Tough Week!

Week 64

21 March 2016

This week was kind've stink aye, a lot happened but it was a somewhat good week you know.. Monday was a good Preparation day, Tuesday District Meeting finished way late and so it put all our appointments for that day out of wack!!! lol. Planned for about 4 lessons that day but only got 2 -.- .... Wednesday we stayed home due to my boil, was paining way bad (which is now over btw) but I told my companion that we still needed to go out today and see people, because Wednesday is a big/important day for us during the week & our investigators. So then we went out proselyting & saw about 3 people. Thursday we headed to town during service, because we didn't have service planned and we also needed to do shopping for the branch activity on Friday night, we offered to cook some food. I made a Chilli Con carne  & then i also made Otai hahah Yes i know how to make Otai :)

We met a member though in town whilst shopping & he works in the middle east (fijian guy) he shouted us lunch at this flash as Korean Restaurant, he full bought me 3 plates of food lol. Then he shouted smoothies!! BOOM!!! After lunch my companion felt sick so we returned home. We stayed home the rest of the day because he felt sick, Friday morning we went to town again because we still needed to buy the food for the Otai and Chilli Con carne. We met that same guy again in town and then he shouted us at the Pizza place, bomb as pizza but not as good as Australia's eagle boys or anything though lol. Saturday we got to see Judi, we hadn't seen her all week because she had being missing, off in Suva or something we were told by her family.

Our small lesson with Judi was what me and my companion thought was really solid and strong!! Judi expressed the reason she didn't attend church last Sunday was because she got tempted to go drinking with her friends and so that what she did :/ She said she felt ashamed for us to come over because she knows we're trying to help her change but she just keep falling. We had a lesson about repentance and how she can seek forgiveness especially as she asked how she could be forgiven. Then she told us she would attend church tomorrow. Sunday again though was a disappointment she didn't attend church as she had said. Sunday lunch was good, we had a Lovo or Umu/ Hangi. This past Sunday was Palms Sunday here in Fiji or White Sunday as its mostly known around the Pacific :) so we had a good and massive feed.

Missionary life is going good, just this past week was really hard I guess, it wasn't as progressive as usual. We only hit 9 lessons and didn't get to see a lot of important people like our investigators. One of our investigators moved to Nadi for work without telling us -.- oi auue, it was a stressful and hard week.

But yeah anyways, missionary life is good. we have zone conference this week tomorrow actually. I think I just need a pick me up to get me back on to the track tbh because after this week feeling a little down but that why we have prayer and scripture reading as well as church attendance. Sometimes I have to admit I miss a full sacrament meeting attendance and a full functional ward too lol. struggles though, that what makes people :) this week though I really learned why im here, "IM HERE TO HELP PEOPLE" Everyone seems to have this concept that baptisms make you a great missionary and that determines your success as a missionary and your mission all together.. I'm here to help people not get numbers or baptisms. I help people so that they can be baptised if that is what they chose but I will always testify that, that is the way to change your life, they way to return to God and the way we can feel peace in life. We're here for them, not ourselves. As we help the people then ourselves will automatically change and mould. 

Alright family do take care and love one another, i love to love :D love you all pray always please and keep me in your prayers as well as our investigators. good luck with you week and anything you may be struggling with, the Lord will provide if you turn to him first.

Wonderful Week in Fiji!

Week 63

14th March 2016

It has being another wonderful week here in Fiji, in the service of the Lord :) Recently I have being receiving a greater love for the work of the lord, I mean I always had a love but just these past 2 weeks it has increased even more so :)

We had another great 15 lesson week, out of the two investigators we had prepared for this month, only 1 is progressing currently, which is Judi our single mum investigator. Sadly again she didn't attend church this past Sunday though she really assured us she would & even bring her Aunt & cousin who seem very interested in the church. Even so, none were in attendance. We did have one investigator in sacrament though being Tevita. He being our baptismal date for next month, his wife too being a Returning member. Their a young couple though, Tevita being 20yrs and his wife Miriama 18yrs.. Its funny a lot of our investigators are young people haha between the ages of 18yrs -  24yrs :) It's pretty cool. 

Judi though, is doing terrific!! We just need to get her into the Chapel on Sundays lol. She was blown away when we shared about the Plan of Salvation and its meaning for us individually. She expressed that her next step is to start using the gift & power of repentance and the Atonement. Amazing!! we suspect though its the initial starting to go to church for her that might be scaring her a bit?? not sure but we're going to address it this Wednesday when we go see her :) Tevita, we had a solid lesson with him and his wife about how daily Prayer, scripture study and regular church attendance can help us in our lives. We checked up on him about how he was feeling about baptism, he shared that he feels he will be baptized he just wants to finish off all the lessons first.

