Letter from the Baileys

We met the couple who will be running the mission office in Cebu when we were shopping with Devin just before he went into the MTC.  We exchanged email addresses and they were kind enough to include us on their email list.  I got this email from them on Saturday:

Our Dearly Beloved Family and Friends


This is just a short note to give you an update. Sister Bailey and I have completed our first week at the Missionary Training Center or MTC. It was really hard to get used to the grueling schedule but we managed, up at 5 am, classes until 8 pm, homework until 10:00 pm and in bed by 10:30.

The Spirit of the Lord is so strong here. There is no doubt we are on the Lord’s errand as we are taught how to present His message of love and salvation. I have always had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ but I also know it has become stronger this week. I have felt the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in all we are doing here.

We have had a little tutoring for the Cebuano language that is spoken on the island of Cebu. It is a very difficult language to learn but the classes have been fun. Our tutor speaks Finnish not Cebuano. He is really good about teaching the basics of how to learn a foreign language. We also have a volunteer who speaks Cebuano who is teaching the language. As hard of a language as it is to learn, it has been fun trying to learn. The 7th Article of Faith says “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth”. It is our belief in this Article of Faith that I know we will succeed in learning this language.

We are getting very excited to get to the Philippines and start the work the Lord has called us to perform. We know He will bless us with all that we need and we also know He will bless our family and friends while we are gone.

We want you to know that we love you and will miss you while we are on our mission.

I testify to you that I know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lives, that He loves everyone of us and He wants only the best for us and that we can return to our Heavenly Father if we simply have faith in Jesus Christ and live according to His teachings and His commandments.



May the Lord bless you in all you do.

Elder & Sister Bailey (Juan & Beckie)