PROJECT APPROVED, Visits to Member Welfare Projects, Cultural Celebration, and baby goats

         September is flying by.   We have spent the past week with Brett Macdonald, who is the Welfare Specialist from Salt Lake who is the director for Member Welfare Projects .... so we have hauled him up in our mountains and out on our farm projects to let him see how the old ones are progressing and introduce him into our potential ones that we will be submitting for approval.      He is very optimistic and encouraging with our projects.     He, like we, feels that these projects can truly bless the lives of many of our poor members and give them the resources and training that they need to be able to provide for their families and become self sustaining.       We took Elder and Sister McIver with us as we brought Brother Macdonald with us, and gave them training on the Member Welfare Projects and hope that they, too, will be able to work with local Priesthood to see these come to pass in their area.

This little guy is doing the Filipino Squat
as he plays on this mother's Cell Phone.
Tiny children learn to patiently
'squat on their haunches' like this
as they wait or while they are
engaged in activities.      It makes
my legs ache just to watch them.
They amaze me.

Here are road construction workers watching off the side
of the road.   Road construction is literally everywhere.   The
 Governing authority of  the area gets a 'kick-back' from
 the Government when they sign up to have construction
in their area, and so the roads  are torn up
 'EVERYWHERE'.   The reason I snapped  this picture is
for you to notice the 'FILIPINO SQUAT'
  the man to the right is doing.    ...this is a extremely
common site.   They can squat on their
haunches for a long, long time.

This is one of the Young Women who
participated in the Cultural Celebration
for the Urdaneta Stake.   

This is a young girl who is doing the
Filipino squat in the back of the audience
as she watches her big sister participate in
a dance in the Cultural show.

This handsome young man is representing his ward
 as they put on the YM/YW Cultural show Urdaneta.
 He is one of the main 'bamboo men' who will beat in rhythm
 the Bamboo sticks.

This beautiful young woman played the part of the
Native Princess in the Cultural show that represented
the Cordilleras region.

I have to join with the Young Women in
their Display of the Pangasinan area in
their Cultural presentation.   It was
Pozorrubio Ward and we came as their
guests.    It was a fun afternoon.

Another beautiful young woman who
dazzled everyone with her sweet smile.
They danced  ... representing the Ilocos
Sur area and some of the old traditions
of the area.

This young man was a fun one to watch, and he
 put enthusiasm and life into his part of the dance.  
The Filipino young men are sweet and
willing to go the extra mile in their performances,,

This young man is a Returned Missionary from the Cebu
East Mission, and had served with Elder Kevin Bell and
Sister Kathy Bell.   This hat is a treasure to him ...
 Branch President Elder Bell gave him this hat.

This was one of my favorite traditional
dances from the Laguna, Bicol region.  ..
.  involved them dancing around
and on top of a tall bench ...
kind of like a balance beam.

Elder Bell was invited to pose with the Young
Men of the Pozorrubio Ward.   They are sweet
and  were answering all of my questions about
the Pangasinan Area and it's History.

Here we are in the final stages of the Pozorrubio MWP, and
our visitor, Brett Macdonald is gathering information and posing
with us all at the Piggery farm.    Bishop Viernes is a true champion
in this project.    It actually is covering 2 wards ... and he is
administering and overseeing the activities.    We use him as a
resource when other Member Welfare Projects contact us and want
to understand how to set one up.    He is truly and amazing Priesthood
leader.   (He is on the far right.  We love this special man.)

Here is Elder Gary McIver and Sister Teri McIver visiting with
Sister Luz Moises at the San Manuel MWP site.   Her husband was
just recently called to be Branch President, and they are
expecting their first child in March.    She is a very special
woman and will be an amazing mother.     We have so much
faith in the members as they are raising their families and
are strong in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is a cucumber hanging off a tangle of
upright vines on this farm.   They allow
the vines to climb up their other trees and
vines, which keeps the produce off the
soggy ground and away from the torrents
of ants and bugs that are everywhere.

This is AZOLLA, a small fern plant
that grows in shallow water and can
increase the growth and weight on
pigs and chickens.   It multiplies
extremely fast ( 4 to 6 days) and can be
harvested every week.   This tiered
AZOLLA garden is to keep the birds from
devouring their harvest before they can
bring it in and prepare to feed it to the
livestock.

This is a close-up of AZOLLA.   Many of the
Filipinos feel that this may be a 'cash crop'
 that will bring in much money upon Marketing.
 Brett Macdonald is telling us that this was
tried back in 2012, and then the big
push died down ... we have yet to determine if
there is huge market for this, or if it will have
different results as they continue to use
it for supplemental feed for the pigs and chickens.    

