Just after I sent my letter last Sunday night we got news that there was volcanic activity at the Taal Volcano between San Pablo and Cavite Missions. At first we thought it just meant disappointing the seniors and cancelling our trip there, but later we heard about ash spewing a mile high and the destruction of property. Dennis's brother was there at a restaurant on the volcano celebrating his mother-in-law's birthday, and missed the boat out (the volcano is inside a lake), and spent a harrowing few hours until Dennis was able to get his friend to rescue them. Sixty thousand people have been evacuated so far and they are asked hundreds of thousands, within a 14km radius, to leave their homes.
Monday morning there was a thin layer of ash on our car and we asked the missionaries to stay inside and only leave if they had a dust mask AND a wet cloth covering their nose and mouth as volcanic ash can cut and damage the lungs and all ash-proof masks were sold out by 7:30pm Sunday night. It was grey here, but when I went to Manila that afternoon for an appointment it seemed almost dark at 1pm, and ash was falling. (Fortunately, schools and government offices were closed so traffic was amazing!)
Tuesday the air was clean again, and the missionaries could go out and work. Evidently the ash went 15km high, but the ash was blown away at about 12km so the air quality was better then on New Year's Eve (which isn't saying much since this is the Capitol of Fireworks). The rest of the week has been uneventful here, but we hear the volcano is continuing to fissure and quake and the lake water level is going down and they are keeping the alert at Level 4, saying it could blow anytime. Derrick and Dan sent us 180 ash-proof masks for our missionaries, and we hope we never have to use them.
We met with three zones for interviews this week. I always enjoy talking to the missionaries about their language study while their companions are being interviewed by Stewart. Thursday, in Baliwag, I was extremely happy to be in stationed in a classroom directly across the hall from the CR when I wasn't feeling well. I was able to be sick between interviews and again after they were done and then didn't throw up again until after the 2-hour drive and arrival home, which I consider a great blessing.
Thursday was the TWENTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Stewart being rescued in the mountains. I am so very, very thankful he is still alive and that story had such a happy ending. I remember in a blessing Raymond gave him in the hospital while he was recovering: he was promised that he would have a better understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as I result of this experience. I feel like my understanding has also increased. I recognize my limitations and my dependence on God now, more than ever. And I've come to recognize as true something Derrick told the news reporters after Stewart was found: "Prayer works!"
Wednesday we welcomed a very nervous new Filipino missionary who was told the wrong day to report to the MTC. He arrived three weeks before his batch, so they just sent him here early, too. Today we attended a packed sacrament meeting in San Jose del Monte, who meet in a rented building--the young women posed for a photo with us after singing a beautiful musical number during the meeting.
We are hoping for a calm, uneventful week, full of clean air and lots of missionary work. And so thankful Sarah unexpected eye surgery went well.
Love,
Mom
New missionary.
YW in SJDM.
Weekly baptism.
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