What a week! On Tuesday, I went to the Mabuhay House, a place where little children are taken care of for cleft pallets, and club feet, and adults that need cataracts! The Mabuhay house was put together by a Mission President, that saw a need for this work donated for the poor people, so the children can enjoy a better life! It has been on going for 25 plus years! There were 2 little brothers ages 1 and 2 both with cleft pallets, a happy little boy with legs twisted with club feet, a few others that were there recovering from surgery's. There was a young man name Mosies, I don't know why he was there, he was about 20, and helped a lot with the others, he had no teeth in front, because of being born with cleft pallet, which has been fixed, he had stubs for fingers, with enough of a split between them on one hand that he could hold a spoon in between the stubs! Anyway we all introduced our selves, and told a little about ourselves, like I was from Utah, USA, and was a Lola, (grandma), when it was his turn, he said, I am Mosies, and I'm happy! He was difficult to understand but that is what he said! My eyes filled with tears, because of his sweet spirit, and happiness to be alive! He had no family with him, and I don't know if he has one! He was a joy to serve with, and was so grateful for us coming and spending the morning with them! He couldn"t say thank you enough! I will try to attach some pictures! What a day!
Richard is so busy at the office, and has so much to do, and it is constant, he does some at home on his phone, but when we get in our new apartment, they will come and hook him up to the internet, so he can take his lap top home to do the work at night! Last Sat. he came to the office very early, so he could call Salt Lake, and get some work done! As for me, I stayed home, and did the wash, hung it all to dry, the sheets I had to lay across the kitchen chairs to dry, it was comical, I cleaned the apt. and didn't have any cleaning supplies, so I used dish soap to clean everything! Opened all the blinds and loved the sunshine coming in, did some reading, and even found a show on TV!! Richard came home at noon and we went to TGI Fridays for a late lunch! I thought I was in America for a minute, the salad was delicious! then we walked around the busy Eastwood city area, and had a good time!
In the province where we lived before, you would see people with no teeth or rotten teeth, here, you see braces, and beautiful smiles! Also all the dogs in our mission were strays, and so skinny, and homeless, in Eastwood, you are rich if you have a dog! They are healthy, and groomed, and always going on walks, or are in strollers! We were in an elevator with a lady and a stroller, and Richard looked in to see the baby, and it was 2 dogs! We saw one beautiful, dog balancing on the back of a motorcycle, and he had a little dog helmet on! They have a couple of stores with dogie clothing , hats sweaters, dresses, sweat outfits, etc! Amazing the difference in the wealth of the people! Those are just 2 of the differences I have noticed, also in Eastwood where we live, the jeepneys, and trikes aren't allowed in the town!
I forgot to tell you about Friday morning, we were picked up with 4 missionaries to go to immigration to get fingerprinted. The driver picked us up at 7:00 A.M. It took over an hour to get there, and he took the back roads to avoid traffic! He took us through the oldest part of Manila, and I saw such poverty, little children and families sleeping on cardboard on the concrete, or under card board, or plastic lean to! No food, skinny dogs, filth in the streams and ocean, just unbelievable! It took us an hour to get fingerprinted, and it was so fun to be with these 4 missionaries from the MTC, because you could feel of their excitement to be on a mission here, and to see all the sights! A Sister from Tonga, Sister from LasVegas, Elders from New Zealand and Australia, both Tongans! They are so fun and were so excited when Richard ask the driver to find a MCDonalds and stop and he would buy breakfast! By 10:00 we were pretty hungry, and thirsty! Everyone so grateful, the driver and our Filipino guide were so happy! We had an interesting morning, and now that is done, and hopefully we are set for 2 years!
Sunday, we went to the Expat ward! All the English people that live in Manila, and a lot of English Missionary couples go to that ward! Only English is spoken, and it was wonderful, I understood everything, that was said, and the spirit was so strong! The LaCanieta's took us, and he is Filipino, and he told us about the church, as it being the first Mormon Church built in the Philippines, and he learned to drive in the parking lot, and played baseball in the fields all around it! His Dad was a Bishop and Stake President as he grew up! Now it is surrounded by High Rises and is this beautiful church in the middle of a very busy city! We loved it and enjoyed our English day! By the way it is summer here, and it is hot!
We were at the office, just after 6 this morning, so Richard could make some calls, and found out the time changed in Utah, so we are going to have to adjust to that new difference in our time!
Tonight we have a FHE with our couples , and it is pot luck, and our first, so I am excited to see what it is all about!
Last week, we had a few Sisters and Elders bring in their children and their spouses to meet us, plus several people from the Stakes, Wards and branches from where we served, they all remember Presidents stories about riding the tractor over to the store, and his magic tricks! It's amazing to me that they even remember us!!
We are anxious to hear from our family missionaries today, and please know we are praying for all of you and we love you all! Thanks for all your support and love!
The pictures will be coming later, as soon as I figure it all out!
The little 2 year old boy
Little 1 year old with cleft lip
Mosies, the happy man I was telling you about with just stubs for fingers!
Little one year old and mother! Picture below is the group of missionaries and the people at Mabuhay House!
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