Fruits of Labor Past

We serve as the baptistry coordinators on Tuesday Afternoons so we get to meet groups coming from many areas within the Cebu City Temple District.   The groups that come the first of the week usually arrive on Monday evening and stay in patron housing until Thursday Morning.  While here the youth will perform baptisms twice a day on Tuesday and Wednesday and then once on Thursday before they leave for a total of five experiences in the baptistry while they are here.  The leaders also participate in other temple ordinances when not assisting their youth in the baptistry.  It takes some of the groups up to twelve hours by boat to get to Cebu and the temple.  Other groups fly into Cebu to serve in the temple.

Our son, Ammon, served in the Tacloban Philippines Mission in 2002 and 2003, which is now in the Cebu City Temple District.  We had Ammon send us information on the areas where he served so that when groups come from those areas we could find out if they knew him from his mission.  Last week, July 1, 2014, the group that came for baptisms was from the Biliran District.  That was the second area where Ammon served and he was assigned in Cabucgayan.  Sister Sorensen has an opportunity to visit with the youth and leaders so she inquired if they remembered an Elder Sorensen.  Two of the sisters said they remembered him but there have been several Elder Sorensens that served in Tacloban so we often wonder if they are remembering our Elder Sorensen.  We contacted Ammon and asked if he could send some pictures of him on his mission so we could show them to make sure it was him they remembered.  Ammon immediately sent us some pictures which we printed and LuAnn saw the sisters in the temple the next day and shared the pictures with them.  They said that Ammon was the Elder Sorensen they remembered.  One of the pictures he sent was of a baptism service at Kasabangan Falls and when they saw that picture they immediately began pointing out people in the picture they knew and said that one of the men was also here with their group.  Sister Sorensen arranged for us to meet with them at patron housing when we finished in the temple that evening.  What a tender mercy that meeting was.  Santiago Masuela said that the picture of the baptism was his baptism and that Elder Sorensen (Ammon) had taught him.  What a wonderful experience we had visiting with them and seeing some of the fruits of the labors of one of our children.  We felt Ammon had been guided in sending the picture of Kasabangan Falls because that was the picture that really connected us with these dear members. We wanted to share these pictures with you.

Elder Ammon Sorensen on Biliran looking South South East toward Leyte. 

The baptism service at Kasabangan Falls on Biliran.  At this time the area was almost like walking down a jungle path to get to the falls.  It has become quite commercialized since.  Elder Sorensen is on the left.

These are the Filipino Saints we had such a wonderful experience meeting.

Pictured Left to Right.

Elder and Sister Sorensen

President Leonard Mollare, 2nd counselor in the Biliran District Presidency.  Two of his children were in the picture of the falls and are now serving missions in the Philippines.

Santiago Masuela, this is the brother that Ammon taught and was baptized when the picture was taken.  He served as a counselor in the Branch Presidency under President Corpin and was called as the next Branch President when President Corpin was released.  He has also served twice on the District High Council.

Isagani L. Corpin, he was the Branch President at the time of the baptisms and his daughter was one of those baptized.  He was released as Branch President to serve on the District High Council and has also served twice in that calling.

Helen C. Carroll, sister to Isagani L. Corpin and wife of Bob Carroll an American who has since passed away.  She was one of the sisters that remembered Elder Sorensen.  She was not a member when he was serving his mission but her husband, who was a member, was always inviting the missionaries over.  Ammon has a picture of him with Helen, Bob and their son.

Marlvic Urgel Corpin, she was the other sister that remembered Elder Sorensen.

President Alkie T. Corpin, 1st Counselor in the Biliran District Presidency and husband to Marlvic.  He was not a member when Elder Sorensen served in Biliran.