This family has 5 children and the father is making these
knives to sell in the market.   So far, they have brought
themselves out of extreme poverty, and the MWP committee
have assisted them in purchasing supplies to cement their
tiny house floor and put up GI sheeting for their roof.   He is
now able to handcraft a product that he can sell and bring
in an income.    This has all been done through
funds that have been generated from this Member
Welfare Project and a wise Priesthood committee who
 are truly working to improve the lives of their members.

This is a Kerioke Machine on one
of the Member's front porch!  :)   This
is where all the YM/YW come to pass
the evenings and enjoy each other's
company.    Kerioke is very big
here in the Philippines.    

Did I share with you about the time I really had to visit the
restroom (long road trip with drinking bottled water) and
the service attendant had to crawl backwards through the upper
slot to let me in the door of the girl's CR?  (CR is what they
call their rest rooms.)     He was such a young man and I was
so appreciative of him.    Good thing they are soooo
skinny and nimble.

This is Brother Fababier explaining to Elder McIver where they
are planning to build a large Chicken Coop so as to raise over
3000 chickens to be sold on the market.    The land is behind
his house and belongs to him.  The Branch Project will build the
Chicken Coop, develop and raise a large Vegetable garden so as to
provide fresh vegetables for the members and to sell, and raise goats
for milk and meat.

This little guy is busy trying to win a game on his brother's
cell phone.      Technology has invaded our youth!!

You can always tell when it is wash day.
The people wash in buckets and tubs out
along the sides of houses and then hang
their clothes out to dry in the sun.    Not
 many households have clothes
 dryers in the Philippines.

Just a few more signs of wash day.   This is so common,
where ever you travel outside of Manila and the big
cities in the Philippines.

Yup .... almost everywhere you look.

On top of buildings, out the balconies or
windows of apartment buildings, along
side homes along roadways.    Washed clean
and sun dried.     

This is such a common site along the provincial roads.  
Vulcanizing shops are those that repair automobile, motorcycle,
 and bicycle tires. AND almost everyone has a bicycle
or motorcycle ... main modes of transportation.

This is a photo from the 'Smoky Mountain' Barangay outside of
Manila ... where the people are living just off to the side of
the 'smoldering dump site'.    It was made against the law for
them to live amidst the garbage ... so they have set up homes in sheds
and shanties, anyplace they can throw over a tarp or set up a
piece of galvanized metal and throw down some mattresses to
call it a home.   Then they burn their fires to cook their food or
to dispose of trash that is unusable in every other way.   It is a
conglomeration of discarded furniture and tarps, and people
living amidst it.

The purple building is set up off the side of Smoky Mountain, and this is
where the children have a place to go to school.   It has been built from donated
shipping containers that were engineered together and now is utilized
to give these 'poorest of the poor' children a school to attend and
teachers to teach them.    The PURPLE CENTERS is a non-profit
organization we have partnered with to assist them as they work
to educate and give these children a chance at bettering their lives.

Thank you for sharing with us a bit of our last 2 weeks of adventures.   We love the people here in the Philippines, and attempt to fill our days with ways of giving service and searching out projects and needs.   

  We just had our LIGHTHOUSE SANCTUARY project approved with an organization set up to provide a 'safe house' for girls who have been forced into sex trafficking or exploited into pornography or web sexual encounters.      Over 60,000 Filipino children are forced into these deciduous practices ... and there are not many private shelters available for these young boys and girls to be brought into once the child is rescued from the situations.     We have found and are working with one such organization who is completing a large HOME  to bring the rescued children into  (It is a Couple, the wife from America, and husband is Filipino and both are Returned LDS Missionaries) and they have set up a 501c3 non-profit organization.... in order to be a place of refuge for these children.    Already they have been contacted by the organizations that locates and then rescues the children.   Everything is being finalized so that the 'security untis' can to go in and pull the children from the horrors of their world .... and bring them back into this 'Safe House'.    This Sanctuary will house girls under the age of 12 (THAT IS A STARTLING THOUGHT -- ISN'T IT!)    LDS Charities is assisting them in getting bunk beds, laundry service needs, generator, security cameras, etc.        It is a great undertaking and fulfilling such a huge need in this world right now.    They will assist these children to be able to heal, to restore what is possible of their dignity and desire to live a productive life, and have a place that they can prepare to be re-integrated into somewhat of a normal life.     They will continue their education in this home, and work to assist the girls in realizing their self worth and give them back a bit of their childhood.   Usually they were sold or put into this UGLY situation by family members, and so often they will need to be placed into other homes that can assist them and help them back into Filipino living.   But this "Safe House" will be the first line of rescue and will keep the girls for the time that it will be needed.          The demand is great.

