Called as District Leader

Week 81

18 July 2016

Well my email isn't too long today. Tuesday transfer calls happened and I was called as District Leader here in Tamavua, sadly my companion cousin got transferred also. It was to be expected though, we had a good run together haha we did so much work and saw so many blessing and miracles too. 

Now though the focus is to continue keeping the ball moving, my new companion is a Fijian and he is a ward missionary. The mission is down missionaries because so many are getting sick. I am grateful I know how to speak Fijian pretty well so that it is easier for my to communicate with my new companion. He is still learning how things work and why we do them but it is all a new routine I guess as mum told in the beginning of my mission. "Its just another routine" and that is the motto I am using as motivation for my new calling now.

I have definitely felt the pressure of my new calling and responsibility, I now look over 4 other missionaries. It will be interesting but I am looking forward to the journey. 

In my area of Tamavua 1st though we have recently found 3 new investigators. 1 being from Bishop, his nephew, another being a YSA's girlfriend and the other a Temple referral named Lavenia who is 22yrs old. Lavenia is pretty golden!! So many questions about the temple and the church, she even expressed her thoughts about becoming a member of the LDS church. She is awesome, we had our first lesson with her on Saturday and it was awesome.

So yeah busy busy busy, just trying to keep things moving and keep on top of things also. Anyways though family I have to go, the zone leaders are coming to pick me to take me and my companion shopping. My companion needs some more missionary clothes. Talk to you all soon, I love being a missionary, it so unexplainable the blessings and experiences you see and feel here :D Love you all. 

Baptism

Week 80

11th July 2016

Well....

We had another Baptism, this is my 3rd baptism here in Tamavua. Together me and my cousin have Baptized 6 people and there are still more to come :) We have  Jonah, Sereana & maybe Remesio as well in this next month. We just had our baptism last Saturday, it was beautiful I loved the part when the members crowded around the font to watch the baptism be performed and they sang How firm a foundation just before going into the water. Ratuvula, Tikoko and Siteri who are all brothers and Sisters were baptized on the 8th of July 2016.

It was a beautiful, soft and comforting spirit we felt at the Baptism. A great attendance of about 40 members,  Tamavua 1 ward is just progressing like crazy. I'm not trying to make myself of my companion sound prideful or anything but our Bishop said to us on Sunday "Elders, thank you for all the work you are doing. I don't know what it is that your doing, but keep it up. The members are loving it." It really told me and Jimmy that we are doing  well, it was so nice to be appreciated. 

Mission is going well I have officially 6 months left and, the time is moving so fast and counting down so quickly. Soon it will be 5 months and then none, all finished. I really don't want to go home, Fiji is home! The people here are family and I feel so connected to them. The work is going well here in my 4th area of Tamavua, the trouble is trying to keep up with it because all our investigators are all becoming recent converts so quickly. It's crazy!! 

We have 3 new investigators.  One is a family from Lau and another a small boy aged 9, his parents are members and a 18yr old girl who approached us sharing her beliefs and asking to attend church, crazy!!! how the work of the Lord works.

Obedience is important, being teachable, having a positive attitude, knowing how to work hard and smart as well as having a relationship with your Father in Heaven. These qualities have been highlighted as qualities of a successful missionary here in the Fiji suva mission from our Mission President. The qualities don't only allow missionaries to be successful but even everyday  people as well, these are things that help one change and be in line with the Father and allow them to press forward in life. I know because it has helped me a great deal as a missionary and changed me also for the better. Change is a process all decided by you ...and I never thought I would change but I have and still am. The only question you need to ask yourself though at the end of the day is "Was it enough?"

Being a Missionary is so interesting, the things you learn, the experiences and choices and situations. The only word I can use is crazy!! and i love it :D Love you all...

No Update

Week 79

04th July 2016

No Update this week.

Baptism

Week 78

27 June 2016

The wonderful thing was that we ended the week with another Baptism so it was really nice. The two boys names are Alipate and Nathan Kafoa. They are twins from Rotuma. It was a joy to teach them and they were really prepared by the Lord when we started teaching them. 

They are wonderful boys and they have a strong testimony of this church and in all honesty I believe that their testimonies where built in by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's just amazing to see these two young boys change literally in an instant.