March 2nd - Off We Go to the Philippines.

Up at 6AM and by 6:30 AM with Kristy's help we set off for the airport to make our flight on Delta scheduled to leave at 8:45 AM.  the Captn told us there was too much fuel on board, so after taking some off, we left, 40 minutes later.  We flew to Portland and just had enough time to change gates for our 14 hour Tokyo flight.  The flight to Manila via Portland and Tokyo went rather well.  Even after the change I had to make with our reserved Economy Comfort seating we had pretty good seats and the long flight between Portland and Tokyo was rather comfortable.  Between watching movies, reading and sleeping we made the long trip with little wear on us. We arrived in Tokyo where we had about a 2 1/2 hour layover.  It was so fun to meet so many missionaries who were flying with us to begin their missions in Thailand.



SLC Airport - Departure

Sister Murray, Darby, Elder & Sister Uzelac

Sister Murray, Darby and Uzelac



 

 

 

Upon our arrival in Manila at 9:50 PM I was greeted by a flight service rep informed me that one of my bags did not make it from Tokyo to Manila.  I had to report to the baggage counter to fill our some paper work.  After 30 minutes of that we cleared customs and were met by Bro. Clem from the Area office who took us to our hotel. We stayed at the Remington which is not even 1/4 mile from the Airport.

Our Hotel in Manila

Foyer in the hotel

We discovered that the two Sisters were sent to the not-so-nice Hotel Manila, which was really the roach motel.  They did not have a good experience so I went forth to get them transferred to our hotel for the remainder of their stay.

Each morning we had vouchers for breakfast next door in a very nice restaurant in the mall.  The very upscale mall is actually a casino in the middle which reminded us of Las Vegas. We also had dinner in the very nice restaurants each evening.

Cafe

Resturant

Inside Mall

Tuesday we were taken to the Immigration office by church employed drivers where we had to complete our immigration papers before going on to Cebu.  We had previously been warned and forewarned about the traffic in Manila but let me tell you, nothing describes the traffic in Manila.



Normal traffic at first

THEN it really got congested

Then it got a bit more congested




On our way to the Immigration Office we drove by the American Embassy Office.

 

 

 It took us one hour to go approximately 5 miles, finally arriving at the immigrations office.

 

 

 

 

This is where the fun and excitement began.  In the Philippines things do not run expediently and they certainly do not understand what a simple process is all about.  We had to go through a four step process before we could get our pictures taken and fingerprinting done. Delay after  delay occurred resulting in us being sent back to the hotel rather than sitting in the hot building to await each process. We had to make the same trip three times today and at the end oft he day we still had not completed everything, which meant we had to return early Wednesday Morning. 

 

Wednesday morning we once again arrived at the immigration office where we discovered that everything was cleared so we could get our pictures taken and fingerprinting done.  Once completed  we headed off to get our Philippines drivers' licenses.  This was another adventure! 

 

It took us about an hour to get to the place where we had to have our eyes & blood pressure checked (a medical clearance) before we could apply for our drivers license- somewhere else?  From there we drove another 30 or so minutes to the drivers license office where we encountered another series of processes to get our license. First, we could not find parking, so we drove around the parking lot for about 20 minutes before finally getting a parking place.  You see, most of the parking lot was for either employees, or impounded vehicles! We then walked to the office and discovered 100's of people applying for a drivers license. Certainly not like home!  Here in the Philippines it was a six step process, each at a different window with much wait time in between. Lucky for us, a Sister member of the church recognized us and proceeded to give us the red carpet treatment.  We were invited to sit in a comfortable air conditioned office (while everybody else sat out in the hot and humid area) as we went through the six step processes.  You won't believe the funny looks we got every time we came out of the office, parading in front of the audience, to the next window process. Finally after about two hours we ended up at the release station where our pictures were taken and our drivers licenses' were issued.

 

Finally lunchtime, so we sent to Jolliebee's and treated our driver to lunch.  Jolliebees is the Philippine equivalent to Mc Donalds. We arrived back to the hotel at about 3PM (remember we started the day at 7:30 AM) where we all crashed and rested before going to dinner.

 

We had been told of the unique transportation system here in the Philippines - known as Jeepneys.  The description of these vehicles was in my estimation truly under described based on what we encountered.  They are of every color and decorations as one can imagine.  They reminded us of the vans in Africa, packed to the hilt with people.  The saying here is "how many can you get into a Jeepney - "ONE MORE."

 Along with the Jeepney's there are thousands of small motor bikes, motor bike carts, tricycle carts and all sizes of regular cars.  Take a look for yourself and then picture the streets being inundated with these.  No traffic rules except first come - first go, if you dare!  It is like dodgem cars- you have to drive aggressive and just take your place in the traffic using one's best judgment or defensive driving.



