Seeing the Countryside and Sad News!

 Field Trip to the Countryside

Several weeks ago a sister in the temple was telling me about a farm where her son used to work. She told me it was a Church owned farm and that they raised vegetables and fruits that they give the local schools to help the children have an healthier diet. When school is out for summer break, they donate their harvest to the community.  She asked if I would like to see the farm, I told her yes and she said she would make arrangements. Time went on and I kind of forgot about going to the farm until one day she said the arrangements had been made and we could go the following Monday. Her son drove her along with three other sisters from our temple shift in one car and the four US couples followed in our van. 

It was a 2 1/2 hour drive north which was fun because we had never traveled north before. We drove through small towns and along the seashore. It’s funny, we live on an island but rarely see the ocean because where we live is surrounded by skyscrapers that block the view.  Not the greatest pictures but it’s what I got from the van:

I love these houses with the woven mats on the outside

Beautiful Church

We eventually made it to the farm which is called “Rise and Rebuild”. We found out the church does not own it but it has made donations to the foundation that funds the farm and most of the employees that run the farm are members of the Church.  

It was created several years ago by a member of the Church who used to be a mission president in Cebu. I understand he is still on the board but because of his age, he no longer travels to the Philippines.

The farm is quite large and they grow a good variety of crops. Not only does it feed the children and sometimes the community but it also provides jobs and in some cases housing for many of the local people. The countryside is so beautiful and green and I loved seeing it.

Purple corn, they said the crop wasn’t very successful 

Papaya - they made us yummy shakes out of the papaya

Coconut Tree

Banana Trees

All packaged up and ready to be delivered

Green and Purple eggplant

They also have a project that is fairly new - they have begun grown various types of lettuce using the hydroponics method. They made a salad for us with our lunch and it was delicious.

After touring the farm they made us a lovely lunch. Our sweet husbands insisted all the women sit together at the table and there was just enough room for all of us. Usually I’m not a fan of Filipino food but what they made for us was really tasty.

We had a wonderful time and it was fun to get to know some of our sisters outside the temple. 

Dragon Fruit Farm

On the way home from Rise and Rebuild we took a little detour and went by a dragon fruit farm. I have seen dragon fruit in the grocery store but had never seen how it was grown or tasted it. It was very interesting to see how it grows on what looks like cactus.

I didn’t realize the fruit could be either this bright pink color or white inside. I didn’t think it had much taste but it supposedly had many health benefits.

I’m glad we took the time to stop by and see the dragon fruit farm, I learned a lot about it.

And Now for the Sad News

Last Saturday our sweet Sister Aban passed away in the temple. I have mentioned her in my letters before, she is the sweet sister who just turned 86 last month and had come to serve in the temple with her daughter and son-in-law. She had just finished her shift at the temple - her last assignment was the veil, she had gotten dressed and was waiting for her daughter so they could go home when she had a heart attack. It struck so suddenly and she was gone so quickly. They tried to revive her but she was gone, she had completed her work on the earth and she when to her Heavenly home. In such a short time she had gone from presenting at the veil to passing through the veil. I guess if it’s your time to go, the temple is the best place to be.

With Sister Cornilliz and Sister Aban in front of the temple

I’m so very thankful we took the time to take this picture just a few weeks ago. She has made a lasting impression on me and she was such an inspiration to me. As I walk through the temple I have so many memories of her. Sometime we would have our break at the same time and we would sit in the workers dressing room and have a snack. She would tell me about her family and one day she even brought her photo album to share with me. We had some really good talks and I will miss her so much. She is now with her husband and the four babies she lost and I am happy for her. All this week sisters and been sharing sweet memories they have of her and it has been healing for all of us.

We miss and love you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Love, Sister Beth/Mom