The next few weeks of our mission should be very interesting. We are scheduled to lose more than half of our mission, by area (splitting the mission), first of July. We are also scheduled to gain the remainder of Cebu Island. This scheduled mission boundary change will add the northern part of Cebu island to our mission. This is where the Mission Leaders have threatened to send Sister Epperson and I for the remainder of our time here (13 months). This area is currently part of the Cebu East Mission and one of the most picturesque areas of the entire country. The President has asked us not to look for a place to live until July 1st. But after that we are on our own to find and contract a house to live in. We are free to find a place anywhere in the north of the island but it seems obvious that the city of Bogo makes the most sense. There are currently 23 missions in the Philippines. However, after July 1st mission splits, there will be 26 missions.
One of the unique characteristics of the Cebu Mission is the number of senior missionaries assigned to the mission. The other Philippine missions have (4-6) senior missionaries assigned. The Cebu Mission has (17) senior missionaries. So, a Senior Zone was established at the last transfer cycle (every 6 weeks). In an effort to explain…the mission is divided into (8) geographical and ecclesiastical young missionary areas that are led by young Zone Leaders. I was assigned to be the Senior Zone Leader. The last time I served as a Zone Leader was 50 years ago in Nottingham, England. Now, the rest of the senior missionaries expect me to solve their problems and the young missionaries salute me until I say, “at ease!” (see photos). It’s all very fun until I found myself responsible for the first ever (yes, creating history here) Zone Meeting last Tuesday. I found myself worrying about the content of the all day meeting and if the senior missionaries would consider the content worthwhile since some of them travel all day, the day prior to the meeting and all day the day after traveling back with two nights in a hotel. As it turns out there were no complaints and the seniors seemed to really enjoy the meeting. It probably has something to do with Sister Epperson being called as the Senior STL (senior training leader). We will have to do this every six weeks (sort of like hitting a home run each time at the plate once every six weeks. Does this sound like complaining?
Sister Epperson and I attended a “half day mission” with the Kamputhaw Ward this afternoon after a (4) hours Stake Conference. This is an effort to contact members of the Ward that have not attended in some time. We found ourselves in homes that would definitely be considered third world in any setting. We met some very humble people in even more humbling circumstances between the chickens and “zombie dogs” (that I am certain Sister Epperson has mentioned in previous blog posts). The utter poverty experienced by these people is very discouraging for me but they do not seem to understand how different the world is out there. Even though they have a definite need to be associated with the saints, they seem almost content with their conditions. It was extremely hot in these “homes” with no relief (clothes completely soaked with sweat) until we got back into our air conditioned vehicles. I am amazed at the recalibration of my appreciation for the conditions I live in (here and at home) each time I visit people living in these places. These are humble good people that I am proud to call my friends.
I am sure there are other things to acknowledge here but it seems appropriate to end here. We are fine and love and miss all of you.
Elder Epperson
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