Welcome to the Philippines Cauayan Mission

We seem to be blessed with the best missionaries here in the Philippines Cauayan Mission. They come ready to learn and grow and work hard. This month we received 14 wonderful new missionaries.

From left to right: Front row: Sister Vaisagote (American Samoa), Sister Kushi (Pakistan), Sister Mamea (American Samoa), Elder Wightman (Idaho), Elder Betancourt (Virginia), Elder De Guzman (Pampanga), Elder Coronel (Manila), Elder Dulaca (General Santos), and Elder Findlay (Utah). Back row: Elder Cass (St. George), Elder Berends (New Zealand), Elder Kaloni (Utah) and Elder Indino (Cagayan De Oro).

 After the long flight from the US (for those attending the Provo MTC) and then the all night bus ride from the Manila MTC (where those from Provo meet up with the Manila batch) our missionaries are exhausted when they arrive. (They arrived about 6:00 am)

 We always do a quick introduction to get to know the missionaries better.

 Despite their weariness these missionaries were excited about the events planned for the day.

 We quickly take photos to send home and for the transfer board and then we eat a BIG breakfast.

 We conduct a brief orientation (they will come back in a few weeks for more orientation). Then we give them an hour for rest and showers. Every nook and cranny of the mission home was used to give these missionaries a little space to relax.

 Some took advantage of nap time.

 I don't think it took them more than an minute to fall asleep.

Now how's that for a dedicated missionary! He fell asleep with the Book of Mormon in his hand!

We look forward to getting to know these missionaries better in the near future. We can already tell that they are here to work hard and assist in the Lord's work in this very special part of the vineyard!