Great Sunday in Toledo

Planning Humanitarian Project with President Macahireg, his older counselor,
Elder Antonio as Translator, and me.


Sixteen people were in and on this trike when it arrived for Church

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Today we visited four branches on the other side of our island. We stopped by the missionary apartment in Toledo and dropped off mail for them - letters and packages that they were very glad to get. We kept the ones for Pinamungahan and Aloguinsan to deliver as we went those places.

We first went to Tutay- Pinamungahan – it turns out- news to us – that most of the members come from Tutay and prefer to call it the Tutay Branch, rather than Pinamungahan. We know President Barabat arrives early as do some of the members so we had time to talk to them before Church. I think we arrived there about 8:30 a.m. I gave Sister Dina Arante, the Primary President, copies of the photos I had taken two weeks ago. I also gave her some notebooks for the children, and some Christmas stickers I had brought from home. We took a couple of pictures, got directions of how to get to the Aloguinsan Branch and took off right away.

We found Aloguinsan and were, at five minutes to nine, almost the first ones there. Bob carried in the boxes we had for them and I took a few pictures of the neighborhood children, and then of a tricycle arriving with 16 – I counted them as they got off – branch members on one tricycle. I couldn’t believe so many of them fit somehow. A couple of the boys were hanging on the back! We had brought a box of used clothing that had been sent by a former missionary – actually more of a problem than a help –since used clothing is readily available here at very little cost, but since she sent it, we divided it up to give out. Sister Anderson started to help with the project, but she got called away, so I finished it up yesterday afternoon. Aloguinsan is one of the poorest areas in the Mission so I made a big box for them that the Branch President can distribute as needed. I also brought the Primary Christmas stickers and notebooks (the notebooks were from the same missionary as the clothes). Then I met with the Branch President and his first counselor to start work on a possible Humanitarian project of supplies for their local school. They were very helpful and excited about the idea so I will follow up and, hopefully, it will be approved. The branch as Sacrament meeting last – so we left after the first hour and drove back to Toledo and attended Sacrament meeting in Toledo 1 and then all of the meetings in Toldedo 2. In Toledo I, an older brother blessed the Sacrament for the first time. He has been a member of a couple of months, but was too afraid to bless the Sacrament, but the quorum has been encouraging him and working with him and he did a fine job and was obviously touched by the experience. After the meeting I met with the Primary President and gave her some notebooks and supplies for her Primary.

In Toledo 2, a twelve-year old boy - who was baptized, confirmed, and given the Aaronic Priesthood last week, passed the Sacrament for the first time. He was wearing a white shirt and a tie (getting those can be a challenge for some here and I think his were a gift from a missionary.) He was so nervous that he kept looking at the Branch President who would point where he was to go next. This boy's older brother joined the Church and the parents were pleased with the changes they saw in him so they let the little brother join also. We hope the parents are next!
The Branch President asked both Bob and me to speak in Sacrament meeting – 5 minutes each. I told a Christmas story and Bob talked about Jesus Christ.

I met with the Primary President, a local elementary school teacher, and worked with her on the planning of a humanitarian project at her school up in the mountains. She too is excited and eager to help.

I drove the last twenty minutes of the trip home – some mountain driving and then a few blocks in the city – so I can begin to get used to driving here and have a little more independence. Although, I have taken a taxi and few times and find that very convenient and not very expensive.