Philippines Cauayan Mission

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

29 July 2013 Last letter from the mission


Pauwi na ako....
(I’m home)

Well, I guess this is it. The last email. Weird. This is the time that I've always known will come, but in the back of my mind I've always thought that going home from a mission is something only old people do. I guess now I'm old. Just like everyone says, these 2 years have been the fastest 2 years of my life. It is a surreal moment, and of
course the mixed emotions are here. Weird is the best word to describe my feelings right now. I am confident that if I didn't make the decision to serve, and be assigned to the Philippines Cauayan Mission,I would never be who I am right now. As I reflect back on my areas and previous companions, it is so obvious that God has His hand in this
work. Sure being hit by a motor and not being able to walk well for 2 weeks has been a little trial, but, the good thing is that it will leave some awesome scars on my leg to always remind me of these 2 years.

I love you, I thank you, I pray for you, and I admire you all for the support you have given me during these 2 years. You have helped me be who I am today. I look forward to seeing you all in a couple days, and just look for the missionary wearing a suit and limping like an old man around the airport. :)
Mahal na mahal ko kayo,
Elder Nay




Thursday, July 25, 2013

25 July 2013


Thursday
Dear Nay Family,
The stitches are out! Elder Nay visited Dr. Uy this afternoon and had his stitches removed. The doctor said things look good and that the swelling should not be a problem on trip home. I've been telling Elder Nay that he has earned first class -- I wish we could really do that for him!
 
We are to gently sponge his leg with warm, soapy water, use the antibiotic cream on the injuries, and leave it uncovered. He still has to cover it when he showers though. His ankle is still swollen and a lovely shade of purple and blue. It's very stiff, but he has been good about moving and stretching it. He can put more weight on it, but is still limping. He can grasp really well with his left hand now. He looks better every day, but I think this severe sprain on his ankle is going to take some time to heal. He helped us with our New Trainer meeting today and really had some good counsel and insights. He has been and is, a very good missionary. Thank you for teaching him and supporting him and sending him on his mission. He has blessed many lives, including ours.
 

Only a few more days to your RM!

Sincerely,
Sister Rahlf


Monday, July 22, 2013

22 July 2013



Gumagaling na ako!
(I am getting better)

Kamusta!
Well, I am still here in the mission home living like a king. I have been able to walk around with a big limp for the last several days now, so I am making progress. It is better than hopping around everywhere on one foot. My left hand is slowly getting better too so I can use it a lot more. The swelling in my nose has mostly gone down, but it still looks pretty cool with the green and yellow bruising around my eyes. I only had one black eye, but it went away after a couple days. I'm sure I'll still have a scab/scar on my nose when I get back next week. My leg/ankle is really my only problem now, 
but at least it looks pretty cool with the rainbow of colors due to the bruising. It looks like a tennis ball is stuck inside my foot with how big my ankle is swollen. I've been doing my best at keeping it elevated all the time and starting to get brave and do some mini stretching to get it moving more. On Friday we went to a doctor for a check up, and he said I need to keep it elevated for 2 weeks and keep walking to a minimum. At that moment I realized that my life as a missionary as I know it is over. There is no way I can walk around and teach lessons and talk to people, unless I work with the Assistants to the President, because they are the only ones that proselyte with a car (which is what I did a few days ago). That was a very weird feeling to realize that my life as a missionary is basically over. To stay busy, I have been doing a lot of reading, watching church movies, and talking with Pres. and Sis. Rahlf. I even went to the office to shred papers for a while, and probably will continue to do so for the rest of the week. Right now, my new companion is E. Odom because he got Typhoid fever and was in the hospital for about 3 days, so now he is at the mission home too. It is starting to turn into a sick ward over here! Together, we make a pretty pathetic companionship between me limping like an old man and taking so many drugs and him getting dizzy if he moves around too much. Before he got here, I didn't have a companion, and there were some times I was the only one home. That was weird. President Rahlf told me I am getting a taste of going home a few weeks early. On Saturday I went with them to some baptisms in Santiago and here in Cauayan. Of course everyone that saw me had to ask what happened. 
Tomorrow I think we are going to Lamut to talk to the police because the mother of the guy that hit me keeps asking us when they will get their family motor back. But after that, we will come back to mission home. I am guessing by Saturday I'll be back in Lamut just so I can go to church, say goodbye to people, and pack my bags just in time to come back to Cauayan to get stitches out and prepare to fly out. Not exactly what I was anticipating for my last 2 weeks of mission, but, not much else I can do about it. 
Even though I can't do too much, I still keep asking them if there is anything I can do because I don't want to waste any time and I want to help out in any way I can. On the bright side, it is nice to have extra time to study and learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Oh how perfect his Gospel is, and the more we study and live it, the more we realize it. 
Thank you for your prayers. 
Mahal ko kayo,
Elder Nay


22 July 2013

Updates on Elder Nay from Sister Rahlf:


16 July 2013

Hi Sister Nay,
I just wanted to give you a quick update on Elder Nay.  He had a quiet (and probably a little boring) day yesterday.  He was able to sleep last night and sounded good when I spoke with him this morning.  Elder and Sister Mills, one of our Senior couples, will go and pick him up later this morning and bring him back to the mission home.  We will keep him here for a couple of days at least, and let him rest and recouperate.  While he is here, he will be able to email you and stay in contact.

