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few prayers I felt really calm and then Elder Key and I went back to bed and heard from the radio that the warning was no longer in effect for Tuvalu.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