Parade in Toledo

Elders Lowry and Crespo with policeman


Elder Crespo, "Texan", and Elder Lowry


Marching Band to greet President of Philippines

January 6, 2006

Our trip to Toledo to assess schools and deliver supplies was very successful.
The Toledo missionaries were expecting us and quickly came out to help unload the beds – admiring the neckties that had been the original implements used to tie the beds on to the truck – before strong strapping tape was added. We visited a few minutes (I used their not too clean bathroom) and then we were on our way to Aloguinsan school. But, we had a major detour. It turned out the President of the Philippines – Gloria Arroyo - was coming to Toledo that morning and a big parade was happening. So, we had to stop and see the parade. It consisted of school groups in their uniforms – and some boy scouts in their uniforms, one large group of Senior Citizens in matching tee-shirts, and two bands with many drummers and a few trumpets.

It was fun and even more enjoyable was watching Elders Lowry and Crespo interact with the people. Elder Lowry started talking to one of the policeman at the intersection. He began by asking when the President was expected and then went on to introduce himself, tell him about the Church, bear his testimony and get a teaching appointment to meet with the policeman, his wife, and his six children! As he was doing this – had his planner out to write down the name and address, the head policeman came over to see what was going on and then walked away laughing. So, Elder Lowry later when over and talked to him – didn’t get an appointment, but certainly left a good impression.

Meanwhile Elder Crespo saw a man in a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, jeans and a tee shirt. Elder Crespo is from Texas so he went over and asked the man if he was from Texas – in Visayan of course. The man laughed and they got to talking – and I got a picture. I talked to one lady whose husband works in Cerritos, California, and comes to visit once a year! We had a great time, but the President didn’t come while we were there and it was time to leave for Aloguinsan. We ate a snack as we drove.