One month left...

One month. That's all that remains of Elder and Sister Stamps' mission in the Philippines. A month from today, they will be exhausted as they arrive at the airport in Portland.

I came across a blog that their mission president's wife is keeping and found a few pictures. Enjoy!

New Pictures!

Here are the latest pictures!!

Release date

Elder and Sister Stamps will return to the States on 31 Jan 2014.

Manga Tree

The big typhoon went far south of us.  The central Philippines really got hit. We got little wind or rain. 

I am attaching a photo of a manga tree which blew down some years ago.  It is growing up from the trunk into new trees. This is common around here.

We are going to pugo tomorrow to pick up some wood carvings. Brother Dango is really an artist. We are well.  Life is good.

Elder and Sister Stamps

Safe from typhoon

We are well and not affected on this Yolanda typhoon [known as Super Typhoon Haiyan outside of the Philippines]. It is closing to our town but not bad. We will let you guys know if ever changes.

No effect from earthquake

We have not felt any of the earthquake. We are very far from that island. It is in Visayans island and we are in Luzon Island. Just wanted you to know we are safe and busy and happy.

Fallen bamboo tree

We are ok here rain and typhoons are still the usual event. The bamboo tree from our neighbor's yard fell down on our back door the other night, no harm done. [Elder Stamps will need] to remove it
in the morning, Monday while I will do laundries and clean house. Our day off. Tuesday we need to be in the mission home for finger printing for all foreign missionaries.

Sometime last week we had a snake in the kitchen living room. [Elder Stamps] whacked it with a bolo then threw it in the river. Now I have my lights on when I go to sleep.

It is good to see pictures from time to time when I can get on internet. I was out on the e-mail loop for a while due to password problems. Things are better now.   

[Elder Stamps has] been released as Branch President last 22nd of Sept. Our life load is a lot lighter now. We do the advising of leadership as needed. We are now concentrating on implementing Family Home Evening to the members that need how to go about it. Reactivate the less active members. All of the typhoons have gone north or south of us. We get some wind and rain. We are ok. Life is interesting here.

Well and busy

We are well and busy.  We are trying to coordinate a family week celebration this Saturday. The branch is doing well in the new building. I will be released as branch president in three weeks. Then I can better help train a replacement.  We will be still here working with the members. There are a lot of needy families. We can help them a lot with basic lessons of gardening and self reliance.
We have more mosquitoes now the water is not moving so fast. The first rice harvest is going on and the second crop is being planted. A snake crawled into our house tonight.  He was about a foot long. He tried to hide. No luck for him. Rose found the bolo. I threw his body into the river. I am more worried about the mosquitoes. We have none in our home. The members have too many. I hope they don't get dengue. The recent storms have gone past us to the north and south. We get a lot of rain. The floods have gone down.  We can still get to the members homes. The mud is not too deep.

Rose is training a seminary teacher.  It is a lot of work for her.  Take care everyone.

New Chapel Open House

Elder and Sister Stamps recently moved their branch into a brand new building. The old one was much too small, so this was a very exciting development. They had an open house on Saturday, August 17th. Each organization had a display. Around 75 people attended, 6 of which are investigators. No civic officials attended due to heavy rains. A film about the First Vision was shown, followed by question and answer time. Here are some picture that they wanted to share.

Our Elders are Elder Policarpio and Elder Frischknect.
They are a go-getters!

Flooding

The river by our back gate is now over the banks. We are safe. we are 2 feet higher than that. Much of the lowlands are flooded. We have some members who are living upstairs in their houses this week. We hope the main roads are open so we can get to urbiztondo. The storms bring a lot of rain. It can dump an inch in an hour. It is a balmy 75 degrees.  A lot of rain is headed this way. We will help those we can reach.  Those who live by the agno river should have left for higher ground last night. We will have food for those who go to the malibong school.  This sure is different to the desert.

What a week in Pangasinan!!

We are well and busy.

We moved into the new chapel on Tuesday.  The workers were still working on the wiring. Many members came to help load the truck.  It went really well.

On Wednesday the contractor and inspector debated the list of rework we wanted. The back steps were poured by some members.  The sink drains were fixed. Well most of them. We put bolt locks on the doors.

Thursday we poured the front steps.  Just as the cement was floated and finished, the piano arrived. We carried it through the back door. More finish work was done by the contractors.

