Dear Ones,

It’s been a while since we last reported.  We are very busy, which is great.  The Country Director of LDS Charities has taken a job in Seminaries and Institute and will be moving to Baguio.  The change is for health purposes and we are happy for him.  He has been preparing for this move for some time.  It is interesting to see the life come back into this great man who has been beaten down by health and the stress of the welfare assignment.  He is so happy.  No more Typhoon seasons for him!  We do not know who will take his place at this point and he will be mostly gone starting April 6.  He begins his new job on May 1, but has said he will need the time to move.  You know our feelings about Baguio.  It’s glorious.

He has also been giving us more and more of the work he was doing.  Lots of work makes the time go faster.  We are nearing the half way point.  I remember vividly that when we first got here we thought 18 months was forever.  Now we wonder what we were worried about.

We were blessed with a visit from our dear children Victoria and Len Rutherford.  They came for a short week and experienced many of the things that one cannot express or describe adequately in words.  We are so humbled to know they wanted to be with us enough to make that very long trip.  It was hard to let them go when the week was up. 

Victoria and Sister Webb preparing newborn kits

We took them with us as we visited our partners.  One of the trips was to Fabella Hospital where we had an appointment.  We were delivering some of the beautiful blankets and hats that were made by our dear friends from Willow Creek 7^th Ward.  Victoria and I put together newborn kits with the blankets, hats, diapers, wash, wipes and lotion which we loaded into an LDS Charities bags.  The contents have been donated by people we love and we took several bags with us.  When we presented them to Dr. Tumale and showed her what was in them she hugged the blankets and said, “Oh, this is what we need”.  She went on to say the babies lay on the same linens as the mothers and other babies that share the beds.  She said the blankets will give each baby a clean space of its own.  She was thrilled.  She asked if I wanted to give the gifts to the mothers.  Unfortunately, I did not have enough for every mother there so we thought it better if she quietly chose those who needed the blankets most.  Next trip I will take enough blankets to give one to each mother, thanks to the good work and kindness of R.S. sisters.

leaving the hospital for the neighborhood square

Organizers show people where to stand with hand made signs on a regular piece of paper

Vic and Len with the street children, their new following

Mother carrying newborn under her gown

Mothers carrying new babies during fire drill

Fans of Elder Webbs at town square during fire drill

It was a wonderful trip, complete with a fire drill that was schedule for the same time as our appointment.  We were not allowed to enter the building.  The fire alarm blared in our ears and the authorities from the fire department shuffled people off to a village square away from the hospital, including some of the mothers with newborn babies.  The four of us were slow in moving because we were told someone was coming for us.  We finally received a phone call from Iris, our partner, telling us they would not let her leave the hospital, so we followed the crowd and when we turned the corner and entered the square, all the people stopped what they were doing and just looked at us.  There were smiles and waving of hands but there was also a quiet reverence as we walked through the crowd.  Victoria said she was not comfortable with the rock star greeting.  The recess lasted about 10 min and we were finally allowed to go into the building.  It was interesting to see.

Wlder Webb, Victoria, Len and Iris, receiving instructions from Dr. Tumale

Maternity Ward

We went to the maternity ward and then we left Vic and Len with Dr. Tumale.  She gave them the tour of the hospital complete with entrance to the NICU and every nook and cranny.  Len was especially taken by the numbers of babies and the care given by the staff.

Presenting the newborn kits.  Dr Tumale left, Sister Webb holding blanket and cap, Elder Webb holding stuffed bear
Victoria and Lenoard Rutherford with Iris holding the bear on front row.

In the evening we headed to Chinatown.  Manila’s Chinatown is the oldest in the world (outside China). We enjoyed maneuvering the traffic of the very small streets and the challenge of find a parking spot. It’s kind of like a live video game.  We had to pay twice for parking as the attendants changed shifts while we were gone from the car.   It was fun to visit the gem shop and learn from a master how to clean gems and semi-precious stones using tonal sounds and vibrations.  Fresh fruits and veggies are found up and down the streets in open air carts.  We enjoyed an authentic Chinese meal in one of the many restaurants and as we were leaving the place was filling with locals for some kind of political rally.  The town is alive with color, texture, sounds and aromas.

