Mai RakiRaki, Nanuma tikoga

Well, President called this morning. I'm already going... That was unexpectedly quick. But it will be fun. I'm off to the SavuSavu area in the North Zone! I've heard it's the hidden paradise of Fiji. They also have a different dialect which is great.

But the highlight of the week was definitely the visit of the prophet! I got to see almost all of the people from Naitasiri again which was awesome! Brother Eroni and Sova weren't there when I walked past at the end and they were rushing the missionaries out so I didn't manage to see them which was sad. But another day!

I'm sure the church has already posted about what the visitors talked about but i'll just share some highlights.

      Sister Gong talked about the importance of an Education and the doors it can open.

      Elder Gong talked about Faith and how the small things today make big changes in the future. He even rattled off some Fijian and the crowd went WiLd. "Dua na gasau." -Elder Gong

      Sister Nelson taught about how ALL of life's questions can be answered in the scriptures. Obviously some questions can't be answered in this life but many can be. Including questions about work, family, and pretty much everything else. Just give it a try!

      President Nelson taught about scattered Israel and how we are fulfilling prophesies whenever we testify of Joseph Smith or Josefa Simici as they call him here. He also talked about the importance and the miracle of the Book of Mormon. Without it, there would be no gathering of scattered Israel.

Well I know that Russell M Nelson is a prophet of our loving Heavenly Father and everything that he says is for us from God. There was a quote somewhere from one of the older prophets that went something like, "If me or any of the other prophets tried to say something contrary to the will of the Lord, he would remove us from the position before we could lead anyone astray."

Then we got to sing the Fijian Farewell song and that was awesome. It's talks about saying goodbye but also remembering the fun that you had. Very nice song.

Working in Wailoku while waiting for the prophet.

Me with Elda Ormond one of our hosts while in Suva. From NZ and leaving in like 4 days.

That's more like it. Also found out that my companion knew where the grave was the whole time but just thought it was funny that I was taking a picture next to a random grave. Couldn't be mad though because that sounds like something I would do. 

The Fiji Suva Mission

 

 Fun picture from the event. I'm sure some professional photographer got it better though. 

Road Trip

So sorry for only pictures. We are leaving for Suva soon so in a rush.

Thought this was the grave of a Fijian Cannibal Udre Udre who ate almost 1000 People but it turns out that it's just some random Indian Man. The search goes on. 

Barbasiga's twin brother. They look the exact same and both have barbershops in the same town. He had a duck in the box he was going to eat for dinner but I couldn't get a good picture. 

Loloma Street

 Me with a Family from Rabi. It's a part of Fiji, but they speak Kiribati there. 

 The bay by DuaDua Resort. 

Sa 'Ara na Yadra brasss

Great week this week!

We were able to baptize Joji and Sivoi! We had a rough time with their interviews seeing as the Zone Leaders are an hour away and we have to wait for boats and all that jazz to get to Malake but it worked out!

We were supposed to baptize Alipate as well but he fainted when he tried to leave the morning of his baptism and has fainted whenever he tries to go to church. His family thinks someone cursed him... Good thing we have the Priesthood.

We are on that Fasting grind here in RakiRaki. We don't get fed too often by members and they messed up our support payments for this month so we ran out of money very fast. I've scavenged the cabinets a few times and managed to find an expired package of instant noodles I ate raw and made some cracker peanut butter sandwiches with some old crackers we found. Couldn't tell what was creamier, the PB or the cracker.. It's all good though we'll just contact the mission office and hopefully work things out.

Shout out to all the Tina's on mothers day yesterday. One woman told me she constantly travels back and forth between Suva and RakiRaki (4hrs) to take care of her 45+ year old sons. One of them is sick  and the other gets worried when she's gone so she goes back and forth to restock her one son's flour and to nurse the other back to health. She said it's just because it's her responsibility. Thanks moms for all you do!

Love ya all

Elda G

Me and Elda Horton waiting for Interviews with Pres.

Brother Wilson. Kai Rotuma living on Malake. He's pretty much all the boys' dad there. 

Some of the Newest members of the church!

10 Days!

Sivoi's younger brother Jo

Kai Muslim

Well just wanted to start off this email with some quotes just so you guys can get a taste of the real Fiji experience.

"Elda you very fat." -The 1st Counselor in the Branch's wife

*Comments on my strong handshake* "Very strong, must be American. In my last life I was in the US Army. Just one of my beliefs." -Random Indian man on the street

*Elder Horton tells the kids to guess how old I am* "Muslim!!" -Fijian Child

So yep stuff like that is what I get the chance of experiencing daily on the streets and in the Villages of Fiji.

But yeah it was a great week. We managed to get some more investigators at church this week, and if all goes well we should have 3 baptisms plus one ward baptism this upcoming Saturday. 2 Boys from Malake and one 15 year old boy from Naivuvuni.

The Prophet is coming soon! Every time I think about it I get really excited. It's going to be awesome. Something like that definitely needs spiritual preparation for the best experience!

Have a good week everyone!

Elda Gwilliam

Back on exchanges with Elda Burge

When a prompting isn't enough to urge you to go to a house and Heavenly Father has to point it out even more.

Wonderfully Spiritual institution next to our flat. 

 Fijian Bus

Malake in background