The Assistants called us about a week later and told us that we would be traveling to Rakiraki and stay with the Elders there for a few more days and then on Thursday we would go in to Suva. They were our ride. It was fun to visit some of the people that I knew when I was there with my old companion Elder Hibbert. We did a baptismal interview for one of their people and he chose me to baptize him, so that was fun!
Then on Thursday morning we packed up the truck and started to head down to Suva via the Eastern side because the Lautoka blockade was still in place. Upon arriving in Suva we took all of our items to the biosecurity stand, got some lunch from Flagstaff and while we were washing the truck we got a call from the Assistants that there was 2 confirmed cases in Suva and that the peninsula would be on lockdown by the evening, so all American missionaries would have to immediately leave for Nadi to catch the chartered flight on Saturday. We hurried and out everything away and proceeded to meet with other Elders around the Temple and pick up as much luggage as we could.
There were plenty of missionaries in the parking lot all loading as much luggage into the trucks as we could and Hilux after Hilux was heading down to Nadi to beat the blockade and the curfew.
We all arrived in Nadi and I stayed in a room with Elder Burge and Elder Hibbert. We had a day and a half at the Gateway Resort waiting for our flight and then went over to the airport. Through a bit of finesse Elder Burge and I went with all of the Sisters and were the first to check in. We got the exit rows and more leg space than we would ever need, and just like that we were landing in Salt Lake City.
I'm grateful for the many things I learned on my mission, the people I've come to know and the beautiful places i've visited. I'm grateful for this gospel and the joy and happiness it has brought me and those that I was able to visit.
Vinaka Vakalevu vei kemuni kece na kai Viti! Loloma tiko ga yani!
Elda Gwilliam
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