We went on an outing to Carbon yesterday after we finished our preparation day chores of cleaning, and laundry. Actually, it was an exploration, for we felt like we were in a far off land.


Carbon is part of Cebu, sort of like Meridian is almost part of Boise. It’s a 20-30 minute drive from the mission office, and we are very close every time we go to the post office to pick up packages. This is Cebu’s primary open market, where most things are available if you know where to look for them.

It was an average summer day; sunny, hot, (probably 95ish) and humid. I didn’t see many people mopping their brows (everyone carries a sweat wiper, which amounts to a hankie, or better yet, a smallish terry hand towel) except for Kevin and I. This was one of two times thus far that my whole person was covered in sweat. I know, I know—a sweat report in a blog?! What can I say; we westerners are amazed at the phenomenon. As amazing as profuse sweating is, seeing people in what I would term as hot clothing--long sleeves, high necks, even neck scarves and hats is even more amazing. But all in flip flops; we were the only people I observed at the market who had on regular shoes.

It was a check-out-and-be-checked-out experience. There we were—tall, very white, and dressed up. Oh and throw in my blonde hair for good measure. We stuck out, or as Kevin put it, we were a market item. I was a little uneasy, although I don’t think I had any reason to be. Kevin was relaxed enough to hear, “Mormon, Mormon” as we walked up and down.


Chickens for culinary purposes. Cock fighting is VERY big here--sometimes we wonder if the children get fed as well as the cocks.


The market is a mass of buyers and sellers, jeepneys loaded with people and supplies, commerce at its best.


If you're short a display table for your dried fish you can always use a nearby motorbike.

It was a sight, sound and smell smorgasbord! You can see from the pictures that there were all kinds of interesting nooks and crannies, but words are feeble when it comes to all the smells. There were good, savory, food-cooking smells. There were dried fish smells. There were moist-things-that-had-been-washed-into-the-street-to-molder smells. We walked, and looked, and were looked at.


Three local models, eager to be discovered by a passing photo journalist.

I’m sorry to report that we didn’t find the basket and gardening tool we went for. Most of the merchants have the baskets, usually in size XXL to hold their produce; they are hand-made, sturdy, and we would like a smallish one. No one could tell us where to get one! As far as the gardening tool—there aren’t garden centers, and maybe what they use to cultivate their flower beds are machetes, which are the Philippine equivalent of a leatherman. (Even kids carry them and are very adept at their use.) Next time we go to Carbon we’ll hire someone who knows the market and speaks English as well as Cebuano to help us find what we’re after. And next time I will relax and enjoy the adventure.


We next went to the old fort that was built by the Spanish to protect their interest here in Cebu. Unfortunately we were rained out and so we will have a picture or two when the opportunity avails itself to go back.

No day is complete here without interaction with some of the many jeepneys that follow their respective routes. My impression is that these became a way of mass transportation following WWII when many surplus 'jeeps' were modified such that they could carry passengers.



There is of course the driver but the real interest is the conductor type who hangs onto the back of the jeepney and waves at and attracts potential riders. At places where several jeepneys gather you will here inviting shouts from competing jeepneys. And there is always the actual jocking for the best position to pickup passengers.

The other side of the me lay that is in constant motion on the streets are the taxis. Their tactic is to spot you as a potential rider and honk to get your attention. Often they will slow down by you to assure that you are aware of their presence.

While the jeepneys mostly stay to the right side of the road, unless going around each other, the taxis on the other hand dart and weave. It is one great like one great big aquarium,....... many different types of fish all moving in concert with together and you don't see any fish banging into each other, each one finds there own way. It all seems to work!

While the taxis are all pretty much the same in appearance the jeepneys can be a real work of art. Over the next several blogs entries I will try to post a Jeepney of the Week.


This driver really smiled when I told him I wanted a picture of his jeepney!

