Hello dear family and friends, from the tropical Philippines!
We have just seen a weather report that says it is snowing all over the Mountain West. Our apologies for the following pictures and mission report.
As reported in our last "Epistle", we have been traveling in two missions north of Manila (about 5-6 hours drive from San Pablo). Two hours of this involve a torturous snaking through Manila, on a road called "EDSA". There are lines painted on the road, but most travelers just ignore them. It is "everyone for themselves", and any gap between vehicles invites a cut-in by a Jeepnie, or a swarm of motorcycles (which we refer to as mosquitos).
Angeles Mission (pronounced Ong-hel-us) has 12 Stakes and Districts and is spread over a wide area. Olongapo Mission is a narrow, long strip running up the western coastline, separated from Angeles by a mountain range. Olongapo has 1 Stake and 7 Districts. The most prominent peak in the mountain range is a volcano called Pinatubo. When it erupted in mid-June, 1991, climates around the world were impacted for nearly two years, due to volcanic dust.
It is worth a visit to the Internet to get a picture of this event. The USA had two nearby military bases, Clark and Subic, in the Philippines at the time, and both had to be evacuated. Our military never really returned, so the bases are now run as Freeport centers or as smaller Filipino bases.
Our routine has been much the same as in San Pablo and Naga Missions. A notable PEF recipient is Richard E. He came from poverty and with PEF help was able to attend school, receive a degree in Education, and become quite successful. He has since paid his PEF loan and gone ahead to personally finance his Masters. Richard is now the Tarlac Stake President and works as a Seminary and Institute Coordinator for the Church. And, as always, we meet many who have not yet achieved their dreams and struggle mightily.
Here is a pictorial view of some of our travels...
The Island of Mindoro requires a 3-hour ferry ride. Before the ferry embarks, enterprising kids swim nearby, shouting for passengers to toss coins. As soon as the coins hit the water, the kids swarm and dive for the money. The winner proudly surfaces, holds up the coin with a big grin and then stores it in his mouth while waiting for a chance at the next "donation". Fun. Fascinating. We spent about $2, amounting to over a dozen tosses.
Our best chance to meet many of our PEF participants is to join them on a YSA activity. This one was a challenging hike of about 2 hours to a beautiful waterfall. A quick swim across the little lake takes you under and behind the falls. We joined about 30 kids who made the swim. And we visited with 2 PEF kids we have previously been unable to locate for many months.
Another perspective...picnic lunch after exploring the falls.
A palm forest along the way. One of the leaders scrambled up a tree and brought down coconuts. With an experienced Whack! of a machete, the top of the nut was exposed, offering fresh coconut water. (These are not the hard-shell coconuts we are most familiar with back home.)
There are beaches everywhere! We like to touch the oceans, bays, and straits as we travel.
A beach-side hotel in the Olongapo Mission led us to these delightful kids. They live in poverty, but do not know the difference. Two things to observe here...first, the house, which is quite large and well proportioned. It will never hold up in a typhoon, but it is easy to rebuild. Second, the little girl in white is "signing" gwapo, which means handsome. We get this all the time!! :0}
These kids followed us back to the hotel where we came up with a few pesos to buy large seashells they had collected. One of the shells was a curvy, iconic, double-sided shell that fit neatly over his entire head.
Elder Howell, after his dip in the bay, tried to time his jump, but never quite got off the ground.
Tropical flowers everywhere. Beautiful.
Very few people know of the "other" side of Sister Howell. Just don't cross her!
(This message has been approved by Carolyn and proven by Lane)
It looks like a lawn, but it is a rice field, nearing harvest time.
The roads are subject to settling with the considerable rains. Here you see a crack by the side. Unseen is the 6-8 inch lip that runs across the road. (And this road was the good route)
Great signage. Believe it!
This seaside highway between Goa and Tiwi has several places where the hillside just takes over the road. There seems to be no hurry to clear it.
Baler. A far-away district that took 2.5 hours of winding mountain roads to find. But, as usual, it sits in paradisiacal glory beside the sea.
Bongabong District leaders, after a PEF presentation. They are all so warm and welcoming. Some wear shirt and tie, while others wear a Filipino dress shirt that does not require a tie. Casual is pretty well accepted. One Stake President sat on the stand, waiting for the Sacrament meeting to start. At the very last minute, he pulled out a tie from his back pocket and wrapped it around his neck, just before the opening song.
Bongabong, Padapada, Cabanatuan, Goa, Tobaco (YES, there is a TOBACO District!) are some of the city names we have grown to love.
And, ending with the Manila Temple on a stormy day. This hilltop temple site is strategically located, overlooking the city. Because of this, the grounds were occupied by military troops during an uprising shortly after it was built. Even though the building took several bullets, it was respected by the rebels, who never entered the building.
Our missionary work continues, but we remain mindful of each of our kids and grandkids, and pray for you regularly. The "sacrifice" we volunteered for on this mission has not been one of comfort, but rather one of being far away while significant life events are taking place. Let us hear from you when you find time.
We are grateful to know that God is in charge. His plan is perfect, as is His love for us. We thank Him for his blessings upon us and each of you.
We love you all!
Dad & Mom
Elder Lane & Sister Carolyn
