Briant and Clyda Teichert; LDS Charities; Cebu Philippines

Dear Family and Friends,  Week #18 1/23-1/29 Monday was a real interesting day. Our Philippines Humanitarian Coordination Meeting (that is the real name for our Monday meeting) lasted over 3 hours. It is supposed to last one and a half hours. The Haynes are doing great things. This kind of stuff is just right down their alley. They presented 3 projects. They have a lot going on. The third one we thought would be a slam dunk, but it was picked a part and did not pass. It was scary. I don’t know what to think. When we do present one, they will probably feel so sorry for us they will pass it no matter what without any questions. I think some are just getting jealous with what the Haynes are doing, but it is all good stuff and helping the Filipinos in big ways. At the end of the long meeting, the Huffs asked Jairus if they should be concerned about driving without a driver’s license since the Teicherts are no longer driving. The Huffs and Haynes have been here a month longer ...

Dear Family and Friends,  Week #17 1/16-1/22 We have spent most of our work week in the office or at home on the computers. We have had our weekly meetings with Manila. Haynes presented 6 projects for approval. One needs more work and the other 5 were good to go. They are doing some great things. They really like the medical clinics and that kind of thing. I love all they are doing. On that line they have also helped fire departments with medical supplies because they are often the first responders on accidents and a lot of these far- flung places don’t have EMS providers. So, they have helped the people with medical needs at the great big hospitals and the little RHUs (rural health units), the EMS and Fire Departments. They are energetic people. I think everyone of their projects are great. He was a business guy, with an emphasis on party planning for groups from 20 to 1,000. He beat the bushes to develop his very successful business and they are beating the bushes here ...

Dear Family and Friends,  Week #16 1/9-1/15 We have had an interesting week. Monday was an office day. It was Brother Colipapa’s birthday, but we couldn’t go to the party, because I can’t drive. My 90 days were up as of last Saturday. I’m amazed at how they just don’t think anything of it. You would think that it would be a priority for them to help us get our driver’s licenses sooner. Many are driving and have been here more than 90 days. They may not know it is illegal. Some, they haven’t even helped them get their biometrics, to begin the process for Visas and driver’s license, until they have been here for about 60 days. Then again, I was in a vehicle yesterday with one of my leaders and he was driving and facetiming with his family at the same time. I can’t help but think that is against the rules. Well, we had FHE up at the Welch’s in Busay. We rode up with Elder and Sister Woods and Sister Garner. The Parker’s joined us along with Sister Jepson, the finance person...

Dear Family and Friends, Week #15 1/2-1/8 Sister Woods is of Danish Descent. Last Sunday she invited us to their apartment for a Danish tradition of theirs. The tradition is open faced sandwiches with several different kinds of toppings. It was very good. They also invited the Welches and Sister Garner. The seven of us had a great time together eating and visiting. Monday was a very chill day with no meeting because like in America if the 1st of January is on a Sunday then the 2nd is also a holiday. It was complete without football games. That was kind of sad. We celebrated with our normal morning routine and then Clyda gave me a haircut and I colored her hair. Three times now, and I must say she looks beautiful. So even if I messed up the coloring she still looks really good. In the afternoon we went to the Templex and found the Koyles and spent the afternoon with them. They are new temple workers and live at the Patron housing. They don’t have a car. We walked with them up...

Dear Family and Friends,  Week #14 12/26-1/1 It is hard to imagine it is a new year. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!!! Time comes and goes, and it seems faster with each year. It is amazing how that happens, amid days that never seem to end sometimes, and weeks that last forever, and then when you look back it seems like last year was just yesterday. I remember after my mission as a young man, within a couple months it just seemed like a dream, like it never really happened, yet I could remember so many learning experiences with clarity. I am grateful for being able to remember wonderful spiritual experiences that strengthened my testimony and gave me insight in how Heavenly Father guides us and blesses our lives. One of my favorite verses of scripture, that President Daniel pointed out to me and our Presidency and others is: D&C 121:45 “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; th...