Well this week was really busy but good. Sister and President Ostler were supposed to be coming for a visit and doing a fireside setting up a priesthood and relief society program (we don't have one yet) and doing a fireside. So we spent all week telling everyone and preparing. We set up a big pot luck lunch for inbetween church and the fireside, because people walk from far to come to church so we didn't want to make them walk home for lunch only to come back in the evening. So that kept us pretty busy. Then on Saturday morning, we got a call from President Ostler that Sister Ostler was sick and they would not be able to come. We thought about it and decided it was impossible for us to get the word out to all the people to cancel it, so we just stuck to the program. So me and Elder Finch spoke in the Ostler's stead at sacrament and the fireside, as well as teaching sunday school. I'm sure everyone is very very sick of hearing from us. It went awesome though.
We had some transportation problems this week and the boat from the Tavuki side was not able to bring the investigators over. We ended up just staying on the Vunisea side of the island. We had 24 people in attendance though, so it still went really well I think. In Fiji because of the large methodist influence, easter is a big deal and this week was Palm Sunday, so our fireside was Easter themed. We talked about the Savior and the atonement and it went well. We watched the Lamb of God DVD. I ate way way too much and we had tons of food leftover so by Fijian standards, it was a success. It really did go well though and I was pleased. I think the members had fun as well.
As for the work this week, it went pretty well. We are still just struggling with transportation to the other side of the island. So we decided that this week we would focus most of our efforts in Vunisea so we can teach people who are going to be able to make it to church. Hopefully we can find some good investigators because right now 75% of our good investigators are on the other side.
We are planning our trip to Kavala again as well;I'm not sure if it will be this week or next. We will see how the boat schedule is.
The Seru family is awesome. Bro Seru is an older man about 65, but he is so fit. He runs a huge farm by himself and walks so far to town all the time. They wanted to bring fish to the potluck so he got in his little row boat and rowed clear far out past the reef, caught a bunch of fish (in the night since the fishing is better in the night time) for the potluck, then came back and rowed his whole family quite a ways to shorten their walk early the next morning. He is an awesome man. It was so good to see them all at church happy and participating. I'm excited for their baptism.
Well that about sums up my week. I hope all of yours was great too. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Wall
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
March 21, 2010 E-mail
Well this week was amazing and quite an adventure. So Monday and Tuesday there was a government-issued curfew because of the Hurricane and we had to stay in all day. It got very boring, but I got to catch up on some sleep so that was good. Luckily the Hurricane didn't hit Kadavu head-on, but apparently some other islands got nailed really hard. We still had some crazy strong wind and rain. Our house is on top of a huge hill and about the only place not covered with trees to break the wind,so it was shaking really really bad because of the wind and rain. We had to put straps across the tin sheets that are our roof and even with straps, two of them came loose and were slapping around making tons of noise. I don't know how they didn't rip off. But they stayed on, just made a bunch of noise and let a lot of water come in the house.
One night when the wind was really bad, I couldn't sleep cause of the shaking and noise and water...honestly it was a bit scary. So I prayed for protection and for inspiration about whether or not we should go down to a member's house who has a cement house for cover. Then a story I read in the ensign popped into my mind. It was about some missionaries who were on a sinking boat and it said they didn't jump off until they had no other choice. So I decided we would just sit it out and if we lost a tin off our roof, then we would run down to safety in a cement house. Everything turned out okay and the storm slowly let up and we ended up okay. But the next morning, Elder Alba said he was scared to death all night and didn't sleep at all because he just kept hoping I would say that we should go down to the cement house. He didn't want to be the wuss who was scared and wanted to run for cover. It was funny and we laughed about it later. So that was the first part of our adventure.
On Wednesday, we finally got to go out and do work again and we were very excited. We had a great day. We only ended up getting to sit down with one family since everyone was busy cleaning up the mess. Lots and lots of the crops from the farms got ruined from the rain and wind. So a lot of people here are hurting a little bit from it.
We had a good lesson with one awesome investigator who dropped everything he was doing to sit with us. He is great; his name is Lati. He lives clear far away from the village out on the beach. While walking over there, Elder Alba called my attention to how beautiful of a place we were in. I have been here two months now and walked the trail dozens of time, but never looked around to notice the beauty; it was amazing! So we took some pictures and enjoyed it for a second and decided life is too short to not take five minutes every now and again and enjoy the beautiful world that Heavenly Father has given us. Kadavu truly is paradise.
On Thursday, we took the boat over to Tavuki for the first time in a while. All of our investigators are doing well. One woman Rogo said she wants to be baptized...but her husband is a talatala for the Methodist church and loves us teaching him and coming over but doesn't want to switch churches so hopefully we can soften his heart enough for him to give up his fat pay check and join the church. Slowly and surely.
