There are 21 missions in the Philippines. We are assigned to the Angeles Philippines Mission, just north of Manila. Our mission is divided into 20 geographical zones. Each zone is supervised by two Elders called Zone Leaders. They are responsible for all of the missionaries within their zone. Missionaries always live and work with a companion of the same gender.
Every 6 weeks, Mission President Clark changes some of the companionships. This gives missionaries an opportunity to work with new companions and in a new location. To make the logistics easier, all of the companionships effected by the transfers gather in Cabanatuan (east side of mission) or Tarlac (west side.) Missionaries cannot be or travel alone even during transfers. Therefore companionships assemble at the two gathering points.
(1) If the transfer is within that side, the companions meet up and head back to their areas back to work or (2) If the transfer crosses sides, the entire transfer group rides a bus between Tarlac>Cabanatuan or vice versa to meet up. That bus ride takes from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
So on transfer day, we arrived at the stake center around 8:00 am. Transfer is scheduled for 9:00 am. This photo is of the dedicated enthusiastic missionaries on the Cabanatuan side. Some of them started with 4 hour bus ride already to make the 9:00 am appointment. Others arrived the night before and sleep at the Zone leaders apartment (they have plenty of mattresses for the floor.)
A quick hymn, prayer, instruction and everyone is off. Sometimes the parting is very emotional as deep friendships develop between companions working side by side. About 20 Elders and Sisters were switching sides. A contingency of Trikes stacked piled their bags high and off to the bus depot. The same event was happening at Tarlac Stake Center simultaneously.
Brother Allan of Ward 3 was watching over the bus loading and discovered one bag still on the ground after the bus left for Tarlac. He brought it back to the Stake Center where we were all waiting. We assemble a plan. Dansie's transferred it to Elder and Sister Pugh the following day. They live in the Camiling zone near the Elder. 24 hours later, the Elder had his bag again. Remember that everything you own is in 2 suitcases and shoulder bag. So losing a bag can a devastating.
Our primary assignment was to have lunch ready for the 20 new arrivals plus their 20 waiting companions when the switching group arrived around noon. The buffet consisted of P&J sandwiches, Tuna Fish sandwiches, chips, cookies and bottled water. Everything was popular as there was nothing left over. Bread in the Philippines is sliced thinner and smaller size than in America so one sandwich doesn't always fill you up. Those with long bus rides back to the areas could pack a spare to eat on the road.
We started at 8:00 am and finished cleanup around 1:30 pm. It was an incredible way being with so many Sisters and Elders during the transfer. The Sisters and Elders radiate with a countenance that creates instant friendships.
