Update on Mayon

Internet communication being what it is today we understand that what is said to one parent probably reaches all parents but with distortion. In order to keep the message consistent and clear we are sending the following to all parents of Naga missionaries.

This is to advise you that due to an increased threat of ash and SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions from the Mayon Volcano, we have this morning initiated a level 1 evacuation plan to move missionaries in the immediate area of the Mayon to safer areas upwind of the mountain. Puffs of ash emissions were observed late yesterday and last night. Scientists warn that the a threat of increasing ash emissions exist. Some magma flow continues to emit from the volcano’s crater but this does not appear to pose any immediate threat to members or missionaries. Those living in the “no man’s land” close to the Mayon have already been evacuated. We have no missionaries serving living or working within the “no mans land”. The major risk is from fine ash particulates should the volcano experience a major blow. Yesterday we issued surgical type dust masks to all missionaries around the Mayon Volcano or serving in areas that could potentially become downwind of the mountain. Presently we feel we are doing what is necessary to protect the health and safety of all missionaries in the area of the Mayon. Thanks for your faith and prayers in behalf of our missionaries, members and investigators.
All of the missionaries are safe. We saw the ones in the south of the mission yesterday and will see the ones in the north today at our Christmas Zone Conferences. They all look Great. If they have not done so already they should speak with you by phone during the Christmas holidays. We encourage you to keep those calls short and encourage them to remain focused on their purpose.

President Gordon C. Smith

Philippines Naga Mission

I always knew he was nuts!

Hey mom, Well first things first, I'm still alive and havent been evacuated. But some of the Elders in my zone have, because they can literally throw a rock and hit the top of mayon. Its freakin awesome! im loving it. We all sit on the balcony at night and watch it explode. I have my hammock set up perfect for lava watching. Well the lava has reached the bottom of the mountain now, in my area. I think we might go and see how close we can get on thursday. I'm pretty sure you cant get that close to lava. But we will find out....
Anyways here is more exciting news than an erupting volcano. We gave the Buncares family baptismal dates, they are scheduled for January, The cool thing is their daughter and son in law just came off the island of masbate, they are the ones who refered their parents. and they came to church on sunday. Its a pretty cool story, remind me to tell you when i call. Oh yea i do know Elder Boyes. he is in my zone. Cool kid.
I now have 2 more elders living in my apartment with us, they opened up an area here. Acutally they just took over half of our area, which sucked cuz they took all of our investiagators so we are finding again.

I have been taking pictures nightly of the Valcano, i'm sure there are better ones on the internet though. But just so you know what it looks like from my apartment i'll send these.
Anyways oh yes,,, i need money, can you put maybe like 50 bucks or so in my account today? i need it. i'm gonna buy my companion some new shoes. He has quarter sized holes in his, and refuses to buy new ones. So he needs some. Anyways.. I love you guys... talk to you on Christmas. Hey make sure your on at like 4-10pm because i'm not sure what time i'll be calling. ... OK love you ... Elder Walker

pictures from Elder Walker

Kellin sent these pictures to us recently...they posted in the wrong order but i can't get them to move.

Update on Mt. Mayon Volcano

We got this email from Elder Walker's mission president...

Dear Parents,



I want to belay any concerns you might have for your missionary. It is Wednesday morning in the Philippines and all is safe here.



CNN is reporting that the Mayon volcano, which is located in the middle of the Naga Mission, has erupted and that thousands have been evacuated. Reports we have seen seem a bit overstated.



The Mayon volcano has had ash and magma eruptions in the list two days. Local authorities have raised the mountain to a level 3 alert which means evacuation of those living within 6 to 8 kilometers from the mountain. The local news is reporting that 22,000 people have been evacuated. We do not have missionaries living inside the immediate danger zone. We are carefully monitoring the situation and are prepared to evacuate missionaries from any areas that may be in any danger.



The eruptions began on Monday night then settled down during the day and resumed again last night. So far the eruptions have consisted of localized vertical ash clouds and magma flow on the side of the mountain. It a great photo opportunity if nothing else.



Yesterday (Tuesday in the Philippines) was our transfer day. Many of our missionaries were transferred to new areas or received new companions or new assignments. We don’t like to transfer missionaries this close to Christmas but felt we had no choice because we have a very large group of new missionaries (17) arriving tomorrow. We had some concerns early in the day that travel around the Mayon volcano might be restricted. Fortunately even with the eruptions going on the transfer went off without a hitch. All of the missionaries are now in their new areas except for our trainers who will be at the mission home tonight. The Mission Home is more than 40 Kilometers from the Mayon.



We will continue to monitor the situation and should it become necessary to move missionaries we will do so immediately. We will notify you individually if your missionary is impacted. If you have specific concerns I invite your email. Please be aware that it may take me a day or two for me to respond.



If any of you have access to mission parents web sites/blogs please post this message on that site.



President Gordon C. Smith