We are loving the opportunity to be here, and engaged in the real work that we are asked to perform, that is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are learning more each day as to our office duties but find a myriad of opportunities to invite those around us in all our interactions to hear the message of the restoration.

All the best from this side of the earth.

The Reed in Cebu

We just concluded a week of change and movement in the lives of many of our missionaries. Every six weeks is transfer week. When a missionary is called a designated release date is also assigned and all this is correlated through the church missionary department. At every six week cycle a group of missionaries will be leaving for their homes and a new group will be arriving to begin their mission experience. Here in the office we help to arrange and expedite this process.

It is interesting to observe the great blessing in personal growth that occurs when our young people spend this time in their life to be of service.


These are the missionaries that are going home. Note: The V-shape under the chin indicates they think they're handsome (guapo for the elders, guapa for the sisters).

We only knew these departing missionaries for the short time we've been here in Cebu, but it is inspiring to talk with them and hear of their mission experiences and see in their eyes the love they have for the people they serve with.

The flip side of this week is the re-arrangement that needs to take place in the companionships and the locations that they will serve in. This transfer we sent nine missionaries home and only six arrived. President Hansen, with those that assist him, decide where the new missionaries will serve, and with whom, and also other companionships that are reassigned. This is a great opportunity to start fresh in a new area, and with new acquaintances coupled with inspiration, the work of the Lord moves on in this, and all the missions of the Church.


Here are the new missionaries that just arrived from the Manila MTC.

By the way Elder Antonio is neither leaving or arriving which one is he? It is like Where's Elder.........instead of Waldo!


These Elders along with two others are heading off to open the island of Camotes

We are continuing to learn our trabejo ( job, work )( roll the ‘r’ and the ‘j’ has an ‘h’ sound) in the office, and it is starting to feel a little more known. Our training couple will begin to venture away and resume their previous work in strengthening the wards and branches. They will check in with us when needed and continue to guide us via phone or texting, which is big here. You often see people walking in a group of two or three or more and all of them are texting.


We head off in a jeepney to help with a stake service project. The Church will celebrate 50 years in the Philippines in 2011. Our mission has a goal of performing 7000 hours of service in the year 2009 as part of the build-up to that celebration.


Yesterday, Saturday, our preparation day, we visited a museum which was developed recently to tell the history of the Island of Cebu. This island like many in the Philippines has gone through several conquerings and has been under the thumb of other countries. There are four main time periods. The first and longest would be the time of self development as a people. Each island developed and adopted some characteristic that distinguished them form the other peoples in the area. They traded with other nations and so there are relics that support this fact. We saw many pieces of pottery from the Ming and earlier dynasties in China. Vietnam, Thailand, and Greece had trading ships that passed by Cebu and all left some evidence. In those days the name of the island was Segbu.

The Spanish era was the first big shift in the direction of development for these people. Magellan first landed on Cebu, and his soldiers were able to convert the people from their Pagan religion to Catholicism, all in forty days.

His next goal was to do the same with an adjoining island, Mactan. The king, Lapu Lapu had a different idea and with overwhelming numbers resisted and killed all but 8of the soldiers.

The Spanish returned within a couple of decades to re-establish their foothold and develop the country. They were not resisted, and so the Spanish influence expanded. Over time the local Philippine people developed a resistance to the overbearance of the Spanish State, and in the process began to exert guerrilla tactics to weaken the government. While all this was becoming effective, the Spanish sold the Philippines to the U.S. in a land deal.

The Spanish left, and the people of Cebu celebrated for a brief time before a U.S. ship came to see what was purchased!

This American period was a time of education and growth in the infrastructure for the island. The money and government were patterned after the U.S.

Then came WW2 and with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the islands of the Pacific were under a new threat. The invasion of Cebu happened on the beach near Talisay and because of the overwhelming army the Philippine people and the Americans had to surrender. Much pain and suffering took place under this army’s rule, mostly by the strangling of commerce. Japan set their own money in place and under death penalty no one could use any other.(If you are interested you can see this money on E-Bay; search under Japanese Peso).

