For those of you who have never been in the Philippines, we'd like to post this story as an example of the wonderful kind of people we get to interact with every day. They inspire us!
From President:
I want you to meet 14 year old Billy and 12 year old brother Hyrum. They live in Rio Tuba, an hour from the closest branch of the Church. There are other churches close by that have invited Billy to church but he always says “I will never be happy if I join your church” and he bears his testimony.
It takes faith every week for them to attend church. Billy drives a tricycle taxi in this very rural area during the week to earn money for himself and his family to take a shuttle bus to attend church. He earns a few pennies per ride.
Billy, Hyrum and two siblings
Taking the sacrament is the most important thing in his life. Billy is the teachers quorum president and his brother is the deacon’s quorum president. They do everything they can to magnify their callings. He is a true example of Nephi’s teaching: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which he hath commanded.”
His story is not unique here in this mission. I am amazed at the faith and sacrifice of these faithful members. Do we realize what we have?