Toku mea tenei

Talofa!

This week has been absolutely wonderful! We have walked so much, and our bodies are so tired. Last night, I couldn't keep my eyes open past nine o'clock. My legs are sore and I am always hungry even though I eat so much food! It is the wonderful feeling of the mission. That feeling of being directed in the path more strongly than ever before, that feeling of knowing you said just the right thing to heal a broken heart, and that feeling of knowing that somewhere down the line those you teach can inherit eternal life.

I am really excited to listen to Conference! We will be listening to it within the next few weeks, because President Niko received the disc from Fiji. I'm excited! I have loved reading what everyone has been sending me and been excited for when we can listen, and then to read it again and again.

This week was really great! We had 26 lessons, which is really great! We have 7 baptisms coming up on the 30th of April. The branch is strong, but something that's frustrating is that a lot of people are missing on Sundays. I always think of Sunday as a little bit of a judgement day to see who is going to be faithful and come each week. It takes a lot of faith to come to church! There's one of our investigators that came yesterday, that it finally clicked for him this week. Usually, he said, "I'll come sometime to see what your church is about." This week he said, "I have to come and know for myself if it is true. I want to know if I should join this people." His name is Iosua. At church he really loved our sunday school lesson on the man that was blind but now can see. He said, "I think that's how I was. I think that I need to open my eyes and join this church." He will be leaving on a boat on Wednesday, but will come back in 2 weeks, and I feel confident that he will be baptized and be a leader in this remarkable church.

The first part of our week was challenging, because we had lots of fall throughs and we had some investigators that it has come time to say, "Well if you won't come to church, we probably won't come by and visit very often." That is always frustrating because we love all the people we teach. We had one day in particular that I felt like we didn't really help anyone that day and I felt bad because we had two that we will probably have to stop teaching in order to teach more people. Then we were having companionship study the next day and I realized something I need to do to teach more effectively and to really help these people. One of the fundamental principles in Preach My Gospel is that of Teach People, Not Lessons. I have been hearing that for months now, almost a whole year. I just keep forgetting what it means and how to do it. When I started focusing more on the people I could serve, and less on the lesson we came to present, the spirit could teach a whole lot more effectively.

We had one family that we have been trying to get them to come to church for several weeks even a few months. This sunday, they still didn't come to church. However, when we went to their house the mother who is a strong member of another church, in fact she's the treasurer, she told us I believe this book is true. When asked to be baptized, her husband said, "I don't know about them, but for me. Yes, absolutely yes." The mom is going to be thinking and praying about it, and I know God will answer her prayers.

I did have a funny thing I said in Sunday school yesterday. We were sharing about a piece of paper we had received to explain how we might have been blind but could then see. Well in Tuvalu if you don't know what the name for it is you just call it a "mea" or thing. So I said "Toku mea tenei." Which means my thing here. The only thing is... in Tuvaluan there are two posessive pronouns Taku and Toku. Taku is for most things that aren't family or personal things. Toku is for personal things like body parts, family, and your name stuff like that. Well if you say Toku Mea, you aren't referencing your thing on the paper, you're referencing your private parts. Whoops!

Well Elder Whipple and I get along wonderfully! We're just both really tired! But that's the point of the mission.

I know that this church is true! I know that it is the only church on the earth. Here in Tuvalu a lot of people think that every church is true. They usually say, "I know your church is good. All churches are good." That much is true. All churches that bring people to Christ are good. But are they all true? I absolutely know that this church is the true church on the earth. Not only that but it is the Kingdom of God our father on the Earth. I am so glad I get to help build his kingdom on Earth. It is so important, I'm glad I didn't waste this short time to help me prepare so I can live my life right.

Love you all,

Elder Hill

Talofa lava!

Talofa lava! (that's actually Samoan but I like it!)

Elder Whipple and I are exhausted today! It's good to have a much needed day to rest and prepare for the coming week! We had a lot of lessons this week and we are teaching about 25-30 people. I wish I could tell you about all of them! I will tell you about some of them. We pulled 24 lessons this week, and I think this week we will hopefully get 30 or more! We can do it!

One really cool lesson we had has to do with our family so I really want to share this. We baptized two boys in February whose parents didn't come to church and really had no desire to join until their sons led the way. We were meeting with the family getting to know Michael and Ue. Michael has a lot of questions, but he knows a lot. He's someone who thoroughly questions things, but in the end I think he will really change his life. He mentioned that he had been reading from a book about Wilford Woodruff that had really helped answer some of his questions. Coincidence? I think not. I thought it was amazing to see how my ancestor and grandfather Wilford Woodruff and his teachings helped to prepare a man I would teach. Sometimes the veil is very thin in missionary work.

