Words from Brother & Sister Lambson in the Philippines

We have been called to serve in the Philippines San Pablo Mission, and will serve here until the 25th of December, 2015

Our missionary assignment as "Membership & Leader Support' Missionaries is one that requires much imagination, creativeness, and inspiration. We were not told what we should do by President, except "roll up your sleeves, and go to work". Often times, we ask ourselves, what are we even doing here? Then we pray, and talk, and brain storm, and the answers as to what we need to do, just comes. It kind of like the Brother of Jared, when he had concerns as to how their boats would be lit inside, he went to The Lord, and asked him to do something to make that possible. Well, our wise and kind Father in heaven said "Jared, what are you going to do about it"? Jared, like us realizing that he had not done his part, replied; I will find some molten stone and they will light the way. He then took the stones to The Lord who touched them, and they were illuminated, and they provided light within their ships. We need to do our part. We need to show Heavenly Father that we are willing to do something, then after all we can do, we turned it over to The Lord and he does the rest.

Home Teaching is not even in existence here on the island of Marinduque where we are situated, probably for the duration of our mission. The church is still in its pioneer stages here. It has been here a little over 50 years. Our members are very aware of the mission of the Savior, but last week we met with a man who insists that Jesus is not the Son of God, but a wonderful teacher and example of how to live. He goes from place to place teaching school children, organizations, feels that is his mission in life, not married, not working, just telling them to love each other and not worry about what Church is right. He is very sincere, but off base a long ways.

We have been here now for almost seven months, and a love every minute of it! The islanders are happy and live a very simple life. We are experiencing missionary life in a different light this go around. *(We served 4 years ago in the Philippines Naga Mission).  We just came in with a typhoon and as soon as possible sent to our area, having no real instructions, just go by the spirit as member-leadership support missionaries. Our 5-day experience in the MTC was inspiring and we saw how incredibly huge the Lord's efforts are to spread his gospel throughout the world, and how incredibly smoothly the MTC operates and well organized in every aspect. Now we live in a branch with 6 primary children. The District primary president presides and teaches. The branch is really struggling, but this week was the first baptism in 3 years! No thanks to us. We have wonderful young missionaries hard at work.

We are helping with transfers today and tomorrow. Yesterday it rained so hard that one man was up to his neck right in the middle of the road where we needed to go! The bull frogs are out in full force and sound like real bulls as they paw the ground sounding all tough; I have never heard such a humongous sound coming from such small bodies. Roosters crow all day, saying something like "Sister Lambson, Sister Lambson

I can hardly stand the crowing of the roosters continuously. I got up and went to the kitchen sink where Sister Lambson was standing by the window and said to her, they're calling your name again, Sister Lambson, Sister Lambson. She responded, "No they are not  Elder, that one is saying Elder Lambson, Elder Lambson, its lower. You gutta understand the language". "There you go Elder, thats why its important for you to learn the language."

I have just a short time in the morning from 5-5:45 am and again from 6-6:45 pm to catch water as it comes into our place. It is a scramble to get all the buckets, and containers filled so that we can have sufficient amount of water until it comes in again. When we do get a little we take advantage of the shower which feel really good. When there is no shower, we just pour cold water over ourselves to shower. Sister actually does look forward to that.

Sister mentioned to me the other day. "I just realized that islands don't just float on water, but have an earthen base, What was I thinking? I think that the Elders we were transporting when I received that revelation were quite amused. She also said "I love the hens and baby chicks in our yard. Isn't it amazing how they associate freely with scrawny dogs that look like they are starving to death, and they don't pay them any attention"!

Recently in ZL' s training each one of us was asked "Why are you serving a mission? I started out by mentioning, that I came on my mission because my girlfriend wanted me to.  Sister got a kick out of that.  We then each spent some time telling about ourselves.  There were two missionaries, Elder Koloa, and Elder Fa'asavalu who both come from large families, eleven and twelve children respectfully.  One little elder, Elder Taguiam mentioned that he was the only member of his family, and that he had no parents, he was orphaned.  He was raised by his grandmother, who always encouraged him to go on a mission. He said "I guess one reason why I'm here is because of her, but the real eason that I am here is because a Prophet of God has said that all young men should serve missions, and I want to please him and serve Heavenly Father's children here in this place.

We Love Our Mission!

Elder and Sister Lambson