Missionaries ran to safety during quake

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Sister Bethany Crowley of Clinton, Utah, was sitting at her desk in the Philippines studying her scriptures on Tuesday morning when the LDS Church missionary felt a giant truck passing by her apartment.

Then she realized it wasn't a truck. It was a major earthquake.

"Doorways!" she yelled to her companion as she flipped over her chair and ran. The two young women stood in the doorways of their apartment in Cebu City watching a nearby grocery store sway from the shock of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake centered on Bohol Island, an area where Sister Crowley served earlier this year.

Due in some cases to quick thinking and effective training, Sister Crowley and all of the missionaries serving in the Cebu East Mission and the other 20 missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines survived the quake, described by a Filipino seismologist as packing more energy than 32 Hiroshima bombs.

"All missionaries of the church serving in this region are safe and accounted for," according to a statement released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The quake killed at least killing 144 people, according to officials. The earthquake struck the central island of Bohol near Carmen on Tuesday morning, the Associated Press reported. Carmen is 40 miles southeast and across the Cebu Strait from densely populated Cebu City, which also sustained heavy damage.

Cebu Province, with 2.6 million people at the 2010 census, is the second-largest province in the Philippines. The population of Bohol Province is 1.25 million.

The LDS Church statement said several structures related to the church suffered damage.

“Church leaders are working with local officials to identify and address local needs," the statement added. "Several member homes have been destroyed or damaged, and some church buildings have sustained minor damage from the quake.”

The church's Cebu City Philippines Temple also had minor damage, the Deseret News confirmed. Independent sources said the Angel Moroni statue, which faces east on LDS temples, rotated 90 degrees to face south.

Sister Crowley, who interrupted her studies in chemical engineering at the University of Utah to serve a mission, is serving in the Cebu East Mission, which includes part of Cebu Province as well as Bohol. She wrote about her experience in her regular letter home to her parents, who received her email Tuesday night. The earthquake struck at 8:12 a.m. local time on Tuesday, or 6:12 p.m. MDT on Monday, making for a long day's wait for her mother, Sherri Crowley, who posted her daughter's letter on her missionary blog.

"We're happy that she's safe," Sherri Crowley said.

"The worst that happened in my apartment," Sister Crowley reported in her letter, "was a few cracks in the wall re-opened, and a bottle of shampoo fell over. But in the (grocery store) next door, glass doors shattered, and merchandise broke. One missionary apartment collapsed, but the elders ran outside first."

Sister Crowley wrote that her zone leaders took safety precautions when they saw the cracks in her cement apartment wall. They instructed Sister Crowley and her companion to stay the night with another pair of sister missionaries.

In addition to the minor damage to the LDS temple, news reports said the quake damaged many churches, including the collapse of the roof of Bohol Island's Church of San Pedro, built in 1638, the New York Times reported. Officials said as many as 10 other historic churches were damaged.

Sister Crowley mentioned that damage in her letter home: "Over in Bohol, the big ancient Catholic churches that I walked by every day collapsed. Crazy."

Another missionary, Sister Teresa Davis, arrived in the Philippines to begin serving in the Cebu Mission last week. She, too, wrote home about the experience in a letter her family posted on her mission blog.

"My first earthquake," Sister Davis wrote. "The whole house was shaking but it only lasted for maybe a minute. None of us were hurt and nothing really fell down."

An Eagle, Idaho, family hadn't heard from their missionary yet, because she is serving on in Tagbiliran, the capital of Bohol, site of the quake's epicenter and where damage was worst.

Sister Jocelynn Clegg's mother Sandra posted this Tuesday night: "We were pretty anxious waiting to hear but were relieved to hear from her mission president last night in the middle of the night. 'She is okay!' She has been moved to stay in a home of the senior couple serving in that area and will stay there until the aftershocks have stopped and her apartment can be assessed for safety. We are feeling so blessed. Today is her p-day (preparation day) and the usual day that we get her email, but the mission office emailed today and said that it might be a few days until we hear from her because there is no power on the island right now."

The sister missionaries are representative of the biggest part of the LDS Church's missionary surge — the number of sister, or female, missionaries soared from 8,100 in October 2012 to 19,300 this month, according to the church. That is an increase of 140 percent.

