Sundays

Sundays are always very sweet for me. It is a break from the work week and the Wards we visit are so sweet. The last 2 previous Sundays we went to the Cabuo Ward. The people there are very loving and kind to us and we enjoy it so much. Their average age is 25-35.They seem to be pretty knowledgeable in the gospel and speak ok English. Today we went to the Mapayapa Ward . It was harder to get to and farther away. We actually got a little lost. The poverty to get there was sad. We arrived about 20 minutes early and the gates were locked and it was raining. The Bishop was standing out in the rain. His counselor had the key and was not there yet. It was interesting to see the people arrive. They came in Taxies, on motorcycles, tricycle taxis and in Jeepneys. They just got dropped off and stood in the rain. By the time the key came the sidewalk was full of Ward members under umbrellas. I felt guilty because we were in an air conditioned van. There definitely is not a parking lot full of mini vans. Our van and one other car were the only ones in the parking lot. The floors in the church are all tile but very nice tile. They are not swept often but it is clean to the Filipinos. There is no organ just an old piano. The people all sing really loud. It is so beautiful to hear. The pulpit does not go up and down and is really low for Americans. Three of the Senior Missionaries were asked to sit on the stand and they thought they were to talk but as it turned out only one did, Elder Chamberlin. He was so much taller than the mic it was hard to hear him. Sunday school was in the RS room and just like the last chapel we sat on plastic chairs that are like the cheapest plastic deck chairs you can buy. I wonder if it is because of the rainy season they won’t get ruined. The chapel has unpadded wooden benches but all of the other rooms have the plastic chairs. The chapel we went to today was the Stake center. In the RS room was a 2 burner hot plate and a sink. That is the chapel kitchen. The first building we went to had no kitchen. It is such a contrast to what we as Americans have to enjoy and take so for granted. The members in the Ward today were not as knowledgeable in the gospel and not good at English. The RS lesson was on fasting from the Principles of the Gospel manual. I can see why the World wide Church had to go to the basics because these good saints need it. They are so new to the gospel and years behind those born and raised in the gospel. They are humble and teachable and think we know everything. I feel like crying every Sunday because we have so much and are less humble than these sweet saints. It builds my testimony every week. These are our brothers and sisters and we are here to help them.