The American military under MacArthur liberated the Philippines and after some time set the nation of the Philippines on their own course.

We admire the heritage that has developed here and can better understand some of the culture.


There is always room for another goat picture!

We hope you enjoy what we can share by our being here, and always enjoy your reply. As members of the Lord’s gospel we are all engaged in work that has eternal meaning; may the Lord bless you and your family in your efforts.

The Reeds in Cebu

Hello dear ones,

Thank you for thinking of us--praying for us--sending us cheery hellos. You can have feelings of being far from home at the same time you're living a grand adventure, and hearing from you helps us keep the balance.

I started writing a commentary on the week only to realize that it would be very long if I tried to describe it adequately. How about 10,000 words worth of pictures, and just a few words? Here goes:
**Lost power for the first time--we woke up to our apartment feeling like a sauna.
**Lost the Internet for four days--maybe connected to the power outage--who knows?
**Went across the mountains again, this time to retrieve supplies from a closed missionary apartment.
**Saw our first rice planting and harvest. (Part of the trip across the mountains.)
**Started teaching piano lessons (Ann).
**Got the internet back.
**Participated in a Jubilee service project.
**Had an even bigger power outage--whole region--multiple islands. Thank goodness the mall has backup generators so we had some place to cool off.
**Taught our first Family Relations class in Sunday School.
**Experienced a tropical rain storm--video and commentary to follow. It was pretty cool.
**Continued learning our office duties.
**A little more Cebuano.


I know we keep putting up pictures of the tropical mountains and they all look the same; can't help ourselves! When we're out like this one or the other of us exclaims "we're living in a tropical paradise" at least once. Now look out the windows to the right...


This rice field is being plowed in preparation for planting. Now look out the windows to the left...


This field is being planted. And further along on the left...


The harvest. We hesitate to take pictures of people--this is THEIR LIFE after all. But these folks stopped their work and enjoyed our interest in their work.

The village of Lamac is pretty much the end of the road, although there is a branch, a chapel, and missionaries serving there. Children are always very interested in us as we creep through these little towns. They come out to the road and look warily. We are so white, you know. We wave and are friendly; sometimes they wave back or call out "Hi Joe".


Do you ever feel like your laundry takes too long? I'm sure these clothes were hand scrubbed. It's all in your perspective.


This waterfall was visible as we worked our way up the road to the pool known as The Waters of Mormon where the local branch holds their baptismal services.

The Waters of Mormon, also known as a jumping, diving, swimming, laundry spot.

This is Elmer, my most driven piano student. That's not to say that the other 24 are only half motivated. It's just that he showed up for his first lesson and declared that he needed to be able to play the piano by Monday, because he's leaving for Manila to go to school. He already had a little musical background, so in a half hour he was playing "I Am A Child of God", slowly and carefully, and excitedly.


Saturday morning was a service project in a city park where we cleaned up leaves and trash. We met at the church (the one right outside our apartment door) at 6:00 am and took a jeepney to the park. These are some of the missionaries in City Zone--all great young men and women. The one in the very front--Elder Tecson is going home this week--Boo Hoo! Talk about a bright, optimistic, hard worker! We'll miss his capable leadership--jokingly threatening to keep him here until he looks at least 21!


Can't say I blame my star piano student from wanting to hang out with these lovely Filipina missionaries! We are still clean and cool here--before our labors began.

You may be across the world but you are close in our hearts. We love the gospel! There is great peace and strength in knowing it is true.

See you in the next blog.

Ayo-Ayo!
Elder & Sister Reed in Cebu

"Look for the beauty in the world around you. Wherever you are, it's waiting to make your heart glad."


