Coach Turned Elder

When we first arrived on our mission here in the Philippines, we were assigned 

to write for MormonNewsroom.ph

We needed to do some practicing so this was the very first article I ever wrote!

 Just thought it would be a fun addition to our blog!

After winning 301 football games as a high school football (gridiron) coach in Utah, what does the coach do after he retires? If you are Roger DuPaix, you leave immediately on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)! Coach DuPaix finished grading his students, cleared out his files, tidied his room and left Skyline High for the last time as a full time teacher on Sat. May 26, 2012.

Mon. May 28th DuPaix turned in his cap and whistle for a white shirt and 

a black name tag, and became Elder DuPaix! 

Elder DuPaix and his wife Edie had a desire to serve a mission from the time 

they had married. They received a call to serve in the Philippines Quezon City Mission

 last February. Their assignment was to serve in the Public Affairs Office in the 

Manila Philippines Administration Office. With all of the experience Coach DuPaix 

had with the media in his career, the Public Affairs office is a good fit!
Elder and Sister DuPaix are parents of 10 children and 18 grandchildren and are serving

 with the support of their family. They have a great love for the people of the Philippines

 and are grateful to be here.

So Begins the Rainy Season - 2013

 Our first major rain storm and we were so excited to be inside - the mall. We didn't realized that the INSIDE parking would get flooded!

 Roger braved the water, soaking his shoes, but got the car and came to pick us up.

 We aren't use to "tiny ripples in the parking lot"!

 We got out of the lot only to find traffic was completely stopped.  It took us one hour

 to drive one block around the mall! It was crazy! People even took off their shoes to 

walk bare foot and save their shoes from being ruined!

 A few days later we came to our first "river"!

 "Shall we turn around?" "No, we are going through!!!"

 Just a little walk through a little stream!

 By the time we reached the big street, Commonwealth, five lanes going east had 

turned into seven  lanes. As we inched along we were all merging left.

 As a jeepney passed us on the right we saw the problem. 

We were coming to a major LAKE!

 Soon we were just two lanes trying to get by the water.

  Then we realized how very deep the water was!

 The kids had turned it into a swimming pool! Glad Dad was there to life-guard!

A Visit to Bataan

We were hoping to get to be able to visit the area that was part of 

the Bataan Death March.

The opportunity presented itself as our humanitarian office wanted to work 

with an LGU (local government unit) in Balanga.

Briefly, the Japanese forced the remaining Americans and Filipinos to surrender 

on Corregidor Island. Then they had them walk 80 miles to Capas, Tarlac. 

The march was characterized by extreme physical abuse, hunger, thirst, 

sickness and executions. It became a Japanese war crime and is well 

known throughout the world. Estimations vary but thousands of 

Filipinos and Americans died.

This huge cross stands on a hill above Bataan, called the Mt. Samat Shrine. 

The windows on the cross show an elevator that goes up to the cross bar 

where there is a viewing loft.

There are sculptures all around the bottom of the cross depicting different

 events in the history of the Philippines.

Elder DuPaix in the loft.

Sis. DuPaix enjoyed the beautiful view but was ready to stay away from the high windows.

Off the front of the cross we could see Manila Bay.

Out the other side we could see the China Sea. The jungle growth was so dense. We couldn't imagine fighting a war in this kind of terrain.

A picture from the colonnade looking up at the cross with the 

Philippines flag in the foreground.

We decided to stop for lunch at McDonald's on the way back to our motel. 

We saw many signs like this that said McDonald's straight ahead, but we ended 

up finding it by going "around" a very large block!

Our group - Sis. and Elder DuPaix, Bro. Misalucha, Elder and Sis. Bautista, 

and Elder and Sis. Staton. I enjoyed my first bowl of ube ice cream!

The cute little "Chalet" hotel where we stayed.

We had a wonderful meeting with the Balanga Provencial Council. Linda Custorio 

was there to represent Public Affairs and the Balanga Stake President 

even took the day off work to be with us. These are wonderful, faithful people.

On our way back to Manila and enjoying the beautiful scenery, outside of Manila!

Elder DuPaix especially loved not having to drive! He had a little fun 

taking pictures along the way!

July Celebrations!

 Happy July 4th! We celebrated with the Little Family as they invited members 

of our Branch to their Apt. We had potluck and injoyed sloppy Joes, baked beans, 

salads, and even apple pie!!!

 Elder and Sis. DuPaix, the Little Family, and Elder and Sis. Bailey

 

Red, White and Blue! We gathered in

 teams to play a trivia game! All those

history classes came in handy as he

 knew almost all the answers!

Mary Joy and Rick Kettering, 

Jeana Hill and Elder DuPaix.

 After our party we went bowling with Elder and Sis. French and Elder and Sis. Bailey.

 Sis. French whipped us good!

 She thought it was so fun that she invited

 Elder and Sis. Jensen to bowl with us 

the next weekend!

 Missionary couples! DuPaix, Bailey, French and Jensen.

 The American Association of the Philippines had a big celebration at the 

International School. It was complete with a car show.  For some strange reason, 

Roger was drawn to the VW's. Ah, the memories!

 Uncle Sam even made an appearance and we parade around the grounds 

with him and the band!

 We met Imelda, a darling woman whose husband is in the US. Roger visited 

with her about the Church and she was very interested to learn more.

 This is a very Filipino thing that I love. There is often a burp towel tucked in the

 back of a baby or child's shirt. I thought it was very clever to always have a towel

 on hand. Later I found that many people of all ages to it to keep the sweat from

 running down their backs. I've found it very helpful to keep a wash 

clothe handy for that very purpose!

 Roger even found a hot dog to celebrate!

 Elder DuPaix with Imelda and her cute son! Don't you love that smile!

 Another wonderful celebration came with the introduction of our new 

Mission President and his family! They came to our FHE to speak to the 

senior missionaries!

Our last celebration came as we went 

with our Humanitarian Missionaries 

to begin a new wheelchair program.

The Statons, DuPaixs and Sis. Bautista!