We see so many needs.    But we also see that these resilient Filipino people are happy and are good people.  We are humbled to serve amongst them, and grateful to be able to assist them in whatever ways that we can.    We see so many great things happening here and are so filled with appreciation for the Senior Missionary Program and the opportunity to give and to serve.   

We miss being with those we love back in the States.      Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.     

See you back here in a few weeks, we hope.    

Politicians, Baptism, MOA signings, & 100th Stake in Philippines

    2 more weeks have passed by .... and we have had opportunities to assist in Vision Screenings, Wheelchair Distributions, Health Care Worker Training, Celebrations, and receive pre-approval for a Project that we really want to see approved.

     The rain has slowed a bit this past week ... but we will not complain a single iota when we see the horrific storms/hurricanes hitting in the south & east of the United States.     Philippines continues to be in the path of tropical storms ..but luckily this year, no serous damage like that occuring in Texas, Louisinana, and Florida recently.    Our prayers pour out to those areas affected by the adverse weather conditions.        We are living in Prophesied Times.     I pray that we each are preparing, not only physically and mentally - but also Spiritually because Satan is loosing all of his forces to sway and suck down even the very Elect among all good people.

    Anyway, let us share a taste of these last 2 weeks in our lives:

We are at one of two MOA (memorandum of agreement)
signings that we held this past week.   This project was
with a Hospital in the Manila Area.    The Mabuhay
Deseret Foundation will often do their free surgeries
at this Hospital, and it was noted that they did not have
some very essential equipment.    Pediatric C-Pap was
one that was immediately put to use.

Elder Danny Soleta ...one of the Church Service Missionaries
in the Manila area, Sister Kristen Stroud & Elder Dave Stroud ( from North Ogden
Area) who are a great assistance to us.   They have to keep track of everything
needing to be accomplished in the main office - we are so glad we can
drive away and be more 'out and about' and in our element.

Elder Gary McIver and Sister Tere McIver (from Boise area) ... our wonderful
replacements for the Manila Wheelchair partners and
who now are also in the main part of "My Pathway" program
for education for the adults.     Sister McIver has endeared
herself in my heart.   

Elder & Sister Bell, Ma'am Tigas (RSW) Elder & Sister McIver,
Christina M Ferma (DSW) & Dr. Jef Montes.    We are holding a
Wheelchair Health Workers Training in BATAAN.  Christina
is our main contact ... and a very sweet, dedicated woman who
works tirelessly for the Persons With Disabilities in the
BATAAN PENINSULA.

4 rows of Wheelchairs to be distributed
during a Physicians For Peace event in Baguio
Country Club.    Most of these wheelchairs
are specialized for children/adults with
severe disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy,
Muscular Dystrophy, Polio, etc.

This captures some of the LDS Charities' Supportive Wheelchairs
that are prepared to be distributed.    There are numerous adjustments
that can be made on these chairs that allow the disabled body to
be held in a more comfortable, and sometimes, therapeutic
position.     ALL of the people who receive these chairs
are those who just CAN NOT AFFORD a wheelchair -
but through LDS Charities, and Physicians For Peace ... The
Wheelchairs are getting out to those in need.    THIS IS ONE
EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOUR HUMANITARIAN DONATIONS
TO LDS goes to provide.

This is a photo of 'Leni' Robredo.   She is the one in the middle in the
white shirt.   She is the Vice President of the Philippines.   She is an
amazing woman and has a heart of gold.    She is just 'under'  President
Rody Duterte.    She is a solid leader for the Filipino people.

Here is a huge smile of a little boy who
has Cerebral Palsy ... but is considered
'High Functioning'.   He cannot walk,
and his parents would have to carry this
guy everywhere.   The entire family is smiling
pretty big for this mobility miracle for
their son.

This photo captures Elder Bell and I with V.P. Robredo, but
also has Mr. Manuel 'Noli' Agcaoili and his wife.   He is a
great Philanthropist and donor for the Persons With
Disabilities.    His wife is next to me and is originally
from Spain.   Both are amazing and sweet, kind people.
I am humbled to be in the company of such generous and
dynamic people.

One more of our Wheelchair Distribution
in Baguio.   These are two others one having
 Cerebral Palsy and the other what they
call 'in born'.   I think that is what the
Doctor calls it when they can't specifically
diagnosis the problem.     

