We have been richly blest these past weeks. We have traveled in safety and worked with over 20 Wards/Branches to teach them about Member Welfare Projects and how they can bless the lives of those members living in extreme poverty. (in the Philippines, most all Filipinos live in levels of poverty .... we have to explain deeper as "the poorest of the poor" ... those who are just struggling to feed their family and to keep them in any type of protected dwelling.) Jobs here are sparse for such a huge population, but basically pay pennies. $2 a day (8 to 12 hours work) is an average wage. Many work in the rice fields of the larger farmers, but have borrowed wages ahead, and so they are always owing more time on the job than they receive the wages for. They cannot pull themselves out of the devastating financial crisis.
Anyway, on to more pleasant topics. We did have 2 days to play while visiting the Island of Palawan .... and we took advantage. You get me that close to a place where there is snorkeling and the fibers of my being begin to pull 'madly' at my inner self to go and immerse in the beautiful waters, usually lush with coral reefs and huge clam shells teaming with aquatic life. Ah .... I feel a kinship with "the Incredible Mr. Limpet". (An old movie staring Don Knotts who wanted to become a fish so bad that he did - loved the movie.)
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| I finally talked Elder Bell into stopping at a Restaurant in Baguio called "Giligan's Island". The food was really pretty good and he even said that he would eat there again. YES! |
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| A hut just off the beaches of a little island out in the bay on the Island of Palawan. We spent the day over there since it was a holiday. A storm was brewing, but it still was so beautiful and a serene, laid back day. |
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| Donning on our snorkeling gear off of a platform anchored out in the reef. Can't wait to get in. |
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| Tharon also brought his snorkel gear, and we snorkeled for over 1.5 hours. Storm moved in quickly ... but we saw some amazing, brilliantly colored sea critters. |
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| They had a nice lunch fixed for us ... this interested me the most. Real seaweed gently cooked with onions. Tharon enjoyed it ... I tried it, but couldn't quite say that I liked it. |
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| We are visiting Batahala Orothopedic Rehabilitation Center in Puerta Princesa, Palawan. LDS Charities has donated equipment for their Wheelchair Repair/Prosthetic Workshop. Their philosophy is to not do surgery unless it is a final option. |
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| Prosthetic limbs and molds utilized in the Batahala Repair shop. Dr. Socrates studied in the U.K. and then after receiving his Dr. Degree, came back to the Island of Palawan to provide treatments and prosthesis for the poor and indigent people of the area. He has passed away, but his wife continues his legacy. |
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| This is one of the Physical Therapists, making a house call to a girl who has been being treated for Club Feet for 4 years now. She is just being fit with her newest pair of Orthopedic shoes that continue the Club Foot Therapy Treatment. We are in the family home - 1.5 hours away from the medical center. Dedicated, caring medical personnel. |
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| This was our second play-day. We visited the Underground River on Palawan. Amazing cave on the underside of a mountain range on the western side of the Island. |
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| Getting ready to our hard hats on (protecting us from hitting head on low hanging cave walls inside the river cruise, and from the BAT droppings while in the caving system .... interesting.) |
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| This Israeli man became our good friend during our caving adventure. He had never heard of the LDS Church, so we talked a bit about why we were in the Philippines and what the Church is doing throughout the world. |
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| Our boat crew is heading into the cave. |
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| Wish I could share photos from inside ... but no light except for flashlight from the boatsman. No good pictures, but a great view to actually be inside and experience. |
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| The native monkeys were not hanging around the day we were there, but the large gila monsters were in the bushes, visiting with us. |
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| This is Bishop Ramos from Alubijid Ward on Mindanao. He has submitted a Member Welfare Project proposal, and we were privilaged to travel to Mindanao and meet with his Ward Council, and then the Stake Presidency and Bishops of all of the Wards in the area. They have many needs and many, many members who are struggling to keep their 'heads above water' in regards to caring for their families. |
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| This is one of Bishop Ramos's Counselors and his wife. They are sharing bananas from their back yard. Such good, kind people. |
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| Here we are in the backyard of one of the proposed participants of the Member Welfare Project. They want to put in 30+ cages to raise Broiler chickens in each families back yards. They will also put in an 'azolla pond' and add to their growing vegetable gardens. Some families will have goats, who do not have as much assessability to things for raising the broiler chickens. |
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| The ward members had fixed us a lunch at one of the members homes that we visited. Usually I can avoid eating some of the Filipino food that I worry about ... here Elder Bell caught my apprehensive expression as I nibbled on one of the 'fried little whole fish' that they prepared. The entire fish is to be eaten ... head, bones, tail,.....all. It was salty and crunchy. Edible. |
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| Highlight of the month ... one of the highlights of our Mission. This is Barbara Kimber Davies (My best friend from Grade 1 to Grade 11+ who lived a block from my house. Love, love, love her!!) and her husband, President Doug Davies. They are Mission President and wife in the San Pablo Mission in Southern Luzon. What a joy to see them and to think about our paths crossing because of choices that we have made and blessings the Lord has poured out upon us! |
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| LDS Charities provided portable dental equipment to the Pines College of Dentistry in Baguio. Here the Students are setting up their mobile work Stations. We were able to go with the Dental Students as they did a clinical mission at the Sablan National High School. We spent 9 hours with them as they did dental exams, did restorative work, and pulled teeth. I was amazed that there was no groans or screams from the kids as they had teeth pulled ... sometimes 2 or more teeth. But I saw plenty of tears. :( |
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| A few more flowers to share with you. Love the many flowers that we see that grow so well here in this tropical paradise.   |
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| This was a surprise as we visited the site preparing for construction of a large chicken coop - this is one of the footings for the corners. Can you see the idigeneous lizard and large toads that had hopped into the hole during the previous night. They told me the frogs were edible, but once they got closer and examined, they said no ... not the good edible type. I just rolled my eyes while no one was watching. It would take about 40 or 50 of frogs that size to be able to put together a plate for someone. |
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| Final little photo. This is a Nipa house on the beach on Mindanao Island. The father of this Member family goes out at 4am every morning and fishes all day out in his little boat. He catches the fish and his wife will take them to sell to neighbors or in the local market. This is their livelihood. He works hard and is diligent through all weather conditions. Truly, this family could benefit from a project to give them more resources in which to provide food for their table and potentially an income as they become self-sustaining. (Their oldest daughter also has a 2 month old daughter, who now lives with them. 5 total children/grandchildren to support.) We love the humility and simple lives that are a part of who these Filipino people are. They find joy in whatever situation they are given, and are so appreciative of our visit. It is humbling to see them joyous with so little. Somedays we think that all Americans should come spend a few days here in the Filipino Paradise, and see how blest we are to have what we have.
We love the Gospel and the message that is for ALL PEOPLE, EVERYWHERE. We miss home and the comforts and conveniences that surround us, we miss our wonderful family and friends .... but we also know that we ARE DOING what we are meant to be doing, and SERVING in a way that is blessing the lives of others. We are grateful for our health, and for each of you and your encouragement and examples to us.
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