Training new Missionaries, Food in the Philippines

This has been a very busy week as we sent 6 Sisters and 2 Elders home that completed their missions and welcomed 17 new missionaries.  When the new missionaries arrive, we spend time teaching each one individually about missionary life in the Cauayan Mission.  My trainer, helped me with the first two and then I was on my own for the next 15.  It was my responsibility to make sure 

that we had their parents correct contact information.  I also taught them about filling out Baptism and Confirmation Records, Companion Language Training and 72-hour emergency kits that each missionary receives when they enter their assigned area in the Philippines.  They are reminded that the kits are for emergencies only.  It is a temptation for some of them to eat their Snicker and granola bars. Elder Roberts taught them about mission finances; turning in receipts, and receiving their monthly support.

We drove 2 vans, 2 double cab trucks, and a car to the airport to drop off the departing missionaries and pick up our new arrivals.  It is a very small airport and the whole process took less than one hour.   Before going to the airport, Sister Hiatt, made all the departing missionaries some "decadent French Toast"  It was yummy!

For lunch, one of the members cooked us some delicious Filipino food.  One of the new Elders let me take a picture of him eating the customary way with a spoon and fork.  You hold the meat with your spoon and pull it apart with your fork.  Knives are not apart of the table setting.  In the Philippines, most people eat rice 3 times a day.  In the mall behind the mission home, There is a McDonalds and KFC.  They both serve rice and spaghetti along with the traditional items on the American menu.  At KFC, you will find a "gravy station" where you can serve yourself endless gravy.  There is also a Burger King. They serve Whoppers, chicken, and rice.  At "Insal" a local favorite, they serve delicious grilled chicken and endless rice.  While you are eating, a worker will come by your table and offer you more steaming, hot rice from an insulated covered pot.  There is good food here, but I do miss Mexican Food!

Yesterday, we did our first apartment inspections.  This is where we show up unannounced to check the cleanliness of missionaries apartments.  It was challenging driving down the narrow, crowded streets to try and find the apartments.  Elder Roberts brought a GPS to help us. A few times we had to carefully maneuver and turn the car around.  I'm really grateful that I don't have to drive.  Elder Roberts is also grateful that he is the driver and not me!

 No matter where we go, there are always beautiful flowers and Beautiful Kind People ! - Sister Roberts