Dagupan, Pangasinan,
Philippines
22 October 2009
Saturday, a week ago we planned to go with our team to San Fernando, La Union to hold a Stake Welfare Convention. Our team of five were to meet with the stake members and leaders to review and recommit them to help their members become self reliant.
Due to the typhoon damage and all the volunteer activities required to support those in need in Pangasinan, three members of the team were not available. We received a call late Friday evening asking us to take the message to the stake by ourselves – just the two of us. The three team members had been working long hours all week organizing and delivering supplies to members and were now working on a Humanitarian project to help the community. We agreed to complete the assignment with all its challenges.
Driving to the training in San Fernando, we drove through areas that had major mudslides and a lot of damaged homes. In many places the mud had covered the road up to 12 inches deep or more. The roadway had been cleared for traffic but the mud was still along the sides. We made the trip without delay and met with the stake for two and a half hours collecting data and leaving the challenge with them.
Returning to Dagupan, Pangasinan, we arrived at the chapel in mid-afternoon and found the team and volunteers busy distributing more than 5,000 bags of food to Non Government Organizations (NGO). They had also prepared hygiene kits to be sent out with the food. The NGOs would come in with their trucks load the food, hygiene kits and water with the help of our volunteers then leave with their group and a volunteer observer to make the distribution to their communities. Our observer is part of the check and balance to make sure the aid is delivered to people in need.
Our friends, The Fonbuenas, who are Humanitarian missionaries from Manila, were at the chapel to oversee the work and advise as needed. They are serving their third mission to the Philippines (See above photo).The entire team had been working long hours all week and had just about reached their limit but the end was in sight. They have had a major impact on the relief effort in all of the Province of Pangasinan.
It is impressive to see the effort that can be called upon and given with short notice by members of the church.
Elder NB & Sister MB
2 comments:
We all have to work together and accomplish good. Boy, what experiences you are having. What faithful missionaries you two are.
A native senior missionary couple -What a blessing that would be anywhere, along with you good Americans. The humanitarian aid the Church gives quickly is miraculous. How did you ever travel through those mudslides and go to a stake by yourselves?
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