We are late with our letter this week because we've been out of Manila visiting an assistant on Panay and then 3 stake presidents in Cebu. It was nice to get out of the office and interact with members. We loved being able to bear our testimonies at each of the meetings we attended.
Saturday we went to a training on the island of Guimaras (this island is known for its delicious mangoes but unfortunately, they aren't in season just now). To get there, we took a taxi, a jeepney and then a pump boat (the vehicle we were to ride in was already on the island). The assistant technology specialist who did the training did a great job. The people there are wonderful. It is a challenge to teach the members about using church media when for most of them, their only access is at the meetinghouse. They need to download whatever media they want to use onto their phones to use for the next week. Internet connection is one of the big challenges throughout most of the Philippines. After our meeting, we stopped for lunch on the island and had mango pizza. It was delicious!
On Sunday we attended the San Jose, Antique branch on the island of Panay. We were asked to bear our testimonies in Sacrament meeting, which wasn't too surprising. Relief Society brought a surprise opportunity for me. As I was sitting in the Relief Society room before the meeting started, the Relief Society President got up and speaking in a mix of Tagolog and English, I understood that the teacher for today was sick. She asked if anyone wanted to teach the lesson. No one raised their hand. Then she asked if I would teach the lesson, she said I could teach anything I wanted to. I really couldn't decided if she was joking or not. During the opening song I opened my ipad to the Pres. Hinckley lessons. I glanced through them realizing I didn't want to teach something that had already been taught nor did I want to teach something ahead of where they were. I closed my book during the prayer, hoping she was kidding and I really wouldn't have to worry about it. As you've probably guessed, after the song and prayer, the RS president announced that I was teaching the lesson. I figured, they knew this was a spur of the moment assignment so I just did my best. I asked what lesson was scheduled and that was the lesson I taught. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me remember, to help me even speak! So often I get nervous when I have to speak or teach and my mind goes blank but I was calm. I know the Holy Ghost helped me think of questions to ask and stories to share. There was an investigator that was very good with answers and it was her first time at church! Being able to teach that lesson on such short notice was a sweet and tender mercy and blessing for me.
We are grateful for the gift of meeting with members of the church. They have such a love for the gospel. We are often touched by knowing that these people face challenges so similar to ours. One sister I talked to on Guimaras talked about the challenge she has with getting her children to help with the work in their home and trying her best to keep her home clean and organized. As she spoke, I thought about how we try to do the same things in our country in our circumstances. We truly do have a fellowship with people all around the world!
Our best to you,
The Tuckers
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