Dad interviewed missionaries all week, beginning Monday morning for almost nine hours straight with a 30 min break in between driving to another chapel. He made a challenging emergency transfer Monday night/Tuesday that is never fun--why don't missionaries obey?? Tuesday we traveled to Baliwag and returned about 7pm, but we made a stop at Subway where we happened to run into the Assistants, also returning from Baliwag--this is every American's favorite restaurant in our mission, but too far from us to go very often and only accessible with a car. Wednesday started especially early with travel to a "resort" to speak to a group of 14-17 year olds from Malolos stake for their youth conference (it's summertime here and they're out of school April-June). Stewart mentioned the night before that I was also on the program, but I was too tired to care. The next morning I had the (I thought) brilliant idea to do show the "Come and See" missionary slide show on the big screen, and that would take most of the time. Well we were late due to a call from missionary department and fiesta in the town so traffic was very slow. We arrived 30 minutes late and everyone was waiting in a long, narrow room full of 175 youth. They immediately started and after the opening song and prayer announced Dad. He turned the time over to me while he set up the slide show, and I spoke for two or three minutes to introduce the slide show, then I ran out of anything to say. They were so noisy and the people in the back couldn't see well so there was a lot of talking back there. Then I couldn't think of anything else to say. So I blurted out something like, "That's all I have to say!" and handed the microphone to Stewart, humiliated.
He took over and tried to show the slide show he'd set up, but the screen was tiny and the sound not very good, so it was hard for the teenagers to follow it. He cut it short and changed the focus to what they can do individually to be exceptional. He spoke for one hour, with their participation, about the importance of gaining a good education, not wasting their time, gaining their own testimony and what they could do to prepare for a mission and for the future. Then there was a Q and A where he was asked some tough questions, which he answered brilliantly. I was in awe. He is so talented! He really taught well and held their attention. The best question of the morning actually came from someone on the back row.. Later, I wish I'd handed my phone to someone when they took a photo of us with the youth and their leaders, so I could have a picture to send you, but I was melting from the heat and didn't do it. That night we didn't get home until very late due to traffic.
It continues to be SO HOT. We have lots of rashes, nausea, headaches and fatigue in the mission. It has rained a couple of days, and it cools off for awhile, then it's just hotter afterwards. One sister confided, "I don't even know why I even shower!" It is very humid and they are always sweating. But they keep on trying and I really admire them. One elder, from Hong Kong, bought his own AC window unit, but then got transferred to a third floor apartment where it couldn't be installed. They don't use their mosquito nets because it's too hot to sleep under them. I admit I don't think I could sleep without the air conditioning going and I think only one missionary apt has AC.
Thursday we interviewed one of the zones that is leaving the mission. The missionaries there are so sad. I almost started crying talking to the zone leader who said he was staying in the zone and was fighting back tears. This is very hard! Missionaries tell him, "President, I know I was assigned to YOU so please let me stay with you!" But Raymond says the new mission president, President Welch, will be great and someday they will thank him for moving them to the other mission.
Friday we had a visit from a faithful missionary who was sent home on a belated confession and not allowed to return. He's had a very hard life, was blinded in one eye by his step-father, and only had a sixth grade education before he was sent out to work. He has completed an alternative high school program and is waiting for his results. He said the mission was the best time of his life and his dream is to someday have his own family and his own house.
Saturday we took a preparation day and went to Manila for a delicious meal and a spinal adjustment for my stiff neck and shoulders. That night we went to the baptism of a wonderful man Stewart had interviewed, Enrique. It was his birthday, too, and he was so very happy. As he emerged from the water, I thought of the parable of the laborers, and how even though he just joined the Church, we could both have the same reward of eternal life, even though I've been a member for 54 years. And as a bonus: no traffic, even though it was Saturday night!
Today Stewart spent his last Sunday in Baliwag interviewing prospective missionaries, giving temple recommends and speaking to members. This is his last week of responsibility over the district which becomes a stake next Sunday. I don't think there's anyone in the Philippines more happy about the stake than he is!
Many thanks to Fenton for supervising the move of the Orem house belongings and thanks to you that are storing things for us. We really appreciate your extra help and support of us and of each other--it means a lot to see you taking care of one another.
Much love,
Mom
Baptism of Enrique -- the person almost as happy as the newly baptized people is the missionary on the right, Sister Doligol. She's a convert of just over one year who was hoping to become a nun before she learned about the restored gospel. She was so happy for her first baptism!
Subway!! (next to Turks)
Elder Antimo -- we forgot to get a photo before Dad started his meeting
Selfie of missionaries -- what happens if you hand your phone to a missionary to take a photo of the rash on his companion's back
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