ON THE ROAD AGAIN !

It has been a whirlwind two weeks as we traveled to the West Coast of Luzon, back to Manila.  To the East Coast of Luzon, back to Baguio for one day, and then off to the North Coast.  And may we mention .........traveling across the Philippines is a time intense adventure.  There are 2 major roads across the Island (North and South) ... not like Freeways, more like old highway 89.  To travel 150 miles, it takes us anywhere from 5  to 10 hours.   Then the small cities are filled with 'Trikes' and 'Jeepnies', and chaotic traffic.   

We now are being 2 Senior Missionary couples in one.  What that translates into is that we are filling two positions.  One as Welfare, Humanitarian Missionaries in the Baguio Mission; and the second as Welfare WheelChair Specialists in the Manila Area Mission.    There is no time for play.  We are on the Lord's Errands in the Welfare work here serving the Filipino people. 

Having dinner at ChowKing with the CSM (Church Service Missionaries) who do follow-ups on recipients of the Wheelchair projects.    These 2 companionships do the follow-ups for the University of Northern Philippines Hospital in Vigan.   

While in Vigan, we were privilaged to watch a wonderful water/dancing lights show on their City Square.    A historic city that still hosts many influences of the architecture from the Spanish era back in the 1400-1500s.

This is a Filipino Christian Temple.   Not sure exactly which religion.  It is just along the side of the road along the side of a step mountain on our drive down from Baguio.

This is a home built by a ward for a member
family.  It is in a relocation district.  The
Family who lives here is in the picture on the right.

Filipino family living in the relocation
area.  This ward has a Member Welfare
Gardening Project and this family
is involved in it. She is an
excellent gardener.  Very humble and
kind people.

This was last Sunday's lunch.  The stuff that
looks like fish with dots is DragonFruit.  I
think that is because only dragons would be
eating it .... no flavor, but supposed to be
healthy.   Do you love the 'tube steak'
Elder Bell cooks for me?  :)

This is a typical Church Parking lot on Sunday afternoon.
This is a more rural City, but larger than Brigham City.  The Mission home
for the Angeles Mission is located here.    Notice a car or two and the rest of the vehicles are the 'trikes'.  Popular and affordable method of transportation and employment for the family.  (A 'trike' is a 110cc
or above Motorcycle and a side car with a roof over it.)

Here you see corn being dried during the harvest along the side of
the roads.  This is also the method used for drying their rice crops.

A 'trike' taking school girls home.

A close up of the picture on the left.
You see the one girl on her mobile device ...
a quite common site.  There was also 3 girls inside the side car.    10
passengers and 1 driver. A normal site before and after school for Filipino roadways.

A typical Caribao site along the Filipino highway. (pronounced "care-a-bow" bow like the large branches in a tree)  These animals are very important to the farmers in the Philippines.

We were able to attend and take part of the distribution of  6 wheelchairs at this hospital.  These older people have waited a long time for mobility, and many tears of joy were shed.    The families of these individuals were extremely appreciative that their parents were finally able to obtain a wheelchair.

A little baby girl ... only hours old.  The mother was very grateful
to receive one of the Receiving Blankets sent from the Stakes in
Brigham City, Malad Idaho, and Spokane Washington.

A little fishing hut out on the structure in the middle of the River in Northern Luzon.  We are amazed at the many fishing nets and structures put out along the river ways to catch the fish swimming in the waterways.   Many varieties and sizes of fish.     Many are dried and then eaten whole.  Just a glimpse of the wonders of the Filipino peoples.    

We visited this Hospital on Thursday.   It was an 11 hour drive to Northern Luzon.   It is a 25 bed District Hospital that was built in early 1970's by the Japanese for the island of Luzon.  They are still using most of the furnishings and equipment that was originally purchased for the facility.   We are writing up a project to obtain them new equipment and oxygen therapy apparatus.  Half of their beds are basically 'unusable' ... so we are also trying to obtain approval for new beds and hopefully new mattresses.  A plea was made for functioning, usable,  new surgical equipment.   Their filing systems are slots under the counter tops of their nurses room.   They serve a large district that has grown immensely in population.    Their communities are some of the 'poorest of the poor'.     This is a project we really want to be approved.

This was a photo I had to capture.   A basketball pad out in the middle of a Rice Field, along the side of the River.  The Filipinos love Basketball!   When it is rice harvest time (soon) it will be used for drying the rice granules.

A Jeepney off to the side of the road ... undergoing an engine repair right along the roadside.  Notice that the Jeepney has individuals inside it, on top of it, and when it is traveling, there are many times people just standing on the back bumper and holding on.  Most Jeppneys have specific routes they travel each day ...each hour or two.   Amazing modes of transportation.   Do you see the little kids up on the top?    This is normal.   Many times you will pass a motorcycle along the road, thinking it is just a man with his wife on behind ... but as you pass you see the one or two little children sandwiched in-between.  Very common site in Filipino travel.


We were able to attend a Baptism last Sunday of a young woman in the Pozorrubio 1 Ward, and then immediately after Elder Bell and I were asked to speak in the Ward Sacrament Meeting.   Good thing they understand most of our English.   We were humbled by their friendliness and kindness.     The Gospel is the same everywhere.
Today, Sunday, we had 2 confirmations in our Baguio Pacdal Ward.  Both were young men ... probably either 17 or 18.   The youth are searching for Truth and answers to the questions of life.    Outstanding young men.    It is wonderful to see the growth and strength in these wonderful Asian people.         Both Tharon and I feel that the young people here will soon be part of those who will help to bring the Gospel into the land of China.  The Truth is moving forth ... the Gospel is flooding the earth.

Thanks for visiting our little blog .... we will share some of the amazing views we captured on our 10 hour mountain drive on Friday as we drove along and through the Cordillier mountains in the Center of Luzon.   BREATHTAKINGLY  BEAUTIFUL.      Some days I wonder if the Garden of Eden was, in many ways, much like this beautiful Island Paradise.