From Muddy Brown to Pure White

Here you can see some of the destruction that will have consequences for a long time. Of the three bridges on the Amlan river that we know of, only one survived.
The after effects of the typhoon Sendong are considerably broad. Houses, livestock, books, beds, and even lives, were swept away by the fury, speed and intensity of the typhoon. Many of the people we hauled rice and supplies into had their tummies filled, and then there was a spiritual hunger that surfaced, which the missionaries soon filled with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The bridge above was once the means of crossing the river for many people. With it out, alternative means were needed to get workers, school children and any others who needed to do errands across the river. The natural solution is the bamboo pedi-barge with small children as the power supply.



The first foray to find members on the other side. River was still muddy and high.

Up river from the city of Amlan, on either side of the Amlan River, there are many houses. One thing that we are so amazed at here is that people live everywhere. If there is a spot that is not cultivated or with big signs that says, “No Trespassing”, people put up residence there. I am sure there are many land owners that allow the building, because there is high density housing here in many spots even though this a mostly rural area.

Members and missionaries and the captain and crew (the 4 little kids)

The mother who Elder Cropper, the missionaries, and members were heading to find was baptized years ago, but has not been attending—too difficult with her husband not involved and the distance to travel, but she and her husband read from the bible daily, trying to stay close to the Savior, with not much support.

In fact, the branch members did not have her on the list to find after the flood because she had been lost track of. One of the men who has recently come back to church is the one who baptized her, so he said we should go there, and he went with us to show us the way to their house.

Sister Joy, in front, is so happy for troops to arrive. Their damage was not extensive, but it was their remoteness that was their problem for getting supplies.

Our first time across the river was to supply rice and make sure the members who lived over there were safe and fed. You will notice the bags on the barge in the earlier picture. We all couldn’t fit on the barge at one time without sinking it. As we walked in, everyone was so nice. We found the family we were looking for.

The first time we saw this family, just days after the flood, they were so gracious, mostly because the man who baptized her was with us. He really hit it off with the father who immediately started taking the missionary discussions. Two great elders from the mission taught them faithfully, and four weeks later the dad was baptized after quitting smoking and a few other vices. They’ve been attending church as a family, finding new friends there, getting help in the teaching of their children, enjoying fellowship with the saints.







a zoom in close up of kids on the far side of the river showing off for us on a later trip.












The crew is down to these 2 little guys, but the river is much narrower, cleaner, and not so raging.














Crystal not so sure about the big white lady.












Still shy













But see how Crystal feels about her father?

We went with the missionaries last week for a last discussion before baptism. We sat in the front room of their two room home. We sat down on the bamboo floor and taught them a discussion on how the scriptures can become a working part of their family gospel teaching. Gave them a few examples of how Lehi loved and taught his family specific things relating to the gospel. We read some scriptures from the Basahon ni Mormon, his English is a bit weak. And our Visayan is extremely weak.

The whole family (plus a cousin in the neighborhood) ready for a new birth and a new life.

I wish we had a picture of them with their Dad in white baptismal outfit. That's the pure white part, but we could not be there for the baptism, so we saw pictures but don't have any for you to see.







the trip home Ya, I trust these guys.

This family, recently just struggling along spiritually, is now empowered. The parents both now have the saving ordinance of baptism by authority and the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide them in raising their family. The father will soon have the priesthood and will be able to exercise that priesthood to baptize his son in a few months when he turns eight.

So, a man baptizes a lady who understands the gospel. He then leaves the church for a time. And so does she. A Branch Pres., concerned for the man, suggests we find him. We do so and invite him back. He agrees that it is time for his family to receive the blessings of the church, he returns to the Branch family, and he helps with flood relief and remembers the lady who has been forgotten, she and her husband respond to the love extended, and they are now enriched by the gospel as a whole family. This is just one of the countless cycles that Heavenly Father has going on in different phases all over the planet—everywhere, God’s children respond to God’s love as shown by others of God’s children, they in turn lift and encourage others, and on it goes.

We love picturing all of you as part of these cycles of loving and being loved. Thank you for all you do for us, so that we can be participating in such a hands on way. You are part of the cycle.