Craigs in Cauayan

69 days ago, we had 203 missionaries and were setting up for a lot of success in our work.  Then we evacuated 97 of our missionaries and went into lockdown.  Today is day 68 of lockdown.  Some of the restrictions have been lifted, but only for those between the ages of 21 and 60.  That does not help the 18, 19 or 20 year olds which is about 40% of the missionaries.  It also does not help the 2 senior couples.  We can do a few more things now (the take-out business has expanded to more than just McDo & Jollibee, but still no Burger King), but most things we still cannot do, like go out and work, or be out after 8:00 pm. In spite of the difficulties, we continue to have the time of our life and are honoured to serve here. Truly, these are days never to be forgotten. Fast food delivery has really taken off over the last two months! Still closed! Today was Sunday.  Next to the mission home is the District Center for Cauayan City.  I ...

Normally the streets here are so busy they are almost impassable.  Not nowadays.   I have never before kept a cellphone or any electronics in my bedroom.  As a Mission President I am required to, because occasionally “bad calls” come in the middle of the night.  I hate “bad calls”.  This week I got one of those “bad calls”.  At 1:45 AM I get a text from three of my beautiful sisters living in Roxas:  “There is an intruder in our apartment”.......“HELP!"  Roxas is about a one hour drive from us and with the curfews because of COVID-19, I would be arrested even if I tried to get there to help.   I text back, “Call the police." The response:  “We can’t. He will hear us”.  They were hiding under two blankets so he could not see the light from their cell phone.  They could see his light through the decorative screen at the top of the bedroom wall.  There is no 911 in the Cauayan area, so I tell them I will get someo...

We have now concluded our 65th day of quarantine.   Quarantine has been particularly difficult for our young missionaries. There are, of course, the deep feelings of isolation away from friends and family.  In addition they often feel that they are not meeting their purpose as a missionary because they cannot get out to find and teach.  Our missionaries have always used analog phones.  Have you ever tried to find and teach on a analog phone?  To say it is difficult would be an understatement.  Bless our young missionaries’ hearts they have regularly approached members asking: “Who do you have that I can teach on my phone without you being there?” Members gave the referrals (what champs members here are)!  They then dutifully tried to teach them over the phone.  To our surprise, but not really, they were successful.  Many of our missionaries have people ready to be baptized that they have never met.  These wonderful people are committed t...