This was our 2nd MOA signing in our
Manila Office.   This project is with a
Marines Unit serving down on SULU,
and Island down west of Mindanao.    The
children grow up around rifles and guns and
terrorism and fighting is just a way of life down
on the island.   This company of Marines
have started teaching and playing FOOTBALL
with all the boys and young men to give them
a passion and a way to positively express their
stress and competitiveness.  We partnered with
them in helping provide sports equipment, shirts,
and school supplies to encourage the kids to
stay in school and hang around good influences
in their lives.

This was a surprise that we where able to attend when
we went to our Tarlac Member Welfare Project.    They held
the baptism out in the river just off the side of the Farm.  It
was a humbling and great addition to our day.

This is the group for the baptism and to celebrate the birthday
of Gideon Nacpil.  It was a fun birthday luncheon.   Gideon calls
me 'Auntie' and knows that I will always bring him some
Marshmellows ... his favorite treat!  (He is the one in
the red shirt.)

I love seeing the Missionaries!!! This
young man is from Park City.   He has been
in the Philippines for one year now.  He has
beautiful blue eyes and a contageous
smile.

This Elder is from Washington State, up
in Bellevue.  They were so sweet and it
was great to trek out to the river through
all the mud with them.   

Elder Bell built this 'hen setter' as a type-set and example as
he works with these Member Welfare Projects that have
chickens and are attempting to raise chicks for next
generation.     Our Stake President in Baguio, President
Cabrito loves this idea and assisted Elder Bell in constructing
this one.    They have 2 more cut out to be put together.
This one was built by using screwdriver.   Elder Bell went and
purchased an electric drill for the next one. :)

This little princess was brought to President
Nacpil (who owns 'Ricky' Monkey).  The
hunters shot the group of Monkeys ... and then
found this little guy in a nest ...so they brought it
to him to see if he wanted to try to raise her.
They called her "Precious" because she
reminds Sister Nacpil of gnolam on "Lord of
The Rings", and she is very precious.

I am holding little 'precious'.  All of the kids kept feeding her
some spoiled milk and touching and prodding her ... I picked her
up and put her in a box on top of the area the kids were playing
with her in.    Precious was trembling and so weak.   I kept a close
eye on her and finally advised Pres. Nacpil that he needed to
watch her close and possibly get her into the Vet.    She
died later that afternoon.      I was very sad.   :(     :(
Yes.   I scrubbed my hands very, very good!!

This little guy only sees very blurry and semi-distorted.   He was
brought into the Mabuhay Deseret Vision Screening in Ifugao
Province that we assisted with.   

This 30 year old man is almost totally blind   .... barely distorted shadows.  He needs
corneal transplant surgery.    These are so much harder to find here in the Philippines.
It requires donors, extensive surgery, and close monitored follow-up.

This is our team of Opthomologists,
Mabuhay Deseret Staff, Mormon Helping
Hand volunteers, etc who spent the day
doing free vision screenings in Lagawe,
Ifugao Province. 

It was new Missionary arrival day at the Philippine M.T.C.  We
learned that they fly a flag for each country represented by a
Missionary during their time in the MTC.

This beautiful PLUMERIA tree grows on the side
of the MTC.   It is beautiful and makes me happy whenever I see
it's beautiful blossoms.

   Yesterday, September 9th, the Church in the Philippines had a big celebration for the creation of the 100th Stake.   They had a Cultural Show and all of the Youth in the Metro Manila Area were invited to participate in singing or dance celebration.    Sorry that I don't have any photos to share.     They had beautiful costumes and the youth seemed to enjoy their experience.     

   We are deeply appreciative of the honor and blessing it is to serve here, and to be able to be a tiny part to be an instrument in the hands of God as we strive to 'lift up the poor' and 'assist the lame to walk' and 'the blind to see'.    

   We know that we just missed "Peach Days" in Brigham City.    Those of you who know me well know that I am smiling to be here ..... Peach Days is a crazy part of Brigham City that I avoid when possible.        But I am sad to not be with my grandchildren in all of the activities and adventures that they are having.         
   Thank you for your responses and your encouragements and love.    All of your uplifting thoughts and tidbits of home news lightens our days and helps us to not feel 'so far from beloved home'.

Sending love.    We encourage you to pray for those who are dealing with the catastrophies happening around them.     Texas, Louisiana, Florida Keys, Cuba, Caribbean Islands, Florida, California, Montana, .... and the list seems to go on.       I know that there are also personal 'catastrophies' and 'storms' going on.    You are in our thoughts and prayers.