On another day we drove to Cavite to visit with one of our partners, IIRR, then on to Lake Taal for a day of relaxation and visual splendor.  Sunday was spent at church and at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial looking at the evidence of many family sacrifices.  It was humbling and beautiful at the same time.

Victoria and Elder Webb at out door market Chinatown

Looking good in the Philippines

Visiting with Irish at IIRR headquarters

Dinner at Club 100 roof top restaurant looking out on Manial

Visiting Lake Taal with the Rutherfords

As we have watched Victoria and Len experience Manila for the first time it has been kind of fun and certainly empowering to think back just 8 months ago.  We were traumatized by the sheer number of people and cars. I still suffer from a feeling of claustrophobia at times, but at least I can breathe.   The sight of people living on the street and under bridges with small children playing in areas where the traffic moves in unpredictable and erratic fashion caused my heart to ache and I found myself judging the parents.  I have different eyes today.  The Lord has expanded our capacity to work in many different environments and to see what we can do to help the people of the Philippines help themselves.  They know the problems they face far better than we do, and they also know many of the solutions but do not have the resources.  LDS Charities can help bridge that gap.

The Ruterfords and the Philippines Temple

It is Holy Week here.  We are reminded of how much these people love the Lord as we listen to the music of Mass as its melodies ascend nine stories to the windows of our apartment.  We watch as the people cross themselves when they pass the Cathedral morning and night.  We are grateful to know Christ lives and that he is leading His church for the good of all mankind.

We feel the Lord’s blessings daily.  We are trying to do what he asks of us and when we feel overwhelmed we just look back at all the things we have done that we never thought we could do and realize the Lord has helped us every step of the way.  He always does.  I think we need to make a list for posterity.  Thank you for your love and support.  We love and miss you, and trust the Lord is caring for you as he cares for us while we serve Him here. 

HAPPY EASTER! 

Love, 

Hello again,

Tuesday I slipped out of the office and went to Mabuhay Deseret House in Quezon City.  Some of the sisters from the Area Office spend time there doing crafts, teaching songs, or playing finger games with the children who are either awaiting or recovering from surgery. When the pressure of the job gets to be too much or one is spending too much time thinking of ones self it is a great place to go to serve, refocus on the positive and be thankful.  The positive effect of the Savior's admonition to lose oneself in the service of others is dramatically emphasized at Mabuhay House.

This is what many of the screenings look like.  They are held in LDS Chapels and are assisted by member of the church under the Helping Hands directive.  Hundreds of people go through the screening process, usually held for two or three days

Mabuhay House is part of the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, one of our partners.  It was started by President Jackson, a retired surgeon, who was a Mission President here several years ago.  One day he was working with some people and he saw a little girl with a double hair lip. He felt impressed with the thought; "I can fix that".  So he did.  He found a hospital that would let him operate, he paid for the expenses out of his own pocket and he changed that little girl's life forever.   He saw a need and stepped up to help.


When he returned to the States from his mission he and his wife started the Maybuhay Deseret Foundation with their own money as well as  the generous donations of friends and family.  MDF provides vision care and surgery for patients of all ages as well as reconstructive surgery for younger patients with handicapped or disfigured bodies: club feet, cleft palates, hair lips, and prosthesis for missing limbs.  I have been there a couple of times and I always leave loving another brave child whose life is being changed forever.  Thousands of surgeries have been performed for birth defects and thousand more for eyes.

This little girl has problems with her eyes.  She was screened and accepted as a patient.  She was scheduled for surgery the following day.  She will no longer hide her face or have trouble looking others in the eye.

This is a poster that hangs in the neighborhoods where screenings are to take place.  There are many birth defects that can be addressed at these screenings.  If these doctors do not have the answers they will refer patients to the doctor who can help.