Friday the workmen finished the front steps. They look pretty good. The wiring was finished. The lights outside now are on at night. I got the computer to work again. A great brother has built some storage boxes for the kids in primary that they can sit on during classes. The building is almost finished. We now have closets for relief society and primary and young men and women. There is even a cabinet for paper goods and brooms.

Saturday, The youth practiced a new song while workmen finished some projects.

Sunday we had the mission President and his councilor and their wives for sacrament meeting.  I t went well.  We still need some room partitions in the main hall to separate the classes. It is good to hear the primary children sing.   We are planning the first activities for this Saturday.  The elders quorum plan on building a bamboo fence between here and the neighbors. All are happy. This will be good for this branch for a long time.

There is a typhoon coming tonight and tomorrow. It will pass north of here. We will get the edge of it with rain and wind.  What a week.

Pangasinan Mornings

In the early morning, the sun takes about 30 minutes from the first light to appear.  The low clouds over the distant mountains  make for a beautiful sunrise.  [Sister Stamps] likes to take an early walk with our neighbor. It is about a mile on the local rural road to the main highway going the back way. Then they come back refreshed.  The road is paved concrete. It is about ten feet wide with irrigation ditches and fields along the sides. The morning air is fresh and cool. The trees are damp with dew. The trees are full of ants that bite. We stay clear of them.

 There are the broad mango trees with dark green leaves. These produce sweet mangos from February until May.  There are some morangi trees with small leaves and long fruit that resemble green beans before the seed pods open and drop the seeds.

There are some papaya trees here and there. These grow fast and are easily broken off. The ones by the front gate have grown from 4 inches to four feet in three months. These have large star shape leaves that branch from the trunk in an alternating pattern.  The fruit grows from the trunk in between the leaves.  The fruit hangs like large pears until ripe. These are good. The black seeds are in the enter much like a cantaloupe.

We pass banana trees with their huge long tattered leaves. They only produce every two years. Then we cross a small bridge and the local barangay hall. It is the government building for the local neighborhood. The captain and secretary know everyone who lives here. Most barangay halls have an elementary school by them. This one does not. The children walk two hundred yards to the public school or the private one near it. Each school has its own distinctive uniform. Typical is a white shirt or blouse, dark pants or a bright plaid skirt. And sandals.

Along the way are an assortment of dogs, goats, huge Brahman cows, families eating breakfast, and men going to work in the fields.  Everyone is friendly. The small kids just stare. Most people say hi.  Some homes are humble with split bamboo walls and grass roofs.  Many homes are of concrete blocks with metal roofs and elaborate iron gates.

The fields make a green carpet all the way to the mountains about 3 miles away. The houses are lined up by the roads. Different trees dot the landscape.  There are many frogs but few bugs. The mosquitos are sprayed heavily here. The malaria is gone here now. Some places have dengue from mosquitos. We don’t worry much.

We pass tricycles and motorcycles and few trucks. The local roads are quiet.  The main highways are noisy.  There are some unimproved roads which can be driven if there are rocks in them. There are some trails through the fields and by the river. We don’t drive there too often.

Life here is peaceful. It is uncomplicated. The people are happy with few earthly possessions.  Families live near to the relatives. Many work together. They share in fortunes and misfortunes together. They are usually close. Birthday celebrations are simple for the kids. If the family is prosperous the adults will have larger louder parties for their birthdays. These will have karaoke for hours or days.

The internet is rare here. Homework is optional. Few go to college. Life changes slowly for most. We are blessed to be here. We are blessed with our homes and families there.  Life is good. 

take care... Elder and Sister Stamps

One year...

From the webmaster:

It's hard to believe that Elder and Sister Stamps have been gone for a full year! They are continuing to do well and are very busy.

If you haven't heard, their mission is being split, effective tomorrow I think. They are now serving in the Philippines Urdaneta Mission, though they keep the same mission president that they had in Baguio.

Events of Late May

We have been busy.  On the 22^nd to the 24^th we were at a resort called the cozy place for a youth conference. The kids were typical teenagers.  A good pool cooled many passions.  The kids are great. They are teachable and learning.  Several just graduated from high school at 16.  Some are preparing for a mission.  Rose taught a great class to the youth about standing in holy places. The dance that night was fun.  They have a local style of group dancing.