The LDS Church has 21 missions in the Philippines, including the two in Cebu. The church created the Cebu East Mission on July 1. The church added 58 new missions this year as the number of missionaries jumped from 58,700 in October 2012 to 80,000 this monthfollowing church President Thomas S. Monson's announcement lowering the minimum age for missionaries.

There are more than 660,000 LDS Church members in the Philippines.

“A magnitude 7 earthquake has an energy equivalent to around 32 Hiroshima atomic bombs,” said Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, during a televised press briefing. “Compared to the 2010 Haiti earthquake — that had a magnitude of 7.0, this one had a magnitude of 7.2, slightly stronger.”

Week 20: Tuesday October 22, 2013

Family,

   I want to start this week by expressing my sorrow for the passing of Joy. I can't even imagine how hard that would be for a family to lose someone. It makes me so sad thinking about it. I don't know their family extremely well, but I still can't help but feel a deep sorrow for her death. It's comforting to know that she will be seen again. It's amazing that we have this knowledge & understanding that death is just a temporary separation from those you love. This is the greatest blessing, in my opinion, that Heavenly Father has given to us.

   Well, earthquakes & aftershock continue. They are of course much smaller, but they are still lingering none the less. Nothing to worry about though! We haven't had any service projects to help with the damage, because as you all know, the bulk of the damage was in Bahol which is another Island & the Cebu East mission. Things are very bad over there compared to here. There were many deaths there as well as a few deaths here. My area is right here in the city, but like I said, it's nothing incredibly bad. We are all fine over here.

   You will all be pleased to know that things are going great with my companion! As I stated last week, we talked it out after our dispute. Since then, things have greatly improved. We are more comfortable around each other (maybe it's just me) & we are having a good time. We are working hard & trying to find more people to teach. Unfortunately, we are having a hard time finding investigators. Almost everyone is willing to listen to us, but nobody wants to here more than our small explanation. It's very hard, much harder than my first area. I think that it's because I am in the city. The people here are much more stubborn & everything is just busier. We are, however, making good progress with the less-active members here. We are gaining their trust I think & more than anything I think we are just being friendly to them & they are really responding to that. Shining moment for my companion - he is the single most generous missionary I have ever met. He is truly here to serve the people & help them. His testimony is amazing. I think that since he is from a very small, poor country with similar circumstances (Tonga) he can relate to the people. He has been out for about 6 or 7 months & I feel bad saying this, but his language is not very good. He understands everything that is said, but he really has a hard time speaking it. But that doesn't stop him. Chad, you asked about the English in the city. It's true, everyone understands English. Most people are terrible at speaking it, but almost everyone can understand it. This is great for my companion because he mostly just speaks in English because he has such a hard time speaking. I have learned a lot from him & I have really tried to humble myself & be more charitable. As I have done this, I feel like I have been blessed to see these people differently & that was something that was really hard for me before. I would have said that I was humble, but I really wasn't. I am learning what it means to really be humble & take myself to their level. It's so incredible. The people here have nothing, yet they are happy. I think of how spoiled I was in America & how the people there wouldn't last 2 months here - I barely did! As you learn to really love & serve the people, the work becomes easier. And not only easier, but more enjoyable as well! I really feel that I have received so many blessing, especially lately. It never ceases to confound me. I feel extremely inadequate & unworthy of all of the blessings that I have receive here. It has really been a testimony to me of how unwavering the love of Heavenly Father is for us. If we will but strive to do what is right & be humble, we will be blessed so much.

    Dad, that's so funny that you are playing in the Senior Games. I'm glad though! I wish I was there to watch you tear it up on the court. If that happens next time, just demand the ball & show them that you are the best on the floor! Starr, I'm sorry, but no pictures this week! I have them on the way, though! Lots of them! Also, that Google thing sounds great! I have been stressing about how I am going to speak to you all. Find out more, I would love to do that! That's a shame that it's Boston & St. Louis in the World Series. I don't really care for either of them. Oh well, I'm not that upset. The food is pretty much the same here, there is just more options. I actually haven't had McDonald's yet because it's so expensive & the portions are tiny! It's not worth it. I don't mind the  food here actually. It tastes good. Chad, let's be real. The Bears season was over before it started. I have started to read Teaching of the Prophet: Joseph Smith, & I have really enjoyed it. It's incredible. I have learned a lot from it.

