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