So you heard about the flooding? Ha, it was bad on parts of Viti Levu but up north here it wasn't nearly as bad. There was some flooding but it didn't last more than a day or two. I heard the Chapel out in the Ba area had water up to the microphone of the pulpit! Crazy stuff, haha.
The week was so bomb, you gang have no idea. So we had some way good lessons with our investigators in the beginning of the week, and then on Wed. Elder Mecham went to Suva for some dealio and I got to go on Splits with the most FOB Elder in the mission. (FYI, “FOB” stands for “fresh off the boat”, meaning someone is a jungle baby and only knows their native tongue and the jungle life, ha.)
But ya, his name is Elder Kaneko, he is from the Marshall Islands and is about 4 and a half feet tall. Ha, a little Marshallese ooompa looompa. He is a great guy, though, he has been out about 4 months longer than me and we had some classic times together, ha. His English and Fijian are really hard to understand, but that doesn't stop him one bit from talking, ha! He never stops, it’s getting him to shutup that’s the trick, ha. People in Fiji love him like their own son and I think it’s mostly because 1) he acts like a little kid, and 2) because he is the same size as their kids. But while we were together we set 2 Baptismal dates and got a ton of work done.
I truly believe Heavenly Father brings us low so that he can lift us higher, here is an example. Elder Mecham and I have been struggling with not having a lot of lessons lately. It was hard for us to be busy, and most of the time we would just get upset cuz we have nothing to do and no one is answering our calls. The worst of the worst happened on Saturday. The two of us had a lesson at 4 o'clock, so we got on the 3 o'clock bus to make sure we would make it in time. Well with the crazy bus driver and a big ol' mess at the station it didn't take off until 4 and we knew the last bus was at 5 o'clock and we had to be on it to get home. By this time our investigator had called a few times asking where we were, after explaining the situation and realizing we would have to run the mile and a half to his house teach a 10 min. lesson then run back (we were just a little discouraged at this point). But after understanding everything he just cancelled the appt. and told us to come back on Monday. So, we then had to stay on the bus for the round trip of 2 and a half hours. After that we just walked the rest of the way home from the bus stand without talking because we were both dead tired and ticked about the whole deal.
But then He lifted us higher on Sunday, I'll list all the events in chronological order:
The week was so bomb, you gang have no idea. So we had some way good lessons with our investigators in the beginning of the week, and then on Wed. Elder Mecham went to Suva for some dealio and I got to go on Splits with the most FOB Elder in the mission. (FYI, “FOB” stands for “fresh off the boat”, meaning someone is a jungle baby and only knows their native tongue and the jungle life, ha.)
But ya, his name is Elder Kaneko, he is from the Marshall Islands and is about 4 and a half feet tall. Ha, a little Marshallese ooompa looompa. He is a great guy, though, he has been out about 4 months longer than me and we had some classic times together, ha. His English and Fijian are really hard to understand, but that doesn't stop him one bit from talking, ha! He never stops, it’s getting him to shutup that’s the trick, ha. People in Fiji love him like their own son and I think it’s mostly because 1) he acts like a little kid, and 2) because he is the same size as their kids. But while we were together we set 2 Baptismal dates and got a ton of work done.
I truly believe Heavenly Father brings us low so that he can lift us higher, here is an example. Elder Mecham and I have been struggling with not having a lot of lessons lately. It was hard for us to be busy, and most of the time we would just get upset cuz we have nothing to do and no one is answering our calls. The worst of the worst happened on Saturday. The two of us had a lesson at 4 o'clock, so we got on the 3 o'clock bus to make sure we would make it in time. Well with the crazy bus driver and a big ol' mess at the station it didn't take off until 4 and we knew the last bus was at 5 o'clock and we had to be on it to get home. By this time our investigator had called a few times asking where we were, after explaining the situation and realizing we would have to run the mile and a half to his house teach a 10 min. lesson then run back (we were just a little discouraged at this point). But after understanding everything he just cancelled the appt. and told us to come back on Monday. So, we then had to stay on the bus for the round trip of 2 and a half hours. After that we just walked the rest of the way home from the bus stand without talking because we were both dead tired and ticked about the whole deal.
But then He lifted us higher on Sunday, I'll list all the events in chronological order:
1- It had been raining in Naduna all day, but for the whole church service no rain, then right after it started pouring.
2- Our investigator who loves the church and its teachings told off her husband who hates it, so he left and she was able to come to church for the first time which is about 1/2 a mile but for her in her old weak condition it takes about 2 hours.
3- Naduna got set apart as the newest Branch of the church and everyone who was called to leadership except one came to church.
4- We had our first official branch council.
5- After returning back to Labasa we realized that 2 of our other investigators from another area came to church in jeans and t-shirts, but they still came.
6- Eight of the less-actives we visited this week made it to church. They sacrificed to make it, and trust me when I say it was a huge sacrifice.
7- I helped one of them fill out her first Tithing slip in 10 years where she put 40 cents inside.
8- We got 2 referrals of Families that want to be baptized.
After all the goodness and crazy awesomeness that happened He brought us low again when we realized that for lunch all we had to eat was 1 can of corned beef, 1 can of baked beans and 1 onion with some Tang for dessert. But then AGAIN He brought us higher when all of it put together was delicious, haha!
Life’s Good!
Peace and Blessings,
Elder Hanke
Life’s Good!
Peace and Blessings,
Elder Hanke
Pretty good letter this week, sometimes he almost sounds grown up. J I was able to email back and forth with him a little bit, so here are a few more responses I got out of him:
In response to a picture of Steve with his new gun:
That gun looks like a piece of art baby, yeah.
In response to a picture of Dallon and Natalie’s wedding announcement:
Tell Dallon and Natalie I said Congrats!
I asked how he’s been feeling, and if everything is good with his health:
I feel sooooo good, ha, no worries there Mom.
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So….there you go, the weekly letter, and like Garrett says, “Life is Good”. J
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