Let the little children come...

Sunday, February 4, 2007

We went up over the mountains to Lutopan Branches 1 and 2. When we arrived we saw a cute little girl in scruffy red shorts, a not-quite-clean red top, uncombed hair, huge smile, about four years old who couldn’t be still if she tried, peaking in the window of the Primary room, dancing around outside the door of the meeting house, and playing with other children. I attended Relief Society for the first hour and was quite surprised when I went in to Primary for the second hour. Actually, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Usually there are four or five children. Today there were 15. When we have visited there before, neighborhood ‘street’ children have come to the windows and watched.

This Sunday Bob and Elder Pascua invited them to come in - 12 children – 10 in Primary and 2 YW age – all nonmembers came in for all of Primary. I had prepared the lesson as one sister in the Primary Presidency had a stroke and the other one is ‘missing.’ They memorized the scripture, sang with enthusiasm, and listened intently to the lesson. One boy was so excited that we were learning a scripture in the book of John and his name is John! Near the end of the class, each wrote out the scripture on a piece of paper and then began making a border to decorate the page. We ran out of time so I suggested they take the papers home and finish them as homework. They all ran happily out the door after the prayer as I stayed in to pick up my pictures and crayons. I thought they had gone back outside in the street to play.

Imagine my surprise when I walked down the hall to the Sacrament meeting room and there were all 12 children. 10 were sitting on the right side on the front three rows. The two 12 year-old girls were sitting behind them with other Young Women. Bob and I went and sat by them. The Branch President’s wife sat on the other end of one row by the little, wiggly four-year-old girl. Some one had given them hymnbooks and they seriously looked up the first hymn and then sang, after a little help in learning how to follow the words and music. Several craned around or over in the seats to watch as I showed two boys with my fingers how to read the words of the hymn. They learned quickly and soon all were singing.

They weren’t quite sure what to do during the prayer: stand up, recite after, or what so some did one thing and some another. Then it was time for the Sacrament song and they enjoyed that. They were relatively quiet during the sacrament, but as people got up to share their testimonies so did some of the children. First one, then another, then another headed out to the bathroom. After a few minutes they returned, and then soon, out they would go again. Meanwhile, three or four of the older children listened as if mesmerized. One boy elbowed away any of the children who tried to talk to him; he was listening. Another little boy kept trying to climb up and sit on the same chair with one of the other children, but no one wanted to share a chair with him. He finally sat up on his own chair, hymnbook in hand and was so little that his feet stuck straight out in front of him. As soon as the closing prayer was over, they solemnly shook hands with us, asked if we would be back next week and then raced down the hall and out the door…back to play. We hurried out to get a picture of them with us, before they left.

We stayed for the next three-hour block of meetings and afterwards, when we went out to the car some of the children were they waiting and waving as we drove away.

We left for home with a great feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to be here.

Camen Cove and Dancers

Sunday, January 28, 2006

We left Cebu very early Sunday morning to go to Medillin at the very north end of Cebu Island. We needed to stop by the Sisters' apartment in Carmen to deliver a water filter pump and a case of Books of Mormon in Visayan. We had not been to their apartment before so allowed a little extra time in case we got lost. But, we didn't! The directions from the elders were excellent and we drove right to it. We were delighted to find them up and studying at 7 A.M. What dedicated missionaries we have! (No, they didn't know we were coming!)

Just out of Carmen along the coast there is a lovely little cove that we have seen many times from the highway. I have always wanted to stop and take pictures, but we usually have been in a hurry. This morning we were early so we pulled in to the parking area and took some pictures in the early morning light - what a beautiful, peaceful place.

We had a great visit in Medillin - President Caparuso always makes us feel so welcome. He asked us each to share our testimony, which we were happy to do. We delivered a case of Visayan Books of Mormon to the elders and I visited both Primary and Relief Society. The Relief Society lesson was exceptionally well-done. A single sister taught about the importance of eternal families - of strong marriages sealed in the temple. She had everyone participating and ended with specific plans of how they could prepare for the temple. It was a delight to be there.


On the way home we got caught up in the Danao Sinulog Festival - a religious/cultural day of dancing, feasting and celebrating. They had closed the highway by the plaza and routed us on back roads behind the festival area. Lucky for us! The back roads were where the dancers were lined up waiting to perform. I was able to take some pictures of these colorful dancers from the car window - what a treat.

We are blessed in so many different ways here.