On the way over, we saw dolphins again which is always fun and Elder Alba was so excited to get to see them. On the way back we saw sea turtles and that was fun as well. I also ate pig brain for my first time yesterday and it was really really good- very tender and sweet.
Because of all the boats and planes during the week, on Friday, me and Elder Alba had to take the boat back to Suva. It wasn't quite as hot this time because we were still having pretty heavy rain as after effects of the hurricane. But it was still a miserable 12 hour boat ride. No fun at all plus the seas were rough so the boat was rocking and lots of people threw up. Luckily me and Elder Alba were both okay, but it still smelt awful and we couldn't wait to get off the boat.
On Saturday, Elder Finch and I got back on the plane and flew back to Kadavu. Flying is so much faster and more enjoyable. I love flying. We also got new chairs for our chapel. We are beginning to look like a real church. When I first came, we had nothing. The chapel was an empty building but over the past few weeks we have gotten a pulpit, white board, and now chairs, so we really look like a church. It is great!
This weekend, President and Sister Ostler are coming to visit our branch and we are going to try and set up a priesthood and relief society program. It should be fun. Well I had an amazing week and am very excited to have another one this coming week. Hope all is well and I miss you all.
Love,
Elder Wall
One night when the wind was really bad, I couldn't sleep cause of the shaking and noise and water...honestly it was a bit scary. So I prayed for protection and for inspiration about whether or not we should go down to a member's house who has a cement house for cover. Then a story I read in the ensign popped into my mind. It was about some missionaries who were on a sinking boat and it said they didn't jump off until they had no other choice. So I decided we would just sit it out and if we lost a tin off our roof, then we would run down to safety in a cement house. Everything turned out okay and the storm slowly let up and we ended up okay. But the next morning, Elder Alba said he was scared to death all night and didn't sleep at all because he just kept hoping I would say that we should go down to the cement house. He didn't want to be the wuss who was scared and wanted to run for cover. It was funny and we laughed about it later. So that was the first part of our adventure.
On Wednesday, we finally got to go out and do work again and we were very excited. We had a great day. We only ended up getting to sit down with one family since everyone was busy cleaning up the mess. Lots and lots of the crops from the farms got ruined from the rain and wind. So a lot of people here are hurting a little bit from it.
We had a good lesson with one awesome investigator who dropped everything he was doing to sit with us. He is great; his name is Lati. He lives clear far away from the village out on the beach. While walking over there, Elder Alba called my attention to how beautiful of a place we were in. I have been here two months now and walked the trail dozens of time, but never looked around to notice the beauty; it was amazing! So we took some pictures and enjoyed it for a second and decided life is too short to not take five minutes every now and again and enjoy the beautiful world that Heavenly Father has given us. Kadavu truly is paradise.
On Thursday, we took the boat over to Tavuki for the first time in a while. All of our investigators are doing well. One woman Rogo said she wants to be baptized...but her husband is a talatala for the Methodist church and loves us teaching him and coming over but doesn't want to switch churches so hopefully we can soften his heart enough for him to give up his fat pay check and join the church. Slowly and surely.
On the way over, we saw dolphins again which is always fun and Elder Alba was so excited to get to see them. On the way back we saw sea turtles and that was fun as well. I also ate pig brain for my first time yesterday and it was really really good- very tender and sweet.
Because of all the boats and planes during the week, on Friday, me and Elder Alba had to take the boat back to Suva. It wasn't quite as hot this time because we were still having pretty heavy rain as after effects of the hurricane. But it was still a miserable 12 hour boat ride. No fun at all plus the seas were rough so the boat was rocking and lots of people threw up. Luckily me and Elder Alba were both okay, but it still smelt awful and we couldn't wait to get off the boat.
On Saturday, Elder Finch and I got back on the plane and flew back to Kadavu. Flying is so much faster and more enjoyable. I love flying. We also got new chairs for our chapel. We are beginning to look like a real church. When I first came, we had nothing. The chapel was an empty building but over the past few weeks we have gotten a pulpit, white board, and now chairs, so we really look like a church. It is great!
This weekend, President and Sister Ostler are coming to visit our branch and we are going to try and set up a priesthood and relief society program. It should be fun. Well I had an amazing week and am very excited to have another one this coming week. Hope all is well and I miss you all.
Love,
Elder Wall
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 14, 2010 E-mail
Well this week was good. Zone Conference was amazing. I always love Zone Conference and it is always such a spiritual uplifting experiance. Me and Elder Finch had to do a short training which I was a little nervous about, but it went really really well.
The boat ride was no fun. Luckily in Kavala, the stop on the way to Suva, there was almost nothing to load or unload so we just stopped for a minute and it cut down our ride to twelve hours. It was very hot and crowded though. I was just sitting a pool of sweat. I'm not really sure if it was all my own sweat or people next to me as well, but it was miserably hot. The capitan was really cool and asked if we wanted to go see the capitans deck so we went up and took pictures at the steering wheel and got about half an hour of air conditioning when we were up there with him. I guess it was a good experience, but I am definitly grateful we flew back.
