Call to Serve in
Philippines Quezon City mission
Philippines Quezon City mission
The Quezon (KAY-zahn) City Mission encompass the northern and eastern suburbs of Metro Manilla and adjacent communities, and is located in the southern portion of the island of Luzon. This is a densely populated area of some 20 million people with an approximate distance of 35 miles across. This distance can take as long as three hours to travel because of the usual heavy traffic. the outlying province areas of our mission have more of a mountains rural setting with rice fields, farm land, and tropical vegetation. The bulk of our missionaries serve here. Our mission also includes the western half of Mindoro Occidental Island. this island is sparsely populated and mostly agricultural.
Missionaries use only public transportation to get around in our mission. These modes of travel include: Tricycle (a small motorcycle with a covered sidecar); Jeepney ( an elaborate, elongated version of an American Jeep that seats approximately twenty; regular buses( with and without air-con); and modern taxis, which are also available, but only used for emergencies because of the cost.
On 28 april 1961, then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley returned to the Philippines and met with a small group of servicemen, American residents, and Filipino members and officially opened the islands for missionary work; and it is now the nation with the fifth largest LDS population. The Philippines Quezon Mission now has 6 stakes and 2 districts. Proselyting areas usually consist of one of these units. In September 1984, President Hinckley returned to dedicate the Manilla Temple, which is within the boundaries of our mission. Missionaries may attend the Temple once a transfer on Preparation day. Also missionaries can bring their investigators on Saturday mornings to tour the Temple grounds and partake of the spirit. Most church members are somewhat conversant in English, and church meetings are conducted in a combination of English and Tagalog(tah-GAH-log). Hymns are sung in English.
Missionaries live in apartments of houses with two to six missionaries in each. Laundry women and housekeepers are not used, and all missionaries are responsible for keeping their surroundings clean and neat. Missionaries are also responsible for purchasing and preparing their own food, and should bring with them a few good and easy recipes that contain basic ingredients. Rice is a staple in this country and is an inexpensive main dish. Every apartment has been provided with rice cooker. Most of apartments has no oven for baking. Taking shower is done by bucket full of water and laundry is done by hand since they don't have washing machine.
The Philippines peso is the unit of currency. Currently the rate is about 44 pesos(P44) to the US dollar($1). Missionaries can find most of the things that they need in very inexpensive price in Philippines.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Shannon Jones and my daughter is also serving in the same mission at this time. I had not thought about searching for other blogs before now and yours was the 1st that I saw for a Mormon Sister missionary in Quezon City so I was excited to have another blog to get a better feel for what it's like to serve a mission their as a sister. It makes 2 blogs I follow now. Also I understand there are internet sites for missionary moms but I have never checked those out The other blog is my daughters 1st omp from the MTC. They have never served together in the Philippines yet but they see each other at meetings all the time. They were so lucky to begin in the MTC and travel together. Anyway. My daughter is Sister Ammah Jones. www.sisterammahjones.blogspot.com
she has been out 7 months, I wonder if they know each other. Her old comp is Sister Tasha Wilson. Her blog is added to mine if you would like to check things out and be inquisitive like me.
Your daughter sounds good and seems to be enjoying herself...wish the girls didn't get sick as often as they do. She is hardly ever sick at home but in the miss..probably 5 bouts of illness so far. it worry's me.and unlike your daughter..mine won't go to a dr. I have stopped telling people when she is sick and take it out of her letters most of the time because her blog readers (friends and family and ward members) all have horror stories to share about illnesses from there that people can't shake when they get home.
Well anyway. I hope you don't think I'm odd writing you but we have something in common and I have enjoyed your blog. I am reading a little at a time.
Ammah's blog is being read by a lot of non member friends and family. I believe it is a very good thing to blog the mission. I have non member friends that bug me to update quicker each week. I'm shocked by their genuine interest. They have shared one of my daughters blog entries with friends and family even. It's the post called "well family, it's been a crazy week" It is filled with interesting experiences there in her 6th week.
You are welcome to email me if you would like.
mesajones@yahoo.com
Thanks again for sharing your daughters blog with the world.
Shannon Jones
Mesa AZ