MTC… Home Away from Home…

The Cabuyao Ward has four prospective missionaries preparing for a full time mission. That’s why we made an arrangement with President Smith of the Manila Missionary Training Center (MTC) to visit the MTC on February 2, 2008. Everybody was excited for our trip to the MTC in Manila.

When the day finally came, the excitement was evident in our faces.

One of the MTC teachers explained the purpose of MTC, which is to train the full-time missionaries before sending them into the field. They stay in the MTC for 19 days to be trained in expected conduct, proselytizing methods, making their lesson plans, and using the “Preach my Gospel” missionary guide. In addition, they are given the chance to further learn the doctrines of Jesus Christ and to develop and strengthen Chist-like attributes. The missionaries also learn to teach the gospel and invite people to come unto Christ through faith, repentance, baptism by immersion and confirmation.

According to Elder Richard G. Scott, “Missionaries try with every capacity—prayer, fasting, and testifying—to help individuals embrace the truth. A mission teaches one to be led by the Spirit, to understand our purpose for being on earth and how to accomplish it.”

Around the world, there are 17 Missionary Training Centers and the Philippines is so blessed to have one.
We acted as investigators while the elders and sisters taught their lessons. They taught us with the power of the Holy Ghost and they are really prepared to preach the gospel.
Our future full time missionaries such as BJ, Rodmark and Joseph have said that the MTC serves as a home because the elders and sisters are like one big happy family in learning the gospel that they will tell the people. They build friendship and harmonious companionship in companionship study, gym time and lesson time with their MTC teachers. And of course, they also build camaraderie in their favorite place of MTC.. the kitchen ..where they enjoy the delicious food. Indeed, MTC is a home away from home for nineteen days.

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Elder Abquina start his mission

We finally led Elder Abquina to the Missionary Training Center last Saturday, the 16th of February 2008 to commence his missionary service, I had the chanced to place his nametag on his chest to start his full-time mission.

Our award-winning actor Johnny Abquina, who performed in the 2007 Christmas presentation entitled “My Bestfriend’s Family,” is now serving a full-time mission in the Philippines Tacloban Mission.

On February 15, 2008, a ward family home evening was held as a farewell party to Johnny prior to entering the MTC. And prior to his MTC entry date, Johnny has been working with the full-time missionaries almost everyday for nearly 7 months.

He became the most diligent ward missionary who loves to work with the elders everyday. The members and the investigators would truly say that there are no dull moments with him. You will always laugh because he is a happy person and the clown of the Cabuyao ward missionaries, not just because of his looks (joke!), but because he always cracks jokes and makes everybody happy when he is around. His favorite line is “mamiss ko ang ISTAKA ng Cabuyao” (I will miss Cabuyao Stake.)

He is now serving in the Philippines Tacloban Mission and we are all praying that he will return home with flying colors after two years.
We all miss him but surely the Lord will take care of him as he labors in His vineyard.

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Team Building

The Cabuyao ward missionaries (The paragons), together with Bro. Policarpio and his family had so much fun in Tagaytay last February 9, 2008 during their team building.

After a more than 30 minute drive from the Cabuyao chapel, they enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Taal Volcano and the fresh air of Tagaytay. It has become one of the most sought-after places in the country because it is as close to paradise as one can find. Along the way, one can enjoy the cold breeze and the pineapple plantation. While on our way, we bought buko or young coconut and made delicious buko juice. There were lots of local and foreign visitors when we reached the place. We chose our table under big trees and prepared the barbeque grills. After our lunch we went around to many beautiful spots and of course we had so much fun taking pictures while cracking jokes with each other.

We will never forget the spirit of friendship that we felt that time.

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