Change of Seasons

Since we have been getting rain almost every day for the past few weeks I guess we are officially in the rainy season in the Philippines.  It really struck me last month when I was talking with one of my children about gardening that I missed the change of seasons.  As we talked about the possibility of still getting frost on Memorial Day I realized that it seems to be the same here everyday.  The temperature only changes from hot to real hot and the humidity from humid to more humid.  There does seem to be a change in the plants as different blossoms have appeared in the last month so I guess the plants know there is a different season.  I am amazed at how many trees have blossoms on them. We enjoy the flowers so much that I thought I would show some new ones that weren't in blossom last month when I posted flowers.  Hope you enjoy these also.

Shopping

It has been a few weeks since our last blog update.  We will blame it on a combination of time needed to serve in the temple and figuring out what may be of interest to post.  If any of you have subjects or questions about the Philippines that you would like to see on our blog please email your ideas to us as soon as possible.

This time we thought we would show you some of the ways that we do our shopping from buying food to other items as well as getting a hair cut.  You will see the contrast between modern Cebu and more historic ways of making purchases.  There are small fruit stands or shops on almost every street because transportation, other than walking, for many is not financially feasible. The Filipino people also are very  talented at creating ways to support their families by having any kind of business to generate some income in a very limited space.

We are waiting for a stop light to change so this "street vendor" is walking past all the stopped vehicles to see if anyone would like to buy something from him.  You can purchase anything from food items such as fruits, drinks, water, etc. to rags, towels, flags and much more.  You need to have some pesos ready because as soon as the light changes your chance to make a purchase is over.

Sister Sorensen purchasing eggs at a street market.  We actually found the eggs at this spot to be fresher than in the stores.  It was interesting to us that you never see eggs refrigerated, even in the modern stores.

Two vendors on the sidewalk selling fruit and corn.  We are spoiled by the corn that we grow in our garden so after giving the local corn a try decided we could wait until we get home for "the good stuff".  

This sister is known as the L.D.S. lady and runs this business across the street from the temple.  She makes sure the fruit we get, mango, apples, bananas, watermelon, avocados, etc are fresh.  Notice the hand made items in the window, necklaces, rings, belts, that they make on-sight.  Many of the items have an L.D.S. theme.  Her son is the bishop of the Busay 1st ward and has several of these businesses selling different items in Cebu.  He learned how to start these businesses by attending a seminar and because of his success encourages members of his ward to attend the seminar to learn how to increase their income.

You can purchase chicken that is being roasted over coals.  When you purchase chicken in the Philippines it usually comes with gravy to put on it.

This is the Salon where Elder Sorensen gets his hair cut.  Several of the missionaries go here to have Ryan cut their hair.  This includes both the Elders and Sisters.

This is Ryan the Barber who cuts the missionaries hair.  He has a physical disability with one of his legs and is very lucky to have the skills to provide an income for him and his son.  A man's haircut costs 50 pesos, about $1.25 but the missionaries give Ryan more than that to help him out.

There are places that are set up to sell specific items such as this one that sells only shoes.

Each small section is a different vendor even though many of the shoes look the same at each place.

Welcome to international fast food.  The menu is similar to the U.S. but you can get rice and spaghetti with your meal too. 

S & R membership shopping, sort of like Costco.  We go here almost every Monday for our weeks supply of food.

Sister Sorensen inside S & R.  We did learn that if you find something you really like you should stock up on it because it may not be there next week.  When we first arrived I was glad to see that they had a pretty good selection of vitamins so when I needed some I would know where to get them.  As I was getting close to needing vitamins they were gone, not just the ones I wanted but the whole vitamin section.  It has returned now.

Here Sister Sorensen and some of the other missionaries are entering the SM Store in the SM Mall.

Looking at one small section of the SM Mall.  You do have to be in the mall a number of times to get to know your way around so you don't get lost.  You really can find most anything you want to purchase in Cebu, if you can find out where to purchase it.

Flowers and misc.

It has been awhile since we updated our blog but we are still in Cebu serving in the temple and keeping very busy.  There are times in the temple because of lack of workers that the missionaries, especially the sisters, go in to help in addition to their assigned shift.  Both of us have also been given additional responsibilities in the temple which take more time but we love serving.

On Mothers Day brother Dyard, the one Kim baptized, received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained an Elder. This was also the Cebu City Stake conference.

The community CR project has been completed and the facility was turned over to the City of Cebu. The mayor of Cebu came and accepted the project from the Cebu Stake President with talks, flower arrangements and a ribbon cutting ceremony.  It was interesting to see the progress on many of the homes but there were still lots of "tents" still set up as temporary homes.

There are two new missionary couples who started serving at the temple.  Elder and Sister Decker are from Arizona and Elder and Sister Lewis are from Idaho.  As part of their orientation to the Philippines they were shown some of the sights by taking them to Moalboal to go snorkeling.  We felt obligated to go along and help point out some of the unique aspects of life in the Philippines.  We weren't able to show them any sea turtles but plenty of beautiful fish, coral and even a sea snake.

Since it is spring in Utah we decided to show you some of the flowers that we see regularly here in Cebu.  Some are located on the temple grounds and others were seen out walking.  Many trees have flowers and some are in bloom all of the time.  We don't know the names of the flowers but if you are at the Manti Temple Ken Lindsay can probably tell you what they are.

National Week of Service and other service

It is always easy to give service in the Philippines because every where you look there is a need.  Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to give service in three different areas the same day.  In the morning we went to help again on sister Patajo's CR, the house that sits over the ledge.  It is almost completed now.  In the afternoon we went to the "Home for the Dying Destitutes", a care center run by Catholic Nuns.  There are sixty-six residents in the center but only about twenty were able to come so we could meet them.  It was the day after Easter Sunday so after interacting with those who were able to come to the dining area we helped serve dinner and then sang some Easter Hymns to them.  We ended with "I am a child of God".  One of the wheelchairs that we saw had L.D.S. Charities on the back.  The church's humanitarian projects touch many lives in the world.  We were asked to not take pictures so we only have a picture of the sign for the facility.

In the evening we went to help other church members on a National Week of Service project.  The National Week of Service is where everyone is encouraged to give service to their communities.  The church in Cebu, as in all areas of the world, has been a very visible participant in service projects involving their communities.  In March there was a fire that destroyed the homes of thousands of people.  The fire was during the daytime and no one lost their life which is amazing considering all of the homes were next to and on top of each other.  The people are starting to rebuild but there are no restroom facilities available to them.  The local church units decided to build one of several community restrooms (called CRs in the Philippines, Comfort Rooms) as their service project.  It would also contain several showers.  After the project is completed it will be turned over to the local government.   We were able to participate several times when we were not serving in the temple.  Several evenings there were members working on the project until midnight. We are not aware of any active members that live in the affected area but because of the project many of the residents were exposed to the church through the members service.  Each time we were there children were out flying home made kites and just being children.  The children loved any attention given to them especially by the Senior Missionaries.

The Sisters rely on donations from local businesses to provide food and other needs for the residents.

View of just one part of the community destroyed.  The blue tarps are living areas for families, hopefully temporary.

Contrast looking from where the fire was and "Modern Cebu".  The goats wandered freely.

Some residents sit on their beds in a "tent" where they cook, eat and sleep.

Current "CR" accommodations for part of the thousands left without homes.

Forming re-bar for the CR support columns.  Very simple but effective.

Elder Sorensen did have "Helping Hands" even though he didn't have a vest saying so.

Mixing Concrete Filipino style.  Pour concrete mix on the ground, add gravel and water then mix by hand.

Transporting the concrete to the needed area.

Partially completed project.  The roof is now on and the project will be finished this week. 

Sister Brown, one of the temple missionaries, enjoying some of the children.

Life goes on.  The tent on the left houses several families.  Some homes in different phases of construction.

With nowhere else to go residents already occupy the unfinished homes.  Gives a whole new perspective to "moving in before the home was completely finished".