What Do Senior Missionaries Do?

What Do We Do?

Senior couples are called to a variety of mission activities such as:

• Service (Work in Church Programs Part Time, usually near when you live)
• Humanitarian  (Internationally, Build wells, schools, teach agriculture)
• Specific Program Oversight (Perpetual Education Fund, Self Reliance, etc.)
• Temple (Work in temples)
• Specific Assignment (Public Affairs, engineering, IT, Medical, Etc)
• Office Couples (Work in the mission office, finances, apartment leases, correspondence, VISA)
• Member and Leader Support (MLS)

Missions can be part time or full time. Live at home, same country or foreign. Senior Couple missions are 6, 12, 18 or 22 months.  Senior couples pay all of their own expenses including travel, rent, utilities, food....just like living at home.

We fall into the "Member and Leader Support" category. So what do we really do?  Anything that is needed to help the wards, branches, mission and missionaries. President Clark assigned us to the following assignments and asked us to use our initiative to figure out where we can be of most help.

Support the Bongabon District and it's 5 Branches

We attend the Kalikid (25 minute drive) and Palayan (35 minute drive) branches on alternate Sundays. The other branches are Bongabon (60 minutes), Galbondan (90 minutes) and Dingalan (2 hours drive) by the Ocean.  Look at the google map in satellite view and you will see that there are very few highways and rice fields as far as you can see.

The District Primary President recruited Sister Dansie to talk at the District Primary commemoration program.

Next the District President asked Elder Dansie to serve of the District (high) council with specific assignment of Family History and Sister Dansie as a Family History Specialist. So we're working with branches to get computers installed, branch family history specials called and trained, and motivate members to do genealogy. Because of the geographical distance between branches and most members do not have their own transportation (Trike, Motorcycle or Car) we will be setting up a family history area is each branch.

Elder Dansie and two other District Councilors are also putting on a Home Teachers training program at each Branch. Last week it was at Dingalan (2 hours drive).  It was supposed to start at 1:00 pm but actually started at 2:00 pm.  So we left home at 7:30 am for Church in Galbondon, then on to Dingalan at 1:00 returning home at 5:30 pm.  We take plenty of water and snacks along.

When national family week came along in September we joined the district in celebration and taught the Kalikid ward a couple of American games during a branch party.

We have also gone Home Teaching a couple times with Branch Members.

From the Mission side of things, we support the Missionaries in these branches also by attending their baptisms, district meetings and go with them to visit investigators and members.  Working with the missionaries gives us a first hand glimpse of the dedication and hard work they do.

Support Cabanatuan Stake

Since we live in Cabanatuan Stake, we also get involved with the activities there.  We put on a stake training for all ward councils and missionaries on how to be a team.  Sister Dansie talked about teamwork and commissioned one of the ward mission leaders to be the team captain of his ward...complete with a Detroit Pistons jersey we found at the public market.

We also support the 20 Missionaries in Cabanatuan Stake by attending their district meetings and their zone activities.

Missionary Apartment Checks

We also check the Missionary apartments to ensure that they are safe and healthy.  This includes filling the car trunk with spare parts, toilet seats, light bulbs, irons, ironing board covers, locks and fans. Each stop includes minor repairs like installing locks, fixing electrical problems, installing light fixtures, and fixing toilets!

The most use part in our spare parts is the handle on toilets.  Some toilets have broken handles that have not functioned for years. Locals just use a ladle of water from the shower bucket to flush the toilet. Yes it gets all over the room.  Getting toilets to function correctly can be very gross.

Also some bathrooms in older homes have built up with hard water deposits, especially the toilets.  But we found that if you squirt Muratic Acid on the walls and toilet then brush, you can clean almost everything.  Bathrooms in Philippines are "wet rooms" with tile and 2 or 3 drains. Showering in most apartments in a faucet about 3 feet up to fill a large bucket of water.  You use a ladle to pour over yourself.  They all have hand sprayers coming off the toilets so after the Muratic Acid it's easy to hose down the entire room and into the drains. WARNING:  Muratic acid is dangerous. Not good to breathe.  Splatters of concentrated acid eats holes in your pants as Elder Dansie found out one day.

We also get involved in relocating apartments when current locations are unsafe or unhealthy. One changed because the mold gave an elder pneumonia. Another because the owner sold the house. So life is interesting in the Philippines.

