Bula Bula! I am back in Fiji and oh how I missed it! I never really want to go back to Fiji from Tuvalu but when I finally do, I am amazed to discover how much I miss in my little Island Paradise. I love Tuvalu! Unfortunately, there was no mail waiting for me, because mail from America has halted for over a month due to Terrorist threats or something. Yeah, it stinks.
Our last week in Tuvalu was really great. Everyone wanted to feed me and Elder Whipple. In a way it was great, in another way it made me feel really sick! I am not much of an overeater. I think if I try to over eat when I get old, I will die of anxiety before I die from being fat. Anyways, A lot of people saw us off at the airport and Elder Whipple was really sad. I was too, and I will not lie he is probably my favorite companion thus far in my mission. He is so dilligent. I was amazed when he gave a talk last sunday, all in Tuvaluan, after only two months. It was quite good actually.
I found out my new companion is an Elder named Elder Poleka. He joined the church just under 5 years ago and he is really good. He's from California, although he group up in Samoa. He plays football, and will probably play at the University of Utah after the mission (I'm trying to help his decision.) He is also part Tongan. He is a big guy, but he is really good. I'm sure he'll have a little Samoan rage, but it's nothing I haven't seen before. He always tells me that he is really prideful, but he must have change a lot because he is pretty humble now. His mom seems like a really cool lady. When she decided to join the church, his dad left her and her family disowned her. Elder Poleka has 14 brothers and sisters. He is a pretty cool guy!
This week I have been staying in Lami. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Fiji. It is right along the shore and near the mountains. It was great to use some Fijian and eat some Dalo and Rourou again. I know that doesn't even make much sense to you, but believe me it was like coming home. My Fijian is really rusty though, so I will be refining that as we go back to Tuvalu, so that I won't have to start over again when I come back to Fiji.
We also went to a Leadership Training while I'm here. I guess because we're the only people on the island that makes us leaders. I learned a lot from it, and I caught a vision I had never even envisioned before for the mission. We talked a lot about opening our mouth, about speaking the language, and about unity. Then we watched a really good talk by Elder Holland from the MTC about Preach My Gospel. It was really good!
I have really enjoyed reading the conference talks from the last conference! I really liked President Packer's talk, but I always do. He is such a defender of truth. He always shares about the family and never apologizes. I really liked how he talked about forgiveness and understanding. I really liked Elder Scott's talk too. Actually that's my favorite so far, but I haven't read them all. I really loved Elder Scott's talk about his wife. It makes me excited for when I someday get married and have a family of my own. No worries, long way off. I'm not going to bring a wife back.
Oh something great that happened in Tuvalu is our Fijian Investigator Jo has decided to be baptized. I'm really excited to go back and pick the work back up in Tuvalu! I love Tuvalu!
Have a wonderful week! Remember how much God loves you!
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
5/30/11
Drunks, last minute talks and guns
Dearest Family and Friends,
This week has been great! Both Elder Whipple and I were sick with colds, but it didn't stop us. Elder Whipple will only be my companion for three more days, and then it will be someone new! I'm not really sure who it will be, because they still haven't announced transfers. By the way, last week I said Elder Whipple knew who my companion was, but he was just kidding, he didn't. So it will probably be a big surprise when we get to Fiji. I am excited to head to Fiji this week. We have been teaching a Fijian man and it makes me miss the Fijian language and culture. Although, I absolutely love Tuvalu.
One of our investigators is that Fijian man. His name is Jo. He has a very interesting past, and when we met him the first time he was stone drunk (that's actually a common occurrence here in Tuvalu, although the drunks are truly harmless here.) He asked us to help him and he showed us his house. It took about three tries back to finally meet with him, but then we met with him and his family. His family wasn't really interested, but Jo just clung to what we taught him. He began asking questions like: What is the Book of Mormon? Can I pray even though I sin? We gave him a Book of Mormon and explained that our Heavenly Father wants to hear our prayers. He began reading and reading in English, then we gave him a Fijian Book of Mormon. Then he read and he really started to understand and ask good questions. Yesterday, he came to church for the first time. The branch wasn't brilliant in fellow shipping him, but some of the young men who play rugby with him went and talked to him. That was good! I really have a good feeling about him, because he really wants to change. If someone wants it that badly, they will change no matter what their weaknesses.
This week something funny that happened is that every kid on the island recently has gotten an airsoft gun. If they can't afford a gun, they take a pvc pipe and put a balloon and a rubber band on the end of it and shoot each other with the little BBs. It's really funny, because they go around in like gangs and stuff. We even saw one kid with a laser pointer on his gun. I'm just glad there aren't any real guns here, or these kids might be doing bad things. As is, it is quite amusing, and sometimes Elder Whipple and I will borrow one and use it for a second or two. The other day Elder Whipple was having a battle with some kids and it was really funny, because they were trying to be really stealthy and everything, but Elder Whipple was a really good shot, so he shot the kids sometimes. Funny times! No worries, we won't be buying our own guns, that's probably not allowed. In Tuvalu, there literally aren't other guns though. I think the police have some, but other than that none.
Something really good that happened this week too, was that Elder Whipple and I got asked to talk last minute. Always count on the missionaries to be ready to talk at the last minute. I had maybe five minutes to prepare my talk and I just prayed to know what to talk about. I just felt the Lord guide me to speak to the people about loving others especially their families. It's amazing the guidance we are entitled to on a mission.
I love getting your emails! I hope that no one gets carried away in a flood! I probably won't, so don't worry about that! Maybe die of thirst, not really we have plenty of water recently! It has rained every other day for the last week or two.
Loving you,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
This week has been great! Both Elder Whipple and I were sick with colds, but it didn't stop us. Elder Whipple will only be my companion for three more days, and then it will be someone new! I'm not really sure who it will be, because they still haven't announced transfers. By the way, last week I said Elder Whipple knew who my companion was, but he was just kidding, he didn't. So it will probably be a big surprise when we get to Fiji. I am excited to head to Fiji this week. We have been teaching a Fijian man and it makes me miss the Fijian language and culture. Although, I absolutely love Tuvalu.
One of our investigators is that Fijian man. His name is Jo. He has a very interesting past, and when we met him the first time he was stone drunk (that's actually a common occurrence here in Tuvalu, although the drunks are truly harmless here.) He asked us to help him and he showed us his house. It took about three tries back to finally meet with him, but then we met with him and his family. His family wasn't really interested, but Jo just clung to what we taught him. He began asking questions like: What is the Book of Mormon? Can I pray even though I sin? We gave him a Book of Mormon and explained that our Heavenly Father wants to hear our prayers. He began reading and reading in English, then we gave him a Fijian Book of Mormon. Then he read and he really started to understand and ask good questions. Yesterday, he came to church for the first time. The branch wasn't brilliant in fellow shipping him, but some of the young men who play rugby with him went and talked to him. That was good! I really have a good feeling about him, because he really wants to change. If someone wants it that badly, they will change no matter what their weaknesses.
This week something funny that happened is that every kid on the island recently has gotten an airsoft gun. If they can't afford a gun, they take a pvc pipe and put a balloon and a rubber band on the end of it and shoot each other with the little BBs. It's really funny, because they go around in like gangs and stuff. We even saw one kid with a laser pointer on his gun. I'm just glad there aren't any real guns here, or these kids might be doing bad things. As is, it is quite amusing, and sometimes Elder Whipple and I will borrow one and use it for a second or two. The other day Elder Whipple was having a battle with some kids and it was really funny, because they were trying to be really stealthy and everything, but Elder Whipple was a really good shot, so he shot the kids sometimes. Funny times! No worries, we won't be buying our own guns, that's probably not allowed. In Tuvalu, there literally aren't other guns though. I think the police have some, but other than that none.
Something really good that happened this week too, was that Elder Whipple and I got asked to talk last minute. Always count on the missionaries to be ready to talk at the last minute. I had maybe five minutes to prepare my talk and I just prayed to know what to talk about. I just felt the Lord guide me to speak to the people about loving others especially their families. It's amazing the guidance we are entitled to on a mission.
I love getting your emails! I hope that no one gets carried away in a flood! I probably won't, so don't worry about that! Maybe die of thirst, not really we have plenty of water recently! It has rained every other day for the last week or two.
Loving you,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission
5/23/11
Talofa oku Kaiga fagasele!
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
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
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