Yes, we do! We certainly felt it as we savored the beauty of the Island of Coron and surrounding islands! And we felt it while in the presence of the Mabuhay Deseret people, from the doctors who gave so generously of their time and so much energy, and we felt His love as we met with both the members of the little branch in Coron and the people who were receiving their prostheses, in this case legs. It was such an amazing week and I feel inadequate as I try to express everything we experienced there. We flew over to Coron on Saturday and spent the evening with the branch. Our friends from Kailua, Steven and Betsy Duford served their MLS mission here and the branch remembered them with fondness. They made such a difference here! Betsy also taught some of the branch members how to play the violin and piano. They are such humble and grateful people. We taught them a bit about how to have a good humanitarian project and how they could look around and let us know if there is some way LDS Charities can help. We got a sweet request from the Relief Society President who wrote her request on a piece of paper. Her daughter’s school is in sore need of many things, including another classroom. They live on an island that is a two hour boat ride from Coron. I we can help! We had the fortune of seeing them on their boat after they had spent the night on it after the vision screening for the branch on Monday night. They were headed back to their little island. About the vision screening at the branch: The branch president introduced us to an older man, so sweet and humble, who was having some serious vision problems. He asked if there was a way we could take him with us to Culion on Monday so he could have his eyes looked at. In the end, it was decided that the doctors could look at him on Monday evening right there at the church in Coron. That turned into almost the entire branch showing up for the vision screening on Monday night!

The other couple who traveled with us are Kathy and Tony Tidwell. He was a dentist but they are here on a member self reliance mission so they are training the branch leaders. The last picture shows the relief society president and family on their boat.

Sunday evening was a very emotionally charged evening for us. We traveled to the “homes” of two of the people who were going to receive their new legs the next day so Mabuhay could record their stories. They are documenting how their lives will be changed (hopefully). As you can see, they live in very, very humble circumstances. The man we met with broke down while he was sharing his story. He lost his livelihood along with his leg. He used to be a fisherman and a tour guide. Now he and his wife are really struggling. The verse in Jeremiah 15: 18 came to mind as I thought back on his situation. ” Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed?…”. I hope his leg will literally give him his life back!

You can see him trying out his new leg. Unfortunately, not all the patients’ legs fit just right and they will have to return. It was nice for them to be all together and feel they aren’t alone in this. The cute little girl was so patient! But her leg wasn’t quite right, so they will have to try again. They all had to sit in a very hot hallway all day, waiting for their turn. The poor overworked prosthetist who donated his time worked feverishly all day!

We were also able to meet with the doctor while we were there and tour the museum. This used to be a leper colony. The doctor’s grandfather had leprosy and was here, so he felt a special call to devote his life to researching Hansen’s disease and to get this hospital up and running. It’s really an amazing hospital, all things considered.

…In all the world around me!

When Mabuhay goes to Coron, they usually go “Island Hopping”. They hire a boat and take everyone to some popular scenic stops not far from Coron. Here are some highlights from our island-hopping tour. It was beyond my expectations and such a beautiful, perfect day! We felt a little guilty for taking the day off, but we do need a respite now and then, for sure! So grateful for this trip!!!

School Vision Screenings