Firebat: "Smells like victory!"

Hahaha, I have fire bats on the field of war!!!!!

Well this week the war wages on, I finally saw a larger centipede. It was longer than my foot. This happened as I went to the bathroom. I grabbed some shoes, cause the bathroom floor was all wet from the shower. I walked in to see a centipede crawling around. E. Moantewa and I grabbed a lighter mosquito spray, and my camera.. One dead bug. Sorry no picture, just the video. Maybe when I come home.

Anyways, we are doing amazing. We have been working hard in what we are doing. The stake Presidency was congratulating us yesterday. I met with Bro. Ligica from Nakelo yesterday. He came for our branch conference.

Food wise, we have to make do with the items we get, I have gotten questions on what I eat, well.... When I cooked this week, I made spaghetti with bacon. (They don't sell ground beef in Levuka, so I looked for alternatives) I found bacon. I won't be getting it often, but it is an option.

I have more nice pictures of where I went and such.

chickens in the trees

nice cloud picture

Scoping Moturiki

House in Moturiki

New spiders

New flat

Walking through stories, War of the Bugs, and the Zed-bra

This was a wild week, hopefully I can remember.

Anyways, we will start with walking through stories, that is reference to almost all Elder Pence's mission stories came from out here in Levuka. I met many of the people he told me about.

So we rode in on a large ferry. The boat ride is about 1 hour. I am currently sleeping in a Hammock. I like this for the moment, cause it means no bugs can crawl on me. I am elevated. This brought me to the next part. In my flat in Nakelo, I woke up with a centipede in my bed. Well, I am determined this will not happen again. 

I was told coming in that the centipedes are bigger here, well I have only seen one here, and it was smaller than the one in Nakelo (could have been younger.) Well, I asked Elder Moantewa where the permetherin was (most of the Elders forget to use it, so I kill the flat over with it.) I dilluded it a bit, then I proceeded to spray the ENTIRE house. I did this in Nakelo in hopes that it would be bug free. Well in Nakelo, the largest of bugs would show up dead at random. I did so here in Levuka, bought some mosquito coils, lit them up, sprayed the hammock with mosquito repellent, sprayed my pillow and blanket as well. I woke up the next morning looked down to see the centipede squirming, I decided to seal the deal, and sprayed him again for sure measures. Wish I knifed it, but I cut of the pincers and left. Well came back and it was not there.............. So now there is an undead centipede with no pincers running around. Good thing I disarmed him.... This has now become war!

In other news, I have already climbed the 199 steps. Gathered sand for service, but have not yet gone to Moturiki. We do that tomorrow (Moturiki is a smaller island of the side of Ovalau). 

Anyways the last part of the title is on account of Friday where I was arguing over the letter Z. Well in other countries they say Zed, yet when they sing the song they say Zee. Well this girl was about 4 or 5, and while eating she was showing me this card with letters w-z. Her parents watched and laughed during this whole ordeal. Well, she got to letter Z and she said Zed, I pointed at the picture, and said what is this (it was a Zebra) Well she then seeing the spelling, and being a bit distracted said the zed-bra. Her parents thought it was hysterical. Well I think I won, cause then I told it was the zebra not the zed-bra. She then switched and said Zebra (VICTORY!!!!)

ovalau from the mainland

me on the shore of ovalau

My bed!

first place we visited has a white board that says DANGER ZONE!!!!!

Dying centipede!

this cool building in town (the Symbol looks like AC)

"I'm On a Highway to Levuka!"

We lit stuff on fire, crossed a stream, walked bare-foot on bushes, rode in a truck, crammed a small flat, took many road-trips to waila, and tomorrow I will actually report to my new area.

As you may have gathered I am transferred to Levuka. My area is the Island of Ovalau just off the east coast, I go by boat Tuesday.

 I am replacing Elder D. Johnson, and will be with Elder Moantewa for 6 weeks (missionary 2 for the kill count) I am just destined to get missionaries at the worst time. The end. You would imagine great, they will be knowledgeable, but with the constant lurk of home on their mind, it is hard for them to focus. 

Anyways not much for this week. I am officially exiled to the boonies! I will be off the main land in Elder Pence's old area. I guess this will be my mission "claim to fame". Well, let me summarize the week. Tuesday I was called bright and early. I sat at my desk when the phone went off. It was President Layton's set ringtone. Elder Motuliki thought I was lying, but I showed him the ID. I walked out to find reception, and was given assignment to go to Levuka. This ought to be way fun. I have seen the effects of stress on other missionaries, but I have not been really stressed in my other areas, so I should manage amazingly. That and my lack of care to where I am, I will do what I am called to do; attitude will keep me very well fine-tuned. 

As for events we have been staying with the Burewai Elders just out of Korovou. I met the Stake President of Nausori for the first time yesterday. He is way cool! We seem to have a far increased focus of the work in this district. Looks like the leaders are pushing for it to grow. Much work will come soon.