   Well, things are going fine here & time seems to be getting faster. It's so crazy to think that it's almost been 6 months! Wow, half a year. That's crazy. Oh, Elder Niel L. Anderson is coming Saturday, so I'm pretty excited about that! It should be awesome. That's about it. I love you all & hope all is going well!

-Elder Staheli

10.17.13

Week 19: Tuesday October 15, 2013

Family,

   I know you are all worried about the earthquake! I am fine & so are most of the people here in the city. Where I am at, there was a quite a bit of damage, but it is much worse in some other places. In all honesty, it was pretty awesome being in my first earthquake. It was so weird! When the initial earthquake hit, it was about 8:10 in the morning over here & we were doing our studies. I was sitting at my desk reading & all of a sudden I felt my feet start to move. I had no idea what to think. My thought was something like "why the heck are my feet moving?" The thought that we were in an earthquake didn't even cross my mind at first. I thought I was just going crazy & after about 5 seconds I look over at my companion & he looked over at me & he yelled "EARTHQUAKE!" We stood up & yelled to the other companionship who was upstairs to hurry & get outside. They ran down & it was pretty funny because one of them had to jump right out of the shower so he hurried & threw some clothes on while he was dripping wet. So, we just stood outside for a little while & our zone leaders texted us to meet at the chapel. We went over there & hung out for maybe 3 hours, feeling aftershocks every few minutes or so. I think that they said the initial earthquake was maybe around a 6.2 or something? Is that right? I don't know, but honestly I wouldn't have guessed that. Don't get me wrong, it was way intense feeling the entire earth shake beneath your feet, but seeing that there was no damage or anything, I wasn't even really worried,........HOLD ON! WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER ONE RIGHT NOW! I think it was just another aftershock, but that one was pretty aggressive as well. Man, this earthquake stuff is crazy! 

   Besides that, things have been an adjustment. It is taking some time for me & my new companion to get used to each other. I thought that we were doing alright, but then last night we got into an argument. We talked/yelled it out so hopefully things will be better now. Only time will tell I guess. As for being in the city, there are benefits as well as disadvantages. We have a lady in our ward here who does our laundry so I am so excited about that! It's awesome. Also, there are many more options for eating, shopping, etc. I also get to attend the temple & do temple tours as well, so that's cool. Also, my language is coming along so well! I feel like I am nearly fluent, the only problem I have is that I still have trouble sometimes understanding people. Other than that, I feel as if I can say pretty much whatever I want & I am happy about that. It's so weird knowing a different language. So the city is nice. I miss the ocean & the nice breeze that we had in Pinamungajan. I also kind of miss Elder Walker. We were getting along well & had a great time together. 

   Well, I hope you all are not too worried about me. Things are fine & if there is another earthquake & it kills me, well, I guess it's my time to go! Seriously though, I'm fine. Love you all. Miss you all so much.

-Elder Staheli 

Week 18: Tuesday October 8, 2013

Family,

   Transfer week is here! We got the call on Monday after District Meeting & it turns out. . . I'm getting transferred to Labangon! Labangon is in Central Zone, which is in the city. I'm excited to be going to the city. Honestly before we received the transfer call, I didn't care if I stayed or transferred. I have enjoyed Pinamungajan, but I am also excited to see more of the Philippines. I am going to miss Elder Walker, though. We have had a great time together this transfer. But, all good things must come to an end I suppose. I'm excited about my new companion as well. His name is Elder Tolutau, a giant Samoan (so I hear). I won't have to worry about any Filipinos trying to jump me with him around, not that I was worried before. I'm 6'2'' & everyone here is maybe 5'. I'm excited also because this mean that I get to do temple sessions & temple tours! It should be awesome.

   It's kind of crazy to think that by the end of next transfer, I will have been out for about half a year. At times it seems slow, at times it seems fast, & at other times it feels true. I see how big Dax is & it kind of blows my mind. We're only a month apart, so to say, & that helps me realize the time that has past. 