One really amazing experience I had this week was yesterday. We were finished with one of our appointments and had planned to see some investigators who had stepped us three weeks in a row or to see another recent convert. When we started that way, Elder Whipple said, didn't we plan to see Pukeiata. I said well yes, but it wasn't really like a set appointment. We kept walking and I just kept thinking about it. Then a voice in my head said, "Go to Pukeiata!" I thought, was that me or was that the spirit? I started considering my personal feelings and realized my natural thinking would not have told me to go there. So we went to see Pukeiata. When we got there it was evening, and it might have seemed a little rude to come so late without an appointment. We sat down and were received very coldly. I thought we had really offended them and when Pukeiata spoke to us, I didn't fully understand her and I thought she was angry with us for coming. I then realized that she really was angry at her husband. He drinks constantly and smokes a lot, even though he is a returned missionary. I think she thought maybe when she was baptized he would change his life and be a good person. I just felt the love of the Savior for that family as we shared about the atonement and invited Vaia to change his life. He kept saying I will try. I just felt the love of God when I said, "Don't try, just do it. You can do it." We're going to see him today, and we are going to do our best to help heal this family. I know that Christ can do that, so we're going to try and be his instruments for him to work through.

There are so many seekers of truth here in Tuvalu. I don't know what I did to be put in this wonderful place, but I am grateful I'm here.

I am really grateful for my companion Elder Whipple. He helps me a lot! This week we had some days where we didn't get along very well, which I've realized is just how it goes sometimes. I was thinking man, I have problems with every companion. Then I realized that will happen if you're with anyone for as long as missionaries are together. I thought of some of my friends I have. We haven't always gotten along perfectly, but we're still friends. Luckily, Elder Whipple and I worked everything out and I think we're going to rip it up this week.

Thanks for all the wonderful emails and thoughts about conference everyone sent me! I know the new stake change will be a really hard thing, but it will make us strong! It's weird that I have to notify the mission office that my stake and my ward changed! :D

Much Love,

--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission

Talofa!

It is so good to be back in Tuvalu! I didn't feel really good in Fiji, but as soon as I got back to my beautiful island and the wonderful Tuvalu air and sun, I felt better. I still like Fiji, but it's awkward to be there because we just get put lots of different places and it doesn't feel like we belong. I really love the people in Tuvalu, and surprise I can actually speak quite a bit of Tuvaluan. I didn't know that or believe that before because my companion would do most of the talking, but I learned a lot more than I thought.

Elder Whipple, my new companion here, is from Ephraim, UT. He is twenty years old and turn twenty one on the seventh of May. He goes home really close to my year mark. He goes home on June the 16th. He is the only boy and the youngest of 5. He is a good cook, and he is quick at learning Tuvaluan, because he is really fearless.

We have had an adventurous first few days in Tuvalu. When we got on the plane to come to Tuvalu, the co pilot came on the intercom and told us that some people's bags would be delayed because they had to put fuel on the plane. Delayed like by 5 days. I was stressed that it was going to be me, but didn't think about it too much as we rode over the 2 and a half hour journey to Tuvalu. When we got to the Funafuti, my fears were confirmed and it turned out a lot of people's bags were delayed and that they were leaving by the time the bags would get there. Luckily, they gave me 100$ compensation to pay for the delayed bag. That was pretty cool!

We have been walking around the whole island like crazy trying to set up appointments in the last week. It has been tiring but rewarding. We hopefully will have 6 baptisms by the end of April. We had one person that we had been teaching before named Penitala. When we came back, other people told us he wanted to be baptized. When we went to the appointment, we invited him to be baptized and he just started crying and told us he knew that the Book of Mormon was true and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. It was awesome! He is joining the church not because of us being awesome as missionaries, but because the branch president here is a good man who tries to magnify his calling as a branch president and as a priesthood holder.

Well, it sounds like things are changing back at home. I'm quite sad about it actually, even though I'm thousands of miles away, but I know that the Lord puts us where we are supposed to be and that change is inevitable. We just have to pray that our Heavenly Father will lend us the strength to bear change with patience.

I love you all,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission

Bula Vinaka

Bula Vinaka!

I am back in Fiji this week! On Monday we had our last hoorah with a family in Tuvalu named the Kaitus. We had dinner and played games and then on Tuesday it was time to head out. We got so many shell necklaces as a going away presents. They should have only given them to Elder Key but they gave them to me also, even though I'm coming back next week. The plane ride was a bit bumpy coming back, but it was ok. It is really hot in Fiji and I think it's more humid here! We're looking forward to winter, even though I don't think it will be that much cooler than our autumn here. It's weird to not have seasons!

The day after we came back I got to attend a leadership training with President Ostler. It was a really good training! I was really surprised I got to go though, because I'm still just a new guy. I think the reason was because we need to take the training and put it into effect in Tuvalu. It was really humbling to be with all these really smart and talented missionaries and learn from them. I hope by the end of my mission I will know as much as they do and be as good as they are. We talked a lot about being more Christlike Missionaries and about Branch/Ward councils.

