Sunday in Tagbilaran

December 11, 2005

We woke up early to get ready to go to Bohol. We took two large suitcases full of packages for the missionaries there. I didn’t feel too well and was moving slower than usual, but we really wanted to go, so off we went. It rained almost all the way on the ferry, so we stayed inside most of the time. I really enjoyed those few minutes of fresh air on the water. The Bohol Zone Leaders met us at the ferry, loaded the suitcases while Bob got our return home tickets, and then off we went to the Church. Tagbilaran 1 branch was just starting Sacrament meeting and we were glad to join them. After that Bob taught the Sunday School class while I went to help in Primary. We both had a good time, and many people seemed to greatly appreciate Bob’s information and handouts. We visited and had a little snack and then it was time for Tagbilaran 2 Sacrament meeting. Bob especially enjoyed the talk of Brother Cacho, counselor in the Branch Presidency who spoke in very clear English. Bob then taught a combined Sunday School class of Tagbilaran 2 and Dauis Branches.(Dauis meets after Tagbilaran 2, but the people came an hour early to hear what Bob had to say. Entire families came, so the children joined the Tagbilaran 2 Primary for the first hour – then went to their Sacrament meeting. It took a bit of time to get the Sunday School organized, but it went very well. Many people stayed after to talk to Bob and to me (when I finished Primary) and said how much they liked it and how helpful it was to know more about the Book of Mormon.

The Zone Leaders took us back to the ferry – had left our suitcases at their apartment, so dashed back to get them and brought them to us at the dock. The ride back was rainy so again we were inside. The ferry has been very full lately as they are having a ‘free’ return ride – actually they first raised the rates on the ticket, but still you save about 100 pesos – $2.00. President and Sister Anderson were on the same boat – returning from three days in Dumaguete. The Assistants picked us up and brought us home. I was quite tired and was glad I had made a big pot of soup and a big bowl of cole slaw on Saturday – along with oatmeal cookies, so dinner was easy. It has been a good day. We both felt we had been useful.

The Bohol District had performed a big service project the day before and many people talked about it. In July there had big a huge land slide on the east coast of the island in a very poor area. Over 80 homes had been destroyed. The District went as a group – estimates ranged from 126 -300 people plus all our missionaries – to help clean up, fix up, etc. The Primary was assigned to teach the children about hygiene and safety which they said went very well. All the others did a lot of manual labor and some were very tired on Sunday. They were glad to be of help, and also very appreciative of their blessings.