   So, on Monday night I go to get in the shower. I turn the water on, go to get in, & I see something move in the corner. It was the biggest spider I have ever seen! I didn't even turn the water off, I threw my towel around me & ran out! I told Elder Walker to kill it, but he, like me, does not do well with spiders. The spider was about the size of my hand, fast as can be, & it only had 5 legs which means it has been in fights before & won! We spent the next half hour, maybe 45 minutes devising & executing several plans to end the life of this unwanted creature. After a bottle of windex & one broken broom later, we finally came out victorious. Needless to say, I did not shower well that night.

   Chad, I'm sorry I didn't express my devastation about your loss last week. I'm so sorry, that must have been so hard! Keep your head up, champ. Good things come to those we push through the tough times. Jazz, I'm very impressed with your Visaya! You could very easily hold your own over here. Sounds like you & Seager are keeping busy. If you send those books, you could definitely send them all together in one box. If it's that expensive, you don't have to send them to me. In fact, probably don't. I don't want you to spend so much money. I am kept plenty busy over here anyways. One of the things that upsets me the most about being here is missing Jazz games. I'm so upset. Let me know how they do every week! I can't believe basketball has already started up again! The finals were going on while I was in the MTC, now it's the regular season again? Crazy. Casey, I enjoyed your e-mail this week. I'm glad someone can relate to what I am going through. It's crazy, but it will for sure make an awesome memory. It sounds like you had amazing experiences on your mission as well. I appreciated hearing about them. Don't worry about being at dinner. I'm not upset about it at all. It's always good to hear from you, Grandma! Sounds like things are going well back home. Who is in the playoffs right now? I imagine the Cubs came up a little bit short as usual. Dad, I also appreciated your story. It's pretty sad, but inspiring as well. I laughed a little bit when I heard Kortnee is going to SLC Visitors Center. That's a bummer, but I'm glad she's positive about it. I had no idea she was planning on a mission. That would be hard being so close to home. I would have you guys come see me all the time. Bring me food, come say "hey", etc. Anyway, General Conference is a little different over here. Because of the time difference, the sessions are this weekend for the Philippines. I'm excited to watch them. It will be a good change of routine & obviously it will be good to hear from the Prophet & apostles as well. 

   Well, wish me luck in the city! I'm sure it will be great there. Love you all!

-Elder Staheli

10.2.13

10.3.13

 10.6.13

10.7.13

Week 17: Tuesday October 1, 2013

Family,

   I am sending pictures this week, sorry for the long wait! Hopefully you will be able to see them all. They are loading right now so be patient. Also, last week we e-mailed earlier because of the power outage. It has been better this week, but we came early again just in case. 

  
   We get transfer calls this Monday. My companion thinks that I will stay here another transfer to finish up my training, but I bet I get transferred. But who knows? I wouldn't mind staying here one more transfer. The place is alright, it's not very hot, & my companion is an alright guy. I also wouldn't mind getting transferred either, so we'll see. My biggest worry is if I get a companion I don't like.

   So, I know that I say this every time you send pictures, but seeing all of you & the kids makes me almost cry every time. I long so much to be there with you all. This mission life is fine & I'm pretty much used to everything here, but I still wish I was able to be home with you all. I miss you all so much.

   On October 26, there is a mission wide conference, including the Cebu East mission which means I will be able to see Elder Rainey! I'm pretty excited about that. Besides that, Elder Neil L. Anderson is coming & speaking so it should be pretty good.

   That's about it this week. We had some investigators come to church so that's good! Nobody would come so we went to their home's at 7 a.m. to remind them all & we got a few to come with us. Also, there is this little girl we have been teaching since I first arrived & we have been trying to get here baptized, but her mom is in-active. We have been pleading with her to come so she can be baptized, but she never did. So one night, I sat her down & told her that we can't keep coming over & teaching if she doesn't come to church. I said some other things as well, but it was pretty much make it or break it. That Sunday, she attended church! She has been 2 weeks in a row now, & if she comes 2 more weeks in a row, she is considered "rescued" & we can baptize her daughter. She seems so much happier when we come over now. Hopefully she keeps attending.

