Well this week was sure full or the story of 5 loaves and 2 fishes. This happened with the welfare project that is getting off the ground in Sagbayan this week.
So we are striving to make the welfare project fit within the budget we proposed at the beginning. And as most things happen when starting new projects of any kind you find out where you estimated too low and also too high. We are discovering those items as we go along. The first came with the shelters for the goats. In the process of purchasing the items to build the shelters we realized our estimate was way short of hitting the real mark. So we found a place where we could cut cost and finally the lumber order needed to be made and we were short of the funds we believed we needed. So after consulting with the leaders and members we decided to just order 1/2 the lumber we believed would be necessary and we all felt we would find a way to make it work.
So as we discussed the shelter with all the members 1/2 the member told us they already had shelters that they could use for the the goats. So last friday I went and gathered what I thought was all the lumber. I was very concerned we still would not have enough. So later that night Nanay Luisa called and said there was more lumber farther up the mountain road. So early Friday morning I picked up Arc, her son, and we drove up the road into the mountains. Well needless to say after 3 very large loads that had the multi cab straining to carry, we collected all the lumber. This was the answer to some prayers and truly showed me how good people that give you more than you bargained for are truly instruments in the Lords hand to turn 5 loaves and 2 fishes into enough for all. Our own little miracle!
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This is just a small portion of the wood the Bonajos family provided for less than $300.
The other pile we have is 10 to 15 times this size.
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| Hollow Block for pig shelters |
Well in the middle of the week we followed up on a referral we told you about last week from LDS Charities through my brother Tharon and his wife Holly (Elder & Sister Bell). We had a meeting with the Barangay officials and many other members of the Barangay.
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| Elder Berdiguel & Elder Javelo sharing the gospel with Barangay Mantacida |
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| The humble people of Mantacida listening to the Elders message |
On monday night we attended a Family Home Evening at Pres. Lorzono's home. We arrived and the whole District Presidency with their families and it was great time with all of the the leaders of the Calape District.
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| Great time had by all! |
On Tuesday night after Zone Conference in Tagb we attended a dinner with the Stake Presidency and Branch Presidents of Tagbilairian Stake.
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It was also uplifting to meet with so many strong leader in the Philippines.
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To top it all off Sister Tis Racoma received her mission call this week. She will be serving in the Cagayan De Oro mission. If that sounds familiar it is….that is the mission Marjonilo is serving in! She will leave on July 28 and serve for 18 months. This is great to see so many of these you people we love so much serve missions.
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| Tis Racoma with John Mark |
Well that is just a few of the many things that happened this week. The Lord surely is turning everything in our lives into the miracle like the 5 loaves and 2 fishes.
May the Lord Bless you with the desires your heart.
Elder Bell (Taty, LoLo & Amigo)
Ayo Family and Friends!
I can't believe how full this week was…..we are really moving at warp capacity now and still don't feel like we can get everything finished we want to finish before we come home. Our week ended with an amazing senior couples retreat. Sister Maughan wanted to have one last get together before we leave for home and I suggested to her that our island sure had many more fun things to do than hers (she had to agree) and so it was planned to have all the senior couples from Cebu gather here on Bohol with us and the Shamrells. They all arrived Friday morning and we took them on a few adventures that day. I use the term 'adventure' loosely here as President Maughan did not approve of all his senior couples taking a dip on the Plunge or a trip on the Suislide at the Danao Adventure Park. But, we still found some great things to do.
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| No trip to Bohol is complete until you see the Tarsiers. They are very small but there is a wonderful sanctuary here on the island in which to see them. |
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| Next stop was at the Loboc river where we took a lunch cruise up the murky river (lots of rain and run-off makes the water pretty murky). The cruise includes a nice lunch of Filipino food and then a stop at the edge of the river for some native song and dance. |
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| River boat side entertainment |
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| We finally made it to the Hill Top for a view of the Chocolate Hills. The weather was very cooperative all day and we just really enjoyed each others company! |
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This is Elder and Sister Wilding sporting their new hats. Elder Wilding and I share the same great-great-great grandfather! Nice to know that our family bush has such wonderful people on it!
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| Little Fishing Village gather for the gifts |
We stayed at our favorite place, Isla Hayahay and on Saturday went Island Hopping! The first place we stopped was the little fishing village island. We had brought with us some balls and school supplies to donate to the school. Word must have gotten out before our arrival because the whole island showed up for the grand event. It turned in to mass mob rule as the children mobbed us for the balls and pretty soon we were forced to just throw them in to the crowd so we could escape with our lives! It did not go anything like I had imagined in my mind….but I hope they are enjoying the balls! I am happy to report that Sister Maughan snorkeled for the very first time in her life and she loved it! It was so nice to get President Maughan away from his phone for just a few hours. He really needed the break.
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| Senior couples on the Island Hopping cruise |
Later that night at dinner the staff of the Isla Hayahay, who know us very well, presented us with a chocolate cake that said 'Thank You' on it! I am telling you, they are the most wonderful people at that resort. They have treated us like family!
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| Isla Hayahay staff gave us a cake! |
To finish off our weekend we invited the seniors to attend church with us here in our beloved, Sagbayan Branch. The Shamrells had other obligations but all the rest of them made the journey up here to attend church with us. I think they all really understand the enormity of the hearts of these beloved people. The feeling of family love amongst us is pretty palpable when you enter the doors of the church. They understand now why it is we brag constantly about these people. And by the way….we had 126 people at church today!!! Now, eight of those were our senior couples but the rest were just us….the ever growing Sagbayan Branch!!
Here are just four of the reasons our branch grows so rapidly…..
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| Elders in the back of the multi cab |
I will close on a little happy note….
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| Loboc River Cruise …..sign in the comfort room |
Love you forever,
Sister Bell (Mamala to all)
PS….we were pleasantly interrupted tonight as we were working on the blog by this wonderful group of teenagers…
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| Angel, Alexia, Jamaica, Apple, Mariel, Jacob, John Mark, & Jesebelle stopped by with an impromptu Family Home Evening for us! We sure love these kids!! |
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