Terror attack on Bohol!

Ayo Family and Friends….

Wow!  We have had a week!  I don't think this is something that I ever expected to happen while we served here on Bohol…..but, right at the very beginning of a glorious week with the Hobbs we had a very scary situation unfold.  We had enjoyed a really fun Monday with a P-day breakfast with the missionaries and our company and a trip to the crazy Danao Adventure Park.  I might add at this point that Angie, Eli, Kelby, Elliann and Elder Lolo all did the Plunge.  It is an insane adrenalin/daredevil drop off of a very deep canyon rim that ends with you swinging on a 250 meter rope!  It was pretty insane if you ask me!  But they all had a really fun time!  (we would upload a video for you but it won't so we can't)!

The Plungers!

Then on Tuesday we had a great district meeting.  Sagbayan missionaries have always had to travel each week for a district meeting in Tubigon but they were recently formed in to their own district with Elder Ramos as our district leader.  He is a great teacher and we were so happy to be at his first district meeting training.

Elder Ramos teaching us how to 'Teach for Understanding'

We had received a call during the meeting that alerted us to some military action taking place in Inabanga, which is a neighboring community to Sagbayan.  We were instructed to not send the missionaries out teaching and to stay indoors all day.  The situation as we understand it was a failed attempt by some Islamic terrorist, who had come to the island by boat on Monday, to execute a planned kidnapping of foreigners.  Well we, being pretty foreign, were a little unsettled by that for sure.  There were helicopters and bombs being dropped, lots of shooting and other such war-like activities.  We did not hear all of it just the helicopters occasionally and a few bombs.  In the end several of the insurgents were killed and several military and law enforcement officers.  However, several of the insurgents have escaped and are not yet accounted for.  For this reason our two American missionaries from here in Sagbayan have been moved out of our area to areas further from the action.  We are still here but on high alert.  Our amazing little branch members are determined to keep us safe.  They are always checking to see where we are and offering to do things for us to keep us safely inside.  Rest assured we will use caution and try to keep a very low profile for the next little while.  And really, we trust that the Lord is very aware of us and all of His missionaries and will keep his hand over us for the time being!  Don't worry….we are safe and doing well.

The Hobbs family….now their vacation has been a series of unfortunate events for sure!  Everything from broken down ferries (2 of them), house arrest for two days, flooding in Cebu this morning that made them miss their flight, no flights out until Tuesday from Manila….they just can not get a break!  I am so thankful they had travel insurance. They were great company and rolled with all of this pretty well.  I felt terrible that their trip had been so derailed by the whole terrorist incident and they kept assuring me that they really just came to see us and they certainly got plenty of that being cooped up in the apartment for two days straight!  They were really good sports about the whole week, but their long delay is far from over so send a little prayer to heaven on their behalf….With any luck they will be safely home by Tuesday night!  (Next time I invite any of you over to visit….you might want to think twice about the offer!  It is risky business!)

I am going to let Elder Bell fill you in on the few fun happenings of the week.  We did eventually venture out, with caution, for a couple of days at the end of the week and hope the Hobbs can take a few happy moments home with them.

I sure love the Lord and I am very thankful for His ever protecting hand and loving care of his missionaries!  We certainly felt it this week!

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)

Hello to all!

We certainly had an event filled week from one end of the spectrum to the other. 

After picking up the Hobbs early in the morning on Saturday we had a pleasant day of watching General Conference.  In the Peens General Conference is always recorded and watched on the the following Saturday and Sunday.  It also allows for translation into Visayan.  My councilors took care of the showing on Saturday and we attended on Sunday.  It is always great to hear the words of the prophet and the counsel they give concerning the Lords' will upon the earth today.  We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet.

On monday night we hosted a Sagbayan Branch Family Home Evening.  The lesson was given by the Hobbs family as they shared how praying, reading scriptures and having Family Home Evening together as a family has blessed their lives.  It also impressed the Hobbs family how much fun these people can have with very simple games.  It is truly a great experience to always attend such events.

Kelby finished off with singing in her beautiful voice, 'I Have a Family Here on Earth'.  There was not a dry eye at the end of this one. 

Then on Thursday after the great lock down we spent 2 days at the Isla Hayahay.  It is always a great time there as we relax a very nice true Filipino resort doing the island hopping tour and snorkeling.  It is a must for  all and we never tire of it.  We are able to let the ocean breeze blow in our hair and go for a dip in the ocean.  Anyone that knows Sister Bell knows how much she likes that.

The Fam at Isla Hayahay

Then on the way home from Pangangan Island we stopped in Calape for the Self Reliance Graduation ceremony. Out of our 5 graduates for Sagbayan Branch they have already started 3 new businesses and expanded one already running. The fifth applicant has turned in her papers to serve a mission and will make a fantastic missionary. We will keep you up to date with the mission when the call arrives.

Graduates, Louie May Umbang, Fidel Jandayan, Claudia Enad & Zita Anober

Luisa Umbang could not attend.

We were able to get a quick visit in to Sagbayan Peak with the Hobbs to view the Chocolate Hills and chase the butterflies.

The Hobbs at Sagbayan Peak

Elliann at the butterfly enclosure 

The we topped Saturday of with an FHE and movie with the youth of the Branch.  They are always amazing as you feel their strength and listen to there testimonies.

Well I will let you go for another week from the island that never has a dull moment.

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)