I got to stay in an area called Kuku while I've been here. It's like the other area I stayed in, Wainibokasi, in that it is far from civilization and the people live a very different life than the Suva Fijians. It's really bush! It was fun though to be there and help my companion in learning Tuvaluan. I really feel like we're getting a head start with him and I think he will pick up the language fast and really be helpful out there.

We got to come into Suva to meet with President Ostler about Tuvalu too and that was important. He helped answer a lot of the structural questions we had about the branch. It's different to be a missionary in a place like that. We have to worry about more than just the missionary side of things. We worry about priesthood ordinations, sunday school, branch organization.

Yesterday we went to church in Kuku. It was a really nice ward! I really felt the spirit in church and it was nice to not worry about anything with the sacrament program or anything. Yesterday was a really special day after church though, because it was Indian new year. They call it a Holi Day. Holi is when they throw all this baby powder and colors at each other and just make a mess of everyone. It was fun to watch them all celebrating the new year and a lot of our neighbors and ward members gave us Indian sweets.

I'm in Suva again today to meet with President Ostler again. I'm enjoying my time in Fiji, but I am really excited to go back to my home. I love Tuvalu! I found out I'll probably be there until July. I am really happy about that. I told President Ostler to leave me there for a long time.

I love you all! I just want to share my testimony of Jesus Christ. We watched a DVD about his life with one of our investigators this week and I just really feel so deeply about him. He is so many things to me. He is first of all my big brother. He showed me the way to follow and I want to be just like him. He is also my Father because he created this earth for us and he bought me with his life and his atonement. He has given me the opportunity to take his name upon me. He is my savior. Without him, I would be completely lost and none of us in this world would have the chance to go back and live with him and our Father in Heaven. He is my Lord. He is all powerful and because he has given me his power in his priesthood, I can do all things he would have me do. He is my friend. He carries me and helps me up when I fall and when I don't feel like I can get up. He loves me and he loves all of us. I am so grateful for him and for the price that I'm praying to get to know him. It is so worth it!

Love you,
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission

Spared from the tsunami

Talofa!

Don't worry everyone, I am safe! I'm not sure what all you heard about the tsunami, but it didn't hit either of my islands as far as I am aware. Unfortunately, one person was affected by the tsunami in Tuvalu. They woke her up to tell her about the warnings and it gave her such a fright she had a heart attack and passed away. So that's kind of sad, but other then that, no ill effects in Tuvalu.

One of our members came to tell us there was a Tsunami warning at like eleven at night. Luckily, Elder Key was awake, otherwise I don't know if we would have woken up. He woke me up and told me there was a Tsunami warning and I got a little bit nervous. We then waited up listening to the radio to see what was happening. It was amazing how much tuvaluan I could understand when I was nervous and wanted to know what the radio person was saying. After a little while, I realized it wasn't really anything to worry about. So after saying a few prayers I felt really calm and then Elder Key and I went back to bed and heard from the radio that the warning was no longer in effect for Tuvalu.

The next morning we had a picnic with our members. It was really fun, but I was so tired afterwards! We played volleyball, rugby, and all sorts of other games. And of course there was a poly sized feast! It was great! The best thing was there were a lot of non members and a lot of our investigators who came. I think it really helped our branch come together in unity.

We found some really good investigators this week. One of them was a friend of one of our recent converts. We were teaching our recent convert and Elder Key just kept asking her "do you have a friend to share about the church to?" Then finally she came with her friend Temama. Temama is a member of the CMF church and she seems interested. Her granpa is the preacher for the CMF church in Tuvalu, but we'll see how it goes. AS for Temama, she doesn't seem too tied to her church.

We also found Kivoli. Actually, he found us. We were walking along the street and Kivoli stopped us. He told us that his wife is a member of the church and he has a lot of questions for us. So we went to visit him. The first time he wasn't home but then we went back later and he was there. He told us he wanted help to stop smoking. We said ok! We taught about prayer and shared how if he wants to stop smoking he needs to pray a lot. We have a member who just stopped smoking before he was baptized that we will probably take with us.

I am so excited to hear that Uncle David got a job! I almost did a back flip! That is so great! Prayers do get answered, even if it takes a while!

Well tomorrow we go back to Fiji. I'm really excited but I think Elder Key is really really going to miss these people. Yesterday we talked in church and he cried when he shared his testimony. I can't say I blame him. I can't bear to think of the time when I will have to leave this people. I love it here!

We'll be back in Tuvalu next thursday. So that gives us a few days to prepare and to get Elder Whipple used to the idea of Tuvalu. I am going to work him hard! He's going to feel like a greenie here, and I am going to be a tough trainer, even though he only has three months left. I'm really excited for the work.

