The Relief Society group grew from 4 attending sisters (including Sister Campbell) to those pictured below. They invited Elder Campbell to sit in on this group photo because this was our last time to attend the Pamplona Branch, before returning to the United States.
We will miss our association with these spiritual sisters.
Accompanying us are the Elders and Sisters assigned to proselyte in the Pamplona Branch of the Pamplona District
These two sisters came to visit us before we left. Sister Ghori, on the left is from Pakistan. She more or less adopted us as her family. Sister I'loa is from Samoa.
Every 6 weeks, at transfer time, the missionaries who are going to have birthdays during that time, are given a Snickers candy bar, which is a real treat!
Accompanying Elder & Sister Campbell are the three people who work at the Mission Home. Gloria, Willy and Rose Marie.
A typical fence that we see as we drive along is made from branches.
Carabao (pronounced carabow) are the work animal for the rice fields, hauling coconuts, bamboo, etc.
As we were walking along the driveway of our compound Elder Campbell found this small coconut that had fallen from a tree, lying on the ground. He decided to crack it open. with a claw hammer.
The outer covering is half way off.
Finally, all of the covering is off and the coconut is just below the hammer.
Hmmmm, delicious!!
The Pili Nut replaces the peanut in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. This is "Mr. Pili Nut", situated in front of the SM Shopping Mall in Naga.
Elder Quinco is being trained to be a Baptism, Confirmation Record recorder.
There was not a Senior Couple called to replace Elder and Sister Campbell, so Elders have to be trained to do their jobs.
Elder Sonderegger is being trained to be the Supply Consultant.
This is a picture of us, along with the Office Elders as we were getting ready to leave in the van for the Naga Airport and our return to the United States. Pictured are Elder Manicdo - Secretary to the Mission President, Elder Davis - Assistant to the Mission President, Elder Simmons - Financial Secretary and Elder Colipapa - Assistant to the Mission President.
As we were getting everything in order to go to the U.S., we had to stop at the Missionary Training Center in Manila to get our passports and visas.
As we sat in the Tokyo, Japan Airport, we had an opportunity to visit with a sweet lady from the Philippines, now living in Indiana. We were trying to convert her, and almost succeeded, but her plane left before ours. Oh, well, the seed has been planted.
Picking up our luggage in the SeaTac Airport in Seattle, Washington, before going through Customs.
As sad as we feel inside - leaving the Philippines and especially the missionaries that we worked so closely with, we know that coming home is necessary at this time.
We would not trade these past 20 months for anything. They were not always easy, but anything worth having is worth working for, and WORK, we did! Elder Campbell would receive upwards of 20 texts a day from the Elders and Sisters requesting supplies of one sort or another. We were constantly replacing closets, water filters, fixing leaky faucets, replacing door locks, wash tubs, scrub boards, plates, cups, rice cookers, stoves, etc. Well, he replaced just about anything you can think of that might be a necessity. It gave him (us) such a good feeling to be able to be a part of helping them to be able to continue their work for the Lord without their having to worry about the necessities of their apartments.
Sister Campbell worked as the Recorder and was responsible for recording all of the Baptism/Confirmation records. Accuracy of the records she received was of the utmost importance, so she spent many hours contacting the missionaries to verify spelling of names and places, as well as dates and a multitude of other information entered on the Baptism/Confirmation records. She also assisted Elder Campbell when he had trips to make to repair or replace something in one of the missionary apartments, or furnish new apartments and upgrading existing apartments to accommodate additional missionaries.
We have been so happy to be a part of the missionary work going on in the Philippines. We thank you ALL for the support and prayers in our behalf as we have fulfilled this amazing calling.
Elder Jerry & Sister Carol Campbell