Here we are at the end of another week which, included an array of new and interesting experiences. Last week of course was Easter week and in this country it has multiple dimensions. The beginning of that week was a holiday, though we weren't sure for what. It was like some of our Monday holidays; stores were open but many people did not have to be at work. Tuesday and Wednesday were normal in as far as work goes. With the upcoming Easter celebration, many were shopping to stock up for get togethers.



The supermarket--never called a grocery store--always found in a mall. Think of Costco at Christmas time, only with narrower aisles and very loud music! It's easy for me to find Ann in the store; think blonde in the sea of beautiful black hair.

Thursday brought the real shift in activity in the general public, as most businesses were closed, including the malls and grocery stores, and on Friday it was quieter yet. The normally busy roadways were almost empty, making getting around easy. It's interesting to realize that places we've been going for the past five weeks aren't really so far away, including picking up two missionaries at the airport that are from the Cebu area, returning home after completing their missions in other parts of the Philippines. It was nice to visit with them and get a sense of how the work is moving forward in other Philippine missions.


Our home and office building. We live on the 2nd floor on the right side, the side closest to Salinas Dr. and the jeepney and motorcycle roar all night long. We think we're finally getting used to it...


The view of the Cebu stake center from the mission office front door. We share the parking lot with its requisite basketball court. (More on church basketball in another blog.) The chapel is at the far end, with two floors of classrooms and offices that open onto an outdoor walkway. This is like no church hall you've ever seen before; geckos are welcome any time!

If you are interested, go to Google earth or Google maps and type in 47 Salinas Dr Cebu City Cebu Philippines. You will see a white building shaped at a 45 degree angle. That is the stake canter. If you look north of the parking lot you will see a small building set at an opposing angle, that is the building that has the office on the ground floor and our apartment on the upper floor. If you look east from that position you will see a large empty spot. This is the temple site.


Our office world is becoming more and more familiar, which is good, as it will allow more of our time and energy to be spent interacting with the young missionaries and their investigators, as well as with the members of our ward. There is great interest in piano lessons, and Ann will begin teaching this week.


Elder and Sister Reed with their patient and encouraging office trainers, Elder and Sister Morgan from Richfield, Utah. They will complete their mission in July. We manage to have fun while learning our office duties. Today the four of us drove over the mountains to the other side of the island for a district conference, ate our lunch in a park overlooking the ocean, checked on some missionary apartments, and completed the loop back to Cebu by way of the south road.


Oh the beautiful Philippine children! It feels like they invite you into their hearts when you take their pictures...On the other hand, the work of life for some begins early.






Thanks for your interest in our missionary adventure. Your emails and blog comments usually come when we need a bright word from home. Salamat! We know our call to the Philippines was inspired, and that the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ is essential for all God's children. We encourage you to consider such an opportunity for yourself. You will be a blessing to those whom you are called to serve.

Bye for now,
The Reeds in Cebu

We had a GREAT week! We were encouraged, discouraged, uplifted, exhausted—feels like we just about did it all—lived it all, but surely not, because there will be more adventure next week. In the future this week's events will probably seem “normal”, and I’ve wondered if I’ll get to the point of having to think hard about what to write. For the moment though, everything is a great adventure—all new and interesting and noteworthy. Pardon me if I burble on and on…

The most delicious, delightful detail of the week was being able to finally move into our own apartment. We started living out of suitcases on Feb. 22—I think that’s about six weeks. Ahhh! There’s no place like home, and ours is very reasonable, comfortable and convenient.

We knew the move would be this week because that’s when the two sister missionaries who had lived here were going home. YES I counted the days, and tried not to lick my chops over the apartment in their presence.

Sisters Moss & Barclay’s departure didn’t mean our immediate move in, and that nearly killed me. I was sooooo ready to be out of the hotel! So ready to unpack our suitcases and put our things in their places so that we can find them easily! So ready to get up in the morning and completely get ready for the day without going someplace else (the apartment where there are 110 outlets, thanks for sharing, Sisters Moss & Barclay) to do my hair. The hotel wasn’t horrible; it was clean and the staff was kind to us. BUT—there was no spirit in our room, or adequate light to read or study by.

