Talofa oku Kaiga fagasele!
This week has been really wonderful! The Lord's hand has poured out many blessings upon us! We have had so much to do! I am really tired, but I am really happy about the work that God has provided for us here. We had nine new investigators this week! We also didn't have any investigators that we dropped this week, so we have a lot of people we're teaching.
Two of the new investigators we found are Molesi and Taam (pronounced Tom). When we met them on the road, they asked if we had any Tuvaluan pamphlets that they could read. The first time we didn't have any, but then we got prepared and we saw them again. Then we asked if we could come back. We went and had a really good first meeting with them. They asked about baptism and about the Joseph Smith Story. They seemed genuinely interested and willing to act on this wonderful message. We'll see what happens this week. I really liked them, partly because the one's name is Tom, just like my little bro, and also because they just seem like humble seekers of truth. We'll see them again on Tuesday and see how that goes.
Two of the girls in our branch are friends with a less active and her non member brother and sister. We asked them to come with us to the lesson on Saturday and they gladly agreed. They shared beautiful testimonies and when we invited them to church, the member girls even invited the investigators to walk with them, without any prompting from us. Then on Sunday we had the less active girl, Meli, and her non member sister Tara at church. Meli felt the spirit so much, she asked if she should be baptized again. We told her that if she repents and changes her life, it will be good to prepare to take the Sacrament. I'm excited to increase the member presents and see what other miracles might happen.
I felt really tired yesterday and I didn't really enjoy church too much, because it is hard for me to understand the language when I'm tired. I was feeling pretty down, but then we went to a lesson with one of my very very favorite families, Eti and Taiga. Their son is preparing for a mission, but they've yet to join the church. We asked Taiga about baptism again yesterday, and she said, "I'm still thinking about it." We asked if she knew what we had shared was true, she said yes. We then shared about Joshua 24: Choose ye this day whom you will serve. We shared that sometimes you have to make hard decisions. Then while I was sharing my testimony an experience came to mind in my life. Probably the hardest decision I have ever made was to come on a mission. I still remember the day I really decided that I would go. I had church at the U and I was walking to the Music Building to practice the piano. I was thinking about going on a mission and I just had a feeling like, "You need to go." After that, I decided to go, and it felt like hands from the other side were preparing the needful things and I felt a force drive me to go. I had to leave some things behind though. I had to leave music and the piano for two years. I remember Lenora's face when I told her I wanted to go on a mission. She was happy but she was also puzzled I think that after getting that good that I would put it on hold for two years. Of course, she understood, but just like I knew it would take a lot of hard work when I get back, I knew that too. I also remember Dr. Allred my choir director saying "No you can't go. You have to sing for the singers." The hardest thing though was to leave friends and family that I love so much. I don't regret it though, I have never regretted it.
After I shared that, I knew that she would have to face some similar things to me. Leaving her church, she would probably have to leave behind friends and family that didn't fully understand the reasons. She would have to leave behind her position as treasurer of her church. I knew though, it would be worth it. The Lord always blesses us when we heed his words and sacrifice whatever it takes to follow him.
Well, two more weeks and then I get a week in Fiji! I don't yet know who my new companion will be. Elder Whipple knows, but I don't... The Assistants told him not to tell me. haha well fun times
I love you all! This church is true! Joseph Smith really saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. Most of us in the church don't know how significant a statement that is, but it is true. Through Joseph Smith, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has again established his church on the earth. It will never fall, and it is the way for our families to be together forever!
Love,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
5/16/11
General Conference and a lot of other good stuff
Talofa kaiga!
As I expressed to Dad last week when he called, we ran out of water this week. Tuvalu water supply relies on rain and it had been probably a month since we had a good rain storm. This whole week we had the opportunity to bathe in the lagoon, and we still had a little bit of water for toilet and enough for drinking. It felt really nice to bathe in ocean water. My companion was super excited because truly not very many missionaries are allowed to do that. It was a good week, and luckily we got water back yesterday, from a nice rainstorm that was truly heaven sent.
This week was really good! I was really grateful for the plan of salvation this week. We had two separate investigators whose parents had already died who asked what happens to them. We shared with them the hope that the Plan of Salvation brings back into our lives. One of them, a boy of 13 named Pelisa, heard my talk last Sunday and remembered that I mention that my dad had been sick. He asked if he was still alive. I told him he was, that after surgery he got better. He asked how he had been sick (it's not rude to ask questions like that here, plus we're pretty good friends so it was good) I told him cancer. He told me his mom had been sick with cancer too, that she had two surgeries but in the end she died. I felt very sad for him, but I knew that there will be a time when he can see her again. How great is that?
