Quezon Branch

We had another wonderful experience in the Narra District a week ago. We went down South again to Quezon. Quezon is about 3 1/2 hours away, down the same bumpy road that we have been down the last few weeks. The church owns all of the chapels on Palawan except Quezon, in Quezon we rent a very old very small building that is not at all adequate for the number of people that attend. The first time we seen this building we thought maybe you could seat fifty people in it, if they sat close like the Philippine people do. Then the Branch President said that they had 115 people at Sacrament Meeting a few weeks ago. This week there were about 85, and some of them were in adjoining class rooms and some were on the front porch. Prior to the meeting starting the counselor that was conducting had me look over the program and everything looked good, I couldn't understand him very well, but they had three speakers written down . The first two talks were short, then we sang a musical number, then no one got up to speak. The Branch president whispered "it's Sister Goldings turn and then you. We are not so shocked any more, but it is still a little uncomfortable, and sometimes still very surprising. like this past week-end we went to a Valentines Day party, they had a lot of activities planned but we only had about a half hour before we needed to meet two of the missionaries. Just as we started to stand up to leave, the sister conduction the program, said President, before you leave we would like you to give us some advice as to how we can stay close as husbands and wives. Then we would like to hear from Sister Golding. We never know what to expect, but we love it. Back to Quezon, after the meeting the Branch President said we have a problem. The lease on this building is up the end of this month, and they will not renew the lease and want us to move in three weeks. The facilities management people in Manila have been trying for a long time to get authorization to build a new building and have purchased two pieces of property, but do not have approval to start building yet. So Im sure we will be spending a little more time in Quezon. 

First trips down South by ourselves

We have spent the last three weekends in the Narra District. The Branches in these areas are a lot  different than those in the Puerto area. The leadership is not as strong, but they are trying so hard to do what is right. Some of the Branch Presidents have only been members for a few years themselves. On January 18,2009 we attended Sacrament meeting  with the Aborlan Branch, the Branch President has only been a member for a few years and was just sustained as the Branch President two weeks ago. When we went in he met us at the door and said I'm sure glad you are here, we have no speakers, you will be our concluding speaker OK. I should have expected this, but I didn't, I tried to hide my concern or more of a panic, but told him sure I would be happy to. The first two speakers were the two Missionaries serving in the branch, they had the same notice that I was given. I could not think of a thing to talk about my mind just went blank, I  prayed hard for help, and a  calmness came over me, I just listened to the two missionaries give two very emotional but very short talks during this time I never gave a thought as to what I would say. When it was my turn there was still thirty plus minutes left and I'm not sure what all I talked about, but I have never had such a calm feeling in giving a talk before, it was as if words were put in my mouth. It was a wonderful experience. 

The next week we attended sacrament meeting in the Nora Branch. Again we have a new Branch President that is struggling with a lot of personal and Branch challenges. It was like an instant replay of the week before, he met us at the door and said we have no speakers will you and sister Golding be our speakers today. Sister Golding did great, I really struggled, that was a very long half hour. I'm sure the Lord helped me the week before, but I guess he felt that I should have learned from that experience and should have been prepared this time. I wasn't, but hopefully next time I will be better prepared. 

This past weekend we drove all the way down to Brooks Point. This is about four and one half hours of the roughest roads that you can imagine. I was asked to speak at their Youth Conference Saturday evening, they had about 20 Young Women and about 20 Young Men, it was a wonderful experience. Then we attended Fast & Testimony meeting there Sunday Morning. The spirit was very strong, it was great. 

Last Friday we had our 2nd Zone Conference on Palawan since we have been here, These are wonderful experiences, the missionaries here are so strong and dedicated. We love them and love to here them teach one another. The two missionaries that serve in the Puerto #2 Branch had forty five (45) investigators  at Sacrament meeting a few weeks ago. Last Sunday the Puerto #1 Branch had twenty eight (28) investigators and the Puerto #2 Branch had twenty three (23). All of the missionaries work so hard here, and they all love what they are doing.

Not all things are of a spiritual nature here

In the area of our little cottage we have six cows and a big bull that graze on the grass in the area. They are starting to develop this area and plan to build several houses on the property, so a lot of the grass and trees have been removed and we have a little fenced in yard where the grass looks a little greener. I think some workers left our gate down one day and the bull got in the yard and liked it, so the next day he broke the top bamboo pole and came into the yard. They keep a rope around his horns and through his nose, so I grabbed the rope and led him out of the yard. He had a little attitude and as soon as I would turn my head he would start back in. We had them put up another pole, but the next day he broke it again and came in the yard to graze. This went on for six straight days, with them putting up a new stronger pole each day, the last two days he couldn't brake the pole, so he jumped over it. At that point I told them they would either need to tie up the bull or fix the gate so that he couldn't break it or jump over it. So they put up green bamboo poles that were longer and a row higher. When the bull came over the next morning, he went to the front gate, and couldn't get in so he went to the back gate and couldn't get in, then he went back to the front gate, looked up and down the gate, turned around and left a big dump in front of the gate. Then he strutted away as if to say TAKE THAT. He still comes by checks out both gates then leaves, so it looks like maybe we have won this one.