Cabiao (September 14, 2005)

    Our first venture from Angeles City was Cabiao, Brad’s first area as a missionary in the Philippines.  We got up at about 5:45 a.m.  (I actually was up by 4:45 a.m., because I couldn’t sleep, but forced myself to stay in bed until at least a little light was coming through the blinds in our room.)  Our driver, Edward, was not scheduled to arrived before 10:00 a.m., because he had taken the elders to the airport in Manila at 1:00 a.m., and probably did not get back home to sleep until 5:00 a.m.  (That guy keeps incredible hours.)  So, we had some time to kill in the morning.  We worked out in the gym - but I couldn’t get Brad to go running around Clark Field with me (so I didn’t go).  He claims he has no running shoes, but I think he’s afraid I’ll run him into the ground. :-) Brad was amazed at the breakfast buffet - so much good food.  His world is changing over night.  He certainly appreciates the little things.  We ran into one of the elders from his “batch” (Elder Lindell) who is staying with his parents at the same hotel.  They started chatting in “Taglish” and both excitedly shared stories of taking their first hot shower, drinking water from the tap, etc.  It was pretty funny.  We are hoping to get together with them later.

    Brad first took us to the home of Sister Roque and her family (Brad’s “second mom”).  As we approached the home, Sister Roque smiled and gave a little girly scream to welcome Elder Royal.  She immediately had us sit down on the front porch of the home and started serving us treats.  Brad and Sister Roque just went on and on in Tagalog, like we weren’t even there.  Other members of the family came out to welcome us.  Brad was really in his element - very happy.  Maralea and I just sat there quietly, smiling with an occasional nod.  I asked Brad if he could translate a bit for us, but he said: “She can speak English, but she just won’t.”  Our driver, Edward, handled some of the translating duties.  Sister Roque said that Brad and his companion painted the outside of her pink home.  She said he was always very thirsty and often would drink three bottles of soda to quench his thirst.  Sister Roque was disappointed that Brad only consumed one bottle of soda during our visit.  It was fun to just sit back and watch the exchange of expressions of love.  Her eyes lit up when Brad said we would be attending church in Cabiao on Sunday.  “Oh, we should have a party for you,” she said.  Sister Roque said that Brad is missed as the ward piano player.  She commented that his Tagalog has improved a lot since he was last in Cabiao.  (I learned all this from Edward’s translation.)  It was really fun to see Brad just shine as he sat among people who he not only loved, but who clearly love him.  Maralea and I were surprised by a gift from Sister Roque’s sister, “Dimple,” who gave us wooden bowls and a knife and fork from Baguio.  That was very sweet.

    We walked along the road to the next destination, the home of the Bravo/Distor families.  En route, Brad said: “Oh, come here for a minute.  You have to meet this guy.”  There was a drunken older gentleman sitting on his porch who beamed when he saw Brad.  He reached out his hand and they just went on having a conversation in Tagalog.  The man then began speaking English to us.  He is not a member, but Brad had some discussions with him.  Our discussion was brief, but he was very animated.  As we continued on our journey, we did not get far before Brad ran into another man to whom he taught the gospel.  As Brad walked by the man called out.  Brad walked over to him and they embraced and talked briefly.  Brad continued walking with us and said: “That’s another guy who would make a great member if he could only give up smoking and drinking.”  As we approached the Bravo/Distor home, someone called out to me: “Hey, Joe!”  All American guys are apparently generically “Joe” to the people here.  Brad said he tired of being “Joe” and that he prefers the generic “Dude” greeting received in the area surrounding Angeles.  I just kept walking along.  We got to the gate and Brad said: “I hate these dogs.”  There were four of them greeting us.  Brad just entered through the gate like he knew what he was doing, and beckoned us to follow.  Neither of us did.  He turned around and said: “Come on.  They won’t bite.”  So, I came and Maralea stayed a little further behind - just in case.  The barking got some people to the door.  Sister Bravo came outside with her husband: “Elder Royal!”  Her arms were open wide to give him a hug.  Her sister and her family followed.  Sister Bravo went back into the house to announce: “Elder Royal’s making a surprise visit!”  Before we knew it, we were surrounded by family - all anxious to visit with Brad and meet us.  They started feverishly bringing out treats for us - and even sent off someone to the store to purchase donuts.  Brad just went into missionary mode.  He was yapping with everyone in Tagalog, as we just sat back quietly and watched.  Sister Bravo commented: “The father is so quiet.”  Brad says that they can understand English pretty good, but that “they’re afraid to speak it.”  So, we just observed and soaked it all in.  I was just taking pictures, some videotaping to capture the conversation and laughter.  Like Sister Roque, the Bravo/Distor families wanted a party for Brad.  He said: “You already threw me a party when I left the first time.”  They said: “If you’re coming to church on Sunday, we’ll have to do another one.”  They were asking Brad if he has chosen a wife yet, and commented to me that “the sisters in the ward love him.”  (No wonder Brad wants to visit here on Sunday.)  Something that really stood out is something Sister Bravo said to me in broken English: “Elder Royal loved us all very much.”  I asked: “So he was a good missionary?”  (That’s one of the reasons I was trying to stay quiet, to keep from asking silly things like that.)  Sister Bravo looked at me and said with a laugh: “We wouldn’t be throwing a party for him if he wasn’t.”  There were three in the family baptized in part through Brad’s efforts.  Dan Distor and his wife Dhelia were baptized just after Brad transferred to his second area.  When Brad left Cabiao, he mentioned to Dan that he wanted Dan’s watch (after they had traded watches for one day).  Brad got a surprise this past Monday when the watch appeared wrapped in a box for him.  He showed Dan that he was wearing the watch when they met, and they embraced.  Dan said that from the moment Brad said he wanted the watch that he “never wore it again but saved it for you.”  Dan and his wife are expecting their first child, and are making plans to be sealed in the temple.  We went outside for pictures and said goodbye.