From Mom-to-Mom, I just want you to know that although he looks banged up, he still looks pretty good!  He is stiff and sore and not able to walk because of the sprained ankle.  We will take good care of him here.  We've only known him a very short time, but are so impressed with what a fine young man he is, and a very good missionary.  You should be very proud--in the best way.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Sister Rahlf


17 July 2013
Wednesday

He is settled in the mission home!  And yes, he is on an antibiotic 3x a day for about 10 days. It's hard to read the writing but it looks like Cloxicillin. He also has pain medication to help keep him comfortable.  He is stiff and sore and not able to put much weight on his ankle, but he has such a great attitude. I am also in close contact with our Area Medical Authority, Dr. Jackson and he is truly wonderful. 

There are always giant blessings and tender mercies in these events. We had wanted to send him to the largest hospital in Santiago, but when they got there, there wasn't any room available. So we sent him to the next biggest hospital, but that one was full too. He ended up at a very small hospital but it turned out that the doctor who attended him was an orthopedic surgeon and was best for the situation. Elder Nay also said to me, "I'm hurt except where my garments are.". And that is true-- no back, shoulder or hip injuries. 

We will keep him here until we're confident he is well enough to get along. Please call or email anytime. We want you to feel peaceful and comfortable with how he is doing. 

Sincerely,
Sister Rahlf


18 July 2013
Thursday
Hi Sister Nay,
I just wanted to send an update on Elder Nay.  He's doing very well.  He slept the whole night and has been up for all morning.  He agreed he needed to rest again after lunch and is sleeping again now.  He still cannot put much weight at all on his right ankle and foot and his left hand is tender.  But his spirits are really good and he is a patient patient.  We had missionaries in and out of the mission home all morning taking English evaluation tests, so he was able to visit with the companions and participate in a scripture study with Elder Mills, one of our senior missionaries.

I'm sure you've seen the pictures by now.  His nose is still swollen and his eyes are starting to get black and blue.  There is a cut across his nose, but it isn't deep and I don't think it will scar, especially if you use Mederma on it.  We are to change the dressing on the leg with stitches every 3 days, so I will do that tomorrow.  The doctor at the hospital in Santiago thought the stitches looked good, but was somewhat surprised that they had not shaved his leg.  Elder Nay has been taking the antibiotic and pain meds exactly as instructed.

His companion, Elder Sison, has been really wonderful.  He has stayed by Elder Nay's side this whole time, except for times like now when he is resting.  He took care of getting help after the accident and getting them to Santiago.  He is an excellent young man.

We have only been here 3 weeks, but I am amazed and touched by the many, many tender mercies and even miracles that happen as these young Elders and Sisters serve the Lord and as He watches over them.  And Elder Nay has been one of them. 
He really is doing fine.  We will keep him here until he can get around putting weight on his foot.  That may be several days--we'll just have to watch and see.  He is anxious for work to do, so tomorrow we may have him spend a couple of hours at the office.  You can tell the missionaries who are used to being busy!

Hope all is well at your home--
Sincerely,
Sister Rahlf 



19 July 2013
Friday

Dear Nay Family,
Some good news!  Elder Nay was able to pur weight on his foot this morning and is now getting around a little bit. Slowly, but so much better than the last 3 days.  I also had him go see the mission's favorite doctor here in Cauayan.  The doctor is Dr. Uy and he trained and practiced in the US for 20 years and has seen lots and lots of missionaries. Dr. Uy said the stitches look very good and there is no infection.  He added another antibiotic (cefixime) as well as a topical cream (silver sulfiazine) and wants the dressings changed 1-2 times a day.  We did the first change this afternoon (and to be honest, I was pretty sure that changing bloody dressings would come up numberous times while we're here!)  His ankle is quite swollen and there's some bruising around the ankle and foot.  We clean the cuts with a solution of sterile saline water and antiseptic, let it dry, and then add a layer of the topical cream.  Then we cover the wounds with a non-stick pad and wrap the foot, ankle and leg up to about 3" below his knee with an ace bandage.  The doctor has me wrap the foot and ankle fairly tightly, and then more loosely as it goes up the leg. And he's good to go.

