Our area of responsibility covered the San Carlos District and the Escalante Stake with our main focus on the District. Over the past while each week we have visited a different Branch in the District saying our goodbyes. It has been very difficult visiting a branch on a Sunday knowing it would be the last time you would be there and the last time you would see these wonderful people that we have come to love. We have learnt much from them and probably much more about ourselves and certainly much more about our Saviour Jesus Christ and how His hand is in all that is good. Yes we have seen miracles,lives changed, the sick and afflicted healed, lives blessed because good people give of themselves selflessly to serve others. Medical and dental professionals that donate their skills and others that assist in whatever way they can to make this world a better place for others. I love the words of Marjorie Pay Hinckley "We all have a responsibility, a responsibility to make a difference, to be an influence, to lift someone. We are all in this together to work out our salvation, to reach our potential, and to be our brothers keeper- to help each other".
Our responsibility as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints is to invite all to come unto Christ. That all may enjoy the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and in striving to become Christlike bless the lives of others.
As our mission here in the Philippines comes to a close we would like to share some more pictures of places and people that will be forever in our hearts.
Macasilao in the mountains of Negros Occidental north west of Calatrava.
We will never forget these roads or the wonderful people of Macasilao
Last year it dried up and there was not enough water to perform baptisms so they had to travel down to Calatrava on the coast and use the sea. No problem this year there are waterfalls flowing into this river and still the rain comes. It was so hot that day when this picture was taken sister Dunne's shoes melted, the glue under the insoles came undone and caused them to curl up.
Calatrava Youth and Leaders
And below some members of the Canlaon Branch
Sister Dunne" How old is your little girl"
Sister Empenado "two"
Sister Dunne "Is she unwell"
Sister Empenado " yes she has a heart problem"
Sister Dunne "And what can be done about it"
Sister Empenado "Nothing, she needs heart surgery but we have no budget" (this is how they say that they don't have the money for something)
Sister Dunne "Have you talked to the branch president"
Sister Empenado "It would cost too much"
Sister Dunne "let us see what we can do to help"
We contacted her branch president explained the situation, got the necessary forms for fast offering assistance made the arrangements for them to visit the doctor. Brought them to the Phil Health office in San Carlos to find out what contribution they would make. Got information on required surgery and its cost completed forms and submitted them to the Area Office for approval for fast offering assistance. The rest is history as they say. One of the greatest joys of our mission was to see this sick little girl who could have died, healed and have the opportunity to grow and develop and play like all healthy little children should.
Would we do it again ? in a heartbeat
We feel so blessed to have had the experiences we have had over the past two years. We have had the privilege to serve with some of the most wonderful people in the world and to serve some of the most wonderful and humble people in the world. We have developed friendships that will continue into the eternities. Our lives have been enriched our minds and understanding expanded and our hearts (busog) full to overflowing for the people of the Philippines and more importantly for our Saviour Jesus Christ.