We then had another investigator whose parents both died within three years of each other. She asked if God was punishing her. We told her no, that in this life we experience hardship and trial as a way for us to learn. We told her that God had a plan for her and that she would be able to see her parents again. Some religions teach that life just ends at death, but she didn't like that, and neither do I. A loving God wouldn't just give us this time and then say ok, well good enough you're over. We existed before we lived here and we will exist for an eternity after this. We watched conference this week and I was really touched by Elder Scott's talk about his wife. How he shared that those who are married in the temple can be together forever. I was really touched by the love he expressed for his wife.
Speaking of that, We watched conference and it was amazing! I really loved the Priesthood session and it made me want to understand better the doctrine of the priesthood. Just like Elder Uchtdorf shared. I will study that and I hope it will help me better magnify my calling in the Priesthood.
Also while watching conference I saw 3 people I know. Brother Saunders (my seminary teacher) was conducting the Priesthood choir, I believe Megan's cousin, Peter, was singing the spirit of God, and I think I saw Lori Hayward in the Tabernacle Choir. Did she really make it in?
This week wasn't the best for numbers or anything, although something wonderful is that of 26 recent converts, 25 of them came to conference yesterday. We still have the one that we are working with her family to come to church, but I am really happy with the branch's work to keep those 25. I think as we continue our efforts, we will see miracles here in Tuvalu. We already have!
Thanks for your emails of love and support! I am happy and safe!
Much Love,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
As I expressed to Dad last week when he called, we ran out of water this week. Tuvalu water supply relies on rain and it had been probably a month since we had a good rain storm. This whole week we had the opportunity to bathe in the lagoon, and we still had a little bit of water for toilet and enough for drinking. It felt really nice to bathe in ocean water. My companion was super excited because truly not very many missionaries are allowed to do that. It was a good week, and luckily we got water back yesterday, from a nice rainstorm that was truly heaven sent.
This week was really good! I was really grateful for the plan of salvation this week. We had two separate investigators whose parents had already died who asked what happens to them. We shared with them the hope that the Plan of Salvation brings back into our lives. One of them, a boy of 13 named Pelisa, heard my talk last Sunday and remembered that I mention that my dad had been sick. He asked if he was still alive. I told him he was, that after surgery he got better. He asked how he had been sick (it's not rude to ask questions like that here, plus we're pretty good friends so it was good) I told him cancer. He told me his mom had been sick with cancer too, that she had two surgeries but in the end she died. I felt very sad for him, but I knew that there will be a time when he can see her again. How great is that?
We then had another investigator whose parents both died within three years of each other. She asked if God was punishing her. We told her no, that in this life we experience hardship and trial as a way for us to learn. We told her that God had a plan for her and that she would be able to see her parents again. Some religions teach that life just ends at death, but she didn't like that, and neither do I. A loving God wouldn't just give us this time and then say ok, well good enough you're over. We existed before we lived here and we will exist for an eternity after this. We watched conference this week and I was really touched by Elder Scott's talk about his wife. How he shared that those who are married in the temple can be together forever. I was really touched by the love he expressed for his wife.
Speaking of that, We watched conference and it was amazing! I really loved the Priesthood session and it made me want to understand better the doctrine of the priesthood. Just like Elder Uchtdorf shared. I will study that and I hope it will help me better magnify my calling in the Priesthood.
Also while watching conference I saw 3 people I know. Brother Saunders (my seminary teacher) was conducting the Priesthood choir, I believe Megan's cousin, Peter, was singing the spirit of God, and I think I saw Lori Hayward in the Tabernacle Choir. Did she really make it in?
This week wasn't the best for numbers or anything, although something wonderful is that of 26 recent converts, 25 of them came to conference yesterday. We still have the one that we are working with her family to come to church, but I am really happy with the branch's work to keep those 25. I think as we continue our efforts, we will see miracles here in Tuvalu. We already have!
Thanks for your emails of love and support! I am happy and safe!
Much Love,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
5/9/11
Happy Birthday
Talofa Kaiga!!
It was so nice to talk to many of you today! I wish we could have talked for hours and hours but I know that we all have things we need to do! This week was exceptional, as they all are in Tuvalu. I turned 20 this week as many of you know, and it was a really good birthday week. My companion elder Whipple had his birthday on the 7th too, so we had a few birthday celebrations here on the island.
My birthday was a pretty ordinary day. Me and my companion took the other two that stayed with us to the airport and said good bye. We were once again the lone wolf missionaries here in Tuvalu. We then came home and drank some Dr. Peppers that my companion's mother sent him in his package. Elder Whipple got a really nice package for his birthday too, so we have been sharing the goodness. We then taught some lessons, ended up getting some of my very favorite fish (it's some red fish... maybe a red snapper or something.. I really have no idea.) and I had fish and rice for my birthday dinner. I loved it too! I really like rice and fish now, one of the blessings of being in Tuvalu. I don't think I would have been happy with that before.
