Hello again from the other side of heaven. Weeks are rolling by fast now and much is always happening in paradise.
We help one of the Sisters in Calape Branch move this week. Her home was destroyed in the earthquake 3 years ago and she has been living in a make shift tent with her sister for all this time. She had 2 small homes built next to each other. One by LDS charities and one by habitat for humanity.
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| A shot of the 2 homes 3 years in the making. |
Their are always snacks or a meal after every project in the Philippine culture. They are preparing some pork bihon for the meal after the work.
Second, I need to show you a perfect shot from one of the most beautiful places on the earth... Bohol.
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| A perfect sunset on the Bridge near Loon |
Now off to the other side of the Island in Ubay. You would guess we attended another baptism in Ubay on friday morning. These are two ladies we had the privilege of working with before me moved to Sagbayan.
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| Elder Talan, Mary Grace, Mary Ann, Elder Singsam |
We have had the privilege of working with Elder Singsam in his last three areas. Last week we told you Elder Talan's story. This is way he spent his last day in the mission field before going home.
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| Another beautiful Ubay ocean baptism. |
Next is the Sagbayan Olympics that were held on the school that is in our back yard. There were schools from all over the island come to compete. There was a parade that started about 6:30 on Saturday and hundreds or kids marched past sa among balay(our home). They had bands, flag twirlers, runners, volleyball, baskets ball and every other sport you can dream of marching in the parade. It was great to see so many children involved in such good, wholesome activities. Some of our special kids from Sagbayan Branch won some metals and participated with their whole heart.
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| A shot from our back window of the opening ceremony. |
Well there is never a dull moment when you are living a dream. And that is what it seems like. We are so blessed to know and work with some many wonderful people sa kalibutan (in this world). My cup runneth over from all the beautiful things and people we have in our life. Our family is the greatest family we could ever ask for and the people are the greatest people we could ever meet.
I know that God lives and that His Son does also. I know the work we are engaged in is the work of the Lord to prepare his children for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we all stand worthy at the last day to meet him.
Nahi Gugma ako sa mga Pamilya & Amigos
Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo and Amigo)
Ayo Family and Friends,
Well, Elder Bell left me to talk about Primary! We were able to participate in a district Primary 135th Anniversary Celebration Saturday. We rounded up our Sagbayan kids and some of our new leaders and made the trek down the mountain to the activity in Calape.
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| This is me with my crew! Man I love these kids! |
So part of the social was each branch presenting something…a song or dance. We all sang "Ako Anak sa Dios" (I am a Child of God) and Scripture Power! These kids love to sing! And they love to go any place we take them in the multi-cab. They don't travel much and so it is like a field trip to get to leave Sagbayan.
Today in church our new primary president taught her first lesson ever. Now remember she has only been a member for a few weeks. I can not tell you how proud I was of her. She is a natural teacher. She had visual aids prepared and taught the lesson in Cebuano out of the English lesson manual. She lost track of time and the lesson lasted for 75 minutes but she had the kids completely involved that entire time. It is so fun to watch these new members grow!!!
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| Sister Zita teaching primary for the very first time! |
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| This is another picture from church today. I sat next to nine year-old Mel and his Lola (gramma), Conchita. |
This is another picture from church today. I sat next to nine year-old Mel and his Lola (gramma), Conchita. Mel is a really good English reader because last year he read the English Book of Mormon all by himself right after he was baptized. I noticed today that every time we sang he would find the song and point to the words so his Lola could follow along. It was so sweet to watch.
This is the last story I want to share with you today…..
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| President Rae |
This is President Rae. He is a councilor in the district presidency. We had the opportunity to give him a ride home today from Tagbilaran to Talibon and so for the first time since we arrived we got to hear his story. My goodness what a faith promoting story it is! Before President Rae joined the church at 29 he was really searching for something. So he became a student of the Bible and through his studies he learned that if he wanted spiritual answers he needed to fast and pray. So, for three years he fasted three times every week and prayed to know if Jesus Christ was really his Redeemer and Savior. One day he received his answer and it was an overpowering burning of truth in his bosom. Sometime later he had a friend tell him one day that he had become a member of 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints'. He said the moment his friend said the name of the church he again had that deep burning in his bosom and knew he had found the true church. So he attended church and met the missionaries. They came the next morning to teach him and when they asked when they could come back he said tonight. When they asked that night when they could come back he said in the morning. The rule back then was that investigators had to attend church twice before the could be baptized (now it is four times) and so by the next Sunday he had received all of the lessons and was baptized that day after church!
This man told us some very sacred and personal stories on our trip home today and I asked him if he had written his story. He has not but he really should he is a pioneer of the church in the Philippines. After his baptism he moved to Bohol. He lived in Talibon but the closest branch of the church was in Inabanga about 30 miles away. So for ten years he made the trip to Inabanga twice each week. One week he did not have money to buy gasoline for his motor-trike but because of his dedication to his God he decided he would have to walk to church….and he did! It took him 9 hours! I ask myself, would I have done that? Would you have done that? Where do I stand on the dedication scale? I am afraid not with President Rae! What an inspiring story. The sacrifices these people have made to become the pioneering members of the church here in the Philippines is nothing short of miraculous. They are truly a choice people. I have grown to love them so much. I love how the trappings of the world have not quite invaded their lives yet. I love how they live such humble yet happy lives. I love how they are so pure that the spirit can work unreserved in them and they recognize the Spirit for what it is…the Lord guiding them back to Him. I have learned so much from these beloved people. How lucky I feel to have this opportunity.
I must close for now. Please know that you are so loved and so missed. Be happy!
Love you forever,
Sister Bell (Nanay, Lola, Amigo)
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