Week 88 - Betio 3rd ward, Tarawa (Companion: Elder Taylor)

Hey,

So time is flying and it is ridiculous and scary. Anyways, I've had a good week in Betio, as usual, I have fallen in love with my new area and it looks like that i'll be here till I have a very special transfer... transfer to Brisbane. We got lots of new investigators this week, there is so many people in Betio. 

Highlight of this week was the Area Conference we had on Sunday. We just found out about it on Thursday and there were rumors going around, (that we totally believed) that it was an "emergency" world wide conference. We heard from other missionaries that the apostles had been sent around the world to deliver a message but we had no idea what the message was. Everyone from Kiribati thought it had to do with the "war" between America and North Korea but all the missionaries knew there was no war so we thought it was either the Prophet had passed away or it was the call to Zion. Turns out it was neither and just a pacific area conference. It's pretty funny what kind of rumors can go around this country. 

We watched the area conference on video at the stake center. It was great to see everyone from my old ward again. Tiaon and Aabi are still going strong. Also bumped into this couple that were reactivated in Teaoraereke, Kaong and Nei Aribeta. They had just adopted a baby boy who is 3 months old and they named him Berends! It's scary having someone named after you, the pressure of keeping that name respected, but super happy as well, they are so strong in the church now and Kaong is now the ward clerk! 

So my new campanion is Elder Taylor and he is from Minnesota, USA, he's been out for 8 months now. 

And that's awsome Rhys! Papers are in. I hope you are all happy and healthy. 

love Elder Berends

                                  baby Berends

Week 85 - Betio 3rd ward, Tarawa (Companion: Elder Taylor)

Hello,

I am in Tarawa now, so I was told Thursday night, the day before my flight, that I would not be returning to Abaiang after Stake Conference. Was not happy. But anyways.

To soften the blow of leaving Abaiang I was welcomed by my new ward in Betio 3rd. It was almost like I had already worked in that ward before. And what cheered me up even more was being able to see everyone from my old ward in Teaoraereke 2nd during the stake conference we had on Sunday. Tiaon received the Melc. priesthood! Itwas great to see Tiaon and Aabi's family again, one of their children, Eeri, snuck up behind me and said "Elder Berends, ko roko ningai?!" (when did you arrive?) I also saw many others recent converts, Nei Tebwebwe, Nei Maggie. Other Recent converts received the priesthood, who I didn't get to see baptized. It was a great Stake Conference.


However, very sad to have left Abaiang with out getting a chance to say goodbye. All good though, there is a reason for it. Anyways, that's all for now, next week I'll try send photo's, I forgot to bring the sd card adapter.

Love you's

Elder Berends

Week 84 - Abaiang (Companion: Elder Sagara)

Hey, 

Sorry I didn't email for the last 2 weeks, the week before the phone we were using ran out of data and last week we had a service day all day.

Anyways, it's been a good 2 weeks. 2 Mondays ago we had one of our investigators married in Tabontebike (end of the beach), Kiraua and nei Meeriin (our investigator). It was a good marraige, and the week after on Saturday she was baptized. Meeriin was actually a KPC minister back in the day which came as a surprise to me for how well she accepted the restored Gospel.

We also had Easter, definitely felt more obliged than usual to bear witness of the Savior at all times, all places and all things. The Tuarabu branch hired a truck and had church at the Borotiam unit maneaba on Easter Sunday so that was fun.

So I have sad news... I'm getting transfered D: so apparently it's not for a while but the APS called me on Tuesday to tell me I was coming in, which we already knew as stake conference is coming up. I asked them if I was coming back to Abaiang and they said no, so I assumed that when I come in for conference I would just stay in Tarawa. So I let members know and they started preparing a going away party, however, zone leaders gave us more info this morning and its true that I'm transferring but not for a while and I will return to Abaiang after conference, so that's awkward. Anyways, I'll be transferring to Betio and will be working with an Elder Taylor.

Kind of disapointed that I'll be back in Tarawa, was really hoping I would stay longer on an outer island, whether it is Abaiang or another island. But it's all good, I already know the Betio 3rd ward a little from my time as zone leader, it's a fun ward.

Love Elder Berends.