Gerona, Tarlac,
Phillippines
17 July 2009
Yesterday we had a real treat – here is the story:
We left Tarlac City for Gerona and picked up District Pres. Nadado and his son Kristin (14) and drove out into the country about 5 KM to a small Barangay (village) to the school where Sister Bessie Nadado works as a teacher (above in the midst of the children). She teaches grade 5 and has 48 students in her class.
We were invited to the school for a lunch for the under-nourished students (July is nutrition month). MB had contributed some money for their lunch and they invited us to come and visit. Two sisters from Gerona Branch prepared and brought a big pot (maybe 5 gal) of macaroni, meat and veggie soup for the students.
As we arrived, the students looked at us as if they had never seen a white person before – they were very curious the whole time we were there. 359 students attend classes at this Barangay elementary school and they fed about half of them from the soup pot and they were given crackers as well.
A few of them spoke English well and others understood a little. We tried out all the Tagalog words we know, we told them we were Lolo (grandfather) and Lola (grandmother) and they could be our Apo (grandchildren). When the camera came out they all wanted to be in the front row and crowded in for the picture. We had to be careful so no one was hurt some times taking pictures from the hip verses holding the camera to the eye.
At one point, after they had eaten their lunch, I asked them questions in English – like days of the week, months of the year, how old they were and then asked if they could sing a song for me. You have to picture this – I am standing on a short wall looking down on about 250 elementary school children that are crowded close around me and Sister Bessie’s class starts singing a song – “Choose the Right” singing loud and clear – all three verses. What a surprise. None of these children are members of the church but they have learned how to sing church songs, pray and to live better lives from their teacher. Before we left, I had them all line up and shook each of their little hands – not all of them wanted to touch a big white guy. However, as we were leaving, a lot of the students gathered around MB and walked with her to the car. What a privilege it was for us to be with these beautiful children, what a privilege to be serving in the Philippines.
Elder NB & Sister MB
3 comments:
I wish I could have been there..what a blessing and opportunity. Bless You!
I loved what you said in the email...that the children thought you had such white skin and blue, blue eyes, and that you smelled so good!!! You are making an impression in so many ways!! How sweet that these children know the song "Choose the Right" I just want to hug everyone of them!
Aren't children and schools special to visit and help with! And to sing "Choose the Right" will be a blessing to them always.
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