Well we stayed in Korovou where they did a little party outside our flat. It awoke Elder Noble and I, so Elder Noble tricked them to think the truck alarm was sound sensitive. He kept setting it off whenever they got loud. Well they started to shush each other eventually. We slept the rest of the night really well. 

Another thing was my new companion killing a mouse with a clean gut. He used a dull butter knife. We saw one in the flat. Elder Hafen trapped it, then told Elder Moantewa to wait for it. E. Moantewa said he needed something to kill it with, and found a dull butter knife, as opposed to a shoe to smash it. Well it came out, and with one fatal swing E. Moantewa sliced it open without hitting it into the floor or against the wall. Then walks off to dispose of the knife as if nothing happened.

I get to stay in the Nausori zone, and will normally see the zone once a month. This month will be special. We get to come back 2 more times. Then it will be normal for the time being. Love you all! Next chapter mada!

 Beach with Zone in nakela

My new watch (22 FJD it is a fashion watch) It is my diamond camo watch, I accomplished my challenges for all camos.

Year Mark Milestone!

last district meal (my king sized king flavored pizza)

Reflected past to remember the future.

Day one in Burewai

Chilling with Elder Noble

The dEEd mouse (lik dis if you cruoy evertim) bless your face if you sneezed, and if you puked, well, better out then in.

Hot Cross Buns!!!!!!

I ate them, they taste like regular buns. A random member from Lami happened to drive by. People just give the missionaries stuff.

Well this week was not super eventful, except just hitting my expectations! Some weeks ago I made a goal to get 5 new people to teach. Well I wrote that on last weeks goals setting, and we got 5 exactly without really trying extra hard.

Transfers are this week, they happen mid week, so I will talk about it next week. 

Nakelo is very strong now. It is solid 50+ attendance each week, when 4 months prior it was only 10-20 each week. As for update on Lautoka (my first area) is doing amazing! Nice to see that my efforts there paid off.

Sorry not to much time today, because of Easter, Monday is a holiday, cause Friday is. This makes all the internet shops close. We finally found one. Yet we are short for time, we are going to the beach today. We have to meet up (this beach is the one from all the other times in our area, it is the village of the current prime-minister.)

This week I took more videos for the books. I have one with me and a voice modulator. I sound like an assault droid from the Clone Wars.

I received one package. I have received the one sent in March. The ones from Feb and Jan are un-found.

My flower art

HOT CROSS BUNS!!!!!!

(Exact Fijian to English) We the elders!

This week is what would be considered the normal everyday missionary life, or at least best description. We wake up, study, eat lunch, run around in the hot sun, return after seeing 12 appts fall-through (which that being so normal you imagined you would only get 5 appts in total that day), and with your slightly scorched body, you plan to do  it again the next day. O how great is the rest at the end of those days.

As "you may have gathered", we get no amazing events. However, there is much more going on. We had Zone Conference (the meeting you meet with the mission President) where we received some trainings, and had interviews. I would have to say these are my favorite trainings, and should pattern the trainings given in other meetings in our mission. I took a few videos of some things, to show later how these work. I really like to have interviews. This is where you can discuss one-on-one with the mission President. His purpose is to help us to become converted, and oversee the work in this mission boundary. He calls Assistants to help him, then Zone Leaders, and District Leaders. To assist in the training of missionaries, and to help convert those in there perspective stewardship. Think about that. Why is it that there are leaders installed to convert the missionaries? Because being a missionary can be disheartening. It can be the cause for much stress, and can even throw much doubt into your mind. We are exposed to the people of the world to see the different concerns and solve them. Yet with that a missionary can feel with that concern from their own lack, and lose sight of that they know to be true.

It is known that people go away. When Christ was teaching that He was the bread of life, that man must eat His flesh, and drink His blood, lest they should parish. Many of His disciples were offended and left His side. Then He asked the twelve with Him," Will ye also go away?" A heart-breaking question, but Peter answered saying' "to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." This precept that testimony must come of the spirit is what will keep someone solid true and firm in testimony. If you ask for a miracle to prove faith, that is not faith at all. How many miracles did the people in the times of Moses see, yet they still "dwindled in unbelief." That is what goes on in a mission. The disciples testify of Christ, but they are still to, just as susceptible to the things of the world. They are not invincible, or perfect beings. They are in this with they whom they teach. I testify of this work being true. If you truly want to know, you have to actually do the things to know. Read the Book of Mormon, pray about it. I never felt the spirit from reading, until I nearly finished the Book. God is there. He has sent His people to be His blessings to His children. I share this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Finally see the temple again.

ITS PLANNER NUMBER 9!!!!!

Elder Perrit in Elder Ita's glasses

Elder Motuliki's Birthday!

Spice, the variety of events

I will go in order eh?

