San Pablo Philippines Davies Mission

We had to go to Manila on Friday to get finger-printed for our visa and to pick up an Elder that had his appendix out last Friday (we took him to Manila, because the local doctor told him last Friday that he had acute appendicitis and that he would see him on Monday....wait, what?).  Anyway, we had a minute and our office couple and our new senior couple took a minute and went to the American Cemetery.  It was a humbling sight and I was in awe.  I lost some relatives here, my Dad served here and many, many died.  I was surprised at all the Filipino names among the missing and dead.  They served valiantly alongside the Americans.

Our first "batch" came today.  5 Sisters (4 Filipino, 1 Tongan).  They are amazing and excited to be in the mission field.  They all came for different, yet the same reasons.  President Davies did his homework, yet the Lord had a final say to their new companions.  All a good match!  It will be fun to watch this group as our first!  Interesting that this particular group all came from active families (second generation for most).  Lots of support from home, a great blessing, not always the case. The bus almost passed by, we were all yelling and then the sisters on the bus told him to stop. Bringing in their things from the road. Yeah, they are here! Breakfast by Sister Irene! July 2017 Batch in front of Mission Office. July 2017 Batch! July 2017 Batch! Receiving instructions from E. Howard on how to handle their money. Nervously waiting to see who their companion will be.

We had our first batch of missionaries leave last week.  What an amazing thing to see them at the end of their missions and the changes and growth that have occurred.  We were amazed at how hard it was to say goodbye to them, even though we've known them for a short 4 weeks.  Some are going home to hard circumstances, but our thoughts and prayers will always be with them.  God Bless! Another great meal by Sister Irene! Office staff, we love them! They don't call themselves a group, they call themselves a "batch".  So this is a batch of Sisters that came out at the same time, and a batch of Elders that came out at the same time. We are grateful to be part of this! Good job! One last "come to Brother Howard" moment! Yes, there are 5 Sisters and 4 Elders AND their luggage in this Jeepney! One last Filipino-type picture!

What a great three days.  We were able to see more of the mission, be more important, we were able to see meet all the great missionaries of our mission (except for one that was in the hospital).  We met the wonderful senior couples that help keep track of them as well.  What an amazing group of people, young and old. The light in their eyes was amazing to see.  Here's our gang! Marinduque Zone Lucena Zone Lopez Zone Mindoro Zone Batangas Zone Lipa Zone San Pablo Zone Cabuyao Zone Santa Cruz Zone

We arrived on Friday, June 30th just at dusk.  I don't know why it surprised me, but it took my breath away when I looked out the window of the plane and it was sooooooo green.  I know, I know, I've apparently lived in Utah too long. Our traveling companions, the 4 native Filipino Mission Presidents, were very kind and we are life-long friends.  They had talked in English around us and I didn't realize that wasn't normal, until they got to the airport and we boarded a bus to the hotel that they had worked at that fact, because as soon as they were "home" they began chattering in Tagalog and you could tell they were happy to be home! We were instructed for the morning by Elder Schmutz of the Area Presidency and then we said tearful goodbyes to our new friends and counter-parts and boarded a van to go to San Pablo. After an exhilarating drive.....😅😅😅😅😅 , we arrived.  They had painted a banner and had it hanging on the gate.  The office staff, the ...