This is the front door for Audrey's House (Mabuhay Deseret House)
 Behind the door is a new world for people who have the courage to walk in and ask questions.  This is the first time MDH has done a screening in their own neighborhood.  Most people have no idea what goes on behind these doors.

Screening line in the court yard of Audrey's House named after the wife of President Jackson who has since passed away.

This is a view of the courtyard from the new second story men's quarters.  

Sister Webb at her first attempt at a selfie with Sister Davenport center and Sister Kasteler right.  Her arm was not long enough to capture all three images.  These sisters traveled to Mabuhay house togther.  Sister Webb works in welfare, Sister Davenport in Public Affairs and Sister Kasteler at the MRC.  ( Missionary Recovery Center.)  She and her husband are both nurses there.

Three recovering patients.  The girl on the left is recovering from surgery for a club foot, the girl in the center from a hair lip (she has one more surgery to complete the process) and Te a complete reversal of his foot.  It had been facing backwards when he attended his first screening.  He had surgery in August and has been healing here at Audrey's House since then.  He will be fitted with orthopedic shoes next month.  He still has pins in all his toes to straighten them.  Te will be a couple inches taller because of the shoes which  will enable him to walk like other children when he leaves.  He is 14 years old.  He came to a screening with his friend who had the same condition.  When they were told what the surgery entailed his friend said " NO WAY, I'n not doing that."  and he left.  Te is a brave boy who is excited that his recovery is coming to an end.  You should know the Philippines do not give out pain killers.  Over the counter drugs like Tylonal are the only pain killers these kids or adults get.  And the surgery repair does hurt. Te is a member of the church, one of a few who come to Audrey's House.

We are trying to get computers for the Mabuhay House so these kids can keep up on the school work.  Parents try to tutor their children, but most of them do not have educations at the level of a 14 year old.  With computers the world of study opens up.  There are programs available in any subject.

I fell in love with this girl.  She is two years old has never been able to walk or use her arms.
I don't know what kind of birth defect she has but Mabuhay will be working on her hips.  Her arms are another story.  There appeared to be no muscle tone or shoulder joints.  To move her arms she would toss her trunk back and forth which would propel her arms out and she could hit people to get their attention.  She is spunky and very clever.  Her mother is an amazing person whose tireless love and devotion are evident in the confidence this little jewel exhibits.   This was one time I wished I had studied more Tagalog so  I could find out more about them.




Wednesday Elder Webb and  Sister Webb went to visit Chat Corpus at The Philippines Children's Medical Center; another one of our partners in Neo Natal Care.  Chat is a member of the Philippines Society of New Born Medicine and has been supportive of LDS Charities Neo Natal Specialist missionaries from SLC.  They train doctors, midwives and nurses in proper Neo Natal training.  Unfortunately that work is on hold at present as the political system here works out a few details to allow that work to move forward.

Meeting with Dr. Chat Corpus far left.  Elder Webb far right.  Dr. Joyce center.  We were served Fresh Mango, Pomelo from Davao  a fresh rice cake and Buka juice  (fresh young coconut water) as refreshment.  

 The staff is assisting a new born who was having breathing difficulty

This tiny preemie is 6 weeks old.  She is wearing one the the bonnets make by LDS Relief Society Sisters 

This little fellow is so tiny; look at those little hands. He is a fighter.  The nurses think he will survive.   The cap he wears is too big for his little head but it is used just the same.

Chat shows us though the children's Ward.  She told us that last month the Ward was filled with Dengue fever victims.  This Hospital is more modern than many we see here in the Philippines.  The Japanese built it and donated it 30 years ago. That is new in the public heath system.

This is our dear friend Dr. Chat Corpus.  She is is a lovely gracious woman, willing to do what she can to make life better for children that come through this hospital.We are so blessed to meet the most incredible people.  It is an honor and pleasure to work with doctors and nurses who have chosen to work in the medical profession here in the Philippines.  They are devoted to making the Philippines a better, safer place for the people who live here.  Many people who trained in medicine choose to live in the States where the wages are higher and the standard of living is much better.  Those who stay have a different ethic and different motivation, a different loyalty to their mother land.


