Southwestern University

After his talks, Bob poses with some of the professors and students. The woman in the center front in the black skirt and beige blouse is a doctor who directed the program.

Saturday August 18, 2006

Bob left early with two missionaries, Elders Starr and Estrada, for his appointment to meet Sister Santiago and speak at Southwestern University. He said it went well – he talked about Creation/Evolution and then about the Rings of Saturn. Both talks were to a mixed group of students and professors – about 90 in attendance. Unfortunately they did not encourage any discussion about the Church and he was disappointed in that. He did answer questions and enjoy the interaction with the group. Then Sister Santiago took him on a brief tour of their small natural history museum. Elder Starr took many pictures on our camera and Elder Estrada helped with the slide presentation, but, unlike the last university talk, turned out not to be much of a missionary experience. Hopefully it was good for public relations.

Meanwhile, I rode over to Toledo with President and Sister Anderson and helped train at the Toledo District Conference. It was wonderful to see so many of the sisters that I am coming to know in the branches there. I taught for about 30 minutes to the entire group – about 60 – about Gospel teaching – using the model of Jesus Christ as the Master Teacher. I used a whole coconut, right off the tree to try to encourage and stress the importance of preparation. I also had scripture reading and some discussion. Then I taught 45 minutes to the 20 Relief Society workers – reviewing the basics about Sunday meetings, explaining the Enrichment/Activity program, and encouraging improvement in Visiting Teaching. Again, many of the sisters I know now and it is a pleasure to see and work with them.

Poor Man's Tour Second Time Around

Sister Lee, Gloria, Elder and Sister Platt pose in front of baskets full of dried fish of all sizes. I tasted a piece of a small dried fish - wasn't too excited about the eyeball looking at me, but it tasted okay - like a fishy potato chip. They are sun dried, whole, and then added to sauces and soups or eaten as is.


Sister and Elder Platt and me riding in a horse-drawn cart to the jewelry alley



July 23, 2006

Yesterday Patriarch Benedicto took the Platts, the Grahams, his daughter Sister Lee, and me on a ‘Poor Man’s Tour’ of Cebu. I enjoyed it greatly even though we visited the exact same places as the first time. This time the pace was slower in the market areas and speedier through Magellan’s Cross and the Catholic Churches. I found a carved caribou and also a hat for Bob at the Market. Sisters Platt and Graham also found ‘treasures.’ Elder Platt bought a hat. At the jewelry lane of the market, I looked at pearls, but bought cheap – 4, 6, and 12 peso (8, 12 and 24 cents) bracelet, and two necklaces. I had been looking for some with blue in them since so many of my clothes are blue. I again enjoyed seeing the large sculpture/monument to Cebu history. The Grahams were surprised that all these interesting places were just a few blocks from the LDS Institute where they go every day to teach.

Dedication of Chapel in Balamban

After Dedication the picture taking began - Bob in background


Bob and I with Sister Bastida in front of her wooden house

Sunday, July 9, 2006

Today we went over to the dedication of the renovated chapel in Balamban. Driving up over the mountains is one of the most beautiful and peaceful drives here – and thus, our favorite. The members of the Church there were so excited to have such a beautiful new building. They had been meeting in an old house – Primary was held in the carport! After the meeting and dedication, (and a picnic lunch in our car), we went home/visiting teaching with some of the members. Bob drove us and two other ladies and a 15 year old boy – our Priesthood representative from the Branch. He did a fine job of teaching at the house where it was his turn to present the lesson. Bob and I joined in the songs and shared our testimonies at the end of each lesson.
Going in the little, dark houses sure made me appreciate home and the tons of blessings that we have. Most people in the Philippines do not have running water or indoor bathrooms….like camping all the time. We see people of all ages carrying water when we drive outside the city…oh and they are all carrying firewood too. Many have electricity (and almost everyone has a TV) but very few have actual stoves. They cook outside over a fire, or have a single electric burner and an electric rice cooker. They eat rice with every meal. If no rice is served, it’s not a meal, it’s a snack!