Epistle #7 of 20

Dear Family & Friends, 

In early 2012, our mission assignment was expanded to include Naga, also known as Bicol.  It is a large, long land area, running north and south and attached to the main island by a "narrow neck of land".  The drive from our home in San Pablo City to the south end of the Naga area takes about 11 hours.  Add 5 more hours to get transport by ferry to either of the two island districts.  But there are many places to stop along the way, providing training for priesthood leaders and newly called stake specialists and contacting amazing young adults.  

Since February, we have taken "expeditions" into Naga lasting 18 days, 12 days and 16 days.  Each road trip involves scheduling meetings and presentations in the 12 Stakes and Districts, and planning where to stay along the way.  We no longer worry about getting lost.  We have maps and Google Earth pictures that guide us from place to place.  And Carolyn is a brilliant navigator....except for differentiating left from right.  If she points left and says "go right", I just guess what she means.  So far I am right a little more than half the time.  

Naga has been rich in spiritual experiences.  Epistle #8 will tell our favorites.  

In the mean time, here is a pictorial essay, providing some of the flavor of our days in Naga:

The Mayon Volcano...the most active in the Philippines, the most perfect volcanic cone in the world, and visible for miles in every direction.  The most recent eruptions occurred a couple of years ago, but the cone sends smoke curling skyward regularly.  This picture doesn't reveal the beautiful coloration of the lava fields and the tropical vegetation that covers the slopes, but it is gorgeous from every side. 

 

Every now and then you find a Filipino that loves more color and animation than normal for their home.

Mango or Banana Shakes.  MMmmmm good.  (Made from crushed ice and milk, rather than ice cream)

One of the more creative covers for bicycling in the rain.  You may stay dry but may not survive the head on with a bus!

This is the main road over the mountain on the south end of Bicol.  Is it a river or a road?

We have counted as many as 15 riders on one tricycle!  Note the umbrellas.

Tricycles are really taxis, buses, trucks, pig movers, and product transports - here we see palm leaves for weaving products.

Again, counting is fun.  What you see here is only one side of the tricycle.  The other side has more passenger capacity!  How many can you see?

Road-widening projects are always popular in the Philippines.  They allow for more rice-drying space during harvest season.  Try driving this street without offending the neighbors.

Our budget for a room night is about $25-$30, but we have spent, on occasion, as  much as $75 and as little as $16.  We like to call this type of room "fancy camping".  Sometimes there is hot water to shower and other times you just grit your teeth and go for it.  And you never drink the water or brush your teeth in it.  It is for "external use only". 

  Accommodation adventure (the fancy camping).  

Accommodation luxury.  (Yes, those are rose petals on the bed, for valentine's day, an unannounced room service benefit)

Accommodation enjoyment.  This is the Santa Clara Hotel in Sorsogon.  Great room, hot water, refrigerator, A/C, Internet, and low price!

Culinary Surprise.  Yes, right there on the menu - "Crunchy Squid Heads".  Boys, line up to see who gets first shot! 

Culinary Ambiance.  Why not dine at the Manhattan, New York Restaurant for lunch.  We did.  It was right on the beach.

Church construction is ongoing in the Philippines.  This is a nearly-completed chapel in Santo Domingo.

When new construction is not yet warranted, just rent a home or office building to get you by.

Interior of the Santo Domingo Chapel.   Note the "stand" is level with the congregation.

In Legazpi, we see the Mayon Volcano framed by a sizable church house, and the Howell's transport.

After visiting a PEF recipient, we couldn't resist the family members who couldn't resist the Americanos.

Another PEF visit took us to the recipient's workplace, an open air elementary school where she teaches.  Pretty modest facility...open wiring, a single bare bulb light, floors with large potholes, cracks are everywhere on walls, ceiling and floor, and a picture of the Savior on each of the walls.  The desks are very home-made, and the kids leap from desk top to desk top until they are reined in.  School starts as early as 7am and continues until 5pm.

Filipino kids at the school are drawn to see strange Americans like moths gather to a flame.  They love to have their picture taken.

After church we meant to take the picture of 3 girls in the middle, but when you point a camera, EVERYONE wants to get in the action. They literally came running to be a part of the snapshot.

A stop on a beach leads to a picture with 6 unknown girls, hamming it up.

It's bath day!  Note the water pump.  This picture is of kids, but the adults do the very same, generally right beside the street, and adequately clothed.  It leaves questions as to how thoroughly you can clean all the nooks and crannies....

This was our view of the Sorsogon Coast as we came over the crest of a hill.

Even the trunks of the trees are covered with foilage.

Like orchids?  Easy.  They grow everywhere.

Bright and colorful varieties of Hibiscus.

Don't ever park your road construction equipment unprotected for the weekend!

Most Filipinos can speak English but due to a heavy accent it is easier for us to communicate by text messages. Here is a sampling from two of our beloved PEF participants:

Generoso:  (Recently activated, married, father of 6 yr old son, baby girl due this month, they like mice as pets.  Commutes home from his new job in Manila once a month.)  

A- "About us here we are very fine! Mice also ok but his lonely coz 3 of them are died.  We have a new pet, a white dove.  Thanks 4 everything both of u!  Gud day once again."

B- "Thank you for your txt reminder cause ive always welcome and appreciate it, you seem to much like our parents to us, hope you shake hands of my little girl if you have time, good night!"

Trisha Mae: (19 yrs old, still in school. We recently challenged her to sacrifice to make small monthly loan payments of $2.50 or 100 pesos)  

A- "Yes! i really want to receive many blessing from heaven not only for me but also for my family. Thank you so much bro and sis howell and im glad 2 met both of you. :-)"

B- "oh.yah! i remember our deal last tym that we talked...en u told me that if i break my promise ur going 2 hunting me! : )  This coming 28th i will deposit again 2 the bank!  Godbless"

C- "Hehe...when elder howell told me that his going 2 hunting me, Oh! Im so scared!  i don't know what to do! that is why I go 2 the bank yesterday. as fast as i can. hahaha"

Well, that's it.  Another taste of people, places and things in the Philippines.  We love it here.  And we miss home.  But working with these warm, gentle people is a great experience that we wouldn't trade. 

We love you all, family and friends.  Thanks for your continued support and encouragement.

Dad and Mom, 

Lane and Carolyn, 

Elder and Sister Howell