Week 57 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Hey,

Photo provided by Elder & Sis Jenks

This week has been absolutely crazy because the new intake came in 3 days late and it messed up all the flights, but we did figure it all out and it was just making it all happen. So us zone leaders are a 40 min drive from the airport while the others are 20 mins away from the airport but because there was so much going on the other zone leaders didn't have enough room in their house so we took care of some of the transfer as well. We had Elders Schoeny, Haycock, Morphonios, Osborne and Miller stay with us until their flights. We had a couple of close calls getting them to the airport on time which was stressful but we got them all to their outer islands. But I'm so glad that the transfer is done... almost. My new companion, Elder Parry, and 2 other elders are stuck in Christmas. 

On top of all the this I had to train a district on Wednesday and give a talk on Sunday, to be honest its been fun. My training was all about the Book of Mormon and using it effectively. like here in Kiribati everyone believes the bible so its really fun for us missionaries to be able to prove any other religion wrong with the book they themselves believe, I too am guilty. But after conference there was a lot said about the BOM. So I encouraged all the missionaries to let BOM verses take priority while teaching restored doctrines. This way we are not just weakening their faith in their own belief but converting them to the restored church and strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ. 

And my talk, i translated a story titled "find me" from Dads red book full of talks and church stuff. It was about this guy sharing his experience from the pre-mortal life. he was given a letter with details about his life on earth and it said he was going to be born to parents from the church, and then his best friends letter said that he was not. So when it came to go to earth, his friend told him to find him. That's the jist of it... but I talked about how we may have promised certain people that we would find them in this life and bring them to the truth so I encouraged the ward to remember their baptismal covenants and be a disciple of Christ. so yeah fun week.

And the whole Facebook thing, I'm glad that it helps the parents. One recommendation, however, from what I've seen is all the Elders are bringing way to much stuff that just never gets used, especially considering when they go to outer islands they can only take 15 kg, and everything else stays in Tarawa. So the best thing and most useful thing I brought was my backpack. And the only things I use regularly is white shirts and pants. I've never had to worry about medicine (100% supplied by the mission) and garments (can get them way cheap here).

So our area is actually going really well right now, we have 8 baptismal dates, Tebwebwe and family are getting baptized this week except for the husband he's going to need more time and tebwebwe has been waiting long enough. All the other baptismal daters are between the ages of 16-20yrs they are all either living with members just for school or already have family who are members, except for this one 40+ year old lady, Nei Ueen. 

They are all ready and really legit and I love them all, but I want to be working with families and especially potential priesthood holders. Right we do have families but they are so much harder, but we'll pray harder and fast longer. 

We have this 1 couple Tiaon and Aabi, who are progressing slowly but we just started bring members to the lessons and I feel really good about them. There is also this other 28yr old man that we are teaching and he is doing really good, his wife is a member and they come to church every week so once we get them married he should be baptized. so we do have a couple families right now but families take time while the 16-20yr olds are just so ready here on Tarawa we can get them baptized with in 3-4weeks. 

So yeah i like whats happening with our area right now!  so thats it for now

love Elder Berends