-Elder Staheli

Week 16: Tuesday September 24, 2013

Family,

   Another week has come & gone here in the jungle & I'm still alive, so that's good! Man, I know that I have had some crazy stories so far, but another crazy thing happened this week. So, we are on the side of the street proselyting, talking to some teenage kids. Mine & Elder Walker's backs are towards the road so we can hear bikes & tricycles behind us. We were actually in a really good conversation when out of nowhere - we hear this loud crash! To preface the story, you might want to look up what tricycles look like here in the Philippines. All they are are motorcycles with small side cars attached to the side. They are tiny & we ride them all the time. So, we look to the left just in time to see one man fall off of the back of the bike & another get thrown from the sidecar, land & skid on the railing on the side of the road, smack his head on a post, & fall to the ground laying unconscious in his own blood!  We run over there to help, but (I'm ashamed to say this) I had to hang back because I was getting a little sick. I don't remember if I told you the story about another crash we saw my first transfer, but the same thing happened where I felt very sick after. Anyway, I haven't heard anything on the man. Hopefully he is okay, but I haven't heard anything, so who knows? I was shocked that I have been sick for these last two accidents, though. I have been thinking about why I have felt this way because I have never gotten sick from anything like this before. I thought that maybe I finally inherited it from dad, but I thought some more & I think I found an answer.  Any other injury or accident I am fine with, but these last two have had one thing in common: it involves someone laying in the road covered in blood. I realized that the reason I have been sick for these accidents is because both times I have had flashbacks of when Chelsie was hit by a car. Both times it has been very hard to get through the day because I kept having flashbacks of that. It's terrible, I know. I  don't know why I'm sharing this with you all, but it is just something I have realized.

   On a happier note, we have some new investigators! They seem interested & hopefully they will progress faster than the last one's, though we are still working with them & they continue to progress, just slowly. Zone conference was good. President Schmutz is extremely intelligent. He gave a good workshop & it has me thinking a little bit. It was nice to see some of the other missionaries as well. It was nice to be in the city! I hope I get transferred there sometime. I have always enjoyed cities much more than smaller places, another reason I can't wait to move up North. There is just so much more to do in the city! I also want to go to Negros, the neighboring island. Everyone who goes there says it is the absolute best! My MTC companion is there right now & I'm jealous. Anyway, there really isn't that much going on right now. I am getting dang good at the language though! Most of the time I can have conversations with people without need of help. It still depends, though. But I'm happy with my progress.

   Jazz, your new job sounds fun! It sounds like you enjoy it so that's good. It sounds like the yard is paradise in the making as well! I can't wait to get up there & see it. Yes, of course I want pictures of you & Seager as well! I want to see all of you! Obviously the kids are the cutest, but you guys aren't that bad either (most of the time!) Those books sound good. If you want you could send them to me. I would read them for sure, there isn't much to do here. I'm glad my Utes pulled through! It sounds like they aren't looking very good, though. Oh well, I'm just hoping for a bowl game this year.

   Love you all! Sorry I forgot pictures again, I'm so bad at that!

