Dragon Fruit, Spiders & Meryenda

All the children love President Roberts

This week, we had several opportunities to go teach with the young missionaries.  We trudged down muddy roads and drove on narrow streets.  At one home we enjoyed ‘Meryenda’ which is the Tagalog word for snack.  We were served a cold drink and tasty honey butter crackers.  The Filipino people are gracious and generous with what they have.  The missionaries usually enjoy ‘meryenda’  after teaching a lesson.  They have been counseled not to linger for an hour, visiting and eating, but to be urgent about their work.

Meryenda is only served to the guests

  We visited a young mother with a small infant.  After the missionaries taught her about how God can bless individuals and families, they called on President Roberts for his remarks.  He said something like, ‘As I have sat here, I noticed how much you love and care for your precious son.  Our Father in Heaven loves him even more.  He has perfect love and a perfect plan for each of His children.’  He spoke to her in a way that she could understand.  

A cradle that hangs from the ceiling and is easily removed

 On another evening we met with 15 people on a small patio.  Some of them were children who wanted to see and hear the ‘Americanos’.  A seven-year-old girl was eager to say the opening prayer.  I know the Lord heard her tender, innocent Tagolog  prayer.  I couldn’t understand most of her words, but I felt a warmth in my heart.  The two young Elders were beaming with joy when 14 of them came to church today.  For many families, it is a financial sacrifice to pay for a tricee ride to church. - Sister Roberts

Photo Gallery:

A Filipino almost as tall as Elder Roberts

New Philippines Cauayan Mission Presidency

Sister Roberts loves Dragon Fruit.  It is sweet, somewhat bland and loaded with Fiber and nutrients.

Giant Snails crossing the road

The Assistants to the President trying to play pranks in the office.  This is an average-sized spider in the Philippines.  I made them keep the lid on because I strongly dislike spiders!

Taking selfies on a narrow, dead end, road while President Roberts does a 16 point turn around with the car.