We send our love to you and testify that Good Lord loves all his children. The scriptures teach that we will never be prompted by the Holy Ghost to do something we cannot do.  Elder Scott reminds us it may require extraordinary effort and much time, patience, prayer and obedience, but we will be able to do it.  We are finding that to be true with this assignment.  What seemed impossible 7 months ago is now just the normal for us.  Each new day can bring a new challenge which the Lord helps us overcome.  Our confidence has grown in our ability to ask and receive; God does hear and answer our prayers.  His vision of this work is so much more grand than we can even imagine.  He gives us a glimpse every now and again just to remind us nothing is impossible to HIM.  It is so good to know one has that kind of backing.

We were in the field again last week visiting with the farmers in Maragondon.  You may remember we partner with IIRR (International Institution for Rural Reconstructions).   A part of our job is to follow up on the projects LDS Charities support.  So quarterly, or more often if time permits, we rub shoulders with the good people who work the earth.  The pictures we share on this blog are ones taken this past Wednesday.  It takes us a whole day even though it should be a 45 min trip.  Once we get to the farms the world changes and we can slow down and just enjoy the simple beauty of the real Philippines.  The Philippines of yesterday.

We met Myrna the only woman farmer part of our group and were shown the results of her hard work. Picture left to right: Irish, our partner for IIRR, Myrna, Sister and Elder Webb and Sister Gorriceta our service Missionary and friend.

This is Myrna's pig.  It is the one we gifted through IIRR and she has had one litter already.  Mryna was very proud of the fact that this pig is expecting another batch in April.  The first batch was distributed with three piglets given away to help other farmers increase their ability to sustain themselves.  The other piglets were sold for high market price.  These pigs are suppose to roam in the forest foraging for food.  Unfortunately, most do not have that opportunity.  They are fed feed the farmer makes with grains.  We received a report that these pigs, which are suppose to be very lean, had too much fat to get the best price.  We tried  to educate the farmer on the need for natural feed. All we can do is follow up.  The above pig is better off because she is allowed to dig and roll around in dirt.  She also eats grass and weeds.  Others have not been as fortunate. 

Climbing up the hill side to the farms new plantings

Steps in the hill side to reach farming land

farm house along the way

beautiful rooster at the above farm

Pig barn.  The pig houses are kept very clean, but the pigs are not allow out to forage for food.  They will have too much fat on their bodies when they mature.  It is so hard to change tradition.  

New planting on Myrna's farm (pineapples)

Elder Webb learning about new plantings

The rings of a banana tree.  These trees are used for all sorts of things including making clothes

Leaving this farming area

Elder Webb drinking from a coconut.  Our host prepared each of us a young coconut for refreshment.  It is different from the coconuts we get in the states.  These are fresh from the trees.  The juice is not as sweet as we get in the States, but it is refreshing.

Elder Webb listening to Irish explain some of the farming theories of IIRR.

Over the bridge.  This is a bridge for use during the raining season.  We just walked through the river bed the day we went.

Elder Webb visiting with one of the local farmers on the hillside as we traveled to and from the Myrna's plantings.
As you can see the land is tropical and clearing it is no easy feat.  These farmers do everything by hand or they plow using the Caribau ( Large gentle animal) you have seen in other posts.

Back on the road we see some one enjoying the local transportation of a farmer.

Curious cows watch as we walked by

New growth of second season pineapple

At the end of our farm morning we were invited to stay for lunch at the humble home of  Myrna.  Unfortunately both Elder Webb and I had had stomach problems the previous week so we had to excuse ourselves.  It's hard to take food from people who have so little any way, but we have been advised not to eat in the homes of our rural partners. Apparently parasites are too easily transferred to our unaccustomed bodies.  Irish and Sister Gorricetta both accepted the gracious offer.  Every where we go, when we get out of the city, we are struck by the beauty and majesty of the Philippines and her people.  They are some of the most beautiful people we have ever seen .  There is an elegance about many that is hard to describe;  even with their humble natures they walk with a quiet dignity that is god given.  I saw it in Miss Universe when she was accepting her crown.  It is the only time I viewed her, so I have no idea what transpired in the competition.  I appreciate the opportunities we are having that gives us a better view of the diversity of God's children.

