Bula Bula Bula

Wassup ?

What a week we had, it had its ups and downs for real, hahah.

But I guess that’s how it’s supposed to be in some ways.

A couple crazy things happened this week.  So we stay in South San Fran but like I shared earlier we have to go like everywhere in the Bay to visit people which is cool in a lot of ways, but very frustrating in a few ways, and in this story it was very annoying. So we had a lunch/lesson planned with a member and her non-member husband; I was stoked for it because this would be our first lesson with this guy and he was awesome and once again I had a lot in common with him. We knew a bunch of the same people and I knew right where he lived in Suva and I knew his neighbors that were members. Needless to say, I was very stoked for this lesson.  They called a couple days before while we were driving and asked if they could do it an hour earlier but since I was driving I didn't write it down, then a couple days later, the day we were supposed to have lunch she called and asked where we were and all I could say is that we were sorry.  But where do they live? In downtown San Fran and in my opinion the worst place to drive on the planet.  So we showed up an hour later and the husband had left for work and we just had to take the food to go.  That was the worst, I don't remember the last time I missed an appointment, I was sooo upset with myself, I can’t even explain.  But it’s all good though, he came to church yesterday and I talked to him, so it’s all good.  But I was so nervous that we would lose him forever, but it’s good.

Next crazy thing:  Our Ward Mission Leader in the Fijian Branch is from an island in Fiji called Ono in the Lau group and every other month him he and a bunch of the other people from the island get together to share about religion and to "praise God" and this month it was his turn to run the show.  He had it at our chapel and we taught our doctrine the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it was a way bomb experience all in Fijian (except my companion’s talk, haha).  There were a couple less-active members that came and then the rest were non-members so it was way good.  They were a stunned that I knew the vosa vakaviti, so that was tight. We placed 5 Book of Mormons but unfortunately they all live way far away like LA and Nevada.  The closest ones were from San Jose; there is another Fijian branch up in that mission so we won't be able to teach them but it’s all the same team right, haha. God’s team eh?

I’m not gonna lie, I’m tired of typing today.

So the deal with the camera, I got a correct charger and that’s going good. Elder Chapman has a GPS so I won’t need to buy one for a while but thanks for taking care of that.

Other than that….

Peace and blessings,

Elder Tavoi

Last week we received an email from Garrett later in the week that went like this…

Hey Nova just a couple things I forgot to tell you that you should know:

1-I got in a wreck last week Friday haha totally the other guy’s fault and all, just kind of dumb on his part. Porter and I are fine though, it was very small wreck, just a big dent in our car.  (I'm having deja vu here...)

2-With Elder Simmons leaving he had a GPS so we could get around and since we cover the whole mission and what not a GPS is very important for our work so that we can be as efficient with our time as possible.  With that said if my new comp. doesn't have one it will be pretty necessary for me to get one.

peace and blessings

elda hanke

So that probably helps explain his mention about a GPS in today’s letter.  And I’m really glad he sent this email before I got the notification in the mail from the other guy’s insurance company… nice to know these things, right?

If you didn't catch them, see the below pics that came later in the week as well, from the sweet lady that's a member of the Fijian Branch where Garrett is at.

Thanks to everyone for your support of Garrett.  And our continued thoughts, prayers and love are with Diana… and Jeff and the kids. 

-Nova

Pictures!

I received the below message and pictures from the same lady that I emailed with before, the one that lives in the Fijian Branch area where Garrett is serving... she's the one that sent the very nice email from a couple of weeks ago.  She sure knows how to make my day! :)

She also included a link to a YouTube video of a dance performed by women and girls in the Fijian Branch at the Tongan Stake's 20th Anniversary Party that was held last weekend. (Garrett mentioned that in his email this week.)  Garrett is in the video right at the beginning and at the very end for just a few seconds, but it's fun to see him. (The video itself is about six minutes long, just FYI.)

Here's the YouTube link:  http://youtu.be/Bg_fJMzbLM8

Obviously I love this lady, how sweet of her to send these emails and pictures!

Bula Vinaka Nova :)

Hope this finds you in great spirits. We are enjoying Elder Hanke out here. He is such a wonderful Fun Missionary :).

Wanted to share more pictures with you :)

He is well. His companion Elder Simmons just got transfered so he does have a new companion which we haven't had a chance to meet yet.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures :).

Best,

Mary :)

First off Nova, haaha, as much as I would like to see Derek and Rachel let’s get this straight, haha. I would get into trouble for even attempting to do that, hahaha. I know you didn't know so it’s ok that you asked, but just so you can tell them as well as for future reference.  I wish I could do it but that’s just the way it is.

Also the dealio with Pita’s parents… we had to cancel lunch appointments twice because either something came up so they couldn't do it or vice versa and we had to cancel.  But we will for sure get that goin sometime so that will be good, I’m pumped.

Next as for those investigators, that lady that I told you about that let out everything when we were over there, she was a great lady but we haven't talked to her since then. That’s another part of missionary work that isn't quite so favorable, people have their agency and they have other influences in the world and unfortunately she didn't have a whole lot of support for her decision to meet with us.  So that’s the beginning and end of her story for now; hopefully she will have the desire again but for now that’s it. It’s just something you have to deal with and in my opinion is the worst part of the work.  Getting to know someone and wanting sooo bad for them to accept what we teach because we know it’s true and that it helps, and then what happens is sometimes they tell you no, it sucks.