Monday I cut my finger open playing a game known to the Polys. Pani. You stack cans, knock them down, while they other team is doing a bit of dodgeball to get you out. Luckily, we asked for band-aids the night before. Inspired thinking?!!!! I also saw this guy who gave me bananas a while back. He gave me free socks. They say Hurricanes on them. He just knows my sockiness (no pun intended). It was at that time we were met by this guy from Peru. He talked to us a long while. He started by saying he knows Joseph Smith was very charismatic. He said that if he were to live longer, then this church would be the biggest. Well then he talked of how Brigham was very organized. Well after talking this all up, he goes to the Book of Mormon, and says that the Mayans and Incans have no relation to the Lamanites. Well long-story short, we missed our bus, and had to take another, which was the cause for much more walking.

Thursday, I was on an exchange with E. Court. We tete'ed kasva for a while. Well I saw that one of the guys was bleeding on his leg. I thought, how clumsy. Well, it never occurred to me that I was bleeding in the same place.

Friday, we waited a long time for the ZLs to drop us some baptism clothing. Well they said they would be there, so we waited...... and waited..... Well, this was annoying cause we ended up waiting an extra 3 hours for them. They gave no call to say they could not make it, so no work got done Friday. We came to the conclusion that they were not coming, so we went to Dinner. Well they forgot, so we returned. Well this random taxi driver decided to give us a ride, and he stopped halfway. Well outside we saw, the parents of the family for our dinner appointment. By this time it is 8:10, so we can not go back to Vuci. When he noticed me waving, he had a heart-attack almost. (to put it in perspective, if Fijians do not be friendly, or do not give us good hospitality, they say their blessings stop.) They ended up giving us 10 dollars, and I made this Pasta out of what we had out the house. No idea what I was doing, but it ended up being one of the best things I ate here......

Saturday, we went around to the various people telling them of the Relief Society party. I took a video of a kid trying to bathe the dog, it was way funny. He tried to tie a clothe at first, but the dog kept lying down, and biting the clothe. Well once it was on, the kid tried to pull the dog only for the dog to scare him.... I have a video, but I can not send that over email....

Later that evening the ZLs showed up to give us the baptismal clothes. We gave them some food before they left. (No hard feelings hahahaha) We filled up the font for the baptism the next morning, we got a good number of non-members to attend the party.

Sunday was the baptisms! I had to conduct the meeting. I now can for sure say that I can conduct a full meeting in Fijian, cause I did it!

My finger cut.  My leg got cut by kasava.  It happens all the time!

Hurricane socks

This is the Young womens camp book. The picture on the left is a member, her name is Asinate. She was telling us she was in the book.

Bro Roko was dancing!

More of the party!

The baptisms were Tima Talcy and Tomasi. President Delana was in the picture with us.

Rock you like a Hurricane (Hurricane Connor)

Our mission is all accounted for.

 The Hurricane didn't actually hit us, but we did feel its rain and winds.

 There was much sheltering, and chattering of teeth! O how great was the sight thereof! Waters fell from Heaven to fill the Earth. Many marveled at its wondrous thunder. Which thunder was more due to the rain pounding on the tin roofs of this land of Growth, heretofore known as Fiji. Amidst the constant splatter, the missionaries did triumph over the storm. It changed course fleeing from the sight of the Disciples of the One true Lord. O the likeness of people, as they hide themselves from the gospel. Yet this un-cut stone will roll-on til all the purposes of God be fulfilled! All people will here the refreshing call of the Living waters. They will have chance to witness the greatness of a fountain springing for life, yet not all will drink thereof. For they abound in their wickedness, and have turned from the light! Yet the disciples of God stretch their hands forth to be has typified saviors, to bring about the works of Christ, that they may have His salvation!

 What a good week though hahaha! That was my scriptural speak! I practice everyday, when I teach people! I try to sound prophetic, like those of old! haha not really, just is really cool sometimes, and pretty funny now in the English language.

 We have been prepping for the baptism this next week, and I will supply the pictures of the baptism when it "comes to pass" next week. I took a video of me werewere tiko (gardening with a knife the size of a machete) E. Motuliki. I hit the grass, then go for him. (Now a message from the producers, no one was actually hurt in the making. It only places a bit of dirt on E. Motuliki's elbow, we now return to me describing the week) Afterwards, we had Bu, the drinking kind of coconuts. NOTHING LIKE A REFRESHING COCONUT AFTER A DAYS WORK SLICING GRASS BEFORE A HURRICANE!!!!! - Elda MacLeod.

 

We closed our days in darkness, being that the clouds blotted out the sight of the moon. We do not have street lights either. It was really dark for a time. It is all good.

 

Hope you all have a holly Jolly week! ( just like the song! : have a holly jolly weekend, it's the best time of the week, stayin out late, with the friends you know..... this song has been discontinued because the flow of rhyme has ceased to satisfy the character of this email) 

 

(The Disrtict  From the left E. Gunderson, E. Tairua, E. Motuliki, My Apple Juice (2.4 liters), E. Court, and E. Tera