So the plane (all four seats) was booked, so me and elder Alba flew back on Saturday then ELder Finch and Elder Logsdon were going to fly in on Sunday. So me and Elder Alba came in (on the smallest airplane ever) on a geo metro with wings. It was definately not smooth like the bigger plane (eight seats) I flew in on the first time. I am pretty sure we were close to sideways a couple of times coming into the landing strip. We fished tailed a little bit, then were good, so all was well.
Then we got this huge hurrican warning so all planes and boats were cancelled so I am in Kadavu with Elder Alba stuck here and Elder Finch and Logsdon are stuck in Suva-- not sure when flights and boats will go again but I don't really care cause I love Elder Alba and we are having a great time.
So me and Elder Alba made the hike to the Seru's house in the jungle last night and did the baptismal interview; they all passed so we will be more then doubling the membership in our small annex! April 3 we will be doing the baptism.
Church went very well this week and we had a good attendance of eighteen people so I was happy about that. Hopefully we can get all this hurrican mumbo jumbo sorted out and get over to the Tavuki side of the island. I am worried about our investigators over there, we haven't been able to make it to see them in so long.
Well I love and miss you all. Hope all is well and that you are all healthy and happy. Oh ya, good news: I am down ten pounds. So hopefully I can lose another ten around the belly and put some muscle on. Till next week...
Love,
Elder Wall
The boat ride was no fun. Luckily in Kavala, the stop on the way to Suva, there was almost nothing to load or unload so we just stopped for a minute and it cut down our ride to twelve hours. It was very hot and crowded though. I was just sitting a pool of sweat. I'm not really sure if it was all my own sweat or people next to me as well, but it was miserably hot. The capitan was really cool and asked if we wanted to go see the capitans deck so we went up and took pictures at the steering wheel and got about half an hour of air conditioning when we were up there with him. I guess it was a good experience, but I am definitly grateful we flew back.
So the plane (all four seats) was booked, so me and elder Alba flew back on Saturday then ELder Finch and Elder Logsdon were going to fly in on Sunday. So me and Elder Alba came in (on the smallest airplane ever) on a geo metro with wings. It was definately not smooth like the bigger plane (eight seats) I flew in on the first time. I am pretty sure we were close to sideways a couple of times coming into the landing strip. We fished tailed a little bit, then were good, so all was well.
Then we got this huge hurrican warning so all planes and boats were cancelled so I am in Kadavu with Elder Alba stuck here and Elder Finch and Logsdon are stuck in Suva-- not sure when flights and boats will go again but I don't really care cause I love Elder Alba and we are having a great time.
So me and Elder Alba made the hike to the Seru's house in the jungle last night and did the baptismal interview; they all passed so we will be more then doubling the membership in our small annex! April 3 we will be doing the baptism.
Church went very well this week and we had a good attendance of eighteen people so I was happy about that. Hopefully we can get all this hurrican mumbo jumbo sorted out and get over to the Tavuki side of the island. I am worried about our investigators over there, we haven't been able to make it to see them in so long.
Well I love and miss you all. Hope all is well and that you are all healthy and happy. Oh ya, good news: I am down ten pounds. So hopefully I can lose another ten around the belly and put some muscle on. Till next week...
Love,
Elder Wall
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 7, 2010 E-mail
Well it was a pretty good week this week. Bro Lal, the member who takes us in his boat to the other villages, was out of town and couldn't take us so that put a huge damper on our week. We tried to hire a boat to take us but it is forty dollars one way. It is no good. So we had to stay here in Vunisea the whole time.
We had some good lessons with investigators here, but just ended up contacting lots of people. The population is not real big here so I am pretty sure we have contacted every single person who lives in Vunisea at least once; everybody knows us. It's fun.
The Seru family is going to be interviewed for baptism either this week or next. We are going to go to Suva for Zone Conference this week. We get on the boat and take a fourteen hour trip to Suva, not very fun. We will be in Suva Wednesday until Saturday. Then me and Elder Alba will fly back Saturday and Elder Finch and Elder Logsdon will fly back Sunday. It will be really fun. The Zone Leaders are gonna be here with us until Wednesday next week. I am very excited to go to Suva and eat good food and go back to civilization again.
Anyway Seru's are awesome, we had a really good lesson with them yesterday about enduring to the end. They are ready and excited to be baptized. They are so strong and walk so far to go to church. The hike they make to church is amazing! They have such great dedication and faith to walk it. They even walked down for choir practice on Thursdays.
One of our other investigators, a referral I brought from Tamavua, Lati, who is the nephew of a recent convert family in Tamavua, is also progressing very well. His wife said he is reading the Book of Mormon a lot and has become much more family friendly. He doesn't go out and drink kava with his friends all night as much and is nicer and helps out more at home. I am excited to continue meeting with him.
