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.