February 23rd - 25th COB Self Reliance- PEF InitiativeTraining

After a wonderful week in the MTC we entered into our second week of training with five couples and two sisters gathered at the COB for training on the New Self Reliance Initiative and PEF Program.

The New Self Reliance Initiative is a combination of the old Employment Workshop and the Seminary & Institute PEF program.  About two years ago the church decided to combine the two older programs into one program called the PEF Self - Reliant Initiative.  Over the past two years the church has been developing this program by implementing it into selected beta areas such as the Philippines, parts of South America and selected Asia and Africa Countries. During that time they solicited and received a lot of feed back from those working the program helping tremendously in redesigning, strengthening and adding to the program which brought us to where the church is today with the New Self Reliant PEF Initiative. Last fall a portion of the program was introduced to selected areas in Europe.

Over these three days we have been introduced to the newest program, manuals and support  material that was not previously available to many of the beta areas.  The PEF department indicated that our group of Missionaries was the first group to see the newly completed program, manuals etc.  A couple of the manuals have just been approved by the First Presidency with one still waiting approval.

This new program in my opinion, next to the welfare services program of the church, is one of the most inspired programs & services I have seen come from the church in many years.  The emphasis of this program is to strengthen those members within the church (approximately 2 million) who are  poor, downtrodden, unemployed or underemployed and are struggling to engage themselves to improve their education, work skills, employment and financial situation which would enable them to become self reliant  - temporally as well as spiritually.  It is not a hurry-up program but a methodical thought out program that takes the member through a 12-week self development workshop beginning with a personal introspection of themselves as to what their hopes, dreams and desires are for themselves and their families. The entire program is geared to assist them in preparing to grow and improve their economical and spiritual station in life.

Our responsibility as Missionaries will be to assist  and work closely with the Area Office, the Area Self Reliance Manager, the Self Reliance Service Center Manager as well as the Priesthood leaders in the surrounding Stakes and Wards. We will serve as mentors to the local leaders by assisting in the training, instructing and developing of this program to those leaders and members who need self reliance support in improving and furthering their education, employment and job skills.

As this week has unfolded day by day Jenee and I have become so excited about our  mission call and this special opportunity.  We have always wanted to be where we could serve among the church members to help them with their temporal and spiritual needs and in this program we will definitely be involved in many levels and aspects of Self Reliance and PEF involvement.

We also saw the loving grace of our loving Heavenly Father shower down on us.  In mid January Jenee and I had our annual physicals.  Prior to entering the MTC Dr. Hansen called to say that my PSA numbers were up considerable and that he wanted me to see a Urologist and have a biopsy to make sure there was no cancer.  I made an appointment for Thursday Feb 19 (middle of our MTC week) to have that procedure done.  Dr. Childs indicated that the pr. gland was about 3x as large as normal and would call me once he got the results back.

Well, Tues. evening while we were in the COB Dr. Childs called let me know that there was a less that 1% chance that I had cancer and to go and enjoy our mission. We had been fasting and praying as well as I had Brothers Barber and Holt give me a blessing prior to the procedure.  We know that the Lord blessed me so that I could go on this mission with no issues or concerns.  We are so grateful for the kind and loving mercies of our Heavenly Father toward us as we have prepared for this mission.

Certainly the Lord has been preparing us over the years for this calling. Jenee and I were reminiscing about the variety of the church callings, employment and service opportunities we have had during our lives that we feel has brought us to this point, prepared to serve our Heavenly Father's children.    Pictured below are the Mickelsons, Spears, us, Sister Darby, Sister Murray, the Ovesons, and Elder Graf, his wife was having surgery that last day. A wonderful group, going to New Zealand, Argentina, Cambodia Penom Penh, and Paris.



Self Reliance PEF Missionaries



February 16th - MTC

Well, after all the preparation, anticipation and waiting we finally arrived at the MTC. The routine was not much different than our first experience: get a car pass, check in and receive our packet, go to the MTC Book Store and pick up name badges, then to the MTC Travel department to pick up our passports, visa and flight itinerary.

It was here that I discovered we might have a slight problem.  Back in November we received our flight itinerary because we wanted to make sure we could get upgraded seating.  We were to leave on February 26th but the new itinerary we just received has us departing on March 2nd. I was concerned about our booking the economy comfort seating that it may not be listed on the new itinerary.

I went to the MTC Travel department and explained the problem.  They took all our information to check with Salt Lake and see what to do.  I returned during lunch and was told that the Area Office made the change so that all missionaries would arrive on the same date. I was informed that I needed to call Delta and see what could be arranged.  Shortly thereafter I called DELTA, left my phone number and about 30 minutes later they called and we transferred our Economy Comfort seating confirmation to the new flight on March 2nd.  They were not the same seats (shucks) but at least we did not lose out.  So we are leaving on March 2nd with two single sisters who are going to Cebu to serve as PEF Self Reliance Missionaries.

