Because zone conferences now are held every 6 weeks, we decided to try to reduce the amount of travel for the missionaries so far from Puerto Princesa. We held our first zone conference in Narra last week, and because of the difficulty of getting food for the missionaries, the Atkinsons were able to arrange for a buffet to be provided by a nice resort in town. They also allowed us to use their conference room and outdoor seating for classes. It is an absolutely beautiful location. It is called Crystal Paradise Resort for a good reason. We had a wonderful conference and felt the spirit in rich abundance.
These two sisters are leaving on missions this week from Palawan!
It's always nice to know that the snake isn't poisonous before you hold it!
Sister Ostler's sister, Arlene and her husband went out with the missionaries and had a wonderful time. Teaching with such awesome missionaries is an inspiring experience!
Zone conference was awesome.
These are all local sisters preparing to leave on their missions. It was great to have them join us for zone conference.
Guess who got her mission call!
After zone conference, President interviewed while the Treuhafts and Caleb and Sister Ostler went teaching. It was the Treuhafts first trike ride together.
We OYM'd a lady who was sitting in her yard because the person we planned to visit wasn't there. The sister was so open and prepared. She called her husband over and he listened to a lesson as well. It was amazing to see how open they were to hearing truth.
Elder Nolty was our companion, and we were just amazed by his humble, sincere and loving way of teaching and explaining the gospel.
The highlight for Caleb and I was visiting this sweet family whose boys are members. The brother has a testimony of the Bible but not the Book of Mormon. We shared with him our experiences with and testimony of the Book of Mormon, and he read some with us by phone light. The Spirit came, and he and some of us were in tears. There are no words to describe the experience of watching a grown man cry as he felt the spirit testify to him of the truth of the Book of Mormon.
Sunday, we attended the branch in Narra, then drove to the Sandoval
branch for their sacrament meeting. They meet in a nipa hut they built
themselves next door to one of the member's homes.
The group has grown from a few families to a branch that has required them to expand the nipa hut several times. The members are amazing! We were so humbled to have been able to meet with them.
These are the incredible missionaries who serve this branch, way out in the the jungle, by themselves, faithfully and with great love.
Elder Nolty came with us and was our interpreter.
Arlene is Primary President in her home ward, so she brought CTR wristbands for the primary children. When the adults saw what the kids were getting, they all wanted one too. Now, the whole Sandoval Branch has CTR wristbands. They were so cute about it.
The church building is in the background.
The lady wearing black is the one who donated the land for the building, along with her husband who is standing in the background. What good people they are!
The young women were thrilled to pose with Arlene too.
What an incredible day and incredible experiences we had with incredible people!
How grateful we are for faithful elders!
This is the branch president and his family.
Only a few sets of missionaries get to ride bikes in our mission. Don't worry, they put on helmets!