When we first arrived, we checked all of the apartments/houses on the Cabanatuan Side of the mission which was about 45 units and 6 tanks of gas. Another senior couple arrived and so our territory has been reduced to about 30. Fortunately we still get to go to Baler, a beautiful ocean community only 4 hours drive.

Mission Support

Sister Clark solicits our help in various ways like helping missionaries obtain special medications or once, evacuate a missionary from Dingalan because of a medical problem.

One fun quest was to find a regular supply of affordable white shirts for Elders.  In the Philippines the trend is to wear white shirts with a lavender tint.Getting the official missionary pure white is a challenge.  We finally found a vendor at the Public Market who was willing to drive to Manila and pickup from her supplier.  We held our breath until she returned with shirts that were pure white. The price was right also...about $6.50 USD.

Then there are zone conferences and other events we attend wherever they are.  The senior sisters put on a skit about gossiping at a Sisters Conference in Tarlac in October.  Sister Dansie was the biggest grapevine in the skit.

Each 6 weeks is transfer day.  Some missionaries complete their missions and leave. Others arrive. Others are reassigned.  Our job is to support the Cabanatuan side of the mission on transfer day.  This means feeding those who wait for the bus from tarlac and those arriving.  100 P&J usually covers the lunch. Then we get involved dealing with the fall out like suitcases left behind, packages not forwarded, etc.  One transfer day the only key to a house was left in Cabanatuan and after lunch we drove to LaPaz about 70 minutes away to deliver the key.

Twice  we have been the pizza delivery service to zones who achieve their standard of excellence award.  We order a stack of pizza from Shakeys (2 for 1) as soon as they open at 10:00 am, wait while they cook and race to the award party 90 minutes away.

We are also invited to more events than we can attend...especially at this Christmas Season. President and Sister Clark hosted a Christmas social for all of the stake and district leaders in the mission at the mission home Dec 2.  All senior couples earned our dinner by being on the program along with a 20 missionary chorus. Since the Mission home is 1:40 drive, we stayed overnight in Tarlac instead of a midnight drive home. Next day we took the long way home via Clark City (old Clark Air Force Base) to look around and have great pizza at the huge SM mall nearby.

Best of All

Best of all, every day is filled with a feeling of being guided by the holy ghost in everything we do. Missionary needs and work come together with amazing efficiency overcoming seemly insurmountable tasks.

To hear detail of some of the events, read the other blogs...

OYM

OYM

OYM stands for "Open Your Mouth."  OYM reminds missionaries to visit with everyone they see and find individuals who are interested in learning more about our loving Father in Heaven. While we as Senior Missionaries don't actively proselyte or teach lessons, we still have plenty of opportunities to OYM every day.  Elder Dansie carries a small bag with pamphlets to share with anyone who asks for more information.

Saturday we were at the bus station to pick up a missionary coming from Tarlac. Of course the bus was late so while waiting, Elder Dansie visited with one of the security guards.  The conversation went something list this: (This is short version)

Guard: "Are you a Mormon Missionary?"

Elder Dansie: "Yes, we are sometime called Mormons but we represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

G: "I have a neighbor who is a Mormon."

ED: "I hope he is a nice person (ha ha)"

G: "He is (ha ha). My sister is also a Mormon"

ED: "Have they shared with you our beliefs about Jesus Christ and his Gospel."

G: "No they haven't.  But I'd like to learn more about God."

ED: "I have some pamphlets that you can read.  Would you like some?"

(he took three:  The Restoration of the Gospel, The Plan of Salvation & The Gospel of Jesus Christ)

G: "Thank you, I'd really like to know more."

ED: "Where to you live? Which Barangay? (neighborhood)

G: "Over there in _____" (ED couldn't understand)

ED: "We have the young sister missionaries who live in your area.  Would you like for them to visit your house and tell you more?"

G: "Would they do that?  I really would like to know more about God."

ED: "They would be happy to visit with you. Would it be OK if I call them now on my mobile and let you speak with them."

G: "Now? Sure"

ED then guessed which area he might live in and call the sister missionaries.  There are 4 sister missionaries living together that cover 2 wards.  He lives in one or the other.

The sister missionaries spoke with him, got his address, phone and made an appointment to follow up.

While ED had the pamphlets in hand, another fellow who works at the terminal walked over, listened to the conversation, took 2 pamphlets and left before ED could speak with him.

G: "Do you have a companion?"

ED: "Yes, my wife is my companion. She is across the street in the car waiting for the bus.  I'll go get her so you can meet her."