   -Elder Staheli

Week 15: Tuesday September 17, 2013

Family,

   Okay, this has been the hardest/craziest week so far, for sure! First of all, none of our investigators are coming to church, we have been dropped by a few, & they are just struggling to progress. It's super frustrating. It's been hard dealing with them, but hopefully they will start to progress better. However, that is just part of the frustration of this last week. Here in the Philippines, we occasionally have "brown outs" which is simply a power outage. We have had a few since I have been here, but they have never lasted more than an hour or two. However, this week something broke down in the main power plant in Toledo which is where we receive the power for our town. It's about 20-30 minutes away. So, since there was a malfunction in the machinery, there was obviously a brown out. We have not had any power OR running water for about a week. I'm not sure which is more frustrating: Coming home from working all day, dripped in sweat, & not being able to sleep in air conditioning & fans, or not being able to take a shower for 3 or 4 days in the same conditions. I must tell you, it is an awful feeling. It felt as though I had just played a whole basketball game,  I am hot & sweaty, & I am not able to take a shower. This went on all week. The power has started to come back on in small flashes starting a few days ago, but never seems to stay on for good. Hopefully it is back on for good now! I was hoping that the power would turn on so that I could e-mail you all today. It's on for now so hopefully it doesn't turn off while I am in the middle of this! Also, a few days ago, we found out that there is a well (I think that is the spelling?) near our home. So, for the last few days we have had to go & fetch buckets of water & shower out of the buckets with a small scoop that is at our home. Talk about a humbling experience! Also, since it gets dark here everyday, all year round, around 6:00, it has been very hard to teach people this week because there is no light. When we come home, we have had to do our nightly planning with just a flashlight because our apartment is obviously pitch black. It has been a frustrating, but also humbling experience to say the very least. It's so crazy to me that people here live like this everyday of their life. I'm struggling to go & get water out of a well, stuggling to function this week, & people are looking at me like I am crazy because they live like this everyday. Most people cannot afford electricity or running water so it didn't even phase them. I have the utmost respect for these people. They are incredible for being able to do this everyday.

   So, it sounds like things are going great at home. I'm so bummed Utah lost! That makes me so mad. I'm also mad that I will miss the rivalry this week. It's hard to say who I think will win because I don't know much about the players this year. I know that BYU's quarterback has some experience & I think they have a great team this year. I don't know much about Utah, so it's hard to say. However, this I can say: GO UTES! I love the little Utah outfit that Dax is wearing! That's awesome. 

   Maddie, I got your e-mail! Thank you for your thoughts & advice. I really cherish & appreciate what you all have to say more than anyone else. It kind of makes me laugh that you are so involved in the school. Just because I can picture is so easily. You are such a great mom. Krue & Axzelle are so lucky to have you as their mom. They are so loving & are amazing. Also, let me just say that the pictures you sent actually put a few tears in my eyes. I miss the kids so much. I hurts my heart so bad to be away from them. The pictures are amazing! They have to be the most beautiful kids I have ever seen! I swear, they could be models. They are such amazing kids. I miss them so much. It makes me sad. But, I am glad they are busy having fun! I wish I was there to experience it with you all. The hardest part of my mission is without a single doubt, being away from all of you. I have friends, & they will come & go, but family is forever. You have all been there for me no matter what & that is something that I find very special. I am so blessed to have the family I have. I love you all so much & I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you all for your constant love & support in no matter what I have chosen to do in my life. You are all my best friends. Thank you.

   You will be glad to know that even though I am on the other side of the world, I am keeping up on my S.T.Y.L.E.! I just bought a pair of shoes that I am stoked about! Unfortunately, I don't have any clothes nice enough to wear with them here, so I will have to wait awhile. They aren't church shoes, but they are a nicer shoe, for sure. I got them for about 1,000 pesos which is only about $25. I have looked at shoes like these before in America, & they are always at least about $90 or $100 so I am way excited. 

   Something incredibly annoying & frustrating about being a white guy in the Philippines is the constant "JOE!" Everyone here, especially the punk teenagers call white people Joe. The reason is because during WWII, they were many American soldiers in the Philippines. They were "G.I. Joes" so the Philippinos called them all "Joe". Well, it has stuck ever since. The thing is, they now use it as an insult. Many times I just bite my tongue & walk away in silent frustration, but sometimes I can't. They call me Joe & start cussing at me (in English, like they think I don't understand or something?) so I turn & start getting angry with them & then they get scared because there is this big American in their face speaking English to them. It's a good thing my companion is a patient person because he always pulls me away & keeps his cool.  It's something I am trying hard to work on. I am getting better. 

   Time to answer your questions: Me & Elder Walker are getting along fine. He's a nice kid & we have a lot to talk about. I enjoy his company most of the time. I don't go on splits as much, but it's okay. We have a zone conference tomorrow so I will head to the mission home for that, about 2 hours away. My area is called Pinamungahan. I think that's all of them!

   

   Well, that's about it. Kind of crazy this week. We have a zone activity today that I'm excited about & then there is a zone conference in the city tomorrow, so lots going on! I love & miss you all, always. 

   -Elder Staheli