A New Batch

Today we welcomed a new batch of missionaries to Cavite. This transfer will now bring our total number of missionaries to 187. In the past seven months, we have added 99 new missionaries to the newly opened Philippines Cavite Mission. In March, we are expecting another 20. As you can imagine, finding apartments for all these new missionaries is really keeping us busy. 

Here are the highlights of our 2 day welcome for the newly arrived January missionaries. This is a great group and we are looking forward to sharing the joys of full time missionary work with them for the next 18 months - 2 years.

Day 1 - Lunch, Orientation, and the Mission Home

When all the missionaries arrived, we had pizza and a two hour orientation. 

 Sister Patolo, Sister Carter, and Sister Griffiths

 Sister Patolo, Sister Carter, Sister Hingano, and Sister Teoti with Sister Nkwocha on the opposite side of the table

 Elder Talingdan and Elder Apuhin in the background,

Elder Gonzaga, Elder Salimbot, and Elder Santillan

Elder Hansen, Elder Sessions, Elder Parcon and Elder Lim

 Dinner at the Mission Home

 

President asked each missionary to stand and tell us where they are from and why they are serving a mission. The number one answer to that question was, "Because of my love for the Savior!"

  Sister Carter

 Elder Corpuz

Elder Lim

 Sister Hale

 Sister Griffiths

The whole group, tired and ready to get some sleep. See you tomorrow!

Day 2 - Breakfast, Meeting Companions, Orientation, and Lunch.

 A room full of trainers and new missionaries waiting for the meeting to start.

 

The best part of this meeting is watching the trainers meet and hug their new companions. Elder Mole, a trainer, stands next to President and tries to peek at the list to see which of the new missionaries will be his companion. When the name is read - this is what happens . . .

 

Sweet Is The Work! 

Time for lunch. After we finished, all missionaries left to go to their new areas.

 The caterers for our lunch are members who live in the Molino Ward. They have a wide range of pre-set menus and their food is delicious. This time I ordered the fried Talipia thinking in my mind that it would be Tilapia fillets. But when you order fish in the Philippines, it means the whole fish. I was afraid that it might scare the American missionaries but I did not hear one complaint. It was yummy and a great welcome to their new home for the next 18 months - 2 years.

 

 Elder Gonzaga

 Sister Griffiths and Sister Sorronda

This was my plate of food. Fried Talipia, beef and broccoli, vegetables, rice - it was so beautiful that I wanted to share a picture.