Pressing Forward

This has been a strange two and a half weeks.  We are usually on the go every day, hardly getting a chance to rest.  But all is different these days.  The Enhanced Community Quarantine began on the 18th of March, and is still ongoing.  We were looking forward to it being over on April 14, but there is now talk that it could go to the end of the month. This means that there is no public transportation of any kind, and there is a curfew every day from 8pm to 5am.   Everyone is supposed to stay at home, unless they need to buy food or medicine.  All stores, except grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies are closed.  There are a few fast food places open, but only for take-out and drive thru.  The roadside fruit/vegetable stands are open.  We are required to wear masks when in stores.  In a country where many rely on the money they make that day to buy food, this is a very difficult situation.

There are checkpoints as you enter all towns and cities, and even some barangays (subdivisions).  You have to have travel papers that show you have a need to travel in order to get through the checkpoints.  We have been able to get out to the neighbouring town to pick up the apartment of Sisters so that they can come into the office to communicate with their families and to buy food.  We have also been able to deliver food to another apartment about 30 minutes away.  Only people who have their own cars are able to be on the road.  There are also a few rice trucks and other vehicles delivering goods.

OUR LIBERTY JAIL

So we have mostly just been spending time in the compound.  It feels like a jail, but we have hope that we may someday soon be able to be free to work and travel and teach the Gospel.  We have been trying to plan for the transfer that will finally occur once people can travel again, but there are many variables..."Will our departing missionaries be able to leave when the new ones come in?" "Will our missionaries that got stuck at the MTC be able to return when the new missionaries come?"  "What about our Sister from Kiribati, who is supposed to be released on Wednesday, but her country closed the border?  How long will she be extended?"  We have only half of the missionaries we had before, so that means closing areas and merging Zones.  President Craig called all of the Stake and District Presidents, to let them know we would need to close areas, and as much as they are not happy to lose the missionaries, they also understand that our hands are tied.

LIKE THE EARLY SAINTS, THROUGH HARDSHIP AND TRIAL, WE KEEP GOING!

I don't want to make this sound all bleak and gray.  We are seeing some wonderful things beginning, and we are excited to "Press Forward".  The missionaries are excited to get going in our new mission.  "We can do this!"  "We are one team!"  We look forward to working with our new young mission leaders and see what we will be able to do together.

We are putting all of our efforts into keep the missionaries from going insane as there are confined to their apartments.  We are not blessed to have the use of smartphones in our mission yet, so our missionaries are using their old-fashioned cell  phones to keep in contact with the people they are teaching and the members in their wards and branches.  They are trying to find new people through members.  Many are teaching over the phone.  There is also a lot of time for study.  We are trying to give them ideas of things they can do in their areas and districts and zones to keep excited and engaged.  We have given them challenges in study, had conference calls and President has interviewed each missionary over the phone.  Boredom is real.  And boredom causes people to do things they shouldn't, so we continue to call and text them and challenge them to learn and develop in this "Second MTC" experience.  We also encourage them to exercise once or twice a day.  A lot of basketball has been played here, as the court in the parking lot of the church is right next door.  Also, Elder Beck has introduced us to "Corn Hole". We are all becoming experts!  For the most part, the missionaries are positive.  Being April Fool's day this week, we had two sets of Sisters that managed some good tricks.  One set called their Sister Training Leader, crying and hysterical, saying they were so homesick and wanted to go home.  They were inconsolable, so she called President Craig for advice.  He had been forewarned, so helped her to realize what day it was!  She was very excited next to keep it going, so called the Zone Leader and got him involved!  The other trick was on our Sister from Kiribati, by her kabahays (roommates).  They took their number off her phone, so she wouldn't know it was them, then sent her a text telling here she was to pack up quickly, because she would be going home on a flight at 2AM.  They said it was from one of the Assistants.  Then they went and hid, leaving their phone on the counter.  She cried and then thought she would call the Assistant, to get further details.  When the phone on the counter rang and she saw the call was from herself, she knew what they had done....she chased them around the apartment for some time before she tired out and realized it really was hilarious!

GENERAL CONFERENCE

General Conference has been just what we all needed.  We are rejuvenated and our cups are full.  We have been inspired and encouraged.  As we commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the First Vision, our gratitude for the Plan of our loving Heavenly Father has increased.  It has made me excited for the future. I feel like the messages were calling us back to the basics, helping us to see what is truly important in this world.  President Nelson's call to keep our covenants; and to "Hear, Hearken and Heed" the voice of the Lord touched my heart.  I am re-energized to be intentional in how I fill my days.  To lift and minister to others, and not be afraid.  To be grateful in all circumstances. To strengthen my foundation against the earthquakes in my life.  To work hard, even though I may be only a 20-watt bulb, because I know He will magnify even my small effort and add to it His light. To better recognize personal revelation.  To receive the power of godliness in my life.  I am also excited to study and learn from the new proclamation, "The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ".  We will also join in the worldwide fast on Good Friday, to pray for relief from the COVID-19 virus.  We truly "Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, to guide us in these Latter Days!"