Couple Missionary Gathering

Angeles, Pampanga,

Philippines

6 April 2009

Every six weeks in our mission we have a senior couples meeting with the mission president where all couples gather and have training and share experiences they have had over the last six weeks. There are three couples assigned to work full time in the branches, one in the office, the mission president and his wife and us. One of the discussions that take place is staying with in the area of assignment. When some of the branches take trips to the temple the assigned couple wants to go with their members but because the temple is three missions away a request for travel needs to be sent to the Area Presidency for approval – ‘Red Tape’. Then someone will say “but the Costleys can go anywhere they want without permission”. We act sheepishly until we are in the car and then say ‘YES!’

Time is drawing short for two of our couples who are preparing to return home between now and July. Only one replacement couple has been called so we will be short a couple in a branch. This will be rough because they are so helpful.

Our training at the couples meeting was for the Elders on the Philippines budget process for the stake/ district and ward/ branches. They operate on what is known as a JP Morgan card (visa) where funds are allocated and as they are needed the president withdraws funds in cash then accounts for them with receipts. The unit allocation is based on attendance at meetings.
After the meeting we returned the pickup truck to Manila and were glad to have our little Corolla back – it is more comfortable and easier to maneuver through traffic.

We taught a Career Workshop Saturday in a small ward called Capas in the Tarlac Stake and had seventeen participants in our class. Many of our members are hungry for anything that will help them to face life’s challenges.

Elder NB & Sister MB