June - Reasons why we are here “Our Missionary Work”…

The” SRC Team” Luisa Soberano, Ester, Brother & Sister Detal, Sister Green, Erwin Boiser, Joel & Judith Partidoi, and Nymfa; Elder Green, he is gone, teaching the “Career Workshop.” The Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) has been reorganized.  It is no longer part of the seminary program.  It is now part of a three legged stool; called, “Self Reliance” (SR). · Self Reliance (SR): This means informing & teaching members how they can use the resources and programs avalible around them. In being equipped they are better able to provide for them and their families needs. Through educating our members they are empowered to care for their physical, social, spiritual, and mental needs themselves. In doing so, they also are better able to help their neighbors. · Jobs: Most jobs are found by networking. Members are encouraged to log in on to the churches internet site called; ldsjob.org, when they are looking for jobs. In fillings out their work profile and resume they can be connected to perspective jobs. The Site helps employers find the ideal employee from applicants’ information on the church database. This helps employers and employees connect! It is a perfect match! · PEF Student Loans: Student are loaned money from the church under conditions that they will start payments to the loanafter gaining employment.

ER-PEF loans; lots of paperwork!!!

Sister Green, Sister from Kalibo, Eleonor C. Roberts & Anne Marie A. Dela Peῆa

· ER-PEF:

This program has been created as of the result of the Yolanda Typhoon which hit the Philippines on November 8^th 2014.  Active members are being offered low interest loans; ER-PEF, this is a pilot program in the areas affected. There are 7 areas in our missions which have been affected and pinpointed by the brethren.

With this loan members between the ages of 18-60 are being offered an opportunity to get their back to work in a better position.  They can get a small loan for schooling in their occupational. This schooling is short term (2-3 months). It is hoped to help update skills or empower their knowledge through schooling.  Upon completion they will be candidates for a tool kits such as a sewing machine, welding tools, carpentry tools etc to help them get back to work.  The only requirements are that they feel they are needy, are active at least 3 months in the church and approved by their bishop.  When they get a job they are required to start the pay back. The payment is to be a small portion of the loan.  When they stay active in the church they will get more of a discount on the loan.

We have been visiting schools in Kalibo and Roxas to assist in get this program started. There is lots of traveling to the island of Panay in the “Iloilo Mission.”

We have been offering the same Self Employment Workshop we taught in Europe on our mission there. In one stake we advertised it for 8-10 the stake specialists (facilitators) to attend. Well, it got away from us. The woman in charge told us the day before that 50 had signed up! The class works best with 8-10 people. Everyone wanted the class! When we got there people kept coming. By the time the class ended there 90 people who had shown up! You have to know almost everyone has some kind of business on the side if it is not their sole income. Many are unemployed so they have to come up with something to survive! This class is a popular one to say the least.

Elder Green also teaches the “Career Workshop” to Missionaries ready to return home.  Today he had 12.

Self Employment Work shop

Iloilo, Panay/June 28, 2014

When I am not traveling with Elder Green I work in the Self Reliance Center (SRC) entering preferred schools off the list we receive from Manila. In the center we also check the PEF student loans and help answer the students’ questions as to how their loan payments are coming.  We also are adding students into the database for the loan applications, though I haven’t been trained to do this yet.

One of the BIG assignments lately has been to tally the “Works Force Baseline”. This has been sent out throughout the Philippines. The 2 page survey has much more information for the church leaders to know how to better understand what the saints’ lives are like here.  I hope it will help these humble, obedient people. They are so special!

President has assigned me other assignments which has been next to impossible to accomplish with all our traveling. One of my first assignments from President Lopez was the “Harman Grant Music Program.” Keyboards and training materials for conducting and playing the piano are given to each mission upon request with an administrator of the program. We ordered 5 keyboards and teaching materials.

Sister Neff has been teaching students throughout the mission. Students are loaned a keyboard upon the agreement that they will practice to keep the use of it. They must agree to use their skills in providing music and conducting in church services and teach others to do the same. After they learn how to play the piano good enough they can keep it! We have three out of five on loan now. Today Elder & Sister Neff have just been transferred to Sipalay, five hour south of Bacolod this may change the program a bit here.

I have learned how to add baptismal records to the church database also. There about 200 baptisms a month in the “Bacolod Mission.” Most of the Senior Sisters do this.

There is lots of work to do to keep the kingdom rolling forward. It is great to be involved in building the kingdom here upon the earth!