Seniors Serving in the Philippines Cauayan Mission: Golfing and other Adventures

Last weekend, we took a trip to witness some baptisms in Alcala, the most northern city in our mission. A young married couple with two small sons from Baggao were baptized by a recent convert who fellowshipped them. We were sitting behind them in the meeting and I could observe their kind fellow shipper sitting next to them, pointing to the words in the hymnbook as we sang.

We traveled the next day to visit the San Pedro Branch. We both gave talks and Stephen did some temple recommend interviews.

After the meeting, we went with the District President to visit a recently reactivated man, his wife, and granddaughter. I asked the man when he joined the church. He told me that he was taught the gospel by Elder Jensen and Elder McBride from Idaho and was baptized in 1998. I wondered if these two missionaries knew what a lasting impression they made on this man. Most missionaries now can keep in contact with the people that they teach and baptize through Facebook and Messenger. The man was concerned and wanted to know if his special needs granddaughter could be baptized. His granddaughter’s face lit up with joy when President Roberts said yes. We sang, prayed and I admired their beautiful flower garden. Their spirits were lifted.

On Wednesday morning we drove to the airport and sent home eight missionaries. We brought ten new ones back to the mission office and spent the day training them. We grow to love these wonderful young missionaries.

Yesterday, Stephen went golfing in Ilagan (a nearby city) with the three other Senior Elders. The greens were actually packed sand and the ball rolled like it was on concrete. They had three small boys act as caddies carrying their bags. They played nine holes for a whopping total of 900 Pesos ($18.00). That included clubs, balls, tees, and caddies. There was a little dog lying in the grass about 20 yards in front of Stephen and he almost hit him in the head with a golf ball. Much to my dismay, he did not take any pictures.

Last week, I was walking past Jollibee’s in the Mall. I walk by it often and it is always packed with people. This time when I walked by, I remembered that a young man I helped the Sisters teach several months ago worked there in the kitchen. He was baptized, but quit going to church after a couple of months. I looked into the restaurant and there were no customers and I could see him working. I went in and talked to him for a few minutes, asking him about school and his girlfriend. On Saturday, the Sister missionaries asked if I could accompany them to teach him that day. After a person is baptized, they are retaught all of the lessons. They told me that they had run into him on the street a couple of days ago. When we met with him, he told us that he had stopped praying and reading his scriptures. He didn’t like the way he felt anymore. We had a good lesson with him and the Sister recommitted him to pray, read and go to church. I testified to him that it was not a coincidence that he ran into me and the Sisters this week, the Lord wanted him back. The Sisters reported to me that he went to church today. That makes me very happy!

Yesterday evening, I took a tricycle ride to meet the sisters and teach two lessons with them. They were about 20 minutes late. While I waited, I crossed the street took photos and talked to the people that walked by.

It was getting dark, I was a foreigner alone and I did not feel afraid. Two cute little boys walked by me, they stopped, turned around and grabbed my hand placing the back of it on their foreheads. This is called 'bless, bless' and it is a great sign of respect. I smiled as they marched away saluting each other. I love these people!

Other Photos from this week: