Well, what a week! It was very busy and it seems like we only finished half of what we needed to, but we still got so much done so I guess it is good. We get to make my favorite boat ride back to Suva this week for zone conference. I am ready for a break from the small island and excited to eat some McDonalds and pizza again. It will be good.
On May 10, Elder Finch will be leaving and I will get a new companion. I am not sure who it is but I hope he comes ready to work hard and have a great time doing it. Well this week on Sunday, we had pouring hard rain so unfortunately only two families made the walk out to church. We only had 15 people there, but it was still a good church. About half way through sacrament, the rain started pounding so hard on the tin roof that the speaker was yelling and you still couldn't hear anything so we ended a bit early. I am sure the talks were great though.
One really good story we had: the Seru family who we just baptized, asked us a question about tithing and paying tithing so we had a really good lesson. Then on Sunday, Poasa their oldest son, came running to me and said, "Elder, Elder, we brought the tithing- two dollars".
I laughed but I was so proud to see this very very modest family making the sacrifice to pay their tithing. I know the Lord will bless them for their obediance. It truly is a modern day story of the widow's mite. Two dollars Fijian is not quite one dollar American, but to this family it is a definite sacrifice. They are growing and progressing so well. Simply the fact that they walked farther than most Americans have ever walked in their lives in pouring rain through the jungle with four young kids and a small baby just to attend church, is really such a strong testimony of their faith. I love that family so much.
Other good things that happened this week: Lasarusa, a preacher for the Methodist church and his wife, told us they want to be baptized. However they can't really give up the paycheck from the Methodist church (it is their only source of income) so they said they would just come to our church every week and that he doesnt have to preach. I, being somewhat frustrated by the fact that they didn't really get it, talked really really straight to them and told them to join this church and that they must forsake all and follow the Savior and that he would have to leave the Methodist church and his paycheck. I was kind of worried about how they would take it. The following day, we heard that the head preacher (his boss), confronted him about always meeting with us and he got very upset and said that we were great people and that he was going to join our church. So hopefully we can work out transportation issues and find them some boat they can get to church every sunday on. They are such a great couple.
I got a boil on the bottom of my foot and by Saturday evening, I was sick of being a tough guy and walking on it so we went back to the flat and I squoze puss out of it all night. It's empty and I'm good to go now, so all is well. I will be eating good food again by Wednesday night when the boat reaches Suva. I am so excited! Love you all-- thanks for all you do.
Love,
Elder Wall
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
March 18, 2010: Bi-Lingual Conference Time
Well this week was another great week. We finally got our conference disks to watch. However only two of them ended up working; we are not sure what happened. We had priesthood session in Fijian and Sunday pm in English. It was really good. But the one in Fijian was hard to follow. The translators were very monotone and plus, English and Fijian don't translate too well. If I paid attention really close, I knew what they were trying to say. But my attention span is not two hours long, so I was relieved to get the second one in English. I hope we can get all the copies in English and Fijian and we can watch them all sometime. But we had incredible attendance. Our record high, 33 people came out. So hopefully we can keep the attendance that high.
If we can, we're going to have to get more chairs and a bigger building; we only have 30 chairs. One woman, Rogo who we have been teaching for a long time and is a very great lady, has informed us that she wants to be baptized. She lives on the Tavuki side and we have a hard time finding transportation for them to come to church, so that is a difficult challenge we are praying to find a solution for. Her husband is also a preacher for the Methodist church and that too provides an interesting challenge. But she has great faith and her testimony is getting stronger and stronger so in due time, the Lord will solve her problems.
All of our little unit though is amazing. We have such a spirit of unity and love within the unit and our members ...it is amazing. I know that the work here is only going to progress because of this great unity and love that they have. It is so great to see them learning and growing and progressing. They help each other out and little bit by little bit, they are becoming a strong strong band of saints in the Lord's kingdom on earth. I am so proud of them and the progress I have seen. It is so rewarding to see that.
Well all is well here and I love Kadavu and the wonderful people so much. I love and miss you all. Talk to you on mothers day.
Love Elder Wall
If we can, we're going to have to get more chairs and a bigger building; we only have 30 chairs. One woman, Rogo who we have been teaching for a long time and is a very great lady, has informed us that she wants to be baptized. She lives on the Tavuki side and we have a hard time finding transportation for them to come to church, so that is a difficult challenge we are praying to find a solution for. Her husband is also a preacher for the Methodist church and that too provides an interesting challenge. But she has great faith and her testimony is getting stronger and stronger so in due time, the Lord will solve her problems.
