Office duties

We’ve been in the Philippines for almost six weeks. Life here in the mission is measured in six-week transfer cycles, so, we’ve had quite a few FIRSTs... first Zone Conferences, first Mission Leadership Conference, first batch of departing missionaries, and meeting the first batch of new missionaries straight from the MTC. Oh, and one week we had the mission president’s wife and three younger missionaries all in the hospital at the same time! I think that was a first also. And hopefully the last.

     Our mission call assignment was that we were to be ‘Member and Leadership Support’. Our  president warned us that that may change. Since arriving here, we have been given specific assignments in the Mission Office.

     Elder Koontz handles and distributes mail and packages to/from the approximately 170 missionaries. We drive down to the post office once or twice a week to pick up incoming letters and packages. Mail is sorted at the office, then picked up by the missionaries when they come to Cauayan. Otherwise, the mail is delivered when there is a meeting in the out-lying areas. Some areas of the mission are two to three hours drive away.

     As Supply Manager, he keeps inventory of missionary teaching supplies. He prepares orders of pamphlets, books, dvds, record-keeping materials, etc., and has them ready for pick-up or delivery (same as mail). The missionaries usually text him with their teaching supply needs. He receives 5-10 texts daily.

This is 6’4” Elder Roberts having his picture taken at the License office.
He was told to get lower so that his face would be in the camera.

     The Area Presidency has instructed that all foreign elders with a current driver’s license from their country should obtain a Philippine Driver’s License. The senior couples went about a month ago. It took 4 hours for five of us to get our licenses. (Yes, I even have a license!) We thought that was a short time considering that ‘seniors’ are given a pass to go to the head of the line. (Filipinos are so respectful of the elderly.) I don’t think I will ever drive here. More about that later...

Elder Koontz has made three failed attempts to take groups of our younger missionaries to the license office. Either they just got new computers,  or they were not working, or some other reason. Well, he went there and made sure that all involved knew how the computers worked and told them to expect him the next Monday. He returned with a group of ten elders last week on their p-day and they all came back to the office within TWO hours. Each with a new license. His quick method? ...He prepared and printed their forms, gathered photocopies of licenses and passports, and had them in line before the license office opened at 8am. Some of our elders got up at 4:30am to catch a Jeepney to be at the office by 7:30 that morning. All were tired, but happy!

     He is also our Technology Specialist. Almost daily we can hear someone in the office ask, “Elder Koontz, how do I do (.........)?” All the office computers are going to be replaced next week so I’m sure he’ll be busy.