Why the Philippines?
As I was putting away some of Michael's things, I came across a story that he ran out of time to share during his talk in church before he left. When Michael first turned in his papers to go on a mission, a lot of people asked if he got to pick where he would serve, the answer is no (his mother didn't get to pick either, she would have opted for a much closer place).
The following is an experience told in General Conference that explains how each missionary calling is divinely chosen for every missionary. I'll try to summarize the experience told by Brother Rasband. He was invited to join Elder Henry B. Eyring (a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles) as he made assignments for missionaries who had been recommended to serve. Long story short, Elder Eyring would pray to know "perfectly" where each missionary should be called to serve and then went through each missionary, individually. After studying the screen full of all the missions available throughout the world, he waited for the spirit to prompt him where the Lord wanted the individual to serve. Several times Elder Eyring asked Brother Rasband where he felt the missionary should serve, after Brother Rasband gave an answer, Elder Eyring looked at him thoughtfully and said, "No, thats not it" and then continued to place the missionary where he felt prompted.
As they were almost finished a certain missionary appeared on the screen, Brother Rasband had the strongest prompting that the missionary was to be assigned to Japan. Elder Eyring again asked Brother Rasband where he felt this missionary should serve. Tentatively and humbly he said, "Japan?" Elder Eyring responded immediately, "Yes, let's go there." This experience showed him (and us) that the Lord cares about each of the missionaries and knows them. He "perfectly" knows where they need to go to serve the Lord.
The entire talk can be found at :LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Divine Call of a Missionary Link: http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?deNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=5de6b73f64838210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
What a great story! I have always believed that the general authorities are inspired in their choices of where to send missionaries, but this story confirms that. It is so wonderful to know that Heavenly Father and his prophets care about EACH of us individually, not just as a collective whole.
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