 It is not much fun being the official grump but someone has to do it. I get a lot of respect just showing up as a senior American missionary.  Whenever someone makes a decision, they look to me to ratify it.

We had fun.  On Monday the 27^th we went to Ilocos Sur to meet some of Rose’s cousins. We had picked up her sisters in Urdaneta the afternoon before.  We went through Dagupan and then north. It is about 120 miles. We made it in 5 hours. Traffic through the cities is really slow. When we got there, some guys met us in town and lead us out through the hills to a small community in the back woods.  We were in time for the funeral of her cousin.  We were offered seats of honor. They fed us a great meal. The funeral home had a slide show projected on a screen of his life.  Then the minister conducted the services. She was from the Methodist church. The choir was with her and knew the songs. Many sounded familiar even in a different dialect. The late cousin was in a nice coffin at one side of the room. The room had a dirt floor and the tin roof made the place really hot. We went outside for a breath of air. The neighbors turned the karaoke down and more food was served. Then the procession to the cemetery started. We walked the hundred yards to the cemetery with everyone else. They had opened the family vault and mixed some cement for the coffin to rest in.  we later went to town and left some family group sheet s with another cousin to fill in. we will get some of the family history from there. The trip home was late and dark and rainy. I missed a fork in the road and wound up in Sison. We took the long way home. At least I knew the way. Go to google maps and look at Pangasinan.

The next day we took her sister’s home to Baguio. We made a detour to look at some land for her sister.

I almost hit a big truck at the turnoff the main highway.  He was going way too fast. We were stuck in a line of cars and buses.  The trip up Kennon road was slow with all the rain.  The wipers could not keep up with the water. We had to wait for the rains to slow before we could go home.  The road crew had a lot of rocks to clear off the road.  That trip is still better than any roller coaster ride. It takes five hours to get to Baguio and five hours to go home.

We sent some youth to the temple late the night of the 29^th. They had a five hour bus ride, then five hours in the temple before coming home. We went back to the resort with the young single adults from our district the next day.  One of our young men is a pretty good magician.  We got home late and slept in the next day.  We have driven  many miles in the slow lane in this month. We also went to another funeral in our branch.  We have paid to get one member out of one hospital. We have another member in a different hospital. We don’t know if he will live. We also went to the national statistics office in Calisiao for a birth certificate for a member.  When the door there opened there were 400 people already in line. Rose went to the head of the line and got the papers in only one hour. She is amazing.

Life is not boring. We have also met with some other cousins in Dagupan.  Some names here are fairly common.  Everyone wants to be you’re cousin.  Especially if you are rich.  All Americans are rich. 

We were approved for a new building in our branch . At least the funding. We hope it will happen in the next two months. It sure be better than where we are meeting now.  We will send more later.  Thank you for your prayers.

Ken and Rose

it is hard to get pictures to load to the internet. I don't know why. sorry

Mother's Day in Pangasinan

May 12, 2013

The rains are early this year. They usually start in June and get hard in July.  They started in April and are hard some days now.  Most mornings are clear and sunny. Later the clouds build to thunderheads. When it comes down, it can rain an inch in an hour.  The afternoons are quiet. Just cloudy and muggy.

With the seasonal rains, it has cooled about ten degrees F to about 85.  We don’t run the aircon so much.

The farmers are quickly plowing and planting rice. They had just harvested the last of the corn. Maybe they can get one harvest in before the floods. It is hot and subtropical here. The soil is rich. Two to three crops each year are normal.  Those who have land can prosper quite well.

I don’t need to wash the car any more.. I wish I could get the scratches and dings in the paint fixed. They want too much money for that.  When I drive on narrow roads in rural areas, sometimes I get hit. The worst dents happened in the cities by tricycle drivers who cut me off.  Some of the scrapes happened when I turned in a close place or two.

We are busy  trying to train leadership here and helping some families.  It is hard when the best talent is abroad.  The people are great.  We have sent out 4 young missionaries in the last six months.

We had chocolate bars for the sisters on mother’s day. The kids were jealous.  Oh well.

We might get a better building in the next three months.  The old building is so sad. It is too small, in poor shape, and noisy from the road outside. When it rains the water coming off the road above here runs right through the outside classroom.  It is hard to invite people to come to worship in this dump.

The missionaries serving here are from Utah and Alabama.  We have had a lot of elders from the Philippines.  They are each individuals. Some are really great. 

