Bye Bye Typhoon Glenda!

Area:  Mandama

Companion:  Sister Rossberg

Sister Training Leader

                                                                                    Monday, July 21, 2014

Hello friends and fam!

This week has hands down been the CRAZIEST week of my entire mission...It all started on Monday..President has changed our P-Days so that we don't go out until 6 pm now..well when 4 pm came around Sister Rossberg and I were so anxious to go work that we ended up leaving at 5 to teach a lesson because she was going to be picked up by the AP's around 6 to leave for the temple..we were just too excited to work, haha nerdy missionaries. Sister Rossberg left and then Sister Raynor (serving in Abucay) became my companion for the day, her companion was also going on the temple trip. Well the plans were for us to be companions for Monday and Tuesday, and later that night our companions would be home. And that's when all the excitement began..

Long story short, Sister Raynor and I traveled to Balanga Wednesday morning expecting to have a nice little breakfast out there at the plaza before our President Interviews at the Balanga Chapel. It was drizzling rain when we got on the jeepney and we didn't think twice about it. Halfway to Balanga, we realize that it was not just a little storm that was upon us, in fact it was Typhoon Glenda. Sister Raynor and I should have been killed or seriously injured at least 3 times that morning, and by some MIRACLE, every time we were saved. My testimony deepens each day of the protection our Heavenly Father lends to His servants.

Trike ride back to safety

This rain is really coming down hard!

This wind is really strong!

We quickly got on a trike and went to their home in Abucay where we ended up being stranded until 4 that afternoon. All power was cut out and we along with the other two sisters in that house did all we could to prepare for the worst to come. Luckily no damage was done to their house, we were all safe. However outside, trees were being uprooted and thrown around, electrical lines were coming down and drooping into the street which was now a river full of floating objects. It didn't seem real. At one point Sister Raynor and I went to stand on the porch upstairs to get a better view of what was happening, I had my full body weight against the door when I tried walking outside. I had the door about halfway open when the strength of the wind slammed the door close against my body. Those winds were STRONG. Later that afternoon the winds ceased and sister Raynor and I put on our rain boots and ran to the church to assess the damage. Besides garbage and trees being thrown all over the parking lot there was no major damage...we then got dressed into our missionary attire and began to proselyte. All of the province of Bataan was in a black out… absolutely no electricity. It was really sad to walk down the streets to see houses completely destroyed, people selling fish and having a CROWD around them because nobody had any sort of food in their homes. 

We survived Typhoon Glenda…barely!

The road is a muddy river!

Handy headlamp so I can make food for dinner!  

Look at it just shine!

All from the wind

Yep, that's one big tree!

We were in the middle of a lesson when someone walked in the investigators home and handed them two fish saying to fry that for their dinner that night. Not two minutes passed when another person came in with a whole pan of cooked rice telling them to eat that too. Another two minutes goes by and another lady walks inside handing them three more fish for their family. I came to tears at the sight of the selflessness of these people. In a time where they had absolutely every reason to be selfish and hoard all food they happened to have in their own homes, instead they gave away and shared that which they had. Beauty against the storm.

Eventually Sister Rossberg and I were reunited that night and were driven home to Mandama by the AP's--they sang me happy birthday on the drive home because the next morning was my 21 birthday. That was a birthday I will never forget. We woke up to still no electricity, and even better, no water! Haha, that made for a beautiful morning of showering out front of our house by a little water well and washing our clothes and dishes. I finally feel like a true Filipina. That afternoon we ran to the pelenke (market) and stocked up on food, soaps, rice, water, etc. and made 72 hour kits (gotta love preparing after the disaster, way to be sisters haha). We spent the afternoon assessing the damage to our investigators homes, and seeing what service projects we could assist with. We were amazed when we walked up to the home of Nancy, (our investigator that was to be baptized this last Saturday). Nancy lives in a home made of bamboo, as do all of her neighbors. Her next door neighbors house was DESTROYED, as in no possible way someone could live there. Nancy's house on the other hand looked like it hadn't even been touched. Sister Rossberg and I captured the sight on camera, it was a testimony yet again to us that God protects His children that are obedient to him. There is no way that was a coincidence. Miracle. 

Nancy's house standing firm and strong

Neighbor's house has no roof and is destroyed!

Later that evening the sisters had set up two surprise parties for me. The first one was at our next door neighbors house, I walked into their candle lit house with all my neighbors (all members) singing me happy birthday, my name was taped onto the wall with ribbons and a balloon. They bought me a cute little cake and I blew the candles out to celebrate the big 2-1! They then hurried me off to Sister Nivera's (my second mom) house, she cooked me a feast! Rice, pineapple, litson chicken, monggo, and bilo-bilo. All my favorites. They sang happy birthday yet again. We went back to our cute little candle-lit home, cheered with our cute martinellis (shout out to Elder Heywood for the expensive gift!) and called it a night. I will never forget that day.

First bite tradition!

Martinelli's - Thank you Elder Heywood!

The rest of the week went much the same. No electricity, showers out by the well, and adjusting our schedule waking up earlier and going to bed earlier so that we could make better use of the day light hours. Amidst all the craziness we still had a great week. Saturday morning we went and cleaned up the grounds of the chapel, and prepared for a beautiful baptism that afternoon. Nancy and Maldwin both made the plunge, newest members here in Mandama Ward. They were supported by a full room of members. When Maldwin was baptized he came up, smiles at everyone and goes "One more Time!" haha he has the best sense of humor ever. 

Maldwin

Nancy

Maldwin, Nancy, Sister Rossberg and I with our Bishop.

This is so Nancy!

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, but we had lots of investigators at church as did the other sisters. We made it our most successful day of work. Brother Llego brought his boss to church! (that is a story for another time). We continue to see the Lord's Hands in this work here in Mandama. Sister Rossberg and I were able to find an awesome family last night that happens to be Brother Llego's cousins! We are going back to them this Wednesday night. Miracles continue to happen here, we are working harder than ever, especially because Sister Rossberg is so close to going home. Weeks and months are flying by like days. We love this work. I've never been happier. We are safe and well, no need to worry. But please continue to pray for the people here in Bataan as two more typhoons are soon to approach us again back to back here sometime this week. 

Thank you for all the love and support and all the birthday wishes! I have the BEST family and friends ever! :)

Sister Pilkington

xoxo