Ia ora na tatou!
Another week gone by, it’s been officially 18 weeks that I’ve
been out here on Tubuai. Feels like it’s only been a month! This week had some
shining moments, as well as some dull, as well as some glorious language
mishaps.
First of all, things are still going with H---- and T----.
They are seriously dedicated! Despite their poverty and their busy schedule,
they still want to take time to meet with us. It’s excellent because they have
scheduled their wedding for February 14 (yes, valentine’s day), but they haven’t
even broken the news yet to H---‘s parents, for fear of them flipping out since
she’s marrying a Mormon. This week Elder Teihotu and I taught them the
principle of fasting, and how they can fast to overcome their hardships with
drugs and H----'s parents. Saturday we started a fast, and the following Sunday
night they agreed to talk to H----'s parents about the wedding. They made it
through the whole fast, told the parents, and they turned out to be really
pleased with the news! According to H---- that wouldn’t have been a normal
reaction from them. Goes to show that Heavenly Father truly does answer honest,
sincere prayers that are fortified through a fast. Fasting and prayer will be
the way for them to trust in God. I’m so happy and impressed by their faith!
There have been some other great moments this week. On
Friday we had a branch family night with the branch of Mahu, with the branch
conference the Sunday after. We spent a lot of time during the week challenging
the members to invite a non member to these events. I’d say about half of them
kept true to their promise. There was a great turnout of investigators! The
family night theme was centered on the Book of Mormon, and it was awesomely
done by the District President. Even R----, one of our normal investigators,
finally came to church! So cool to see so many investigators. Sadly, no one
wants the lessons yet... But it’s a start!
But as usual, there haven’t been tons of lessons. We've been
spending time searching for some newbies, through the members and the door to
door. We've found that we've just kinda been stuck in routine... and
getting stuck in a routine gets kinda boring. So we've been discussing possible
activities and resources to find new investigators with our Branch Missionary
Leaders. Beach activities, hikes, feasts, maybe piano lessons? Whatever the
Lord finds the most resourceful. Gotta think some of these things through!
To finish things off, I’d just like to report the greatest
language blunder I’ve made my whole mission. At the family night Friday, I was
talking with an investigator, when I saw another dude investigator wearing a
sweatshirt nearby. I asked her " who’s that guy over there?" And she
says "Which guy?" After that I say "the guy over there wearing
the... how do you say it..." and I say the word which I think means
"sweatshirt". She just kinda looks at me, "wha...?" Trying
to clarify, I say to her "It’s what you’re wearing right now!"
because she was wearing a sweatshirt too. She continues to look at me and just
kinda smiles. Unfortunately, my companion was just behind me talking to someone
else, so he couldn’t help me. But the conversation ended when the dude came
over and talked with us. Much to my dismay, the next morning I was just
flipping through the French dictionary when I came across the word that I used
to say "sweatshirt" the night before. Nope, it’s not
"sweatshirt", but it most definitely means "panties". I
totally mixed up the words for sweatshirt and panties. I can only imagine what
that woman was thinking at the time. Gotta have moments like those on the
mission, even after 9 months.
Anyway, that’s it! Glad to share these moments with you all.
I love you all, and keep on living life well!
Elder Ball
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