Dear Family:
Yes, we are thrilled to be here in the Philippines! This morning, I met with the Area President, Elder Keith Edwards who has devoted his life to building up the church, both here (for 5 years) and in Africa—Zimbabwe as mission president. He and so many others count their cherished experiences among these people as a paradise and heaven-on-earth.
Our apartment is small but comfortable. We are located on the 3rd floor of the MTC—the same floor as are the sisters. The elders are on the 2nd floor. All of our meals are provided, breakfast, lunch, dinner, 2 snack times! Quite a lot of meat dishes and always rice! Not as much fish as we thought but a lot of chicken.
Our gym is at 6:00 a.m. beginning with stretches and then various games like volleyball, badmitten, basketball, ping-pong, and others. You ought to see Debbie leading 45 elders and 30 sisters in exercises! She’s having a ball! Maybe we’ll get in shape, but then, we eat so many times a day.
Last Saturday, we drove out into Metro Manila. With 20,654,437 or so people, there seemed to be at least that many cars—all bumper to bumper. It is not so frightening to drive except that I don’t know where I’m going or where anything is! Manila is a very large city!
We go to the temple with the missionaries every week. Sunday is a very long day. Some of the other days are long too! I seem to be up and about or at my desk all day long and in to the night. I am grateful for this rigor.
These wonderful missionaries are so sweet and innocent, most of whom come from non-member, or broken, part-member or inactive homes. They have such a testimony and purity about them that we weep with emotion just to be with them. One cannot describe the feelings of love and joy to witness the unfolding of the Lord’s work here. The Philippines is a strong foot in the future of the expansion of the church throughout all of Asia including China. It is a Christian—a believing nation. The people are rising up to future greatness. We feel privileged to witness a small glimpse of this.
Debbie and I are supremely happy in this opportunity to serve the Lord here. We love our family appreciate all of you so very much.
Love, GTT/DST.
No comments:
Post a Comment