Well that about covers my week this week. All is well and I hope you all have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Wall
We had some good lessons with investigators here, but just ended up contacting lots of people. The population is not real big here so I am pretty sure we have contacted every single person who lives in Vunisea at least once; everybody knows us. It's fun.
The Seru family is going to be interviewed for baptism either this week or next. We are going to go to Suva for Zone Conference this week. We get on the boat and take a fourteen hour trip to Suva, not very fun. We will be in Suva Wednesday until Saturday. Then me and Elder Alba will fly back Saturday and Elder Finch and Elder Logsdon will fly back Sunday. It will be really fun. The Zone Leaders are gonna be here with us until Wednesday next week. I am very excited to go to Suva and eat good food and go back to civilization again.
Anyway Seru's are awesome, we had a really good lesson with them yesterday about enduring to the end. They are ready and excited to be baptized. They are so strong and walk so far to go to church. The hike they make to church is amazing! They have such great dedication and faith to walk it. They even walked down for choir practice on Thursdays.
One of our other investigators, a referral I brought from Tamavua, Lati, who is the nephew of a recent convert family in Tamavua, is also progressing very well. His wife said he is reading the Book of Mormon a lot and has become much more family friendly. He doesn't go out and drink kava with his friends all night as much and is nicer and helps out more at home. I am excited to continue meeting with him.
Well that about covers my week this week. All is well and I hope you all have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Wall
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
February 28, 2010 E-mail - just a house rat
Jake's comment about "normal house rats" made us laugh. In what world are house rats normal? We can tell he has been out a while now :)
Well this week was very good. It went by so so fast. We were wrapping up our week and figuring our statistics and we realized that we have been working and doing things for the last three weeks in a row on P-day. We have been going a million miles an hour. It has been crazy but good cause we're working really hard.
Well this week we had some good lessons. The Seru family is finally ready for their interview and baptism. We are going to Suva for Zone conference next week and the Zone Leaders are going to ride back here with us and do their interview so they can be baptized. It will be awesome. A whole family of six! We will more then double the membership of our Unit.
Bro Seru has finally stopped smoking the Suki (like cigarettes) and is ready to be a good priesthood holder; they are all very ready and excited to be baptized. They are an awesome family.
We have one investigator in Solodamu named Dan who is the deepest thinker and studier I have ever taught. We had a really good lesson with him discussing priesthood, seventh day, and baptism. He is progressing slowly. I am kind of worried that we are converting his mind, but not his hearth. I really want to try to find a way to get him to really grow his testimony, not just his intellect.
On Thursday last week, we were riding in the boat over to Tavuki and a whole pack of dolphins came and surrounded the boat jumping and swimming and playing around us. It was so cool! They jump and do back flips and spins.
As for out rats, I decided to put out a few more traps just to see if we caught more rats and we are now up to six. So we have been doing lots of baptism by fire. And no Mother, they are not the huge dog rats, just normal little house rats. But still sucks cause they chew holes in everything. One chewed a hole in my mosquito net. I was mad.
Well that about covers our week. We are doing lots of work and having some good success. Love you all and hope all is well.
Love,
Elder Wall
Well this week was very good. It went by so so fast. We were wrapping up our week and figuring our statistics and we realized that we have been working and doing things for the last three weeks in a row on P-day. We have been going a million miles an hour. It has been crazy but good cause we're working really hard.
Well this week we had some good lessons. The Seru family is finally ready for their interview and baptism. We are going to Suva for Zone conference next week and the Zone Leaders are going to ride back here with us and do their interview so they can be baptized. It will be awesome. A whole family of six! We will more then double the membership of our Unit.
Bro Seru has finally stopped smoking the Suki (like cigarettes) and is ready to be a good priesthood holder; they are all very ready and excited to be baptized. They are an awesome family.
We have one investigator in Solodamu named Dan who is the deepest thinker and studier I have ever taught. We had a really good lesson with him discussing priesthood, seventh day, and baptism. He is progressing slowly. I am kind of worried that we are converting his mind, but not his hearth. I really want to try to find a way to get him to really grow his testimony, not just his intellect.
On Thursday last week, we were riding in the boat over to Tavuki and a whole pack of dolphins came and surrounded the boat jumping and swimming and playing around us. It was so cool! They jump and do back flips and spins.
As for out rats, I decided to put out a few more traps just to see if we caught more rats and we are now up to six. So we have been doing lots of baptism by fire. And no Mother, they are not the huge dog rats, just normal little house rats. But still sucks cause they chew holes in everything. One chewed a hole in my mosquito net. I was mad.
Well that about covers our week. We are doing lots of work and having some good success. Love you all and hope all is well.
Love,
Elder Wall
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