FIRST DAYS IN PARADISE

Feb 19  ... First Week in Paradise

This is our view out of our Condominium Apartment up on the mountainside of Baguio, Benguet, Philippines.        'The City of Pines' of the Philippines.      Beautiful, lush green country.    A clean big community.   The people are the most impressive.    Very kind people, eager to serve and to please.

Elder Tharon Bell & Sister Holly Bell, at the Area Presidency Offices, just across the street from the Manila Temple.

In front of the MTC in Quezon City, Philippines.

Short story:    This young lady (Ashlee, age 12) was noticed by Sister McClure, and was asked about her reddish hair and freckles (abnormality for Filipino).    Found out that her mother (small woman in background) was married to an American Army soldier stationed in Korea back in 2002.   Legal documentation for marriage and birth certificate.   Father suddenly decided to come to America, and never had any contact with family.    This young lady is ready to enter intermediate school, but cannot afford the better school.  Elder & Sister McClure have filed all paperwork and have contacted agency to locate this father in America .... and petition to have him assist in payments for this young ladies schooling.   Amazing miracles that will benefit this family.      

This 'piggery' is part of a Member Welfare Project which was began to assist 2 wards in creating self sufficiency for 19 families.   They are raising a vegetable garden adjacent to this piggery, in which they are farming fruits and vegetable to help feed these families and others who are receiving Ward Fast Offerings assistance.   They will raise the piglets and then use them for food and for more breeding stock.  

This is Sister Tiru,Sister Bell, Branch President Viernes, Elder T. McClure, and Elder Tiru  (Church Service Missionaries in this area).  The Piggery is just behind where we are standing.    The ward members constructed this shelter, utilizing Bamboo growing along the perifery of the property.         This is an amazing project that will continue to bless the lives of the specific ward members involved, as well as teaching many the skills used in good gardening practices.

We were invited to a Country Club dinner with Ray Salvosa and his wife.    He is the President of The University of Cadillarus here in Baguio City.  The University partners with LatterDay Saints Charities (LDSC) on numerous humanitarian projects for this community and across the area.   This is an amazing man who truly believes in the Indominable Spirit of Man and the goodness of service and giving.    He is a joy to work with.  Already we have grown to love him and his good nature and giving spirit.   

Here you see Elder Bell as he signs for the Area Presidency in a partnership agreement with the Department of Education in the Baguio City Jurisdiction.    LDSC partnered along with the University of Cadillarus and the Department of Education to bring in ONEBAG ... 

This is ONEBAG.    You gather in 10 liters of river water or polluted water.   Add a specific bag of patented chemicals (P&G product) and then vigorously shake the bag for 5 minutes.   

The bag is then hung and allowed to sit undisturbed for 25 minutes.   The sediments, organic material particulates, and impurities are separated out and fall to the bottom of the bag.     After 25 minutes you now have access to clean water ... which has been tested and proven to be drinkable.  
This is a pilot program beginning here and will be putting 2 bags per school in the entire District.    We are very excited to keep track of this project. 

This is one of the little, elderly Filipino women who came to the Wheelchair assessment we were involved in in our Baguio area.   A team of trained assessors came down from Vigan (a 7 hour drive) and measured and assessed people from this local area and will order and fit wheelchairs that will fit each of the recipients.   She will receive a wheelchair that is specified for her in a month or 6 weeks (at least that is the plan).
    Some of the people coming to be assessed were children and adults who were being carried in by their parents or other family members.    We could not assess them this time, because they would slip out of a regular wheel chair and it would not be beneficial for them.    Our next project needs to involve a Doctor who is trained in Cerebral Palsy and she will come with a team who will measure and assess each CP person.   We had 10 individuals come who have CP ... and will need the next assessment.  

We send our love to each of you!    This humanitarian work is extremely needed here in the Philippines and we are humbled and appreciative of the privilage to represent the LDS Church and work to find and complete these projects that can lift the poor and assist the needy and disabled.     We know that we are where we are supposed to be right now. 

4th box We are mailing out that contains the donated baby receiving blankets!  Everyone has been so amazing at gathering 'gently used' or new, single layered baby blankets to swaddle the newborns in thePhilippines!   Thank you, this has truly exceeding what we thought we could accomplish.   Now, it is coming up with enough funds to send all the rest that are coming in.

Elder & Sister Gerritson,along with us, during the Welfare Services portion of our MTC training.  They are going to serve in Cape Verde, which was a part of our Area when we served in the Czech Republic.  We took them to dinner and introduced them to the Thompson's ... who served in Cape Verde 2 years ago.   The talk  at the table was 'non-stop'.   Loved it!!!

We fly out this Thursday.  Excited!   

The Gospel is truly on the earth to benefit all people and bring them closer to the Savior and our Heavenly Father.  The humanitarian arm of service is to lift the poor and needy, and serve the needs.  Emergency Response falls under our efforts .... so we are thinking we will be pretty busy while in the Philippines.      

Hoping to post more once we are in the field.      Thank you to all who have supported our blanket project and your encouragement.