On the Road to Malaya!

Today we took our second trip to the Malaya Branch.  It is about 2 hours southeast of Metro Manila, depending on the traffic.  We looked at a map and couldn't even find it!  Elder and Sister Bird drove us there today and said, "When you see this tree, you know it is time to turn left to Malaya!  And yes, she is sweeping the dirt under the tree!

There are some beautiful sights along the way like this tree canopy.

 The first time we went to Malaya was our first Sunday here in the Philippines.  

Several of the trees had these beautiful orange blossoms but today they were all gone.

 I am always drawn to the children.  It is so scary because the roads are narrow and the people's doorsteps are next to the road.  Many times the children sit on the side of the road to play.

 This is the most common sight - clothes drying on a line, or a fence or even the side of the road.  These wonderful people may not have very much but they are clean and happy.

 This is the Malaya Chapel.  It is beautiful!  We found out that when people have to go further than two jeepney rides to church, the Brethren begin looking for a place for a new Chapel for that area.

 This picture was taken our first Sunday here.  Elder and Sis. Bird, 

Pres. and Sis. Delamare (our Mission President) and Elder and Sis. DuPaix.

 Today (July 8th) was awesome!  I got to go to Primary!  We brought a keyboard with us 

so we got to play and sing songs!  These are very precious little children!

 Sis. Bird taught them the Wise Man and the Foolish Man!

 Our Chapel even has two built in lawn mowers!

 On the way home we were able to see some rice paddies up close 

that were not submerges in water.

 This is rice that has been harvested and has been set out to dry -- right on the road.  

It is the hottest, dryest place.  The log is your warning to go around and not drive on it!

 We also found that we could just pick up our meat for dinner along the way.  We have pork!

 Fish!

 and Chickens!  Pluck your own!!!

 This was the picture of the day!  This is one way to transport your new coach and chair!  

Just load it on a tricycle! (Trike)

 From the country to the city!  What a difference!

 We stopped at our Mission President's home. 

 It is beautiful and we hold zone conferences there.

 Finally!  Home Sweet Home!  This is our apt tower!  We live on the 19th Floor which is on the floor above the fifth cement support beam.  Our apt. windows are inside the alcove so you cannot see them!