Missionary Work on Overdrive!

Maayong Gabii Tanan!

Well this week was wild and fast paced. We are happy to see many things we have been working on come to pass.

Today we had 110 in attendance at church!!!  That is a new record and without any visitors from the Calape District it sure is good to see all the people.  We ordered speakers to be put in the hallway downstairs and upstairs so we can seat all the people. With Branch Conference coming up in 2 weeks we could have as high as 125 in attendance.  After Sacrament Meeting we had Budol-Budol (linger longer). I guess this will be our last one and it was great to spend the time with all the people we have grown to love.

Meljun getting in on all the good food

Also this week we started the Welfare Project in the Branch.  Elder & Sister Zorn came over to Bohol and purchased most of the materials for Pig and Goat Shelters.  The members have really taken over the lead on the project and things are happening fast.  (Elder Bell has been working on this for a really long time and so it seems so wonderful to have it approved and finally happening!)

Elder & Sister Zorn purchasing the lumber from the M & M Commercial Family Business

The lumber being cut from coco trees for the shelters

The chain saw cutters were haven lunch when we visited the site of the lumber. The dimensional lumber is cut on-site with a chainsaw and it is amazingly straight and true

Nanay Luisa who keeps us all organized as the project progresses. (We celebrated this woman's 45th birthday with her this week and she is an amazing bundle of energy as she runs a household for her husband and 9 children!)

We also went to visit a near by barangay that was helped by LDS Charities right after the Earthquake in 2013.  LDS Charities constructed a number of homes in the barangay that had no members of the church and helped them put their community back together.  Elder Halladay helped with the project and had shown us earlier in our mission where the home were located. We received word from Manila that people wanted to hear about the church. We were greeted with open arms along with the four elders. They lined up a meeting in the barangay hall for next Wednesday to have some of the members of the barangay meet with us. We will let you know how it goes.

Sister Bell with the barangay leaders we met

Two-story home provided by LDS Charities

(Elder and Sister Halladay, you will recognize this one!

Our Elders helping a Lola home with her bags

Our four elders helping a Lola home with her bag of rice from the local rice mill.

( I have to tell you this is one of my favorite pictures ever!  We were just getting ready to leave Matacida when Elder Javelo saw this stooped Lola walking down the street.  He immediately jumped out of the truck and took her hand.  The other elders followed and took all of her bags from her and then we followed slowly in the truck while they walked her the rest of the way home clear off the main road and out in to the bukid, visiting and chatting like old friends! It was one of the sweetest scenes I have ever witnessed.  Our missionaries are truly amazing!)

A great child swing in action

We had a FHE on Wednesday night at the Umbang Family.  It was Nanay Luisa's birthday and great fun was had by all.  The Elders always give a great lesson and much is learned and enjoyed by all who attend.

Tatay and Nanay Umbang with their great family.

(These two have raised some pretty great kids….they must be doing something right!

Cathleen Enad & Arc Umbang entertain all of us. Nidot Kaayo Kanta!

Well it time for me to turn this over to my better half. We love the Lord and we feel very privileged to be part of his work. May we always be found worthy of that trust.

Nahigugma ko kaninyong tanan!

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)

Ayo Family and Friends!

I hope this letter finds you all well and happy!  Are you enjoying your Summer?  You must be….too busy to write, but that is okay.  We will be home soon and catch up on everything.  Please be ready to feed me some wonderful summer-time food!  I am very excited for a good BBQ, corn, tomatoes, berries…..soon!

Anyway, I digress!  It was a really busy week and this one is going to be just like it!  We started the week off with a Family Home Evening with the Viodor family.  I got in a few snuggles with my sweet baby.  I tell her always that I am her Americana Lola….I know she won't ever remember me, but I shall always remember her and this sweet family who we love so very much!

Sister Bell with her Viodor grand baby

We are smack in the middle of the rainy season…we never really had a dry season…but anyway, it rains at least every other day.  Sometimes it is just for a few minutes as it was this day, but you have never experienced rain until you see it rain in the Peens.  We went out teaching with the elders just a few minutes after the rain quit and this is what we experienced…

Tip-toeing through the flooded field 

This area we usually cross a little creek on a three foot long foot bridge.  But today it was a raging river.  I crossed first and hiked my skirt up to my knees and fared okay.  Elder Bell just jumped in with his shoes on and pants not rolled up and we both got wet to mid-calf.  The elders did not want to get their pants or shoes wet so they took the time to roll the pant legs and carry the shoes and socks.  It was a fun sight to see.  

We made it safely to the other side

Just as the elders were getting to the far side of the flooded field, this caribou approached us and she was having a great time in the water. She was rolling in it and jumped up to come check us out.  Sometimes my life is so surreal….I can't even explain it.

Baptism of Sister Villatima

Saturday was the baptism of Sister Verona Libransa Villatima, the lady we traversed the flood to teach! She is a sweet friend.  We are the same age and just somehow connected the first time we met.  We are also teaching three of her grandchildren who will be baptized in July.  

So I want to end with the story of sacrament meeting not just today but usually.  Today it was crowded and as the meeting was just getting started, more and more people started coming through the doorway. I sit at the keyboard up in the front and it was interesting to watch.  All the chairs were taken and so first the elders jumped up and gave up their seats to the new-comers.  Then without any fuss or interaction the youth would get up and give their seats to the next set of new-comers.  This happen four different times.  We had so many new faces today and our youth are so in-tune to the fact that investigators need to feel like they have a place and are welcomed.  It was fun to watch.  

The next thing I notice is during the sacrament it is so beautiful….as each person partakes of the bread they quietly bow their head in silent prayer.  It happens row after row all the way to back of the room.  These people reverently worship their Savior.  They are such a great example of devotion and truly remembering their baptismal covenants in such a humble show of devotion.  From these people I have learned so much.  Man, I love being a missionary.  It is a remarkable experience!

Have a great week!  We love you all so much.  We think of you and speak of you often.  You are a great support to us in this wild adventure.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)