Rose has been working with her sister Jeanna to find some cousins.  She has found some in Dagupan. They were surprised when she showed up.

We sure like this new house better than the other one before.  It is a lot closer to Urbiztondo and is a nicer place.  I just installed a triple water filter by the pump and tank. The water smells better now.

Today was election day locally. Most people stayed off the streets when not voting.  The polling places at the schools were heavily guarded.   We will be glad to have an end to political rallies, and cars driving around blaring music and ads for someone.  There are many political parties here and it is big business. 

The internet was down for much of the day. Rose did not get to skype.  Bummer.

We will pick her sister up in Urdaneta early tomorrow. 

Take care for now

A trip to Baguio last week

A trip to Baguio….

 The sun comes up at 6:30.  The rooster next door has been crowing for about 30 minutes.

Breakfast is cereal and juice. Some laundry is set to soak. We pray and gather things for the day’s events.

 When we load the car, we always include some plants for Rose’ sisters. They are born to be gardeners too.  We will exchange these for some there to put in our yard.  We load the small cooler with water and ice in old Gatorade bottles.  It is already getting warm out. When the house is locked, I unlock the gate. There is an inside lock that holds both halves of the gate for cars together. There is also an outside lock for the small gate for people to pass through. We then drive 100 feet past our neighbor’s houses and go through the gate to the street. The street is about ten feet wide and paved with concrete.  It serves much of this neighborhood.  On the other side of the street is an irrigation ditch four feet deep.

 This morning there were few little kids playing in the street.  Sometimes there are ten or more of them. They always wave and shout hello.  The neighbors are friendly.  We wave and answer them.  At the corner is a gas station and a bus waiting shed.  We turn toward Urbiztondo and pass two tricycles and a cow.  A truck coming the other way has a heavy load of sand. At about four miles we cross the bridge over the Agno River. The water is low. Some boys are swimming. Others are fishing from a small boat.

We go through Urbiztondo and turn to take something to a friend who lives past town. About five miles out of town we turn into a narrow road into the barangay. Two miles further on we come to their neighborhood.  Here everyone seems to be related. Americans and their cars are easily noticed.  The little kids here shout and wave.  The adults and older youth often stare.  There are a lot of tricycles on the way. These are the motorcycles with side cars attached.  There are a few long jeeps and trucks on the road today.

 Our friend is a remarkable lady.  She was getting ready to go out selling soup vegetables and rice from a small trailer she pulls with the only four wheel ATV in the province. Street vendors are common. Her food is really good. She quickly offers to share some with us. Rose becomes her first customer for the day.

 After leaving there, we take the back roads to San Carlos.  The back roads are narrow. The main roads are wide enough for the traffic both ways.  Cars, trucks and busses are soon backed behind a slow moving tricycle.  It is going twelve miles per hour and so is everyone else in line behind it.

 Four miles later we have passed everyone in line and come to the town.  Then with a lack of communication,  I drive to Dagupan. The detour at Calisiao is no longer much problem.  We stop for gas. Then I find out that the trip to Dagupan was being postponed.  We turn around and take the road toward Santa Barbara and Urdaneta.  This is 27 kilometers away (18 miles). We get there in about 35 minutes.  On the wider highways we make much better time. We have been traveling for two hours.

   Rose and her sister want to detour to Villasis to get some herbs at the market there.  It is fifteen miles south toward Manila. The market there has more fruits and vegetables than I have seen anywhere.  Most of these I know of and have eaten often.  Some I don’t know what they are or how they taste.

 We buy banana chips and apples and some snacks.  We have juice and water in the car. The cr (comfort room) here is clean and neat.  This whole market is clean. There are some eateries. Here the traffic on the national highway is heavy. More trucks and buses.   When we get in the car, it is hot. We run the aircon on high for a few minutes.

Turning north, we go through Urdaneta. It is a small city with five colleges in it.  There are some great malls here.  Without the tricycles, it would seem like some of California. Most of the signs are in English. There is a Mcdonalds, a KFC and a Shakeys pizza place here.  Rice is served with every meal.

After Urdaneta we travel 20 miles north to Pozzorubio. (Spanish for red water).  Then through Sison. These towns are near the foothills to the Cordillera mountains.  The mountains can be seen ahead. They are five thousand feet high and steep.  There are clouds on top. We soon pass through the corner of LA UNION province and start up Kennon Road.  This is the most memorable part of the trip.