We are home now. It only took a little while to get things squared away, due to all our possessions fitting into 4 suitcases. Hmmm. Less stuff, quick arrangement. I should take a lesson from this when we get home. Our address, in case you want to send a snail mail letter is:

Elder & Sister Kevin Reed
47 Salinas Dr.
Lahug, Cebu City 6000
PHILIPPINES

What kept me from personally assisting the facilities management cleaning team that got our apartment ready for us was a spur-of-the-moment assignment from President Hansen. His cellulitis hasn’t gotten better, in fact worse, and he realized that he wouldn’t be able to go to the two off-island zone conferences. What to do? Assign Elder & Sister Reed to go in his and Sister Hansen’s place. “With pleasure, President Hansen!” It was a very cool trip to Bohol and Negros, (islands) and when we returned to Cebu on Friday night our apartment was ready for us. Ahhhh.

Our unexpected outing was the second really cool thing about our week. We wouldn’t wish cellulitis on anyone (Pres. Hansen is improving after a visit to a specialist, a new round of antibiotics and bed rest), but it sure gave us a good excuse to go check out the other two islands in our mission.

Let me take a minute to describe these islands. All three, i.e., Cebu, Bohol and Negros (I think there are more in our “boundaries”, but these three major ones have missionaries serving on them) are large enough that it would take most of a day to drive from one end to another, have large, thriving cities, mountain ranges, and of course white, sandy beaches and tourist resorts. The island of Cebu is big enough that we don’t interact with the ocean or coastline at all in our daily comings and goings, BUT the mission office/our apartment are at the foot of the highway that goes over the mountains. (Remember my description of walking up the mountain a few weeks ago?)


We went up the mountain for a bit on Saturday with Kaikai. He brought his camera and was happy to stop and take pictures of anything that pleased us. Kevin is taking pictures of Kaikai taking pictures of the mountain.


This is our city noise respite. It's the middle of the mountain range that runs north to south on Cebu, a beautiful patchwork of green, created by family farms of vegetables and cutting flowers.


This picture was straight out of the book, "Heidi". A goat herd and his flock grazing on the hillside.

In spite of the big city traffic and noise right outside our door (and I mean that literally—sometimes it’s so loud in our apartment that I think there must be an open window, which there isn’t) we are within 15 minutes of cool, peaceful mountain bliss, even if it’s only for a half hour.

Now back to our zone conference tour. We got the assignment at about 1:00, shuffled some travel supplies into a couple of suitcases, then headed for the port to catch an ocean jet for Bohol. It was a very pleasant 2-hour trip over. We traveled in business class, (remember, we’re taking the place of the mission president) and studied our training material for the zone conferences.


Looking out the back of the ocean jet when we arrived in Tagbilaren, Bohol Island.

The assistants to the president were our travel companions, and they were in charge of making all the arrangements and seeing that we got to the right place at the right time. It would have been stressful had they not been there, but they knew what to do and we basically followed them around for two days.

On Bohol we stayed at a hotel in the middle of Tagbilaren (now roll your r’s so you sound Irish)—very comfortable and much more pleasing than ours in Cebu. In Dumaguete (that’s pronounced doom a getty--all one word) we stayed right on the ocean in a little hotel—not so refined, but we walked out our door to the beach at 4:45 in the morning. Pretty cool.


Sunrise on the beach at Dumaegete, looking toward Cebu.


The teaching portion of our trip was very satisfying. Zone conferences are from 8:00-12:00, and the groups are broken into three so you rotate every hour to a new class. Mine was on managing stress and Dad’s was on Joseph Smith’s contributions to the restoration. It felt like they went well, with each hour’s participants bringing different dynamics to our teaching.