With Sister Roque's family in Cabiao

Sister Roque, Cabiao

Brad and Tatay Distor-Cabiao

With the Distor Family - Cabiao

     As we were leaving Cabiao, Brad said he had one more stop to make, to see Salvador Garcia.  Salvador’s wife had been inactive for about 20 years.  Brad taught him and he joined the Church.  After his baptism, following Brad’s departure, Salvador’s wife died of an illness, leaving him to raise their two young children.  As we drove by Salvator’s home, he was standing by his “trike” (a motorcycle attached to a seat thingy for passengers).  We stopped the car, and Brad ran up to Salvador.  Salvador got a big smile, put out his arms and they embraced.  I raced from behind with my camera.  Brad and Salvador went into his very humble home and sat down in a one room flat.  Brad had his arm around Salvador, who smiled continuously as they spoke - in Tagalog.  Maralea and I just kind of sat close by after the initial introductions and watched.  I took some photographs so Brad didn’t have to worry about things like that - allowing him to focus on the visiting.  Salvador had questions about getting to the temple, being sealed to his wife, and having their children sealed.  I noticed, by the way, that Brad had asked all of his investigators about the temple - doing his best to make sure they are committed to the big prize that leads to forever families.  It was touching to us to watch Salvador embrace Brad.  He lives in the humblest of conditions, but is obviously very happy.  Salvador walked with us to the car, his arm around Brad as they continued to chat.  He stood by waving as we drove away, having been promised we would see him again on Sunday.

Brad and Salvador Garcia - Cabiao

Brad and Salvador Garcia again - Cabiao

    It was a long day.  We had breakfast and, other than a few treats, did not eat until dinner.  The drive to Cabiao was about two and a half hours - and the traffic is crazy.  The roads are narrow, and they are packed with motorcycles, “trikes”, jypneys, cars, trucks, bicycles and pedestrians.  It was raining most of the day - very wet.  The businesses and homes are located right on the street.  There is very little room for parking on side of the road.  I am surprised that there are not more accidents, but Edward assures me things have a certain order around here.  Anyway, it was quiet as we returned to Angeles.  I watched Brad as he fell asleep sitting in the front passenger seat.  This is all like a dream to him, I’m sure, just as it is for us.  As we were driving back, Brad was awakened upon receiving a text message advising that Edsel “passed” his baptismal interview and that his baptism will be going forward this Saturday as scheduled.  Edsel asked that Brad perform the baptism.  It is not the norm for missionaries to baptize converts here, because the desire is for the members to exercise the priesthood in that regard (and to form strong bonds with the local members).  However, Edsel made a special request of President Stringham, who has given his permission.  So, Edsel will represent Brad’s first experience performing the ordinance of baptism - and we are blessed to be here to be a part of all it.  That is going to be a GREAT event.

    We settled in for the night, having made plans to visit San Isidro tomorrow.  Brad collected some things from his apartment - including a guitar he plans to deliver to a convert there.  I don’t know how things could get much better, but I have a feeling they will.