I would ask everyone to look online for Kennon road.  As we twist and turn and climb, we wind up in line with trucks and buses and jeepneys.  There are only two construction stops today.  They are rebuilding several stretches and cementing concrete barriers along the way.  With many cliffs above us and sometimes below us, we drive carefully. The road is much wider and the bridges better than what I remember from before.  It takes an hour to drive the forty kilometers to the top.

Finally after passing the lions head and the last steep mile we are at the “City of the Pines”.  Many of the pines trees are still here. The city has grown by ten times in the last forty years.  It is cool and misty here. The air is crisp. There are a lot of flowers.  And traffic.  And trees, even bamboo and mangos. 

The best map in the world and gps will do no good if you don’t know where you are.  Since Baguio is built in the top of several mountains, all roads go somewhere. I wish that I knew where.  There are many signs posted. If you don’t have a guide, you will be lost!!!    Rose’s sisters and nieces know the city well. It is like no other place I have ever been.  I could live here happily if I could afford it.

There is a mansion house for the Presidential Summer retreat. There is the old American recreation base called Camp John Hay. There are some nice hotels in John Hay today.  There is the tourist corner called mines view.  This is near where Rose and her family lived. On the north is Trinidad with the strawberry and vegetable fields. There are shops that sell fine hand carved wood items. Others sell beautiful silver jewelry. One notable one has hand woven clothes and accessories.  The market downtown includes modern stores. This fills several blocks. People have gotten lost walking around the market.  There are many street vendors. 

In Baguio you are often going up or down hill.  During the rainy season, you have to pay closer attention.  There is less traffic during the rainy season since more people are in the lowlands during school. There are many good schools in Baguio, including the Philippine Military Academy, a medical school, and an international school.  There is an airport further down the hill, but why would someone fly when they can travel Kennon road.

Too soon we have finished our deeds and set to return home.  We always look forward to the next trip to Baguio.  It is more than a vacation. It is an experience.

Notes from Luzon in March

The time we spend here in Pangasinan sometimes helps focus on the differences to our home. We have been richly blessed in our lives.  Here the blessing of family and home are common and good.  Most people  are humble and friendly. 

We recently went to the high school graduations of four of our members. When talking to the teachers, we find them concerned. The students work hard but have a handicap.  There are no computers available. Not even old ones.  The schools are begging for monitors and computers, they would like to have even the old ones that we threw away when we packed to come here. There are large container boxes of computers shipped to China for scrap every day. It costs about $25,000 to ship such a box to Asia. If only they could be sent here. They would have to use transformers or rewire the power supplies. The power here is 220 volts. Of the 2000 members in the Aguilar district, we know of only 3 families with computers. None are connected to the internet.  The internet is available many places, but too expensive for most families.  While the branch leaders are supposed to order their supplies online, few know how here.  Some kids in private schools get computer training.  Most kids don't. We can't fix all the problems of the world, but this one should have an answer.  

Elder Stamps

From Mangatarem

Apparently President and Sister Stamps are having some technical issue with Skype. But they sent pictures!

When we moved, the internet antenna got pointed in a different direction. I don't yet know where the cell phone tower is at. We are running on a neighbor's network. We don't know who or where. We went to some graduations of the seniors here last week. We really like our new home. It is much closer and nicer. The weather is hot and muggy. [Pres. Stamps] will survive. [Pres. Stamps] will complain softly. Most things are going well. We are healthy and busy.

The house itself is big and solid. Really nice. 

We have a nipa hut on one side of the house. 

Moved

We received the following email. If you are planning on sending a box, please either hold off on doing so or send it to the mission home. 

We moved on Tuesday to Mangatarem, which is about ten miles and thirty minutes closer to Urbiztondo. We are trying to find out the address here. Few streets have names or numbers. We will let you know when we know. The safest way [to send a box] is with LBC to the Mangatarem office here.  We have met one mailman here, though he often delivers to a friend or neighbor of ours. It is different

We are well. my back was sore for a day.  today we are going to another high school graduation.