Dr. Uy wants Elder Nay off his foot for 2 weeks.  So, he will not be returning to his area and tracting.  He is okayed to go to appointments with the Elders who drive and then he can still teach and do missionary work.  He just needs to keep his foot elevated as much as possible, even at night.  He went over and worked in the mission office doing some shredding of old materials and we had him all set up by the shredder with his foot elevated and comfy on a pillow.  He was so glad for something to do.  He is going to go on one appointment in a little bit, and so has on his white shirt and tie and name badge again--he looks great!  We will make sure he does not overdo it and gets plenty of rest and foot elevation.  Dr. Uy was also thinking about swelling and traveling in 2 weeks, so that's why he wants the foot elevated as much as possible.

As far as Elder Nay's arm and hand, Dr. Uy said they are bruised and banged and will just take time to heal.  Along with his nose.  I thought he might have some pretty amazing black eyes by now, but I'm not sure those are going to develop after all.  He should look pretty good when you see him.

It has been really good to get to know Elder Nay while he's been in the mission home.  Last night he was telling us about some of the trips you have taken--like the trip to Egypt when he graduated from high school.  He loves his family, that is easy to see!

Please let me know if there is anything else you need or would like to know.  He is being a great missionary and living the mission rules, so he will email you on Monday as usual.  Hope all is well at your home!

Sincerely,
Sister Rahlf



21 July 2013

Saturday/Sunday update
Hi Nay Family,
Elder Nay has had 2 pretty good days.  Saturday we took him along to two baptisms.  He wasn't on his foot much, but he was worn out by the end of the day. All the missionaries we saw were really glad to see him.  Today he has a new companion--Elder Odom.  He contracted typhoid fever and has been in the hospital for several days.  He was discharged today, is out of danger, but needs to recuperate at the mission home for about a week.  Elder Nay decided to try pulling off his pain meds this morning, but his leg was throbbing by the afternoon, so he took them again tonight.  I just finished changing his dressing, and everything looks good.  The back of his leg, down by his ankle is tender today, but the ankle itself is less swollen.  He is starting to have more strength in his left hand.  He really took it easy today and rested with his leg elevated.  He continues to keep in good spirits--we'll have both Elders help with office work tomorrow for an hour, and then it's back to rest.  He will email you as usual on Monday and can  fill you in on these past few days. 

Not much news--but I think that's a good thing!  Have a wonderful Sabbath Day--
Sincerely,
Sister Rahlf


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

17 July 2013

Michael's latest adventure in the Philippines!  This happened only 17 days before coming home.
Elder Nay at first hospital.

Closer look at leg lacerations. 

Finally eating and resting in 3rd hospital.

Elder Allen visiting Elder Nay.
Elder Nay resting in the mission home.



Buhay pa ako!
You been worried about me sufficiently? Haha. I knew I could count on mom to worry for me. So, as you can imagine it has been quite an interesting few days. About 7:45pm Monday, we were walking back to our apartment after a long day of traveling to Banaue, and we were just talking and walking on right side of road. I looked up just in time to see a single motor right in front of my face, but apparently Elder Sison saw it just in time to move to side. He was probably going 30-40 mph, and his headlight was very dim. Not exactly sure what happened because I blacked out for a few seconds, but I'm guessing my left arm must have hit his handlebars, which caused my right leg to swing into the motor. I woke up just in time to notice myself flying superman style and my nose hit ground first. I also saw him lay down his motor about 25 feet away, and my comp started yelling for neighbors to help. Because the driver was drunk, he started getting mad at us for "being in middle of road", and people held him down while police came. Blood was dripping it of my nose pretty good and at first I thought I lost a few teeth (which I didn't). I also immediately noticed something wrong with my arm/wrist because I couldn't put any pressure on it when I tried to stand up. That's when I also noticed my pants ripped and bloody and assumed something was messed up pretty good there. A nice neighbor offered us a ride in his car to get to the crappy public hospital close by, which would have been much faster than waiting for an ambulance. The first thing I did when I got to the ER was give E. Sison my camera to start taking pics. :) The cleaning out of the wounds hurt very badly, but I managed. The hospital was pretty sketchy and I didn't want to stay there any longer than I needed to. Something about laying down on a dirty bed and seeing blood smeared on walls by previous patients. They put in 5 stitches in one gash (I think the one that you can see my bone in), and 3 in another. After getting the bleeding somewhat under control, they put me on an ambulance (which is really just a dirty van with a space to put a cot in) and we went to Santiago for a better hospital-about a 1 hour ride. Then once we got there, we found out it was full, so we went to another. Then we found out that was full too. So third time is a charm, we got in. It was a nicer private hospital and one of the first things to take care of was my IV with good pain meds. I got my own room with aircon and E. Sison even had his own bed to sleep on too. By the time we got to my room at 1am, we were both starving so we ordered delivery McDo. Yum! Pres and Sis. Rahlf came first thing in the morning just after my X-rays, which is when I got to talk to you. After that it was rather boring in the hospital, but some other missionaries came to visit-including Elder Allen. Earlier this morning the Mills came to pick us up and now we are living very nicely here at the mission home. It was quite interesting trying to take a shower while sitting down and not getting leg wet and not using left hand very well, but the warm water felt good. Something I am not used to. Now I live in the room where General Authorities sleep when they visit-so the queen bed and aircon is nice. It really is a miracle that nothing is broken or fractured. Just sprained my ankle really bad so I can't put pressure on it and my nose is so swollen it is even blocking off part of my vision. And I can't grip anything with my left hand. But, my right hand and left leg are unscathed, with the exception of road rash on my elbow. So now I am hopping around everywhere on my left leg. My testimony gained about the power of temple garments, because everywhere my garments covered I am perfectly fine. Just a small bruise on upper leg.
Well, Pres. and Sis. Rahlf are very nice and taking good care of me. She just called me to eat dinner, so I will talk to you when I talk to you!
Mahal ko kayo,
Elder Nay



