2010 - Its a New Year

Rosales, Pangansinan
Philippines

3 January 2010

Today, Jan.3, 2010 was a great Fast Sunday. After attending our “Paniqui” District meetings we came home for a quick dinner and then drove about 2 hours to the City of Rosales in Pangasinan to present our “Prosperity” Fireside (subject: temporally taking care of yourself by saving for the future). Rosales was one of the cities devastated in the last typhoon because a dike broke and most of the entire city was flooded. As we have stated previously, Filipinos are very resilient and nothing gets them down for very long.

After we presented our information, the Rosales Bishop got up to close the meeting and told of his boyhood, losing his father at the age of 6 and his self reliance. At this young age, before he became a member of the church, he knew he had to take care of himself because no one else was available to help him. He and his friends would have contests to see who could sell the most breakfast bakery goods each day. He would get up at 4:30 a.m. collect his baked items and sell them on the street until 7 a.m. then he would go to school for the day. By buying and selling he was able to put himself through elementary, high school and college. He is still in the buying and selling business with his wife and they are able to support their family and be self reliant. He was the Stake President and now the Bishop of his ward. He has not forgotten the Lord since his baptism at age eleven and not in all his success.

One of our beloved Tarlac Sister Missionaries had told us the story of her youth when her father left their family of 6 children. All of the children (and mother) had to find some form of employment to provide for their daily needs. She, being the only girl in the family, learned to make a fried banana kind of dessert to sell every morning before she went to school. Last New Year’s eve she taught Sister MB how to make the dessert and shared this story. The little youngest brother (about 6) tried to fish daily so the family would have something to eat. Not knowing how to fish or how to assemble the little bamboo fishing trap he needed, the Barangay men laughed and made fun of his humble trap. Because his trap would usually fall apart, he kept trying and trying and after awhile mastered a technique and proudly provided fish for their family. Eventually he got so good that he began to sell his traps! Sister Igcas didn’t go on her mission until she was 28 because she worked so she could support her brothers on their missions. Her story is typical of many Filipinos, don’t give up! Don’t stop trying! (In above photo Sis. Igcas is in orange on the far left).

There are two wards that meet in the Rosales Chapel every Sunday with a set of missionaries in each ward. As we arrived we visited with one set of young missionaries, a Filipino and Elder Hales from Utah, he has only been in the Philippines 20 days! After our meeting, we met another set of missionaries, a Filipino and Elder Hales from California! (they are not related). It was so cute because each Filipino Elder was about 4’9” and about 90 lbs. and each Elder Hale was at least 6’. Quite a contrast but great companions!

Elder NB & Sister MB