Our trip home on Friday wasn’t as idyllic as our trip out was. We had to wait several hours before our ocean jet left, and it was very hot, both indoors and out. I had to remind myself that this is a 3rd world country, and in spite of MANY modern conveniences available (remember my discussion of the shopping malls?) there are still considerable gaps in development.

Today was our 3rd week in Cebu 1 (ward), and entirely satisfying. Some things are different, but most are the same as worshiping in wards in the states. Each ward has strengths and weaknesses, and it is delightful to recognize this common thread clear across the world.

One strength is that missionary work is alive and VERY well here! The investigator’s class in Sunday School is huge! It was really good energy—I was sitting where I could see everyone’s faces, and they were all intent on learning more about the gospel. All participated—prayed—read scriptures—shared their thoughts and ideas.

I either need to end this blog entry or divide it into chapters. Thanks for your listening ear, your love and your prayers. We are happy—grateful every day for the opportunity to serve a mission in the Philippines right now. The gospel is true! Living the gospel brings us great peace and happiness. You are far away, but close in our hearts and prayers. Proverbs 25:25.

The promised pictures...

We're making friends of all kinds, and this goat is one of growing number we've met so far. He supervises our walks each morning from the top of the wall. As you can see, it isn't the most hospitable wall, what with all the barbed wire, but he doesn't seem to mind. Since meeting this fella we've met a number of other goats; in open fields, on ropes at the side of the road, being lead along by lovely Filipina goat keepers. I'd like a goat or two, you know. I'd name the Pierre and Sven.


This is the front porch of the mission home on the morning of Zone Leader Council. It's customary to remove your shoes at the door, no matter how grand or humble the abode. It seems like great good fortune to find YOUR shoes at the front door of a mission home. Note the stone flooring. It's very common here in outdoor settings. Our humble apartment has stone--travertine-like--on all the floors and countertops. Interesting to see what building materials are used. All construction is concrete, which is good in terms of price (lumber is $$$$$ here)and termite warfare, but not so good if you want to hang pictures!

This is a view of the valley from part way up the mountain. We drove up our first weekend here, and now we can say that we've walked up also. It wasn't as harrowing as we thought it would be from our drive up (motorcycles and jeepnys are many and fast, but not so bad in the up hill lane). It was early last Saturday morning (5:30) with a Chinese-Filipino fellow we met on one of our daily walks. We probably wouldn't have braved it on our own, but he apparently does it every weekend. We walked for about an hour, then stopped at a vegetable stand where they had cooked fresh corn on the cob, which we purchased and munched as we walked up further to another outdoor eating establishment which served fried bananas and boiled eggs. It was shady and a great place for a chat. Our guide's name is Kai Kai, pronounced like eye eye.

Kevin is behind the camera. We had a great time learning more about the Philippine culture from a Cebu native.


Another goat friend!

Speaking of friends, we've seen a few roaches but not many. Our office and apartment area is quite well maintained. I also saw my first rat over the weekend, a 12-incher skulking along the wall of our motel parking lot. Couldn't help but think of Templeton in "Charlotte's Web" when I saw it.

This view of the temple from our motel window is probably the best thing about staying there. Delivery of the granite slabs for the exterior are scheduled for the end of April. It's an easy walk --about a block--to the walled construction area. We walked around the corner and visited with the construction manager last week. It's awesome to be living in the shadow of a new temple!

There are very modern grocery stores here in Cebu, all located in malls. They are always busy, sort of like around the holidays, so shopping takes a dose of energy and courage. All the employees wear uniforms--girls in dresses (all the seafoam green behind Kevin) and guys in white uniform shirts. Kevin couldn't resist using the senior check out line!

First Week in Cebu

It's Saturday morning. Most of the senior missionaries are either attending a meeting or visiting a museum. I am grocery shopping with Sister Hansen in a little while and this waiting time is a blog opportunity. As you can see, no pictures today. Now don't close out of the blog! I'll post them first chance I get--my camera battery is dead.