Mission home:

Phone: 63 75-568-1081 

     Elder Kenneth Mark Stamps 
     Sister Rosalina Ganio Stamps  
     Philippines Baguio Mission  
     PO Box 7

     Brgy: San Vicente East

     Urdaneta City, Pangasinan 2428 

     PHILIPPINES  

Mission Changes

On July 1st, the Baguio Mission will be split, creating the Urdaneta Mission, which will be presided over by the current President of the Baguio Mission (President and Sister Monahan). Says President Monahan, "The creation of the new Urdaneta Mission will advance the Lord's work as we prepare for His holy temple."

The new Urdenata Mission boundaries will include the following church units:
1. Districts: Alaminos (transferred from the Olongapo Mission to Urdaneta Mission); Aguilar; Mapandan; Mangaldan, Calasiao.
2. Stakes: Urdaneta; Rosales; Dagupan; Lingayen; Bayambang.

The new Baguio Mission boundaries will include the following units:
1. Districts: Agoo; Bauang.
2. Stakes: Candon (transferred from Laoag Mission to Baguio Mission); San Fernando; Baguio.

Plant Pictures

Now that President and Sister Stamps have a functioning camera again, it's time for more pictures! Here are pics of the local trees (banana, papaya, mango, bamboo, breadfruit...). I *think* these were taken at their house. 

Banana Trees and Garcia Family

Here are some pictures of banana trees.

The Garcia Family

 [The Garcia Family] were sealed last year. December. Today, February 17, 2013 Jan Jude the oldest son gave his first talk in Sacrament meeting. He is the first child of the Garcia family. He is 13 and a deacon. He did a great job. Before his talk he told me that [was] nervous. I assured him that he [would] be able to deliver his talk just fine.I also told him to say a prayer in his heart and invite the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost was the one who help[ed] him put together the things  that he [had] written.


We are tired and still very happy on what we are doing. We love the members and soon we will be home and I am looking forward to just garden[ing] and be[ing] with all my children and all my apok family at a time in the near future.

I have gotten to know my Savior and king Jesus Christ. I know that he knows us each individually by name. All I need to do is to repent of all my wrong doings and do better on the things that are placed in front of me. To continue His work to love all people and tell them about His plan for them. Families are very important and our goal is to see to it that all our kindred will be sealed to us and that the [center] of our lives is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will be able to go back and have eternal life after this life because He died and paid for our sins.

President Stamps also unloaded my camera. All these picture of mangoes and papayas are taken with the new camera that was lovingly given to us by our children and their spouses. Thank you. These are all taken in our yard here in Pangasinan Aguilar.  [from the webmaster: see next post for the pictures referred to here]

Our branch is located a little bit far off. Around 15 miles but it takes an hour to get there. I am slow on everything here. But we are getting by. Today I taught the senior primary and our topic was about the Golden Plates and the Prophet Joseph Smith. the first vision and Heavenly Father and Jesus having a flesh and bones and that they are alive, with glorified bodies which we are hoping to be like them. The children said that Jesus is our example He lived a perfect life and we are trying to follow His example but it is hard so he gave us a gift to repent, because we are not yet perfect. It was great to be in primary today.

Love you all.

Sister Stamps,

From Pangasinan in Northern Luzon

As we travel here, the scenery and climate changes with the altitude. The broad sweep of rice fields are interrupted by a row of houses which are clustered along a road. In the fields are occasionally found trees. The mango trees seem much like the oak tree back home except for the leaves and fruit. These trees grow to about 40 feet high. The papaya trees are smaller and grow straight up then fan out in a cluster of large jagged leaves. The papaya fruit grows from the trunk. The mangos grow from the outer branches. Around each house and along the road are fruit trees.

 Banana trees are common. These are really different with the huge leaves hanging down. The banana trees have a trunk with layers on it. Each layer grows on the outside and goes up to the latest fan of leaves. Finally a shaft will grow thru the center and bend down. This looks like a spear at the tip. The end fattens to about the size of a football. Then it opens to reveal a small cluster of bananas. These grow dark green. As they get larger, they often  become lighter in color.  When the bananas are cut off as a bunch, the tree is cut off about 2 feet high. It will grow back in two years and have more fruit then.