All of our little unit though is amazing. We have such a spirit of unity and love within the unit and our members ...it is amazing. I know that the work here is only going to progress because of this great unity and love that they have. It is so great to see them learning and growing and progressing. They help each other out and little bit by little bit, they are becoming a strong strong band of saints in the Lord's kingdom on earth. I am so proud of them and the progress I have seen. It is so rewarding to see that.
Well all is well here and I love Kadavu and the wonderful people so much. I love and miss you all. Talk to you on mothers day.
Love Elder Wall
Thursday, April 15, 2010
April 11, 2010 A Low Tide Baptism
Here is the latest from the beautiful island of Kadavu. In a shorter email that came before this he told us that he has lost 20 pounds due to 'crappy food and hiking'. Haha That is a good thing, he wanted to lose some of the weight he has put on going to lovos and eating too well.
Well we had a great week. The Seru family was finally baptized and it went awesome. Unfortunately we white boys aren't very smart with thinking about tides and planning baptisms during high tide. So I am pretty sure I broke a record for shallowest baptism ever done. The water barely reached my knee caps. I had to stomp them into the sea floor to immerse them. But it went well. I stepped on a rock of piece of coral or something and got a cut on my foot...but it is a small price to pay for the eternal salvation of five souls ha ha. We talked to them friday night before the baptism and it was great. I was so excited because they were so ready and excited. When they were interviewed, Elder Alba and I for no particular reason thought they were not quite ready and that we should move back their baptismal date. So we did; then I felt we should move it back one more week. But they were definitely ready and I think the extra time helped to prepare them and to help them know the importance of baptismal covenants and helped them to realize the struggles they will face in the new developing unit of the church.
On Sunday, we had a combined lunch before church and then President and Sister Ostler came and had church with us. It was so great. They are awesome and I love them so much. We are going to be starting small priesthood and relief society organizations. We had 27 people in attendance and 5 members who come every week were in Suva, so we had lots of investigators there. Which was awesome.
We met a new member there named Sister Liku. She lives in a far away part of the island and was baptized back in 1986. Then in 1987, she moved to Kadavu and saw the elders and now knows the church is in Kadavu. Unfortunately she lives too far to come every week, but she is going to try to come as much as possible. She is a great lady who actually knows some of the hymns, so our singing sounded better this week.
The Ostlers gave great lessons and I think the members learned a lot and are now more excited and ready to move forward with the church here. We found out the we are not technically even an annex; we are not yet an official recognized unit of the church. We're basically a group of saints. But after their visit, president Ostler said he was very very pleased with our work and that he would talk to the area and we will soon be a branch. I am very excited for that.
We also have one week with too many missionaries when new ones have come in but old ones haven't left, so we are going to have a quick two week experiment with four elders in Kadavu and see if it will help the work here. I am very happy with this week and the work; it feels good to know that even with all the ups and downs of day to day work here, our overall progression is upwards and President is very happy with what we are doing.
I hope all is well and I appreciate all your prayers and love.
Love,
Elder Wall
Well we had a great week. The Seru family was finally baptized and it went awesome. Unfortunately we white boys aren't very smart with thinking about tides and planning baptisms during high tide. So I am pretty sure I broke a record for shallowest baptism ever done. The water barely reached my knee caps. I had to stomp them into the sea floor to immerse them. But it went well. I stepped on a rock of piece of coral or something and got a cut on my foot...but it is a small price to pay for the eternal salvation of five souls ha ha. We talked to them friday night before the baptism and it was great. I was so excited because they were so ready and excited. When they were interviewed, Elder Alba and I for no particular reason thought they were not quite ready and that we should move back their baptismal date. So we did; then I felt we should move it back one more week. But they were definitely ready and I think the extra time helped to prepare them and to help them know the importance of baptismal covenants and helped them to realize the struggles they will face in the new developing unit of the church.
On Sunday, we had a combined lunch before church and then President and Sister Ostler came and had church with us. It was so great. They are awesome and I love them so much. We are going to be starting small priesthood and relief society organizations. We had 27 people in attendance and 5 members who come every week were in Suva, so we had lots of investigators there. Which was awesome.
We met a new member there named Sister Liku. She lives in a far away part of the island and was baptized back in 1986. Then in 1987, she moved to Kadavu and saw the elders and now knows the church is in Kadavu. Unfortunately she lives too far to come every week, but she is going to try to come as much as possible. She is a great lady who actually knows some of the hymns, so our singing sounded better this week.
