Elder and Sister Whiting in the Philippines: No More Jet Lag (maybe)

Our first week in the Philippines has been very eventful. The only place to start is at the beginning. After an hour plus delay in Hong Kong, we arrived early in the morning of September 6. After a short night's rest, Elder and Sister Lemon, senior missionaries assigned to the Area Office, took us to church at the Macati 4th Ward; which meets in the oldest LDS Church building in the Philippines. It's an ex-pat ward with members from all over the world. What a great day. But since we were all mixed up with our days and nights, we spent the rest of our Sunday at the hotel.

Because we entered the Philippines on a 30 day tourist visa, early Monday morning we began the process at Immigration to extend our visas to 18 months. All we can say is what an experience! After a hot, noisy three hour wait--because the church employees would not pay the bribe--we were done.Tuesday we got our Philippines drivers license and it only took us two hours, haha.

Then we were on our way to Tarlac! We arrived at the mission office and met President and Sister Clark and Elder and Sister Weber, who we will replace. After a brief tour of the mission office, we dropped our luggage off at our apartment and went to the mission home for dinner. We met the only other senior couple, Elder and Sister Naegles, and stayed the night at the mission home in the "General Authority" room. (are you impressed yet?). Wednesday we shopped for groceries with the help of the Weber's and I went to the apartment to unpack while Elder Whiting went to the office to begin learning his responsibilities.

Thursday was training for both of us at the office--we got lost trying to get there-- then another dinner (which is unusual) at the mission home as President and Sister Clark hosted the Naegles' daughters who had come to visit. Friday was another day at the office, then a two hour drive to the Gapan Stake for dinner and training with the bishops and stake leadership. President and Sister Clark were presiding and conducted the training. The food was excellent Filipino food; apparently better than normal. We got back late to Tarlac and had our first experience driving in the dark. In the process we found a new route to our apartment (in other words we got lost again), but arrived safely.

Saturday we drove two hours to Cabanatuan with the Weber's and President and Sister Clark. President Clark had us come so we could start to get a feel for the mission. It's a very large mission area wise and has the most missionaries of all the Filipino missions. This time the brethren had responsibilities to attend to, so we three sisters did a impromptu inspection of the Zone Leaders' house in Cabanatuan. That was an eye opening experience. Let's just say that these elders' living conditions were about as basic as you can get; and typical of missionary housing. Today was Stake Conference for the Tarlac Stake and we were asked to sit on the stand and bear our testimonies. We got an up close look at the members in the Philippines and we were so impressed with the light and spirit they have. We were humbled to be in their presence.

So as we complete the first week of our mission, we have seen and experienced so much. We have seen abject poverty almost side by side with wealth and excess. We have experienced driving in Manila and Tarlac--which is not for the faint of heart. The traffic laws are just suggestions and the lines on the road are decorations! The only rules that seem to apply are fill in the empty space and don't hit anyone! Best of all, we have learned that the Filipino people are warm, friendly, and happy. And the members of the Church are strong and full of the Light of Christ. We love them all ready!