Week 79

March 12, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Cattle Egret and Great Egret

 After last week’s many miles of travel we look forward to slowing down just a little. Tuesday we were scheduled to attend the Brookes Point District Meeting but we just couldn’t get back into the van for another 5 to 6 hour round trip on those bumpy roads.  We rescheduled our visit to next week.  As for this week, we will visit the Narra District Meeting which is only a 10 minute drive. 

 We did have to go back to Puerto Princesa again this week to have the air conditioning fixed in the van. It just stopped working and we have come to appreciate the air con more so than ever before. It is hard to imagine how we ever made those trips in the car before the advent of air conditioned cars.  I don’t want to go back to those times! We did find out something interesting about our new van – it is not covered under the dealer warranty because the Church purchases the vehicles directly from Korea (that explains why the owner’s manual is written in Korean – which makes it really hard to figure out what to look for in the index!). Well, we contacted the fleet manager in Manila and he sent a mechanic over to Palawan to fix the van. It was less expensive to do that than have the Hyundai dealer make the repair. We picked up the mechanic and drove over to the Peterson’s apartment and he fixed the van in their driveway – how is that for service? He had to replace the condenser (of course he brought one with him along with his tools).

We are happy to have an air-conditioned van once again.  One good thing came of all this because the mechanic wanted us to take the van to the dealer in Puerto to have the air con recharged. He was able to talk with the mechanics there and smoothed things over and the dealer was happy to help us. So now we have a pretty good relationship with the dealer – they call me frequently to remind me when our next service is due. It is another one of those tender mercies -  we now know how to get the van repaired if we need too – and with the ‘beating’ this van gets from these roads I am sure that we will need their services often. It is better to have this taken care of now rather than in some very remote area. We have been very blessed. 

Speaking of those ‘tender mercies’ – while we were in Puerto we discovered a little German deli – it is so nice to find some different types of food – especially German food.  I asked the girls that worked there if they spoke German – one said, “Danke schon” – with a Filipino accent.  Fun! We found some Rotkohl, liver wurst, canned green beans (who in their right mind would pay $3 for a can of green beans – which proves to those who always suspected – I am not in my right mind – but they were soooo good), real cheese (gouda), lunch meats and of course gummi bears!. I know that we have never spent so much for so few items that were enjoyed so much. I think that we are just getting tired of eating the same things every day. Not really complaining just wishing. 

Well, those are our memorable adventures for this week - not very exciting but nonetheless another exciting week in the life of senior missionaries. We love you all and miss you all. We hope that everyone is doing well and staying healthy. We hope that school is going well for the kids. I’m sure that both kids and parents are looking forward to spring break. Please take care and write if you have time. We love to hear from you. Remember to BE good, DO good, and BE men and women of Christ. And always remember to say your prayers.

Love,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant