Elder and Sister Roberts: One Month on our Philippines Mission

Dear Family and Friends,

We are grateful to be in the Lord's service in the Philippines.

We were asked by our leader, President Monahan to visit those in the Mangaldan area, to encourage his wonderful sons and daughters in the Philippines to return to activity in his Church, and endure to the end by renewing their covenants, repenting and keeping the commandments, and pay their tithing regularly.

We have learned to love these people in a very short time, they are kind, welcoming, and loving too. Everyone shakes our hands and when we visit, if they don't have places for us to sit, they barrow their neighbor's chairs.

We get to know their family, and situation. We sing a song, have prayer, and share our testimony of Jesus Christ and how thankful we are he is in our life and our families' lives. Then they feed us, a cracker,,, or others,, a dinner.

We visited the Mangaldan Cemetery and flocks of children (with their watchful fathers) came over and stayed by us. We sang Primary Songs. All the children sang with us Twinkle Little Star and ABCD...

Some of the children said Magundan Hapon po (Good Afternoon respectfully), and walked away loving their family and friends.

When I, Sister Roberts prayed to know what to bring on the Mission, I felt impressed to bring a child-sized Pioneer Hat. Then here, I heard our Mangaldan Relief Society was having a practice "Mormon Pioneer Dance" for the Relief Society Birthday Party. I took the Pioneer hat to the dance practice, all the women were happy. The RS Pres. Sister Rosario had a woman sew 10 hats, and we used them for our very happy performance. The decorations were beautiful. Three Branches (like wards) attended - with their teenagers and children and babies - about 120. We all enjoyed learning about our Pioneer heritage, how they had faith in Christ to sing and dance, even when times were very harsh coming across the plains to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. Then we had what was like a ward banquet.

Elder Roberts celebrated his birthday at the Missionary Zone Activity. We had all bought Mission Zone T-shirts. I made 2 apple pies, a chocolate cake and pasta salad. Only the leaders and Sr. Couple Missionaries have ovens. Most members also do not. Sister Yakama knew of Elder Roberts' brother in law, Tom and Greta Davis. They served a mission in Guam and knew her father, many years ago.