San Isidro (September 15, 2005)

    This was actually our third report from the Philippines during our September 2005 trip.  After a two hour journey, we arrived in San Isidro.  It is beautiful green country with surrounding hills.  There is less traffic, but it’s still there - lots of it.  Our first stop was at the home of the Joson family.  Sister Joson was tending to her grandson.  She saw us and said with surprise: “Elder Royal!”  People started filing into the room.  All discussions were in Tagalog.  Brad just dove into the conversation as we sat by quietly observing.  Maralea and I have fallen into the role of just politely smiling and nodding our heads during these moments, trying not to get in the way.  Edward would provide an occasional translation.  (Thank goodness for Edward, who would not only translate, but give us some understanding of customs.)  There was clearly a close bond between Brad and the Joson family.  They spoke very highly of Brad and his service in the area.  Tatay and nanay Joson were both present, along with Joy and her son John Joseph, Apong, and his brother (whose name I do not recall).  There was a lot of laughter, and some tears as we left, as the family asked that Brad come to the Philippines to see them again.  Nanay, who claimed Brad as “my son,” left the room as we prepared to exit, because she was crying.  It was very touching.  She later returned to say goodbye, and asked Brad to try his best to return to the Philippines and visit.  We delivered some precious American candy to the kids, and then went on our way.

Brad and Joson baby - San Isidro

Brad with Joson family - San Isidro

Brad with Joson men - hanging out in San Isidro

Brad with Joy and Epong Joson - San Isidro

Together with the Joson family - San Isidro  (Check out what humidity does to Maralea's hair)

    We next went to visit the Moquia family.  As we drove to their humble home, Brad saw two of their little girls walking home from school on the roadside beneath a single umbrella.  He told Edward to pull over.  Brad jumped out of the car and called out to the girls: Kim, age nine, and Kailae, age six.  Kim’s eyes got big as she put a hand over her mouth, displaying a look of disbelief.  Brad ran to the girls to give them a hug, posed for a quick photo, then walked with them to their home.  We followed along and met Tatay and Nanay Moquia, with their youngest daughter, “Baby” (4), and their son, Kenny, age eight.  Brother Moquia and Brad just went on and on, laughing, slapping each other on the back and leg, as Sister Moquia chimed in from time to time.  They were like long, lost buddies.  Brother Moquia shared his conversion story with us (as translated).  We learned that he was in an intoxicated state when he first met Brad and his companion Elder Peteru.  The elders were going to teach a lesson but the investigator did not show.  Brother Moquia visited with them while they waited.  They had a gospel discussion, and Brother Moquia invited them to come talk with him further.  However, the elders did not follow up because Brother Moquia was drunk and they did not think he was serious or that he would even remember.  They were wrong.  Brother Moquia said that he diligently sought them out.  A few weeks later, Brother Moquia said that he, his wife, and Kim were baptized.  Brother Moquia has since received the Melchizedek Priesthood and is scheduled to baptize his son Kenny this Saturday - all of which led to some high fives between Brad and Brother Moquia.  The Moquia family plans to be sealed in the Manila Temple on or about December 5th.  Maralea asked the children if they knew “I Am a Child of God.”  Sister Moquia, the ward YW President, pulled out a hymn book and got the children started singing as I videotaped.  They finished the first verse, and I thought they were done and began thanking them.  My little interruption went unnoticed, and they continued on with the second and third verses of the song.  Brad delivered his guitar to Brother Moquia as a gift, and American candy for the children (that we brought from home).  Brother Moquia said (in his language): “We are sorry we have no gift for you, because we are poor.  But we give you our love.”  I previously sent a letter to the Moquia family on December 25, 2004, and they still had it.  I asked to see it and wrote a note at the bottom: “Thank you for loving our son, Elder Royal.”  Sister Moquia read it to her children in Tagalog, and began to cry.  Brother Moquia talked to Brad as a close brother.  His eyes watered as he expressed his love to Brad for being an instrument in changing the direction of his life - which began under unusual circumstances.  He said: “Although we are very poor, you have made us spiritually rich.”  Brad asked if we could leave with prayer.  Brother Moquia thanked him, and asked if I would offer it.  We could not kneel, because the floor was hard dirt.  I stood and as I prayed for a blessing on this family and their wonderful, sweet humble home, I felt the spirit and a rush of emotion.  It was hard to get through the prayer, but we were shed tears of joy together (mixed with some sadness at our impending departure).  As we embraced, exchanged thoughts and love, we dried our eyes and went outside for some photographs.  This was the humblest of homes, barely having a roof and walls.  They have no phone, no e-mail, and no address to send a letter directly.  Yet, they are richly blessed.  That is very apparent.  Their smiles are incredibly bright, brimming with happiness.  I was taken by the thought of how, without discrimination, Heavenly Father calls His children to Him when the seeds of the gospel are planted in a well prepared heart.  It was very hard to drive away as the family stood at the roadside, only because the desire to linger was so strong.  The family stood together like a perfect picture, with their home in the background.  We asked for a similar picture, with the Manila Temple in the background, signifying the great sealing of their family for eternity.  What a wonderful experience we had with the Moquia family.