Elder Webb greets a little girl in one of the farm houses we passed

January rolled out and February has rolled in without a hitch. Time waits for no missionary. I can't believe how fast the months are ticking away.  We've missed some important birthdays.  Our Grandson Matt, my favorite Matt in the whole world turned 18 the end of January. Our son Dan marks another year on the 6th of February, then the month speeds up with James, Julia, Ray, Len, Hannah and before you know it it is May and our Mission is more than half over.

Office selfie: we tried to send a birthday wish to our grandson Matt. We are not all that great at computer stuff but we are sure better than we were last July when we arrived.  

We've been spending a lot of time in the office attending to all the paper work that goes with this job.  Getting a project approved takes time, energy and a good deal of research.  We are working on several new projects.  Elder Webb actually submitted three this last week which are now approved.  One with the Department of Health, which is kind of a follow up to the immunization project we did last year and one with a hospital with Neonatal equipment. The details are uninteresting (NOTE FROM GRANDPA:  We are financing life-saving equipment!) and kind of complicated so we will leave it at that.

We've been in the field as well.  We checked out a private hospital that has been working with the poor.  It is owned by one man.  He has used his own money to build and supply a hospital to serve the poor.  Actually he will serve anyone, but his prices are way lower.  He charges Philheath + PhP300 which would be a little over $6.00 out of pocket.  Philheath is the government insurance.  Other private hospitals have prices that are about 40% higher, and the excess is not covered by Philhealth.

Dr. Bayulot started this hospital and is staffing it with great people and state of the art equipment which he has purchased himself.  He comes from a wealthy family but says he feels that money is not what is important it is who you help with it that is the judge of good character.  He does not look like a doctor.  His energy level is that of a 16 year old with attention deficit; bouncing from one station to the next.  But he has created a wonderful space and is the doctor of choice for the good people of  Bataan.

Not a likely looking hospital, looks more like a hotel.  Once a person enters the front door there is a very professional feeling to the hospital space.

Exam room in maternity

Elder Webb hobbling the halls

State of the art equipment (This looks like a rocket launcher!)

Dr Bayulot tells us of his vision ( L to R  Dr. Bayulot, Sister Webb Sister Lucila and Elder Webb

The hospital has private and semi private rooms with in room bathrooms
This is huge.  The other hospitals we have been to have wards with 50 to 100 beds and one bathroom with several stalls.  This man is charging close to what those hospitals charge.  You may look at the picture and say what is the big deal.  Go back to my blog post on Fabella Hospital and look at the ward.  They do a great job with what they have.  They just do not have much.

The physical therapy room in the hospital is quite large and has any piece of work out machinery one might like.

The Bathrooms are not luxurious but the are in each room.  This is the new luxury in  hospital stay.


It is nice to be able to recommend a hospital to someone.  We have been told there is only one hospital in all of Manila and it is recommended in emergency cases.  If we need surgery the doctor here in the APO say he recommends that we go back to the States.

You may be wondering how come there are no other people in the hospital pictures.  We were there on a Saturday and the surgeries are schedule so patients can go home for the week end. The average hospital stay does not exceed 3 days.  An interesting concept.  We did see two patients in one ward. Not many people come to this hospital for long term illnesses.

We work with another group that does a lot of vision work.  Dr Bayulot is offering use of one of his surgery rooms for the vision work.  He still has some space in the hospital he has not designated to other kinds of medicine.  We will see what comes of the negotiations. Willie, who works in our office, went down today talk with Bishops in the area to let them know when a member needs a hospital stay under church welfare they can go to Dr. Bayulot's hospital for quality care at a good price.
I share this information so you will know, if you don't already, just how good we have it in the US.  We are very fortunate to be able to get quality health care.  The more the government gets involved the less quality we receive.