TB Miracle!

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Today we had a miracle!  -- A miracle of miracles!  We were really sweating, not counting the rain, the heat, the gym and the humidity. 

We put nose/mouth masks on 7 missionaries; we thought they might have active TB according to the initial tests.  The remaining 75 missionaries were also all coughing, hacking and wheezing!

After the weekend, we sent the 7 to the hospital for more tests.  We bit our nails down to the quick while waiting for the updated results.  Sister Taylor called Sister Riddle, our MTC super-human nurse, in order to get the test results.  (Sister Taylor doesn’t believe that bad news gets better with waiting!). 

Boycee (our Philippines Area medical ombudsman) answered the phone, “just a minute; let me have you talk to Sister Riddle—she’s in tears!” 

Sister Taylor thought, “Oh No!  We’re going to be in isolation for the rest of our mission!”  But when Sister Riddle got on the phone, she informed us that all of results were negative--we could all unveil our faces!  And, start breathing again! 

Here in the Philippines, we pray over typhoons, TB, computer passwords, broken toilets, and more! 

When Elder Riddle, was told about an infectious eye disease today, he told the missionaries not to make “eye contact!” 

Will we go through this again with our next batch?  This experience reminds me of “Groundhog Day,” except that it’s “Ground 3-week!”

And the last bit of advice is, if you think the leftovers are bad at your house, try the sinigang for dinner.  We’ve gone back to peanut butter and jam sandwiches for a few of our meals (But we’re not complaining!).  Thanks for Skippy and Welches!

Love, George & Debbie T.

Manila, Philippines

The Story of a Missionary Who Didn't Tell His Parents!

Dearest Friends and Ward Members:

In our last “batch” of missionaries, we encountered a little problem with one of our MTC missionaries.  This young man joined the church but he did not tell his parents!

His parents thought he was going to school, he would graduate, he would then work to support them (which is customary in Asian countries). 

Instead of graduating, he determined to go on a mission, but as I said, kept it hid from  his parents.  So here he is in the MTC, hiding out, anxious to serve a mission!  He came sheepishly in to ask me a question:   

“President, do you think I should tell my parents?”

“Are they members of the Church?”

“No.”

“Do you think they should know what you’re doing?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“They won’t let me go on my mission.”

“You are of age?  No one can force you to go or to stay”

“I’m afraid!” 

“I think you should tell them!”  “Let’s call your stake president and see if he can help.” 

                Well, before I could call, the stake president called the Area President, the Area President called me and then I called the stake president.  He had two parents screaming and yelling at him, demanding that the young missionary return home immediately!  The stake president was beside himself and didn’t know what to do. 

                Well, the story continues.  I had the elder talk with them on the telephone.  I wrote a very fine letter with a photo of the MTC and all of his “batch-mates.”  The president finally calmed the parents down just a bit.  They demanded to come up to the MTC (a 14-hour trip, by boat and by bus) to see their son, bring him home, or investigate.  The stake president decided he and his wife would accompany them all the way and felt that he could help begin to convert them to the gospel. 

So, here’s the thing!  In his visits with the parents, the stake president discovers that several years ago, the parents joined the church!  They became immediately less active; they never told their son that they were members of the Church! 

The Mother and brother came, she saw, she left.  The stake president hopes to activate the parents and family.  The elder continued his training and has now transferred to the mission field for his mission! 

ADDENDUM:  The stake president and wife came to the MTC with the mother and brother.  While I am giving them a tour of the building, the SP smiles and nods.  I later find that he has a son also in the same group.  He and his wife never ask to see their son, speak with their son or acknowledge that they have a son in the MTC.  The son never asks to see his father and mother, speak with them or acknowledge that he sees his parents in the MTC.  And, 14 hours of travel two ways.  What commitment!!

We love you! 

George T. Taylor, President

Philippines Missionary Training Center

Suffering through Shots

Do you remember those days in elementary school which struck mortal fear in your hearts?  Those days where you were coerced into having a needle, an inoculation, an immunization shot? Oh, the dread, the anguish, the agonizing anticipation of having the nurse put that needle into your arm?  We were just children and those days were some of the worst days of our lives. 

                Here in the Philippines, we see those days repeated over and over—an endless cycle of terror and torture  striking these amazing young innocents with overwhelming torment! 

The Church is now providing, at significant expense, an array of immunizations and pills to these wonderful young missionaries to prevent and protect them from severe illness.  The water bottle alone with its excellent water filter costs the church nearly $25.00 per missionary.  While in the MTC, the missionaries now receive Tetanus, Typhoid, MMR, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis A & B--7-shots total!  Add to that several pills over 3 weeks which we must hold them down to administer!  They can’t get their lunch or dinner without gagging the pill down first!  (exaggerating a bit here!).   Of course, we must allow them their agency? 

Can you imagine the suffering inflicted upon these child-like mortals most of whom have never had a shot in their lives!  Sister Lana Riddle, a superbly qualified nurse practitioner becomes the executioner!  I had one handsome smart missionary come skulking into the president’s office to hide behind the door in order to avoid getting shot!  It is almost like they are being shot at sunrise!   

And then to witness the pain and phobia engulfing them after the shot.  The hold their arms grimacing in sorrow and suffering for days as if a near fatal wound had been inflicted. 

OH!  Remember those days!  With love, and fear! 

George & Debbie Taylor