Brad and Ate,Kuya Moquia - San Isidro

Brad with Kyla and Kim Moquia - San Isidro

Brad with the Moquia family - San Isidro  (Brad gave the guitar to Bro. Moquia during our visit.)

These Moquia children were as cute as can be

This was a wonderful moment for us, spending time with these humble, wonderful people - the Moquia family

    After a visit with Sister Dwatin, spouse of the branch president (who was not home), and her father-in-law (who was very happy to see Brad - and went inside the house to put on a Sunday shirt so we could get a couple photographs), we went to the very humble home of Sister Mendoza, where she resides with her husband, small son, and two daughters.  (Brad and his companion taught and baptized Sister Mendoza and her two daughters.  Her husband was already a member of the Church, having just returned to activity.)  As Brad walked into sight of the little boy (about four years old), the boy looked towards the open door of the home and said: “It’s Elder Royal!”  Sister Mendoza was so excited to see Brad.  She brought us in, and - as everyone here does - immediately began rounding up things to serve us.  She was very animated in her discussion with Brad.  She told him (as translated by Edward): “You are going to find a girl now, no?  If you can’t find a girl in American, come back to the Philippines.  We love you here.”  She remembered that Brad’s birthday is September 27th and said that for his birthday she wants him to “come back to the Philippines with your girlfriend.”  Sister Mendoza, her husband, and children are active in the branch.  A neighbor girl from the branch came over and joined us.  It was Sister Mendoza’s birthday, so Brad made sure she got some of our American candy.  Sister Mendoza and Brad exchanged addresses, and she made him promise - repeatedly - that he would write her as soon as he got home.  In fact, the very last thing she said as we got into the car was: “Promise?!” (while waiving her finger with a smile).  He promised.

Brad and Duatin Family - San Isidro

Brad with Sister Duatin - San Isidro

Brad and Maralea with Jem Gonzales - San Isidro

    San Isidro began as one of Brad’s biggest personal challenges.  It is a very small community, the branch was small, with a lot of inactivity, and I recall that Brad was a bit discouraged when he first arrived there in June, 2004.  What a difference a few months made.  By the time Brad was eventually transferred from this area, he said he had a heavy heart - having to leave behind so many wonderful people - forever friends.  It was a joy to meet them personally and thank them for loving our son, to see how they live, and especially at how they find so much happiness in living the gospel - regardless of their circumstances.

    As we drove to Talavera, we passed the Jollibee restaurant where our friends and neighbors, Joji and Ramone DeLeon, met Brad in June 2004 - Joji fulfilling her “assignment” to find Brad and hug him for Maralea, to take his picture, and give him our love (with President Brimhall’s permission - I should add).  There are pictures of that meeting on Brad’s website, one with Brad sitting on a “trike” outside the restaurant.  (Yes Joji and Ramone, we were there!)

Brad and Elder Peteru with Monica & Zack Deleon at Jollibee in June 2004