One things i want to share with you though is about a experience we had with Judi. We arrived at Judi's home and didn't know she had some family over. We proceeded to share a lesson with them all together. We didn't know that Judi's aunty was a strong Assemblies of God member. We shared about the temple because they kept asking questions about it, we explained some of the works we do inside including the Baptisms for the Dead. We explained that we do this for those of our families that have never had the opportunity to accept the gospel. She shared saying that everyone makes there decision in life as to who they want to follow and if they chose to follow a "tree" she said then that's there choice and if they die they go to hell that's their choice. then she encouraged me and my companion to stop doing what we do BAHAHAHAHA it was kind of funny to be honest haha I thought about what she said though when we arrived home & i thought immediately about the Love of God and how it is eternal and available to everyone even to those who do not want it. Even if someone wasn't to chose God in this life and they went to spirit prison they still have the choice at some point when they are ready in spirit prison to accept the gospel into their lives. only thing is they have to wait for someone to do their work here on the earth..  Obviously she doesn't understand how the love of God works. 

Yesterday we had the chance to go to another Methodist Church, but this time we didn't speak we only attended to represent the church as it was a Multiple Church gathering to celerbrate the many followers of God in this one specific village. So my companion and I attended along with some other Priesthood holders from the village to represent the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints :) The service went for about 2 hours & wow!!  People jumping up, throwing hands in the air, shouting our thanks to God of what they called prayer, 3 preachers at the head shouting more than sharing the word of God. Money baskets going around for people to put money and believe what that the preachers told them which was "Those who give are blessed" obviously taking that bible reference straight out of context. I took notes down about the things they preached and testified of to the people. One of the less active members who I'm close with was the voice of reasoning for me when she came to speak to me and my companion after the service. She shared a lot of words of advice the main one being "take the positive and leave the negative" just what I needed to calm me down. I realized, there were some positives here, at least they were doing some form of praising God, the best way that they knew how I guess. Their scriptures were good though the explanation and teaching was far from the actual truth in the scripture but there were some positives. 

anyways thats all for today family, love you all!!!! take care please!! :)

Busy Week... Still no power

Week 62

07  March 2016

Ni Bula Vinaka Saka,

What a hectic week :) we hit a good 15 lesson this week, so many highlights from the week that I even brought my personal journal today so I can review my journal entries, to know what I should write to you all about. 

We had 2 investigators attend church last Sunday. Our Baptismal dates for this month being Judi and Peni, both didn't attend church, which is really sad. Peni was missing all week so we couldn't sit with him this week but we got to see Judi on Friday and we had a very spiritual 2 hour lesson/ talk with her. Judi has being going through so family troubles, she used to live with Peni (Her cousin) but due the the family issues she moved out to another small village not to far. So we see them both at different times. Judi expressed how she just wants to leave this place and look for a better life for her and her son in Suva or Nausori town, the new home where she is currently staying she says the people drink and smoke marijuana a lot... 

I felt kind of sad to hear she wanted to move away. My companion, thought that today's lesson wasn't going to be the usual lesson today's lesson was going to be a deep talk with Judi to see what we could do to help her. My companion went to share a story about, the purpose of families and why we cam here to earth. He spoke about how life isn't easy but it is possible to be happy through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Me, I felt to share a personal experience from my own life. I shared about my mum & how she too was a single mother,  how she worked all night and all day to provide for her 4 children. Though things were tough for her because I would see her when she would come home from work, she was tired, she was sore & she needed someone to love her too. I told Judi about the times I would see my mother cry & how it hurt me inside to see that, but even through all the struggles we as children had and as a family. I knew God our Heavenly Father was there, he never left us but only molded us to be where we are now as a family. We aren't perfect & nor was our life perfect or easy but it was possible through always remembering the principles of the gospel and his teachings. I testified of Eternal families and that in order to reach Heaven, we need to do a couple things in this life before receiving Immorality. Just like in a job, becoming the manager or boss doesn't come immediate, it takes work and effort, that's the same with the gospel and life itself. I told her if she really wants to make a change in her life than baptism is the way to do and following Christ is how it can happen.

After the lesson, we organized with Judi to attend church. She said she would ride the morning bus but as i said sadly she didn't attend. We saw her yesterday and she waved but at the same time was trying to hide a little from us. It stung a bit but I know there had to be reason why she wasn't able to attend. I think we will share a scripture from the Book of Mormon which talks about how if we put the spiritual things in our life than we are able to have the blessing in our physical life. Thinks that is what she is struggling with at the moment, the physical troubles with her family.. Hopefully we can have a bit more success this week coming. She is pretty awesome!! :) Our investigators that came to church were the two baptismal dates we have planned for next month lol. One is about 70 years old, so we payed for a Taxi to take her to church :) 

Well an update on the Cyclone, yes power is still out haha. Haven't had power for at least 2 weeks now, town has power though & its always packed with people trying to buy food due to farm damages and charging their phones and other electronics. School has resumed this week though so that good progress. I am so grateful for my time in the North in Vanua Levu, I learnt so much there, especially Fijian culture. This week I taught my companion how to make Coconut milk haha he was so shocked, he thought we just buy a can hahaha I told him "No, no i'm going to show you the real way lol"  I've being showing him how to wash your clothes with out a washing machine hahaha its hilarious man!! Last week he fell of a bridge, and this week he fell of his bike FREAAKINNGGG FUNNNNNIIEEEESTTTTT THHHIIINNGGG EEVVVVERRR!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAH I was dying on the road laughing!! He tried to be cool and stand up on his bike & ride a little faster than me BUT then his chain gave way and his full slipped down because the peddle had no push. Funniest thing ever hahaha I love my companion, he is crack up as the funny Mexican. 

But the highlight of our week I have to say was Sunday afternoon. Our Branch President told us on sunday that he wanted us missionaries to attend a church service in one of the outer villages at the Methodist Church. I was kind of shocked to be honest, its started at 4pm and we arrived at 3:30pm and met up with the Branch Presidency. They told us that the Methodist Church in the village of Vuci, invited us to come and talk to them about the Temple and its purpose. Many were interested! We were taken through the Village by the village man to a GIANT house where all the preachers meet before taking the stand in the church. We had a small meet and greet with the other Methodist Preachers and then a prayer and we moved over to the GIANT COLOSSAL MASSIVE Methodist church building. It was way nerve racking!!!!! shuxx but let me tell you though the Methodist have got their songs on point!!! they sang for us how many times during the church service and it was so beautiful!!! wow!! Our 2nd counselor lead the meeting, introduced us. A man from the village stood up to give us some words of welcoming and acknowledging our presence. Our 1st counselor started first talking about the Eternal purposes in the Temple. After him it was me, I was nervous but as soon as i got up there i was fine. I really feel and testify that the spirit was with me and assisted me in what i should say to those people. The main topic I wanted to talk to them about was this question "What is your happiness?" after introducing myself, Iposed that question to them and began explaining that the reason we came to this life and world was to know and feel happiness. The happiness in this life and the happiness with god are two different things. One eternal and the other limited. I told them the difference of the chapel and the temple and that the temple enables the happiness we know, feel and meet in the life can be made eternal in the temple so that is last not just for this life but in the next too. I expressed that my happiness is my family and so if that happiness was to end after this life than what was the whole point of coming to earth to but only know true happiness for a small time? if my happiness being my family only last here and not in heaven well then i agree with Elder Jefferey R. Holland "If my family isn't with me in heaven well truly thats not heaven for me".  Speaking to the Methodist Members and bearing my testimony to them in their own church walls was amazing, fun and a heck of a experience. The Branch Presidency backed me up and added the testimony to the many that have being born in the world about the house of our living God!! It was amazing!!! after the church service they sang for us and we make our departure and waited outside to shake their hands and give out Plan of Salvation pamphlets and My family Booklets too for family history. IT WAS AWESOME!!

But yeah, well I don't have too much time to talk more but here are some pictures from this week and yesterdays Methodist experience. Today is combined Zones PDAY so the Zone next to us and our zone are combining to go to the beach for PDAY, im way pumped, we might do a haka before zone vs zone rugby. One of the Samoan elders got the a member to give him a guitar to borrow for today man should be a great PDAY!! :)) Love you Family and friends, take care and untill next week :D

More Cyclone Winston Updates

Week 61

29th February 2016

Cyclone or Hurricane Winston, has caused a lot of destruction!! So many sad stories I have heard from members and different people. 

A small island off the east coast of Fiji known as Koro Island is completely destroyed no houses, farms or anything stand. Completely obliterated. A story I heard was a mother had her 3 children with her and they left the house during the cyclone, as they were going through the village the mother told her children to wait together in a specific spot while she ran back to the house to get her daughter's school bag for when her children would return to school after the Cyclone. As she ran back inside the house collapsed on top of her. She was found dead holding her daughter's school bag. Another was about, a couple and their children, they knew the storm was coming and so the father asked his wife to put the children under a table to somewhat safe and secure and the mother and father tried to hold the walls of the home up with tree logs and their own strength. The Cyclone proved too strong and it took the husband, he went flying and then the mother also. The mother woke up in a area she didn't know but found her way to try and find her children and husband. She remembered where her husband had being taken away too and when she found him he lay dead on the ground. 

