It has been an eventful week. We attended our first district meeting on Tuesday morning and then met up with Elder and Sister Green who serve in a different mission but have an assignment on several islands that were affected by the hurricane (Yolanda ?). Our island of Panay had the northern part damaged quite a lot and the Church provided some “emergency relief”. I am not sure what all has been done but the part Elder Green is working on is to provide group education opportunities for members in those areas. The curriculum areas were sewing, hair dressing, electronics, baking and carpentry and others, to help prepare for particular self employment. At the end of the course a “tool box” is provided so that they can go right into business. These are done by loan but the people only pay back a percentage of the total. We met and had dinner with the stake presidents and many of the stake council. We discussed the contracts with the schools and what needed to be done to get the classes started. It was all very interesting and some difficult problems came up with payments and supplies and such. We will not be working directly with this program but Elder Green and other leaders wanted us to go so that we could follow up when needed.
The trip took four hours to one city and then three hours to another city and then four and a half hours back to Iloilo.
The island is beautiful with lush vegetation everywhere. Some of the area is hilly with palm trees growing all the way to the top. I expected to see dinosaurs around every corner like in Jurassic Park.
We stayed at two different hotels which were quite nice. I expected to see the ocean at several points because we were close on the map but we never did see it. Most of the roads and places where people live are away from the ocean.
A lot of people lost much in the typhoon. One couple that we talked to had some kind of internet business arranging travel plans for people and lost everything in the storm. Equipment was ruined and there was no internet available for several weeks so they were pretty much out of business. The people are still happy and their families are safe.
Mother is attending the General women’s meeting in the chapel here and I am here trying to remember what all happened this week. The members here get the meetings a week later and play them in the chapels. We have our Fast Sunday tomorrow and General Conference next Sunday.
D&C 104:15 “It is my purpose to provide for my saints”. Heavenly Father loves his children and loves it when we love one another and serve one another.
I love you, Dad
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