More Progress, More Baptisms & More Fun

Maayong Gabii Pamilya ug Amigo's

This was very productive week with a lot of fun woven throughout. We started off on the run on Tuesday morning (our last post was on Monday). We spent an entire day with dentist, doctors and getting missionaries prepared to serve.

On Wednesday we made a whirlwind trip to Ubay in the morning to deliver the grant money to Sister Campos. She is starting a Sari Sari Store in front of their home.  They live about 15 kilometers from the market in Ubay so a nice all-purpose store in this location will do very well. 

She graduated from the Self Reliance program in Start and Grow My Own Business. She, along with all the others, used the training she received at Self Reliance to draw up a very good business plan that included market research from costumers, suppliers and price points that are very important for new small business.  She also created a projected cash flow sheet showing how the business would earn money and keep enough working capital in the business to survive over the long run.  These are all the qualification necessary for the grant she received.

Sister Campos and Husband Benidicto

This week they installed shelving, painted the store and stocked shelves.  They have hit the ground running towards success.

So on Thursday we went to Cebu for Senior Couple retreat with all the couples in the mission.  On Thursday was also a pre-bid meeting for the new Sagbayan Chapel.  This was attended by President Nueva, President Lorzono and Nanay Claudia from Sagbayan.  The bid has been put out to 4 contractors and bid will be awarded on March 30th.

We had a terrific time at the Couples retreat in Cebu.  We spent some very valuable time with President & Sister Maughan and the other couples.  We also attended a session at the Cebu Temple.  It was great to stand in the prayer circle with all these wonderful couples who have concecrated their lives for a period of time to serving the Lord. The spirit was so strong as we unite together to help the missionaries.

The Mission Couples of the Cebu East Mission

On Saturday we attended another baptism of the of the Tampon Family. This is a special new addition to the Sagbayan Branch.  Sister Tampon(Tamp-ohn) and 2 of her sons were baptized this week and next week Brother Tampon and their other son will be baptized.

Sister Desideria Tampon and 2 sons Depherd & Denfert Tampon

Well I am going to let Sister Bell wrap this thing up now.

I will close with telling all of you how much I love the Lord and also his work we are involved in.  He truly is at the helm of this church and the missionary work throughout the world.

I send my love to all.

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)

Ayo Family and Friends!

I had a great surprise this week!  You see this guy?…..

Elder Wilding (my cousin) and Sister Wilding

This is Elder and Sister Wilding.  They are new to the Cebu East Mission and Elder Wilding is my third cousin!  We share a great-great-grandpa George Wilding. I suspected we might be related when I heard he was from the same area of Idaho from whence my father's family comes.  So we did a quick search on Family Search and sure enough we are definitely cousins.  That is pretty exciting.  They are serving in Bogo, which is on the northern end of Cebu and so we will not see each other nearly enough.

Saturday afternoon, after the baptism, we had Seminary class.  I am happy to report we have finished our study of the New Testament!  These kids are so amazing!  I am in awe of their abilities, their dedication, their thirst for knowledge.  It has truly been my privilege to teach them this year.  

So, after the lesson we had our final round of Scripture Mastery.  This week we had 'Scripture Pong'!  They love this game. We have learned (mastered if you will) 25 scriptures from the New Testament.  We learn the doctrine behind the scripture and memorize the reference connected with a key word.  So the cups on the floor have a reference written on the edge of the cup and the ping pong ball has the key word written on it.  They are divided in to two teams and as a team have to get the correct ball in to the corresponding cup.  The first team to accomplish he task….wins!!  

 Scripture pong!

Elder Bell mentioned we spent time at the dentist this week…..

Erlinda Jandayan

Look at that smile!  Sister Jandayan got full-dentures this week after being toothless for a long while. She is so happy and thinks herself quite beautiful…..I would have to agree!  She is just the sweetest Nanay ever and we are so happy to see that dazzling smile.

We are currently back in Cebu.  It is late on Sunday night and in just a couple of hours Aaron, Stacy, Rowdy and Colt will be arriving on a very early morning flight.  We are so excited to have them come and see us.  This week will be full of adventure and we will share it all next week.  

I love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)