The language is coming good. Yesterday I even shared a whole talk in Tuvaluan. I had to write it down so I didn't stumble to find words and things, but I said it and I think people understood it. At least a little bit... They all seemed so grateful that I had tried my very best to learn. It wasn't an other side of heaven experience!

Well I love you all! I miss you, but I really really love this work!

Love,

Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission

BYU Hawaii people

Talofa! This week was absolutely amazing! It's hard to even remember everything that happened but I will try to write everything.

On Tuesday, a group from BYU Hawaii called SIFE came to Tuvalu. The team leader from the group, Toa, is our Branch President's son. They came to help build up education, leadership skills, and business skills in Tuvalu. They also came to give computers and school supplies for the students. They came on a private jet owned by one of their donors Shauna Olki. I didn't realize until they came and were talking about how impoverished Tuvalu is, that they were really right. I've been here for two months and maybe it's just the poverty here isn't as harsh as the poverty in Fiji, but I just didn't realize how much the people here truly do not have.

The group really helped the image of the church here in Tuvalu. Everyone that we've talked to since the time that they came asks about BYU. I think it is really positive for Tuvalu and really positive for the church here. There were about twelve of them that came and most of them stayed with families here to see what life is like. The families they stayed with weren't all members and so it was a really positive experience for those families.

We had a fireside with them on Friday and it was really spiritual. At first I was thinking, man these testimonies are really out of the can testimonies (referring to the BYU Hawaii students), but actually they were really sincere. Most of the students who were there had really good lives and just knew the church was true. It was really cool though to hear them and I really felt the spirit. I'm not going to lie, I actually thought about going there after my mission. I don't think I will though, but it's still a thought. Missionaries who serve in the pacific get scholarships...

We had a lot of new investigators this week too. I just want to share about one, I think I'll keep this email a little bit shorter. His name is Penitala. He is a really good friend of our Branch President. They work together and Penitala noticed that President has a really happy family and his kids are really disciplined. He also noticed that the pastor in his church had really wild and out of control children. It made him notice President Niko. President Niko always shares about the gospel too, whether people want to hear about it or not. Penitala listened and came to the BYU fireside. Afterwards we set up an appointment with him on Saturday, and then he came to church on Sunday. He is really good! I'm excited for him.

Yesterday we had about 84 people at church. I am so excited for the Branch!

Elder Key leaves next Tuesday, and I do too actually. I found out my new companion is Elder Whipple. He only has about three or four months left and he was a zone leader before coming to Tuvalu. I really get along with him, so hopefully we'll have a lot of fun in Tuvalu. I will really miss Elder Key though!

(Is it just me, or is this email missing the ending?)

Talofa!

Talofa!

This week has been really good! We have had a lot of our investigators from before either be really busy or dodge us this week. That was not good and it's kind of bad because the three that are doing it the most are from the same church. It's possible someone from their church said something about our church. Hopefully, we'll be able to meet with them and clear up any misunderstandings that may have occurred.

There was some pretty bad weather yesterday that prevented the members and investigators from coming to church. It's unfortunate because our meetings were very nice yesterday especially because one of the stake presidents from Taiwan, Brother Young, came to church this week. He was visiting for some research and saw us walking on the road and we told him about church and he came. He was really cool and had a really nice spirit with him. He reminded me of one of my friends from the University of Utah named Abraham Chung whose father is the area seventy in Taiwan. I asked Elder Young about him and he seemed to know who he was.

We found some really good investigators this week. One man is named Iosua Malona. He knows the bible really well and he pretty much was teaching us the first lesson when we were talking to him before the lesson. I'm really excited to teach him this week because I think it would be really good if he joins the church.

We also visited a lot of our recent converts from the last baptism. We shared with the Tekueia family about temples and they seem so excited to go to the temple. I really felt the spirit as we shared with them about temples and how families can be together forever. I really hope they go through the temple while I'm still in Fiji and that my mission president will let me go to be with them. We'll see!

That's something interesting. We will be having a new mission president this coming june, but who it is still hasn't been announced at least to me. So it will be exciting to see who it is. It's a big job to preside over this mission and requires a lot more creativity and stamina than a lot of other missions because the president here moves practically once every three weeks.

Well today was an adventure. I went and got my hair cut by this really crazy chinese guy. Elder Key told me his last companion had a really bad haircut from this guy. I was worried it would look really bad, but it turned out to be pretty good. I'm not too picky about haircuts. (that's why mom cut my hair almost every time I got a haircut....)

This week has been really good! I really love being a missionary and I'm hopeful that I will be here in Tuvalu for a while. President Ostler told me probably 4 months total. When we go back in two weeks that will be two months. So I probably will come back and be here until May. Then back to Fiji! I actually am saying a fair bit in Tuvaluan this week, so slowly but surely I'll learn this language.

Love you all,
Elder Paul Leland Hill