After lunch all the Senior Missionaries gathered to be welcomed by the MTC Presidency and to review a general overview of the training schedule.  The districts were assigned and I was fortunate to have been called as a District Leader.  In our district  were Elder & Sister Hammond, Elder & Sister Pitford and Elder & Sister Zetterquist.

With us this week are our dear friends Allen and Jeanette Payne from our study group.  They are going to Ottawa Canada to serve a CES Mission.  We had the pleasure of shadowing them throughout the week.  Both of us were assigned to  the WYVIEW apartments just west of the MTC, so after dinner we went and got settled in.

Tuesday thru Friday we were introduced to The Missionary Purpose and the Preach My Gospel training material.  Each district broke off into separate class rooms where returned missionaries trained us.  The training consisted of learning the material and then doing role-playing teaching exercises.

Tuesday evening we enjoyed a Devotional with Elder Daniel of the Seventy. The MTC choirs sang "The Lillie's of the Field" which was, as always, beautiful and brought the spirit to the entire meeting.

The highlight of the week came on Friday during the morning role play session.  The couple acting as "inactive members" were Elder & Sister Wright.  As we started talking Elder Wright asked if I was the same Uzelac who served as an Assistant Temple Recorder.  I answered yes and wondered how and why he asked.  Then I looked at him, asked what his first name was and when he said David

Elder & Sister Wright

I could not believe it, it was David Wright who was the Area Director who came from the Temple Department to train us prior to opening the St Louis Temple!  I was shocked because I thought I had heard that he passed away but NOPE,  there he was looking at me.

After completing the role playing exercise we sat and talked for about 30 minutes covering everything from his life and assignments after St Louis as well as my temple assignment from St  Louis to Ogden.  We talked about other temple department individuals we both knew as well as interesting transitions that took place during the time we both served in the temple department. He was one of the most influential individuals I had ever met both in St Louis and again here at the MTC.  While he was in St Louis  he introduced me to doctrine principles that changed my life.  I came to love and respect him then and so much more after this re-acquaintance. He and his wife are going to serve an Office Mission.

All in all it was a good week except for Jenee and I coming down with a cold which made things just a little uncomfortable, but no diverticulitis episode this time around for Jenee, YAY!

Prior to concluding our training they took pictures of all the Senior Missionaries who had arrived at the MTC this week.

Sunday the 22nd we returned to the MTC for Sacrament Meeting at 8:30 AM  and then a PEF Devotional which began at 9:20AM.  Elder Sitati from the Quorum of the Seventy conducted the meeting; he is from Nigeria and serves on the Self Reliance PEF Committee. We were introduced to the Self Reliance PEF program as a precurser to our training that begins on Monday the 23rd and concludes on Wednesday the 25th in the COB.

We will return home to complete our packing, enjoy dinners with friends and family, and get ready to fly out to the Philippines on March 2nd at 8:45AM.

Farwell

Today, Sunday February 8th Jenee and I spoke in Sacrament meeting.  They say that speaking in sacrament meeting is the beginning and since we have only one week before we enter the MTC, I guess the statement is right.

We are so prepared for this mission, nothing like South Africa.  Truly, the second time around is much easier in its preparation.  Now we are just spending time going out with family and friends for our last time until we return home.

So many of our friends have reached out to us.  It has really been one of those tender mercies. Everybody who has been too or served in the Philippines have provided so much information that we feel as if we are already there.  The one thing they all say is "YOU WILL LOVE THE PHILIPPINES AND ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE."  Our anticipation for this mission is HIGH at this point.

We are looking forward to the MTC because our friends, the Paynes, from our Study Group are entering the MTC at the same time.  In fact, we are driving to Provo together.  We hope to show them around so that they have as wonderful an experience as we did the first time.

Two weeks ago we finally got our car sold. The Hughs (our new friends who just moved into the ward) came by on Monday evening to take a looked and take a test drive of the Lexus.  They loved it in fact Allen had with him a bill of sale and a transfer form from their credit union.  Tuesday morning I went to my credit union to inform them of the sale and then went to their credit union to give them the bill of sale and their transform form. By evening my credit union had received their funds and the Hughs brought me a check for the remaining balance.

Sold but not delivered.  Allen made us an offer we could not refuse.  He said, "we are in no rush so just keep the car until you are ready to leave on the 25th."   I informed him that I had cancelled my insurance but he informed me that he had put coverage on it that morning, so DO NOT WORRY. Certainly this is one of those kind tender mercies and filled a void (no car) that concerned us if we sold it car before we left!  Thank you Lord for helping us out in this area.