Holy Week for Filipinos

    Because of the deep Catholic & Christian roots that the Philippine Islands have due to their Spanish influence and rule during the 1500's, the week of Easter is a very special week.  It begins with Palm Sunday and the entire week is reserved for paying homage to Jesus Christ and His life.    Then on the Thursday and Friday it is National Holiday time.  On Good Friday, many who are devout Christians  will be engaged in the re-enactment of the trial and crucifixion of the Savior.   There are a few of the Filipinos who will actually go through a 'crucifixion' where they are flogged, drag a wooden cross across the rocks, have a  crown of thorns placed on their heads, and 'nailed' (the nail pierces the skin; one or two may have the 4 inch nails actually nailed through the hand ... but the individuals are actually held onto the cross by ropes and straps) to the cross and then raised up to suffer.        
    Not a great deal is centered upon the Resurrection, mostly the crucifixion;  but it is noted and celebrated.        Oh, How deeply grateful I am for His Resurrection and the knowledge of the grand plan of Salvation and Exaltation.    The Resurrection brings joy and rejoicing for ALL.

         So, with that being our beginning topic,  we thought that we might share a few Church house pictures.       These are photos of a few of the Church houses of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church.   It is a well established Christian Church, with groups of its' membership in almost every city within the Philippines.  We have not investigated much about it .... other than hearing this story during one of our training meetings in the Area Offices. (We do not have the documentation on this, but apparently it is a well known story among the Filipino Saints.)

    Apparently, in the late 1970's or early 1980's the leader of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church decided to do some research on the fast growing LDS Church, and studied the Book of Mormon and attended a few of the meetings.    The Spirit witnessed to him that this was the Truth, and he wanted to be baptized.    He sent a letter into the First Presidency indicating this request.  In his letter, he explained that he had hundreds of congregations and church buildings that he would gladly be bringing into the LDS Church with him.   And his only request, other than being baptized and receiving the Priesthood, would be that he would also serve as a Member of the Quorum of the Twelve.          Needless to say, he was contacted and given  a kindly reply that the men who presided over the Church were those whom God called, not man.     So he turned his back and continued to teach and strengthen his own congregations.           Sad story ..... he recognized the truth, witness was born, but he was unwilling to give up so much power and prestige to serve 'in the lord's way'.               Interesting .... good lesson learned here.

This is our favorite of the INC Church houses ..... I LOVE THE BLUE COLOR.  These buildings are always well kept and always catch my eye when we pass them. 

White colored Church house along side of roadway.
It is very eye appealing and makes me think of a
very small temple.

A creme colored Church house ...
still very well kept and a beautiful
structure.  I would like to find out if
the color or shape of the building
represents something within the organization
of the religion.

This color combination (light creme with darker creme) is probably the most common color schemes we
see as we travel through the communities.    I love how well they keep the grounds and maintain the outside of the building.   Because we do not travel much on Sundays, we really don't know what their membership numbers are like .   There must be many members and probably more of the affluent Filipinos in their membership.      These church houses always bring me a peace because of their well-kept look ... but also remind me of the lesson of  'doing things for the right reason and in the right way.'     We can have the praise of the world ... that will be our reward.    Or ..... we can do things in the Lord's appointed way and we may not ever be famous or have any political power or recognition, but we will gain exaltation and eternal life in the Kingdom of our Father.    

We have spent many hours in
meetings with those organizations
who partner with Latter Day Saints Charities
in assessing and distributing the
wheelchairs to the disabled and
elderly here on Luzon Island.

Another partner group that  we work with in providing 
wheel chairs.   I find it very interesting that almost all 
of the main people with whom we work are females ...
  very well educated, competent, and caring individuals.  
 They are very often the main staff serving in Social
 Work,  Medical Health positions,  or who have
 established tax-exempt  organizations to meet the 
humanitarian needs within their communities.    

Here Elder Bell and I are visiting MABUHAY DESERET  FOUNDATION .   This is a non-profit organization (set up by a former Mission President and his service oriented wife) that works with Physicians and Medical Companies from the States who donate used medical equipment that can be utilized here in the hospitals and clinics in the Philippines and in other poverty stricken areas of the world.    Here in the Philippines they have focused on specializing in working with Vision Care, repair of Cleft Palates, and Club Feet.         This young lady had her orthopedic surgery over 5 months ago and had another 7 months to go before she will be able to go without casts on her legs.  They actually live in the Mabuhay House for 1+ years while they are recovering to insure that they are taken care of and progressing.  One member of their family must always be here with them.    The family member helps with all of the duties and household chores, as well as assist the child.       

This is a 17 year old boy who also received club foot orthopedic surgery. He is a high-functioning Cerebral Palsy individual, and they are hoping that these surgeries will give him the abilities to take care of himself as he enters adulthood.   He has been at Mabuhay house for over 10 months now.  He is on the recovery side and will be very happy to be able to move about and have a 'normal' teenage life.

This is Teresay, a 3 year old girl who is in final recovery stages of cleft palate surgery.  This shows the excellent plastic surgical jobs that are completed here.   She is not talking much yet, but the inside of the roof of the mouth has healed fairly well.    She was a bit afraid of Elder Bell because he is a man in a white shirt ..... and she has grown very leery of Doctors.  

This is some of the Surgical instruments
that Mabuhay has available to send out
to needy hospitals.     They also do
many cataract surgeries .... it is an
amazing place and a 'god-send' to these
people who just can not afford to go
to the Doctor and have these surgeries
done.    There is no cost for the services
of Mabuhay Deseret. .

This was another snap-shot of our GPS Garmin... shows the twisting
and turning and double-back roads that we must take as we make
our daily journey down the mountain from BAGUIO to travel
anywhere else on the island.

This was our traffic situation last Thursday (April 13th) as we left Manila during Holy Week.   It was bumper-to-bumper inching along traffic for over 150 miles.    A 5 hour trip ending up taking 11 hours this day  (Thank goodness we brought things to make lunch, snacks, and bottled water .... and AIR CONDITIONING in A SEMI-COMFORTABLE TRUCK.)      Next time we will take the advise from the Filipinos in the office ... and leave at 3am rather than 5am.    Oh my Holy Hannah!!!!

It is an adventure here.     We are here to serve in what ever way the Priesthood leadership directs.   Once I get good at doing all of the work in the Wheel Chair program, I think it may be a bit tough to not having a finger in it.    We have learned that 2 couples have been called to come here in the Welfare work.     One will arrive at the end of July and the next at the end of August.     We will see if they keep us working on these projects ... in the Manila area ... or center back into the Northern area.           Our Area Presidency wants us to focus on larger Humanitarian projects, and so we are back at the drawing board, to figure out what is the greatest needs and how do we meet them.    One of the suggestions was to provide chairs for all of the schools.      But those of you who know me know that I can't always sit quietly when I don't agree.      I asked them how that solved the root problem of the children not being in school because they are sick due to mal-nourishment , or having to work out in the fields, or just so poor that their parents send them out to beg.      Nothing was finalized at the Welfare Meeting table ..... but I pray that it left 'seeds for thought' in minds that hold the ability to contribute to the solution.

We love you all and appreciate the support and any little comments you leave for us.   It helps us feel of your spirit and a bit of connection back with you.        The coming couple of weeks has us from Northern Luzon to Manila, back to Baguio for one day, and then back to Manila for more meetings.     A date in the Temple with a couple on their 14th wedding anniversary ... they have not been back for many years because of the cost and the travel distance.       

May the Lord's blessings be with each of you.

Elder Tharon Bell & Sister Holly H. Bell