As the Truth Goes Marching On

Maayong Buntag Pamilya ug mga Amigo!

Well the truth really does go marching on in Sagbayan, Bohol.  We had an amazing week this week with many activities, and many new experiences.

I will start with church today. Well, we had 89 in attendance in our covered garage meeting house!  It is about the same size as 3 class rooms with the curtains drawn in our Hooper 3rd Ward Chapel. The space fits about 60 nicely, but when you cram 89 bodies in to it….it gets down right tight!  We had 3 complete new families attend today and they all are seriously investigating the church. The four Sisters we have working currently in Sagbayan are the best!  They really work hard and diligently and the miracles are beginning to happen.

We had the homecoming talk for Sister Joan Racoma. She is the first missionary returning to the new Sagbayan Branch. Their were maybe five extra people for that event.

So in the near further we will have 80 to 85 per week attend church.  The Lord sure is putting forth his hand bringing so many new people into the church.  The young missionaries find new people all the time and we try to maintain them as active members as they enter the church. It is amazing to be part of it.

I am meeting with a representative from the Physical Facilities division of the church from Manila on Wednesday this week to discuss either purchasing a building in Sagbayan that is still under construction or starting the construction of a new building to handle the growth.  It is a amazing to be part of this process.

This week we went with our missionaries to Danao to visit members and teach some investigators.  This is an area that is being considered for starting a new group off the Sagbayan Branch.

Marjonilo, John Mark, Sister Bertoldo, Sister Ross

Great Members and missionaries from Sabayan working in Danao with us

Teaching the investigators in Danao

(We saw these babies six months ago when they were newborns)

Well on other activity we had this week was Hump Day party with the Zone Leaders and Sisters in Sagbayan.  They planned a surprise party for us knowing that one year of our mission had passed.  They brought some tasty treats and some ice cream.  It was great time with some missionaries we really have grown to love.

Really Good Selfie taken by Sister Bell

(These are our sisters that live next door and our zone leaders, Elders Santos & Clark)

Today we also had our first YSA Devotional in our living room after church.  It is great to get together with these future leaders of the church.

YSA Group watching the World Wide Devotional

On Saturday I also able to attend a Baptism for the Inabanga Sisters. These Sister work so hard all over the mission and bring many people into the church.  In the past we have seen the pattern of the brethren joining the church after the sister join and they see the positive influence it has on their family.

Sister Delos Reyes, Sister  Flordilona Mar, Sister Larabelle Lantafe, Sister Lovenelle Latafe, 

Sister Jhenjhel Daguplo, Sister Calagui 

Well it seems like we have a months worth of activities to tell about every week.  But when we look back it is only a week every time.

I am so blessed to be part of the Lords work in this part of his vineyard at this special time.  And also to spend my time with such a beautiful and loving companion.  I know this is the work of the Lord.

Love to all

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo, Amigo) 

Ayo Family and Friends!

It has been a busy week!  There are so many events that happened this week it is hard to remember them all.  I will back up to earlier in the week….We were invited to a YSA activity in Tubigon for all of the Young Single Adults in the district.  It was a sweet party for two sisters that are leaving on missions and for a couple who got married Saturday.  The two sisters you already have met as we escorted them through the Cebu Temple a couple of weeks ago.

Sister Sefuentes, Me, and Sister Cerbas.

I also made a new friend at the activity…..

The girl on my right is my new friend, Kathleen (common name around here but hardly anyone spells it the same as me so I was instantly drawn to her)  and my old friend, Cristal who you met many months ago.  She is from Talibon and she is deaf but has always been a good friend to me.

They have a very active YSA group here.  These young adults are busy going to school and working but always make time for Institute and activities together.  They are a lot of fun to hang out with.

So just a couple of days after this activity we had the opportunity to take Sister Sefuentes to the airport to depart for her mission.

The Sefuentes Family.  Shajhin is the oldest of the 4 kids.  Setting a good example for the rest of her family.

And just moments later we greeted Sister Racoma home from her mission…..

Sister Joan Racoma greeted by her mother!

The Racoma Family have 13 kids!  Joan is the first missionary to be sent off and return.  She has three sisters that will follow over the next 4 years.

So that was the comings and goings of the week.  Saturday morning we had a Calape District Seminary Activity.  I filled up the multi-cab and took 15 kids from Sagbayan to the activity.  When we all got there and started I counted heads and we had a full half of the students in attendance from Sagbayan.  We had a good showing and they had a lot of fun.  We even had 3 kids that are investigators and they answered questions and won prizes with the best of them.

President Galotera teaching the district seminary class!

It is pretty fun to be me!  We are really have so much fun helping this branch grow.  We just shake our heads in disbelief every week at the astounding growth.  The challenge to all of this is to have the organization in place to help the new members mesh seamlessly in to the branch.  For instance, when you have brand new primary leaders and they have 25 kids that show up for primary instead of 9, well, it can be a little bit of a challenge for them.  That is where we come in and teach them how to roll with it and help everyone feel included.  The new leaders are really doing well.  We see a lot of 'firsts' every week as we watch people fill their callings for the very first time.  They are nervous but so willing to try.  The Lord does not ask for more than that, ever! 

When we think of the fledgling days of this branch a year ago when there were about 20 in attendance each week, we too are amazed at the growth.  There is something really special about Sagbayan.  The sisters agree.  The people in the community are so helpful, and kind.  They are friendly and always greet us and want to know who we are and what we are about.  Our four sisters ride bikes everywhere with their skirts just flying.  All of the people get a big kick out of that. Anyway, there is just a real sense of community in this place.  You don't get that feeling in every community on this island, but we are sure happy to have landed here in Sagbayan!  

Well, I will sign off for now.  We are really busy and trying hard to stay focused on what we have been sent here to do.  We are looking forward to zone conference and district conference this week.  We love spending time with President and Sister Maughan and our missionaries.  We will report next week on all of that!  Love you all madly.  Hope your week goes well and that you are happy and progressing forward.  Write if you have a minute!  We love hearing from you!

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala)