from the U.S., we were hustled off on our first assignment. It was the Looc ground breaking for this very clinic in this very village.  I remember little, the blur of jet lag blocking my view. I do remember there were no bathrooms and that I had never seen fish prepared in so many ways.  Now, after a little seasoning, we can take our place in the society of the indigent and enjoy a day filled with fun and friendly faces.  We enjoyed ourselves and the people with whom we have worked. 

Front door leading into the Heath Center Elder Webb with Dr Galvez-Tan waiting for things to begin

Upon arrival we toured the new Health Center which is a festive looking building painted in the bright colors of the Philippines. (See picture below).  It is a happy place but what impressed me most is it has a bathroom!  It was sparkling clean and works with water from the toilet rather than a bucket.  I think it was the favorite place of town’s people and visitors alike.
 

We had a program where each of the partners spoke.  Elder Webb was one of them.  His address was short and humble and he greeted every one with Magandang Umaga (good morning) and spoke slowly for the locals' understanding.  Some people spoke for 20 min.  I was grateful Elder Webb did not find that necessary.  After the dignitaries addressed the crowd we turned over the Clinic to the local people with a ribbon cutting.  Just before the ribbon cutting, the local Catholic Priest walked around the building leaving his blessing and tossing drops of water on the building and the crowd.  It is a wonderful feeling to be part of something that will save lives and create an environment of safety for the new born as well as the mother.  This clinic has been built in an area with one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the Philippines.  There will be fewer birth defect, fewer cases of MS, or handicaps from birth trauma because the mother has to walk so far to get to a hospital. LDS Charities is all about supporting families; this is just one more way. 

Lest I forget.  We delivered 25 Newborn kits to this clinic. There was an audible awe from the crowd when it was announced.  Thank you Montana friends for the blankets hats, and hygiene kits.

The plaque that hangs by the front door

The local leaders have engaged a nurse practitioner and a midwife, provided by the extended community, to run the station.  It will serve five barangays from the surrounding area.  A Barangay is like a community and can have a population of 5 to 25 thousand residents.  In the hierarchy of politics a barangay leader is the first step, next comes city councilor, the Mayor, Governor, Senator and President.

After the program we had lunch (Yes they still had lots of fish on the menu.  They are a fishing community after all.), provided by the local leaders and then we participated in a tree planting ceremony. I actually thought they could have chosen a better place to plant the trees because where they stand now there is an incredibly beautiful view of Lake Taal from the labor room of the clinic. That view will be gone in five years.  Oh well, they know what is best for their needs.

The new examining room.  Pretty much what you see is what you get.  There is no extra room in this clinic.

ribbon cutting

Sister Webb trying one of the area specialties.  A little whole fried fish.   One is to pop it in ones mouth and munch head, tail and all.
Sister Webb was cautious at first but discovered it was quite nice. 

Before the crowd arrives.  The finished building stands strong and firm.  Isn't it a fun looking building?

Signing the dead of donation.  Elder Webb had our wonderful service missionary Elder Danny Soleta sign for the church.

Elder Webb addresses the crowd

                           Catholic Priest reads a prayer and then walks around the building
                                             sprinkling the clinic and the people with water.

              Sister Soleta far left with TV celebrity and the cute new intern in Public Affairs

  

Famous Filipino Faces were part of the event.  

We finished our business Looc, said our good byes and left traveling further south as we prepared for our meeting the following day.  We stopped for the evening in Tagaytay .  This city also sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Taal; higher up than Looc.  The views were breath taking and as I gazed out into the calming vista a subtle cool breeze caressed my face and I realized that I had once again found a new favorite place.

We walked along the bluff in quiet solitude.  No words were spoken.  It was as if we were sharing a spiritual experience.  The majesty of it all is overwhelming and is just one more reminder of God’s awe inspiring power.  This world is a remarkable place and it has been created for us, for our use; to learn and to grow.   All God asks is that we keep his commandments and accept His Son as our Redeemer.  When we do, we are blessed and societies flourish.  When we don’t we make a mess of things.
 

The next day we traveled to Bauan, Batangas where we had an appointment to tour one of the Centex Schools.  You may or may not remember the name Ayala Foundation, but this is one of their schools.  We are working on a MOA (memorandum of agreement) in which LDS Charities will provide training (classes) for the parents of the students to encourage them to support their children in school. (Sometimes it seems more important to spend the day begging to fill the immediate need).  Ayala has identified the brightest of the children in these communities and is providing for their education through college.  This is to help bring about a change.  When these poor children are educated they will be able to come back to the communities and raise the standard of living.  They will be the new law makers, the new problem solvers.  They will have a better idea how to make needed lasting change.   Ayala has been doing this for 17 years and is beginning to see measurable results. 