After the first crop of rice is harvested, the second crop of rice will be quickly planted. If there will not be enough water for the field, the second crop will be corn or sometimes peanuts.  When the first rains come in August, the water is channeled to a seed field.  The rice seeds are thickly matted with some straw and watered. When the rice is about eight inches tall, the other fields are plowed. The rice is moved from the first bed in clumps about 4 inches square. These are separated one plant at a time by breaking work done by several men who plant, working together. To plant the thousands of acres here is a lot of work.  The harvesting is by hand. Each handful of rice is held and cut individually. These are tied into bundles. When the thresher is brought to the field, each is fed into it.  The threshing machine is gas powered. It sets on a small truck or trailer. When it is running, the straw is thrown out in a stream onto a pile. The rice falls out a side chute into pails.  A threshing machine can produce one thousand pounds each day of palay. This will be spread out flat to dry in the sun. the side of the road is often used to dry it.  It is then milled to produce the rice. The outer husk is ground off in the milling.  A sack of rice weighs 50 kilos or 110 pounds. The men who carry them on their heads are strong.  There are many big trucks carrying rice going to the cities each day.

The best thing we have found is the plenkge. This is the open air market. There are tons of fresh fruit and vegetables.  The food is right from the fields and being sold by the farmer families. It is really  low priced.  For good meat we go to the best stores here.  We can get almost everything we need.

The bamboo grows tall in large clusters. Each cluster can be several feet across. The center one can be 50 feet high. These grow in a bunch that becomes interwoven together.  When the wind blows, the bamboo will creak softly against each other. So many things are built using bamboo.  The bamboo is often split into long thin strips. These are nailed in flat rows to make furniture. These become chairs,  couches, beds, cribs, animal pens, walls  and most everything else

Life is different here.  The people are usually great. The weather gets warm each day and cool at night.

We have mastered the traffic.  The church is growing and slowly prospering.

We are well and busy. 

Mission extended one month

President and Sister Stamps have opted to extend their mission for one month. Their release date is currently scheduled for 1 Feb 2014.

They love getting letters in the mail. If you have a few minutes, please consider dropping them a line. Be advised that postage is now $1.10 from the US after the recent rate increase.

They send their love, especially to their grandchildren in the States.

New Year and Christmas (with pictures)

[From Sister Stamps] 

We did have a nice short Christmas with few of the couple missionaries. We spent it relaxing in John hay. We ate american food and it was a treat for all that was there. Our room was located in front, centered stage of the hotel. The whole backside was decorated with Christmas stars and lights. Looks like rain drops falling from the evergreen trees. It was so beautiful.They had choir singing and ballet all americanized show.
This was Christmas Eve and the food was all you can eat of excellent food and different deserts. All in all is superb.

Before we went to Baguio, we had our Christmas party with the branch. Before the party, President Stamps played Santa for the members, with a bag full of goodies for each family in the branch. In it we had made cookies, different kinds candy cane cookies, chocolate chips [which we carefully saved in the fridge for knowing that we will do this for our members - President Stamps had so much self control not to eat the chocolate
chips while we wait for December to be here], lemon bars and store bought candies for the Christmas plates.
We also put some canned ham and rice and milo drinks and few little things for those families who have little children. After all Christmas is for children and people young at hearts. We were thinking of our grandchildren when we are putting things in the bag. How they are so blessed to have loving parents and a home in a great country.

Our church is the same all over the world, the gospel that is. Only the buildings and people are different. Some members gives us bananas tons of it so we make banana bread and share it with them. One sister who is now coming more active has given us a live chicken for christmas. She carried it in a sack and walk with it 3 miles to give to us, is so touching. When we got home I asked my landlord if I can put the hen into his chicken coop.
He have a few of his own. I told him that I intend to have baby chicks and that he could have half and I will have
half to give back to the sister that gave me the gift.

New Years Eve, the neighbors was alive practically all day and seems like all night. Fire crackers a constant noise, 2 or 3 karaoke's are being herd all night long.

 

We are looking forward to our next baptism this month. The interviews for the candidates will be this Saturday.

The day of baptism will be on the 19th. We have 11 all converts so we will not know how many will be qualified

at this moment. The field is white ready to harvest (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 4). We are tired but loving what we do. Tired in the body but not our willingness to do our calling.

 

Address correction

Sister Stamps sent the following request for any packages sent to them:

"Please make sure to put the name of Reynaldo Sagun on any package that you send. I quess the mail people will always ask the Sagun's name. Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR."

Corrected address

Elder and Sister Stamps

c/o Reynaldo Sagun

386 Malibong, Urbiztondo

Pangasinan, Philippines 2414

Phone if needed for mailing packages:
075-062-9173093716