Two weeks after our new batch arrived we called them back to the mission home for a morning of additional training. It was great to see them and to hear their impressions of life in this part of the Philippines and their transition into full time missionary service. All were doing great.
After an introduction in the Chapel where they were asked to Begin with the End in Mind. Each missionary was given time to dream a little about how they want to be viewed when they are heading home 18 months or 2 years from now. Their trainers were asked to think about what they wanted to accomplish during the next 10 weeks as a trainer. Later we moved to the Cultural Hall for an activity. We had each companionship design and paint a poster to be hung in their apartments to represent their individual and combined goals for their training period.
Later in the day we divided and had time with the new missionaries and later time with the trainers. It was a time to answer questions and hear their concerns. The Assistants worked with one group and then we traded. They provided some additional training as well as asking for concerns.
We ended with a late lunch and sent them back to their areas. We are so proud of our trainers. They have a huge responsibility and so dedicated to see that our new missionaries are taught well. We are so proud of our new missionaries. This is one of our largest batches and we can already tell that each one of them is going to be a huge contributor to the Lord's work here in the Philippines Cauayan Mission.
First they created their posters:
Sister Manguil and her trainer Sister Larsen
Elder Laurente and Elder Woodruff
Elder Ardon and Elder Bundy
Elder Opalda and Elder Daluz
Elder James with his new missionary Elder Daterio
Elder Marshall and Elder Sulla
Sister Wilkins and Sister Joame
Elder Carasca and Elder Daniels
Elder Defacto and Elder Coleman
Sister Tulikihihifo and Sister Velasquez
Sister Len Wai and Sister Forcadas
Elder Dela Cruz and Elder Benosa
Next we had a viewing of their artwork complete with an explanation of what they painted:
Sister Manguil and Sister Larsen have set high expectations
Elder Laurente and Elder Woodruff painted an impressionistic poster about good and evil and how they plan to overcome all obstacles.
Elder Bundy and Elder Ardon pledge to be Preach My Gospel Missionaries.
Elder Dela Cruz and Elder Benosa explain their desire to lead their investigators down the path to exaltation.
Our dear new Sister Peckham wasn't feeling well and while she was laying on the couch in the mission home, Sister George and I decided to use our hands to illustrate the point that these two sisters from Pakistan and the US are united because of their love of the gospel and their desire to share it with others.
Sister Len Wai and Sister Forcadas poster was full of great ideas to help lead others down the right path.
Sister Velasquez and Sister Tulikihihifo (I can spell it but can't say it yet!) pledge to choose the right as they teach others.
Elder Defacto and Elder Coleman's poster depicted angels helping them in their work.
Elder Pareja and Elder Smith used the initial PAT (tagalog for choose the right) as their goal for their training cycles.
Elder Daniels and Elder Carascal hope to lead many to the temple to be sealed as families.
Sister Wilkins and Sister Joame plan to have a divine companionship.
Elder Marshall and Elder Sulla plan to be good examples to the other two missionaries in their apartment starting with exercising every day and being obedient to the mission rules.
Elder Daterio and Elder James plan to use Christlike love to bring others back to church or new members to come unto Christ.
Elder Daluz and Elder Opalda work in the little mountain town of Lagawe. They hope to help people walk right past all the other churches in town and come to visit and love this wonderful gospel.
There was plenty of time to for questions and answers and these new missionaries had lots to say! They are full of great ideas and eager to serve the Lord.
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