Meeting the Principal 5th from the left and Maan from Ayala 3rd from the right.
Elder and Sister Webb support teachers and the Elder and Sister Soleta

Students take a break to say hello

Now we are moving to a second level by offering training to the parents.  They will also have a Teaching Institute where teachers are to receive instruction to improve their skills.  These are the areas we have been called to develop and create.  You can be sure we have struggled with this assignment.  I wondered how I could write lessons to which these good people could relate.  I don’t really know what life is like for them even though I am with them I don’t live their lives.  The process has been refined and restructured as Ayala discovered what they really want.  It has been a work in motion.  We do not even have approval for the project yet, but we are to get a clearer vision of how things will proceed if the project is approved. 

One of the classes to whom we were introduced

We met with the Principal, our contact with Ayala and the teachers.  We had lunch and discussed the needs of the people in this area.  After lunch we were introduced to the children as we walked through the campus of this very modest school.  The children were busy with their school work but took a moment to greet us in very proper style.  In unison they would pronounce “GOOD MORNING MAM GOOD MORNING SIR, WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL.”  English is the primary language taught here.  In the public school system children are not taught English until Middle School.  The kindergarten class has children reading and doing math at 5 (I don’t mean Dick and Jane books either)  We were treated to a show of their memorization skills as one child was invited to share a story the class has recited for some program.  The little fellow did a great job complete with dramatic inflections in his voice and hand movements. 

It has been a challenging process.  One we both have thought we cannot do.  It’s amazing how the scripture come to mind when one is discouraged.  We discovered we had not really done much in the way of leg work on this. We had not studied it out.  It had been a mental process and we were confused.  When we went to the Lord and asked for specific help doors began to open in our minds and in our contacts.  We have a greater confidence in Heavenly Fathers ability to guide us through the work.  It is interesting to struggle and fight through this on our own and then surrender the process to the Lord.  He has way better ideas than we do and he is willing to share. 

Our co-workers in this process have become interested in the church.  We answer questions along the way hoping to share the Spirit of Christ’s Love in everything we do.  God Bless you All.

Two views of Lake Taal.  Of course the pictures do not do it justice. 

Love,

Elder and Sister Webb

mom and dad

Gma and Gpa Webb

 Hi Everyone.

It was a great Christmas in Baguio; clear air, evergreen trees of varying shapes and color, and cool nights sleeping with the windows wide open.

A gentleman we met through work who found out we were spending Christmas in Baguio (not a member of the church) invited us to stay at the County Club because he had rooms (part of his membership perks) that would expire by Dec 23.  He not only introduced us to The Baguio Country Club life (Elder Webb spent two days golfing on the goat course -- up and down, up and down -- at Camp John Hay) but we were included in the very private world of a Filipino family clan.  Families are very important here in the Philippines.  Everywhere we visited we saw extended families, multi-generational, filling long tables in the hotels and restaurants.  There were moments I longed for my own family to share this special time. 

Lobby at Baguio Country Club

View at the entrance of the Country Club.  With Azaleas and Rhodies we could not help but feel like we were in the Northwest, our old stomping grounds in Oregon, U.S.A.

This is the Golf Course at the Country Club

Two of the holes on the course from the clubhouse, numbers 1 and 10, criss-cross.

Just in case you are wondering the above sign answers the important question about exhaust.

Christmas lights at the Manor
The pictures really do not do it justice.

After three days at the Country Club we moved to the Manor and were treated to an entirely different but truly lovely experience.  Every afternoon about 4 pm live Christmas music was sung or played in the large yard the hotel surrounded.  Christ is still in Christmas everywhere we have been.  Music was played for an hour as the sun began to set, in most cases it was good old fashioned classical Christmas Hymns.  Several times we were serenaded by the University of Baguio Capella group. The harmony was outstanding.  At dark the Nativity story from Luke 2 was re-enacted, complete with manger, spot lights and actors in great costumes -- especially the Wise Men. Then a fire show with acrobatic displays by young Filipinos dazzled us all .  At 7 pm the fireworks start and continued for about 20 minutes followed by a dinner buffet and more music.  We had a room that looked out on the show and we could watch everything from the comfort of our own room.  We did have to go down for dinner which was served in an outdoor dining room with thousands of our not-so-close friends.   At 9 pm one can listen to live music in the lounge for an up close and personal experience with a small ensemble group.  It really was a great sound and the lounge in the Philippines is a family experience which makes it nice.  We enjoyed ourselves every night.

Some of the Christmas lights in the courtyard at the Manor
Santa can be seen talking with guest.

The back side of the Manor at Camp John Hay, Baguio, Philippines
There were few people left at the office and like South Africa, things just shut down for Christmas.
That is why we could head North.
We had an appointment scheduled in our office on December 28th, with Ayala, other wise we might have stayed a little longer.

Elder and Sister Webb in front of the see through fire place at the Manor

We were invited to spend Christmas Day with Tess.  Tess is the matriarch of a large family.  Her father and Ray’s father (Ray Salvosa is our friend and business associate) were best friends.  Her father’s birthday was December 25.  When their families were young they started a tradition of celebrating Tess’ father’s birthday on Christmas day.  When this man passed away people asked Tess’ mother if she would stop the family party.  Her answer was no and so we continue today as Tess carries on the tradition her mother before her had continued.  It’s been forty years.

