Week 72 - Abaiang (Companion: Elder Anderson)

Email Dated January 30, 2017

Hi, 

So what's up.... holidays over and its back to school, that's fun.... And happy Australia day, I completely forgot about it until now. 

So life out here is chill, so quite a bit of stuff happened since I last wrote. We have some families that we are teaching they are so sweet. Also living with members is such a blessing to experience, you just become apart of the family. Tebukei and Kaboterenga and their children (the family we live with) give their kamauri nakoimi. 

Elder Anderson is doing well, has had some nasty looking boils but is healthy again, we actually were in Tarawa this week from Wednesday to Saturday so Elder Anderson could meet with President Larkin. We stayed with the east zone leaders who are Elders Ellis and Powell who both are MTC buddies. Super sweet working with them and seeing how much each of us has grown since the MTC. 

Back on Abaiang we are trying our best to make a difference, so let me explain. So here on Abaiang there is a lot of religious persecution and I don't like it. 

The Catholic father teaches that talking to missionaries is a sin... Helping someone from another church is a sin... He teaches that Mormon missionaries are Wolves, referencing Matthew 7:15. People while we are riding bikes howl at us and call us Wolves. Even little children. People who leave another church to become a member of the LDS church are made fun of and are known as being weak and poor not being able to handle the Catholic or protestant form of tithing.

Right now I feel that religion here in Kiribati is not fulfilling its true purpose which is to perfect the saints but instead is introducing intolerance and prejudice among its people. 

Most church's here are Christian and believe in the teachings of Christ, the Christ who emulates the meaning of love and charity, however, they seem to fail to live these teachings. Even within the LDS church I have seen this problem. 

So we felt that we as members\missionaries of the church of Jesus Christ we should be an example of what it means to be christian. So we decided to visit the minister of the Protestant church to address the problem of intolerance. 

So we met with him and explained that we had an idea to do a combined service project, Mormons and Protestants, so that we could create friendships between people of different faiths. Also had an idea to provide pictures of the Savior for everyone to hang up in their house as a reminder of what it means to be Christian. 

At first he was very hostile asking why we were really there and who sent us. But we cleared everything up and he said he would cooperate. He did express to us that he was unhappy with us  visiting his "sheep" even naming particular individuals. However, its a good start in getting rid of this segregation. 

Just hope that we can all remember that love for god and love for our neighbor's is the highest law (Matthew 22:36-40) (Moroni 7:46-48). 

So yeah that's what's going down... 

I love y'all 

Elder Berends. 

Week 69 - Abaiang (Companion: Elder Anderson)

Email date: 9/1/2017

Hey Family

So a lot has happened since the Skype call, and by the sounds of it you're getting updated by the Kiribati Mommas. I'm sorry I didn't email or send pictures while in Tarawa. But with 90 other missionaries wanting to do the same thing its hard to find a computer. 

As you have already heard, we had a huge Christmas lunch, it was so good to so see all the missionaries I hadn't seen in a while. Thanks for the Christmas parcel, this gorilla pod is so sick, the ball head really helps when shooting long exposures, its a lot easier now to get level shots. 

And all the missionaries back on Tarawa are way thankful for the white shirts. I just took a handful back to Abaiang and left the rest in Tarawa, that's where it's needed most. 

You have also heard that we spent new years eve with the President of Kiribati, Taneti Mwamwau. It was a really fun evening, saw some of the best Kiribati dancing I've seen so far, gave me goose bumps. On Christmas evening Taneti Mwamwau also attended the Christmas devotional which was shown in Moroni high school. He also went to the fireside with President Halek on new years day! I have a feeling he's investigating the church. So yeah very exciting times for the church here in Kiribati. 

The highlight of out week in Tarawa was seeing all the recent converts, soon to be baptized investigators and members from my old ward in Teaoraereke 2nd. I was so thankful for that opportunity to work in my old area again. However, by the end of it all I was so ready to come back to Abaiang. We are right back on our feet here. All the Christmas and new year celebrations are over so everyone's back home and we are getting plenty of lessons, a lot of our investigators stayed solid during our time in Tarawa so we are hoping for a couple of baptisms. 

One crazy thing that happened over the past two weeks was an encounter with ministers from another church. So on boxing day, Elder Emor and I went to Betio to look for a lady. This lady is the ex wife of a member from Abaiang, we needed a letter from her so they can get divorced. 