Monday, July 15, 2013

15 July 2013


Magandang araw po!
Kamusta!
Banaue Rice Terraces
Well this will be rather short because earlier, we went to Banaue rice terraces and so we didn't get back until later in the afternoon. It is such a beautiful area and really just amazing to think that it was all man made over 2000 years ago. I think the Batad rice terraces are a little better though. And its cool factor is higher because we actually walked through the rice terraces on the mountainside rather than take pictures off the highway. 
It has been another week of exercising faith and trying to find new investigators. We are still in dire need of a bigger investigator pool. But, with the Lord's help and exercising faith, nothing is impossible. Our greatest success this week was with the Eneja family. They are sealed in the temple and brother is an RM, but he works in Cebu and only comes home for one week every 6 months so we haven't met him yet. We found them by tracting and when we walked by, we saw sister just arriving home so we said hello and she replied "hello Elders". That is when we found out she was a member and even though they have been sealed, they have been inactive for over 6 years. They have 3 kids-10, 8, and 5 years old. We discovered that neither the 10 or 8 year old haven't been baptized yet, so we started making more frequent visits and started teaching them. We told the branch president about them and he volunteered to come with us to teach and invite them to church. Sister agreed because she said she had some things to discuss with President in private in his office. Sure enough, they came to church as a family (minus brother who is in Cebu), and we saw sister walking out of President's office with a receipt for having ordered a Liahona subscription, Scriptures, and garments through online store. When we taught them later that day, we committed the 10 and 8 year old (even though she technically isn't a convert) to baptism for next month, and they agreed very excitedly. We reminded them that it was a family event, and they all needed to help each other come to church every week, live Word of Wisdom, and read scriptures and pray. It was funny because when we briefly explained the Word of Wisdom, the kids immediately tattle tailed on their mom and her cheeks turned bright red and started laughing. Kids don't know how to lie! Haha.
Yesterday I also got to give a talk (yet again....) in Sacrament meeting, so I decided to be a little more bold and basically review Pres. Uchtdorf's talk from April 2012, "Merciful Obtain Mercy". I think it has become one of my favorites now because it is a problem that is ever so present. 
That will be it for now! Salamat po para sa lahat, and
Mahal ko kayo!
Elder Nay






Monday, July 8, 2013

8 July 2013


Magandang araw po!
Kamusta!
This week we met President and Sister Rahlf for the first time. They seem very nice (I don't think they would call a mission president that wasn't!) and really easy to talk to and have a good time with. They actually even know the Hannahs from home ward-small world! They came bearing gifts because we requested a rat cage to catch the rest of the rats in our apartment. We weren't having much luck with the other one because we were just giving the rats free food. Every time we baited it the bait would be gone in the morning with no dead rat. The second night we set it up, got rat #3! Too bad Milo wasn't here to chase it down while still alive, but it turns out that rubbing alcohol and a match work pretty well too. :)
We have been doing a lot more talking to random people in an effort to find new investigators. We found a few people who are interested and so we are praying they will work out. We also re contacted someone we taught when I first got here but weren't able to teach him again because he said he was too busy, but now he is interested and wants us to teach him more. Slowly but surely, things are progressing!
Well I wish I had something more exciting to tell you, but that will have to do for now! It was really weird having my last fast and testimony Sunday in the mission yesterday.  
Mahal ko kayo,
Elder Nay