Sister Dansie visited with the gentlemen for a minute and then the missionary stepped of the bus and we said goodbye.

What Do Senior Missionaries Do?

Senior couple missionaries provide support to the mission, missionaries and wards. We do not proselyte.  Young missionaries work 16 hours a day studying, planning and proselyting.  Our assignment is "Member and Leader Support."  Here are some things we do:

Member Support

We are temporary members of the Palayan and Kalidid Branches. (A "branch" is a congregation that is too small to be a "ward.") We attend their Sunday meetings and other activities. All of the areas have very nice chapels.

Most of the residents understand english but prefer Tagalog when they speak. So Church meetings tend to start in English for our benefit but switch to Tagalog after a few sentences. We are picking up some Tagalog words but will not become proficient during our stay here..

We are also figuring out how to do some "home teaching" where we visit members in their homes. Since it's so difficult to find homes (addresses are not well defined) we accompany the missionaries and are trying to go with other members who know their way around. Palayan is 40 minutes drive and Kalikid 30 minutes from our apartment in Cabanatuan.

Both branches are part of the Palayan "District." (This kind of "district" is the forerunner of a"stake" and will become a stake once the membership and leadership builds.)  The Palayan Mission "Zone" is the same geography as the congregations. We support the missionary zone by attending their key events including baptisms.  We've become lifelong friends with the 10 young Elders assigned to the Palayan Zone. This photo was before "transfer day" and 2 missionaries have since changed. It's amazing being taught by these young Elders and hear their testimony of Jesus Christ and the work they are doing 16 hours a day.

We also attend our local Cabanatuan ward 3 and support their events. The Cabanatuan Stake is large with 4 chapels and 7 wards and we are meeting folks from the entire stake. They are all great people and receive us with big welcomes.

Missionary Apartments

We are starting to inspect and make small repairs in missionary apartments in Cabanatuan and Palayan Zones.  Sometimes the repairs are simple, like replace a broken fan. So we are getting to know where the best hardware stores are for replacement parts. Major repairs are the responsibility of the landlord.

Be Ambassadors for the Church

Whenever we go out in public, we wear our official missionary dress and name tags.  Being Caucasian, tall (large) and Sister Dansie's blonde hair is a curiosity, especially with the Children. Everyone we smile at returns the smile.  Children want to shake hands and talk.  We've helped several new to the area members find a ward and answered many questions about why we are here. Hopefully our presence is positive.

Support the Mission

We also support the mission office and zone leaders with mission needs, such as providing food for transfer day. (see another blog)

As you can guess our schedule varies from day to day. Being here helps us appreciate the blessings we receive every day.  We know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are watching over us and all the missionaries every day. 

Love to all  (Mahal Ko Kayo)

Elder and Sister Dansie

A Typical Day in the Mission?

We had the day planned to visit members in Bongabon with the Elders when we receive an urgent message from Sister Clark. She doubles as the president's wife, nurse, hostess and everything else in the mission.  Her request:

Please go to Pharmacy and pickup some antibiotics for an Elder, then pickup the Elder (2 hours away) and get him back to Cabanatuan and on a bus so he could be in Tarlac (mission office) by dark where there is better healthcare. The quest was on.

We picked up the prescription and  headed to Dingalan...a beautiful seaside town just 60 miles away. But 60 miles in this country is 2+ hours passing at least 50 trikes, 50 slow moving vehicles and 20+ school zones. School zones are constructed in a way that it's impossible to speed through. 

The drive was beautiful in the rain and will be incredible next time in the sunshine. Charming Bryongys (little villages) all the way We had time for a quick lunch at the local public market and back to the bus station in Cabanatuan.  

Since Missionaries must be with a companion at all times, Elder Pulu had the privilege of riding back to Cabanatuan with us. In the meantime, his new transfer companion rode the bus from Tarlac. We arrived at the Cabanatuan bus station at 3:30 PM. Put one elder on the bus to Tarlac at 3:45 pm. Met the new companion getting off the bus from Tarlac at 3:55 pm and by 4:03 pm Elder Pulu and his new companion were on the last bus back to Dingalan. Unfortunately it was standing room only so they probably sat on the new companions suitcase in the aisles until someone got off. So while the Elders rode long bus rides, we went to Burger King for dinner. 

With the time difference, this all happened while you slept in the US.  

What did you do interesting today?

Our First Transfer Day

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.