First transfer. 2/13/2015

Two days ago was our first transfer. Transfer happen every six weeks. They are a very big event for the missionaries. New missionaries come out during the transfers. The missionaries who have served for their perscrived time go home, and missionaries move around within the mission. This time, about one forth of our missionaries were affected. A lot of what Sister Petersen and I do are related to the transfers. We started preparing for the next transfer the day after this transfer was over.

This is a happy time for these kids. They love to be with each other. Former companions and associates really rejoice in each others company. I think missionaries that were not involved in the transfer turned up to visit. 

Meanwhile those charged with making the transfer work are working hard to get people and baggage where they need to go. But the missionaries are more interested in visiting than getting it done.  President Tye was walking through the crouds holding a sign that said "Alis ka na". This means sort of, please get your stuff and kindly go to your new area, thank you. Not really, it means "leave you now". If you said this to a stranger, you might be fighting him. But to these missionaries, it has become part of the culture of this mission. They truly love this President. There is no fear in their eyes when they are around him. Only love and respect. I think that is great. My mission experience was way different. I am a little jealous of the relationship these kid have with their President. I didn't have that.

But you know, my thinking is that this is the way it should be. The Lord knows what he is doing. He calls these young people to go through out the world and build His kingdom. They are emerging from adolescence ready to become adults. They spend two years or so serving others. They are called to bring people to Him. To build His kingdom. But I believe that while they are busy building, He is busy building them. They will all go home better people, prepared to have a better life. Perhaps the most notable conversions that acure in the missions are the conversions of those who ware the name tags.

The following photo is of a group of out missionaries waiting to get on a Jeepney. None of the missionaries have a car in this mission, with very few ezceptions. They know how to get around.

They seem to do ok with the transportation system. But after riding one, I think I would rather lay down the road and let it run over me.

If I ever ride another one, this is how I will do it.

There are very modern malls here. The Philippines are not as backward as you may think. I have noticed that almost all of the signage is in English. English is widely spoken. We could get by without learning any Tagalog. But we are going to try to learn it. However, we do not use it in our work. Everything is done in English.

LunchJ

Lunch at Jollibees. Lot of rice and gravy and very good. That is an egg on top of the rice. Jollibees is sort of like a Philippino KFC.