The Ostlers gave great lessons and I think the members learned a lot and are now more excited and ready to move forward with the church here. We found out the we are not technically even an annex; we are not yet an official recognized unit of the church. We're basically a group of saints. But after their visit, president Ostler said he was very very pleased with our work and that he would talk to the area and we will soon be a branch. I am very excited for that.
We also have one week with too many missionaries when new ones have come in but old ones haven't left, so we are going to have a quick two week experiment with four elders in Kadavu and see if it will help the work here. I am very happy with this week and the work; it feels good to know that even with all the ups and downs of day to day work here, our overall progression is upwards and President is very happy with what we are doing.
I hope all is well and I appreciate all your prayers and love.
Love,
Elder Wall
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 4- Opposition in all Things
Well this week was really good. We just got back this afternoon from Kavala and it was really good. The boat ride was amazing with beautiful crystal clear water. It was so beautiful- it never ceases to amaze me. So many bright colorful fish and coral. So beautiful.
I am amazed at the strength that the unit there has been able to maintain even without having missionaries there to help them except just every once in a while. They have a very strong youth and seminary program and all the kids show up for, along with all the activities and church meetings and they participate very very well.
Venisita, the girl we baptized during our last trip there, is doing awesome and is bringing her sister to seminary and activities. One other boy, Ipeli, wants to be baptized but his grandpa who he lives with is a talatala for the methodist church and won't allow him to be baptized. He continues going to church and seminary though. Venisita challenged him to keep asking since her parents wouldn't approve at first either, but she kept asking until they allowed her. So hopefully next time we can baptize him. He is a great kid.
Another man, Rupeni, lives in a far away village but tries to come to church whenever possible and wants us to teach him. He walked all the way there on Saturday and stayed there so he could go to church and so we could teach him. He is great and had lots of great questions and was excited to read the Book of Mormon. I think that in another couple months, he too will be ready for baptism.
On this side, we pushed back the Seru's baptism because we were in Kavala. So they will be baptized this Saturday. They are awesome and continuing to learn and progress and getting some close friendships with the members. I think that will help them out a lot and help the work to move forward here. One man from the Tavuki side who is a chief and also a preacher, is praying and fasting to join the church. His wife said she prayed and fasted already and wants to join the church but that it is up to her husband. So hopefully he will pray with real intent, willing to give up his pay check and join the church. They have no way to get to church on Sunday either, so hopefully we can have a way to get them to go to church.
Natumua, one of the villages we did the sevusevu, in had a big arguement and the village split into two sides. Half supporting us and liking us being in the village and half wanting us out. One of the preachers wives from another religion got so angry during the meeting for it that she had an anerism or heart attack or something and died. So were having some opposition but the work is progressing well.
Well that about sums up my week. I hope all is well on that side. Have a great a week.
I am amazed at the strength that the unit there has been able to maintain even without having missionaries there to help them except just every once in a while. They have a very strong youth and seminary program and all the kids show up for, along with all the activities and church meetings and they participate very very well.
Venisita, the girl we baptized during our last trip there, is doing awesome and is bringing her sister to seminary and activities. One other boy, Ipeli, wants to be baptized but his grandpa who he lives with is a talatala for the methodist church and won't allow him to be baptized. He continues going to church and seminary though. Venisita challenged him to keep asking since her parents wouldn't approve at first either, but she kept asking until they allowed her. So hopefully next time we can baptize him. He is a great kid.
Another man, Rupeni, lives in a far away village but tries to come to church whenever possible and wants us to teach him. He walked all the way there on Saturday and stayed there so he could go to church and so we could teach him. He is great and had lots of great questions and was excited to read the Book of Mormon. I think that in another couple months, he too will be ready for baptism.
On this side, we pushed back the Seru's baptism because we were in Kavala. So they will be baptized this Saturday. They are awesome and continuing to learn and progress and getting some close friendships with the members. I think that will help them out a lot and help the work to move forward here. One man from the Tavuki side who is a chief and also a preacher, is praying and fasting to join the church. His wife said she prayed and fasted already and wants to join the church but that it is up to her husband. So hopefully he will pray with real intent, willing to give up his pay check and join the church. They have no way to get to church on Sunday either, so hopefully we can have a way to get them to go to church.
Natumua, one of the villages we did the sevusevu, in had a big arguement and the village split into two sides. Half supporting us and liking us being in the village and half wanting us out. One of the preachers wives from another religion got so angry during the meeting for it that she had an anerism or heart attack or something and died. So were having some opposition but the work is progressing well.
Well that about sums up my week. I hope all is well on that side. Have a great a week.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 28th E-mail and a Fijian potluck
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
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
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
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