We haven't had power for at least almost 2 weeks now since Winston hit Fiji. Tree's are everywhere, homes destroyed with walls taken and leaving their home open wet, especially as how the weather hasn't really gotten any better since the Cyclone. Water is turned off every night and we're all just using candles and torches to help get around the house and areas in our area. Every is back to hand washing the clothes and dishes. Town is packed with people trying to buy what food they can and charge their phones to contact loved ones etc.

Vanua Levu, Rakiraki and Taveuni I was told had all got badly effected and it really hurts because I know those people, that live there. I just want to go help them and give and do what I can to aid them in this hard time for everyone. They say the power may return back maybe in another week they don't know. Friday we spent the whole day giving out food rations to people. The church was first in to help the people of Fiji. So many people commented how that event he government hasn't even done anything to aid Fiji yet, but the LDS church was first in as soon as Cyclone Winston came. We spent the day giving out and delivering by car food packs to families of our entire area. Not just members but everyone!! They came in their hundreds, I got to speak to so many people that day. It was such a humbling experience, even though our areaa of Nakelo in Nausori in the Province of Tailevu wasn't hit as bad as other area's in Fiji we still were effected and people are still struggling. Families farms are rotting now because of the damage to it from the Cyclone, meaning they have to restart their farms and farm crops take a long time to grow. Taro and Kasava or in Fijian Dalo and Tavioka which is a main food here in Fiji take at least 4 - 6 months to grow and now they have to restart.

Among the damage through and great effects of Cyclone Winston, we had a great week. We have a goal of 2 baptisms this month being Peni and Judi. Peni and Judi are cousin's and apparently having some family drama so they aren't speaking so we see them at different homes lol. To give a little back ground though on them Judi is a single mother, she is 21 years old and has one child. Her boyfriend left her, straight after Judi became pregnant because he was getting married to another woman. Judi moved on though, Judi works everyday trying to provide for her child and has always admired the LDS church and used to go to the temple and stay outside while her grandmother went in. She said she always felt a special feeling there. This week we saw her twice and she is progressing so well. She loves the 1st lesson being the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She says "it makes so much sense" during one of the two lesson we had with her I asked her how she felt? she replied that she felt good and continued asking do you feel the same as you did when you went to the temple, when your with us? And she smiled and said yes joyfully. I told her that the reason she felt this was because it is the Holy Ghost that is here as we share these truths with her and that the temple also is a place where we can feel the holy ghost so strongly!! It was such a spiritual lesson. She is set to be baptized on the 27th of this month and so hopefully all turns out well.

Her cousin Peni, is slightly fa'afafine but not too much haha.. He is way good though, he just wants to be baptized he says! he is way excited. He doesn't ask too many questions though he seems to have a good understanding he says so yeah..But he is really solid like his cousin. He doesn't work though not many Fijian men do, only if you grow up in the city or something? He too is set for the 27th of this month. Im personally excited for Judi because I know this is something that will help change her life, lessons are always so good with her. Last lesson I brought ice creams and cookies and we had that after our lesson and just talked and all. It's good to make relationships with your investigators!!! They feel more loved, like the belong somewhere and it strengthens your relationship with them and hopefully with other members as you bring other people to see them and activities too.

We watched the replay of the re dedication of the temple this past Sunday and again we biked there haha, we did it this time just for fun and it was awesome!! A fun sunday morning bike ride to the stake center :) It was interesting I thought the re dedication, I mean it was my first and so I found some things new to me. It was way crack up though, we sang the Spirit of God along with President Henry B. Iring from the replay CD and us and the member in the stake center were so slow!!! Fijian love making hymns almost like slow jams hahah they sing all hymn slowly so we were behind compared to the people inside the temple and all. Then all you heard was a long silence in the stake center because no one knew where to continue from lol. It was so funny, all us missionaries laughed hahah and then every came in for the chorus haha funny as!!! Re dedication though yeah was amazing such a experience!!

But yeah that is about it for this week, apart from my new companion Elder Aguiar from Mexico. Speaks fluent spanish and is very new, I'm follow up training him :) Hard to believe I was once someones trainee lol. But the funniest thing happend on his 3rd day in the area. We were riding our bikes over this small bridge and he wasn't looking where he was going and he fell off the bridge into a small pond. I was full surprised and shocked, but then he came out laughing and happy and just worried about his camera hahah it was so funny but he is fine and safe though. Bike is too by the way lol.