We drove to her large home winding through the streets of a Baguio suburb.  We lost our way twice.  We found Ray and he led us to the home of Tess.  We walked down the steps of her back yard.  The house is set on a hill with two levels of daylight basement.  When I look down into the yard I could see a large parachute that was used as a back yard umbrella.  It was strung from the trees with a large central pole, creating a canopy protecting the guests from the sun.  Tables were set for about 100 people.  The buffet was served from three different terraces one passed as one made one's way down the path into the main yard. 

It was so nice to spend the day with a family and friends who really love being together.  Tess has a theme every year and this year it was plaid.  So as a major part of the afternoon was a parade to show off everyone’s plaid something.  Tess gave away prizes all through the afternoon.  I won the worst plaid division for a purse I had slung over my shoulder (what do you expect for a last minute invite). 

Elder Webb got one for a team game he played where he sacrificed himself by diving onto the ground to retrieve the answer to a riddle.  It was very funny and a shock to say the least. We definitely stood out, but after Elder Webb sacrificed himself for the team he was rock star material.  Actually he did it for himself.

Elder Webb's team on the right.
Tess is sitting in the forefront in the red plaid dress. She was kind enough to share her table with us.

The white and green garden house sits in the background

Looking down into Tess' yard and garden party

Much as we hated to, we left for Manila the following day.  We saw four rear end collisions on our way home, which is hard to imagine because we were in a traffic jam and our speed rarely got above 20; but it happened.

We were the only ones in the office through Dec. 30.  The Senior Missionaries began to return on the 30^th because we had an activity on New Year's eve.  We shared a pot luck dinner with the Temple Missionaries and then went over to the temple with our chairs, climbed up to the roof and parked ourselves there waiting for the fireworks to start.  It was fun but we didn’t last all that long before the rains began and we decided to check things out from our apartment window.  In the end it really did not matter where one stood to watch the fireworks.  They were everywhere.  Starting at 9 pm, were just the teasers.  At 11:50 they began in full force and the sky was filled with blasts.  We could not see the fireworks at Eastwood but we could hear them.  Norriss, who worked with cannons in the army, said they sounded just like the 155mm.  Apparently it is a big cannon.  The fireworks continued till about 10min after midnight.  

New Years Eve we had a pot luck dinner complete with Missionary entertainment.
We retired to the roof of the temple about 9 pm to watch the fireworks

Sunday was Fast Sunday, a day of rest.  What a beautiful way to start the New Year energized and recommitted to serve the Lord here in the Philippines.  Monday we were off again. 

We carried our chairs up the narrow steps and enjoyed the panoramic view of the celebration.
Fireworks are a big deal here; a family experience; a neighborhood experience; a country experience.  A week before New Years a new market opened up along the side walk which abuts the Area Office Complex.  About 50 small business set up their tents and tables and the fury of buying fireworks began.  What had been a 3 lane highway turned into a 1 lane highway and parking lots.  There were several businesses, including men who would find you a parking space for a coin.  Food stands went up to accommodate the fireworks shoppers.  It was gone January 1.



When we got back to the office for our meeting on the 28th, we had Christmas all over again   Four large boxes had been delivered while we were gone.   We opened boxes sent from our daughter Elizabeth's ward in  Columbia Falls, Montana, U.S.A. . They were filled with baby blankets, tiny hats, great hygiene kits and new white shirts for the missionaries in the MTC here in Manila.  It was a lovely gift 4 times over.  Once for us (it was so much fun opening the packages and looking at the great gifts that Sister Webb just had to share the experience.  Sister Kasteler was the only other sister left here), once for the missionaries, once for the mothers at the remote birthing clinics in Looc, Batangas,  and once for the sweet babies in need everywhere.  Look how many people were blessed.

Thank you so much!  WE LOVE YOU

It's Christmas

White shirts for the Missionaries in need. This is Sister Trask the MCT  President's wife.

We made some New Born Kits which included the blankets and hats we received.  We took 25 of them to the opening of the Health Clinic and Birthing Center on which LDS Charities partnered .  

Will write about that in the next blog.

We love you all, so very much.  We can report the time is flying by for us as we open ourselves to the next adventure the Lord sees fit for us to share.  We depend on His help and intervention to qualify us for the work we do.  He never fails us. He is watching over his children here in the Philippines.  They Love him and call upon his name day and night.  The Malls are filled with tributes to Him, His birth, His life and His death.  The Catholic Church next to our apartment had a crowd at each of the masses

held during Christmas week.  There were 3-4 a day. The ones of which I was aware were 5 pm 9 pm

and 4 am. The walk and driveway outside the church were filled with people who could not get in because it was so crowded.  People would even stand on the steps of the apartment complex across the street to hear the music and receive the blessings. 

Christmas is a wonderful time of year.

Love, Elder and Sister Webb

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Granpa Webb