Other than that everything is bomb.  So our branch is part of the Tongan stake and they had their 20th year anniversary this week so there was a huge, HUGE celebration on Saturday that was sweet.  Just a ton of Polynesians, a ton of music and dancing and a ton of food, haha.  It was sooo sweet, I love these people, they are the best.

What else, oh ya, Transfers. Elder Simmons is leaving me, noooo, this is the worst news ever we were having a ton of fun and doin some really good work.  He is going across the bay to Hayward, and I’m getting some new guy named Elder Chapman from Texas I think, so we will see how that goes. It should be fine but we'll see, I’m still excited but it is rough switching it up when  we have just gotten into a groove together and started thinking alike. But ya know, what can ya do, right? Ha, nothing.

Love ya'll!

Gotta fly.

Peace and blessings,

Elder Tavoi

So, I'm being a little chastised  because I let Garrett know that a couple of our family friends would like to visit him in San Francisco - but I guess that won't work out, must be a rule in their mission.  Too bad - he'd at least get a free lunch or two! :)  Guess I'm just glad that he's following the rules!

Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Diana.... as well as Jeff and their sweet, adorable kids. XO

Bula Bula

How goes it? hahaha

  

So a couple of way sweet things happened this week.  I finally met up with Pita's mom and dad, they are awesome just like I knew they would be, we talked for a while and what not. Pita’s little girl turned 1 a couple days ago and she looks a lot like Quincee, haha.  They said that Pita bought a new house and is doing really good with the farm and what not. I’m going to go to lunch with them this Friday or Saturday. But ya, that was cool, I walked up to the church not knowing they were there and then one of the members was like "Don't you know? This is Bro. and Sis. Vakalala”, and then I were just like “Woooooooo hahahaha”, and then she came over and gave me a big ol' Fijian kiss! So ya, they are great people.

What else.... Saturday was sweet.  So the Fijian Branch is part of the Tongan Stake which I love, haha and all of the youth had a big Volleyball tourney Saturday morning and they asked the missionaries to be the refs because we wouldn't be biased.  I was like hahahaha ya right go Fiji team haha.  And then they made it to the finals, haha.  It was way fun, we were there for like 4 hours and I wish I could do that every day.

Other than that our week went really well. We met with the Nawaqatabu family that I mentioned last week, we taught them on last Monday but they had to cancel their lesson with us for Friday for some reason or another and then they didn't make it to church, but they are still doing good.  We definitely have a lot of work to do with them, but if we can baptize the son and mother then the trust we have with the members here will go way up so I’m excited. Referrals are very important in the Fijian ward because we can't just go tracting and expect to find some Fijians, they have to come from referrals, so trust with the members is very important.

So the whole week went good except Sunday, ha.  It was the first Sunday since I have been here that no investigators were at church. Our closest ones to baptism, Aliti, Beta, and Sita, weren't there. Aliti had to cover shifts for someone at her work and Beta and Sita were out of town, so that was a bummer, but we should be seeing them get dunked pretty soon, which is exciting. The work in that ward is bomb and I’m excited for it.

As for the English ward, it’s a little bit more rough, but we do have a couple good potentials there.  The Bishop’s half-brother has accepted the Baptismal invite but for the past few weeks has been unable to meet with us because of family and sickness. He also has himself a new girlfriend that isn't a member and she may get in the way of his progress as well, hahaha. Keep in mind that he is 80 years old, hahaha, and still dating. He is a great guy though and the Bishop is very excited for this.

And also this week we added a new investigator from the English ward. This lady is about 35’ish and she has two kids, one of which is autistic and she is raising them by herself, but to say the least she has a lot on her plate right now.  So when we met with her she just began to cry and lay it all on us, she is a great woman. That is one of the things I love about missionary work… the uniform shirt and tie can be annoying sometimes but people really recognize us as servants and they understand right away that we are there to help them in their situation, and that with the Spirit makes a perfect environment for them to trust us right away.  She had never met us before but was able to trust us right away with the details of her life. But anyway she has a best friend who is a member of the church and just a couple weeks ago she went to Salt Lake to visit her and while they were there her friend took them to Temple Square and they went around and she agreed to send her name in as a referral, and now we are sharing the gospel with her.  Man, I love it.

Be an example in deed and in thought, be the person you would like to see in this world.  The greatest effect we can have in the world starts with us being who we need to be. “Have I done any good in the world today? ...if not I have failed indeed.” I love the examples I have in my life, who have helped me see what I need to be.  I love trying to look at people through God’s eyes, not thinking one bit about their past but focusing on what they are now and what they could be in the future, and I love trying to help them get to that place. And I love that we have Heavenly Father’s help to do this.

I love you all!

Peace and blessings,

Elder Hanke

Below is an email I received from Sister Mary Tagilala from the San Francisco area where Garrett is serving.  When Garrett sent the below pics of he and Elder Simmons at the Tagilala’s home for dinner, I snagged her email address and sent her a message thanking her for feeding them and for taking the pictures and sending them along.  This is the reply I received from her, thought you all might enjoy.

BULA Nova :)

You are very welcome :). All the more reason to take more pictures of your Missionary now that I have your contact information :). We are so blessed to have your wonderful Missionary serve in our Fijian Branch. Let me tell you what a wonderful young man he is. His first day in our Branch, even before I got to officially meet him, I saw him sitting up with one of our young men ready to do the sacrament prayer. I didn't think much of it, however, reminding myself to take the time to say hello to him because he was new, after Sacrament meeting ended. 

Anyway, then came the Sacrament Prayer and I froze on the spot when I heard the most fluent Fijian Sacrament Prayer being uttered all complete with a Fijian Accent. I wondered with my eyes closed whether another person had taken Elder Hanke's place while I was not looking. However, right after the "Amen" - I quickly looked up to the Sacrament table and yes - it was your son who said the first sacrament prayer. What a wonderful wonderful surprise!!  I was not the only person amazed in the chapel. He is such a joy to have. He comes to us complete with his Fijian Language, Fijian Slangs and Fijian attitude. He even can bear eating our Fijian foods and curries. We love it!! Thank you so much for raising such a fine young man to serve the Lord. We are so blessed to have him serve with us and we have so much love for him and Elder Simmons. (They are quite a pair those two..lol). And yes, he is well and being well looked after as well out here.   I am glad I can send you pictures. I know how it feels because I have a missionary serving out in Nevada Las Vegas and my 2nd child will be serving out in the Salt Lake City West Mission this October. Every picture is appreciated because we miss them, aye :).

If you need me to pass on a message to him or to do anything for him, pls let me know :). We're here to help :)

Warmest Regards,

Mary Tagilala

MM to Elder Tagilala - NVLV Mission - June/2011 to June/2013

MM to Sister Tagilala - SLC West Mission - October/2012 to April 2014

(MM = Missionary Mom) :)

Christmas in July...???

Three pictures in one week…?  What…?

Just received another email from Garrett with these two pictures.  Looks like they were sent from a family that fed them dinner last week, the Tagilala's.  I’ll have to send an email to thank them… for feeding these poor, undernourished missionaries, and for sending the pictures. J

We got a sweet little letter in the mail from Garrett on Saturday saying that he and his companion had been sick earlier in the week, but this came after I let my motherly anxiety get the best of me and emailed the mission office in Oakland to see if he was okay.  The mission office secretary let me know that he was fine, so all of that worrying for nothing.  (Typical of me!  But hey... we do have a little "history" in this department.) 

He also mentioned in his letter that he’d finally connected with Pita’s parents and that they will be meeting for lunch soon, which he was very excited about.   He also said that he and Elder Simmons get along great, and he included the below picture of the two of them in their car while stuck in San Francisco traffic.  You can see that Garrett is as goofy as ever - which is a good sign!  J

Elder Simmons and Elder Hanke – June 2012

(Good thing they are too young to recall the old TV show “Streets of San Francisco”, ha ha.)



So, here is Garrett’s email for the week… read and enjoy.

Love to you all.

Ni bula Vinaka

Vakacava tiko?

How is it?

Over here this week it has been great, haha.  So ya earlier this week Elder Simmons and I got a little sick so we were out on Monday and Tuesday-ish, but it has turned out alright, after we got better we went out and killed it this week. A while ago we got a referral from a Fijian member, and we had been trying to contact them for ages now and we decided that we would go back and try one last time, so we did. The people’s son who is like 25ish answered the door and invited us in and we had a pretty good lesson with him, then he invited us to come back the next day to meet with his parents. We went back the next day and it turns out that the father and I have some good mutual friends from Fiji and that he was baptized in Hawaii like in 2000 and the wife is not a member, but it was her cousin that referred us to them.  So they are in like a perfect situation to receive the gospel plus we invited them to come to church and they came. I just hope so much that they had a great experience and that they have the desire to come to church and make the necessary changes in their lives to come closer to God. So that was just wonderful.

We have a lot of work going on in the Fijian branch and it has been a lot of fun workin with these members and our investigators.  We also have an investigator who will be baptized and I know his family back in Fiji.  I love meeting new Fijians and getting to know the stuff we have in common. I often find myself talking to them for an hour about Fiji and people there and by then it’s time for us to go and we haven't even shared anything with them about the gospel.  But I can't help it, I love these guys.

  

Anywhobywaty, other than that nothing has really happened.  Yesterday’s miracles are today’s normal moments, so I can't think of anything more specific to share.  Just that I know the Book of Mormon is true, Jesus is the Christ, He is the Son of God and that He died for us so we could be forgiven of our sins. God is our Loving Heavenly Father and He desires our happiness, ena yaca iJisu Karisto, Ameni.

  

Peace and blessings,

Elder Tavoi

All we got from Garrett this week was a message saying ....

"Yo, I'm not feelin too hot so I will send you a real e-mail later this week like Wednesday."

Wednesday has come and gone, so I'll cross my fingers for an email next Monday. 

Hope you all had a fun 4th of July!