We also had some great birthday celebrations this week. We went to a family named the Kaitus for a celebration, because it was their daughter's birthday the same day as Elder Whipple's. So we went to that and they fed us really good cake and we had fun talking with them and enjoying the evening. We also had a party at one of our recent convert's house, the Teikauea's family. They gave us more cake and took good care of us.
We also had a very funny experience this week. Elder Whipple really wanted to go to a cultural experience here in Tuvalu. Well, one day we were teaching this old lady and her granddaughter's were putting up signs for a dance show. We thought that sounds cool, so we decided to go. The show was called the "Wakawaka" show. Well we went and nothing starts on time here in Tuvalu. We had to get permission from the Assistants to the President too, and we got permission to go. Well when the show finally started it was a man dressed as a woman doing the cultural dances. It was not what we had expected! We waited for a little bit to see if the girl we knew would dance, and it turned out to all be cross dressers dancing the traditional dances. Needless to say, we soon got out of there and went home.
A highlight from this week was one of our investigators whose name is Jo. Jo is a fijian man and we met him when he is drunk. He really wanted to change though. So we met with his family and it went really well, they seemed really interested. The next time we came back, we only met with Jo, but he had read the Restoration pamphlet and wanted to know what the Book of Mormon was. We gave him a book of mormon and promised to bring one by in Fijian soon. When we came back yesterday, he had read all the way to 1 Nephi 9. He may be a drunk, but I think he really wants to change his life. Yesterday he asked if he can pray, even though he is drunk all the time. I was so happy that we could say, "Of course, your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to hear from you."
Everything is really good here! I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day and enjoy the last little bits of spring before the summer comes.
Love you
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
It was so nice to talk to many of you today! I wish we could have talked for hours and hours but I know that we all have things we need to do! This week was exceptional, as they all are in Tuvalu. I turned 20 this week as many of you know, and it was a really good birthday week. My companion elder Whipple had his birthday on the 7th too, so we had a few birthday celebrations here on the island.
My birthday was a pretty ordinary day. Me and my companion took the other two that stayed with us to the airport and said good bye. We were once again the lone wolf missionaries here in Tuvalu. We then came home and drank some Dr. Peppers that my companion's mother sent him in his package. Elder Whipple got a really nice package for his birthday too, so we have been sharing the goodness. We then taught some lessons, ended up getting some of my very favorite fish (it's some red fish... maybe a red snapper or something.. I really have no idea.) and I had fish and rice for my birthday dinner. I loved it too! I really like rice and fish now, one of the blessings of being in Tuvalu. I don't think I would have been happy with that before.
We also had some great birthday celebrations this week. We went to a family named the Kaitus for a celebration, because it was their daughter's birthday the same day as Elder Whipple's. So we went to that and they fed us really good cake and we had fun talking with them and enjoying the evening. We also had a party at one of our recent convert's house, the Teikauea's family. They gave us more cake and took good care of us.
We also had a very funny experience this week. Elder Whipple really wanted to go to a cultural experience here in Tuvalu. Well, one day we were teaching this old lady and her granddaughter's were putting up signs for a dance show. We thought that sounds cool, so we decided to go. The show was called the "Wakawaka" show. Well we went and nothing starts on time here in Tuvalu. We had to get permission from the Assistants to the President too, and we got permission to go. Well when the show finally started it was a man dressed as a woman doing the cultural dances. It was not what we had expected! We waited for a little bit to see if the girl we knew would dance, and it turned out to all be cross dressers dancing the traditional dances. Needless to say, we soon got out of there and went home.
A highlight from this week was one of our investigators whose name is Jo. Jo is a fijian man and we met him when he is drunk. He really wanted to change though. So we met with his family and it went really well, they seemed really interested. The next time we came back, we only met with Jo, but he had read the Restoration pamphlet and wanted to know what the Book of Mormon was. We gave him a book of mormon and promised to bring one by in Fijian soon. When we came back yesterday, he had read all the way to 1 Nephi 9. He may be a drunk, but I think he really wants to change his life. Yesterday he asked if he can pray, even though he is drunk all the time. I was so happy that we could say, "Of course, your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to hear from you."
Everything is really good here! I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day and enjoy the last little bits of spring before the summer comes.
Love you
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
4/17/11
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
4/11/11
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
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
3/28/11
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
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
3/21/11
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
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
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