26 New Missionaries!

On Wednesday May 4th we welcomed 8 new 'foreign' missionaries from the Provo MTC. Foreign missionaries are those that are not from the Philippines. They were tired after their long flight and layovers. They got a good nights rest and the on Thursday we met up with 18 more missionaries from the Manila MTC. These are the 'local' missionaries. 26 new missionaries total! Since the mission home isn't that big, we all met at the Balibago chapel in Angeles. We had 26 trainers - missionaries who have been here in the mission for at least 12 weeks - meet us there as well. There was training for the new missionaries and training for the trainers. Then they each got to meet their new companion. The President told them that their trainer can make or break their mission. If the trainer teaches obedience and to follow the mission rules the new missionary will carry that throughout his/her mission. All of the missionaries are fed a wonderful lunch, more training and then they are sent out to the various zones in the mission to go to work.

Our May Batch - 26 New Missionaries

Luggage for the new missionaries

Some of the trainers waiting for their training . . .

Most of the missionaries go back to their areas by bus.

Here is the bus depot where they catch their bus.When got to the church that morning, the gate was locked to get into the parking lot. We waited for about 30 minutes for someone to arrive with a key (by bicycle).

This is a house right across from the church.They had these beautiful roosters strutting their stuff.
I especially thought this roster was beautiful. Notice the young chick as well.
This is a baby Papaya tree. It is about 3 feet tall.

We were all tired but so grateful for the wonderful missionaries that are here to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." (Preach My Gospel)

The Lord's work moves forward. We are now beginning the 51st year of the Church being established in the Philippines.