These last six days have been measured by our nights, which have been an adventure in themselves. We've dropped into bed in complete exhaustion each night, only to awaken a few hours later from the noise of the air conditioner, the noise of the street, or the noise in our heads.


All of you who have moved to another culture are shaking your heads knowingly at this very moment, right? So much to absorb and sort out; so much to get used to. Wouldn't it be a dull life if we only did things removed from the unknown, and that required no adjustment? I think our Cebu motto will be, "each day, a new adventure."


When we've finally survived the night, (each one has been a little better, slept a little longer, more peacefully) Kevin and I head out for our morning walk, which is an adventure in itself. The walking "sweet spot" is from 5:30 to 6:30, as it's dark before 5:30, and after 6:30 the traffic gets bad. Every day we go some place different; the first day we walked around to the temple site. Most morning we include what's called the IT park, which really isn't a park as we know it, but kind of a landscaped business setting with more uniform sidewalks and less traffic.


Philippine drivers do not stop for pedestrians.


This morning we only did a half hour of laps around the IT park since Kevin needed to be ready for the meeting at 8:00. There are quite a few folks who exercise at the IT Park, and we practice our Cebuano by greeting them--Maayong Buntag! Good Morning! They are pleased to be greeted by Americans in their language and return the greeting or just say "good morning" and smile. On our 3rd time around a gentleman who had finished his workout commented on our speed, (it's difficult to get your heart rate up at sea level when you're used to 2800 ft.) then the 4th time around he engaged us in conversation, which of course we loved. He mentioned the mountain, which isn't far away, and said that we could climb up for an hour or so, stop for a bite to eat, then take a jeepney back. What a lovely thought! Maybe next Saturday when we have no commitments.


We're staying at a hotel about a block down Salinas Dr. until the present office missionaries go home. It would be an easy walk to the office, but the sidewalks are very uneven, and crossing the street--remember, they don't stop for pedestrians here. Don't talk to me about crossing lights and cross walks either. The locals will just walk out and stand between the lanes of moving traffic, waiting the next lane to be empty for a moment. We wait and watch for an opening all the way across the lanes.


Kevin has been driving for three days now, and is handling the new conditions well. Sister Hansen says to think of driving like playing football--look for an opening and go for it. The lane markings are only a guideline--go ahead and pull around on the left or the right--there is almost no wrong way. If you need to turn across other lanes of traffic, don't wait for an opening, just ease out into the oncoming lanes and they will stop. Miraculously, there are very few wrecks, only occasional fender benders. I don't know about pedestrian deaths... There are no old, damaged cars here; they are all new, and nice.


The sisters who currently reside in our (future) apartment have been very welcoming and generous in sharing their space in this transition time. We are invited to cook, do laundry, or whatever we need, including me doing my hair there every morning since they have 110 outlets and the hotel only has 220. I look around as I am blowing and fluffing and think about setting up housekeeping here in just 12 days. It's hard to say who is more excited about them going home--them or us, for completely different reasons, of course. By the time we move in we'll have lived out of suitcases for about 6 weeks. Enough!

Our Cebuano is coming along. Not fast enough to suit us, but we've only been here for a week, after all. We have good support--many capable missionaries and the ward members, all of which are delighted to help us learn their language. I've taken advantage of a couple of opportunities to read to young sister missionaries who've been waiting in the office. They are shy (Fillapinas--feel like their English isn't good enough) but with a little encouragement they prove very capable teachers. Plus we have a good time talking about their mission experiences and life in general. Reading out loud to someone who can correct me is VERY desirable. Next comes understanding what I'm saying.

Many thanks to those of you who have dropped us a line. You are ALWAYS in our minds and hearts, even though we're living a magnficent adventure in a far away land. We pray for you every day. Oh rats! I can't even write this without getting tearful. Gihigugma ko kanimo.

Pictures for sure next time I have a minute to blog.