We found her at a school (she's a school teacher) and we explained what we needed. She told us to go sit with these 4 other white people (not sure what they were doing) while we waited for her to write the letter. So Elder Emor and I introduce our selves to these 3 white men and 1 white woman, all from Australia. We sit down with them just expecting to chat about Australian stuff. 

But nah, as soon as we sat down they pounced. It turns out they were all from a church called the "rivival fellowship". They showed us a video of miracles and baptism's being done in PNG. They made an argument that their church is true by miracles, they also said some pretty ignorant stuff about the "Mormon" church. They even argued that our doctrine was wrong because we "don't baptize by immursion"... I tried explaining the we share the same belief and I tried to correct their misconceptions but every time I opened my mouth I was cut of by more intolerance. 

Elder Emor wasn't completely clear of what was going on so I started explaining to him in Kiribati. While explaining to Elder Emor one of the men started mocking us and called us puppets. They just kept going until they stood up and left. One of the men, while walking a way quoted john 3:5 to us and told us we weren't going to heaven unless we were baptized by water and spirit... *face palm* 

So yeah anyway wasn't a pleasant experience, but 30 minutes later, by chance or by gods desire I came across a pamphlet done by their church with an email belonging to one of the men. So I decided to write an email to him... "Email Below". Thanks to sister Lee doing some major proof reading it turned out really good. 

So yeah that's it for this week 

Love y'all s

Elder Berends. 

Pastor Tim Rogers,

My name is Elder Danien Berends and I am a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am not sure if you recall but my companion Elder Emor and I, met with you and three of your associates on Monday 26^th December 2016. During this time we were presented with some of the doctrines of your faith as well as some of the perceived errors of our own faith. During our time together I saw that there were some misunderstandings on your end surrounding some of the doctrine of our faith that was discussed. As I was not given an opportunity to correct these I feel that it is my duty as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ to do so now.

In this letter I have included the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These articles are thirteen statements of the core beliefs of the Church. They are located at the end of this letter however I will refer to these articles throughout.

During the presentation of the video of miracles, one of your associates made a statement implying that the Revival Fellowship Church is true by miracles. I do not deny that you have most likely seen miracles within your church and within your own life. However I feel that it is inaccurate to state that a church is true simply by miracles alone. I myself have seen many great and sacred miracles within my own life and within the church to which I belong. As stated by the Saviour, Jesus Christ, miracles come by faith (Matthew 17:20) and not explicitly to any one church or specific group of people.

This same associate also posed a question which concerned me somewhat. He asked if there was one church with miracles and one without, which would a person choose to go to. Is this not asking one to look for a sign as was counseled against by the Saviour Jesus Christ? (Matthew 12:38-39). He then instructed us to “make the business decision” in identifying the true church, implying that receiving a testimony of truth can occur by some calculated method. However I believe that receiving a testimony of truth is not a “business decision”. It can only come through the power of the Spirit of God, as it did for Christ’s chief apostle Peter – “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). I myself have received a spiritual witness of the divinity of the Saviour Jesus Christ and His Restored Church, through the power of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.

Furthermore a statement was made concerning our belief in the nature of God and in His works. A reference was made to the “Mormon God” and how He performs no miracles. I would like to draw your attention to the first Article of Faith which is: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” We indeed believe in God and believe that He does perform miracles to His children today, as He did in the past. Is this not the same God? For He is my Father and your Father; He is my God and your God.

There were also statements made showing misunderstandings about our belief in the Holy Bible and in the Book of Mormon. I would like to refer you to the eighth Article of Faith: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” I believe both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are testaments of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I also believe with all of my heart that if we read and ponder the teachings from both sacred and holy books, we will gain a fuller understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of the main points of discussion was regarding the correct method of baptism. Had I been given an opportunity to speak I might have explained that in fact we share the same beliefs – “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). The fourth Article of Faith states: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” I myself have been baptized by full immersion by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God, following the example of the Saviour Jesus Christ, and have afterwards received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.

It was also mentioned that one of the signs following baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost was being able to “speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). Previously, at the time of our discussion I did not have a full understanding of what it meant to “speak with new tongues”. It might interest to know that I am only 20 years of age. I do not have and never will have a perfect knowledge of all of Christ’s doctrine. However I know that through study of the Holy Scriptures and through faith I can increase my understanding line upon line, precept upon precept. After further studies and discussions with others I now know that to “speak with new tongues” is a sacred sign from God. I have yet to witness this sign but I know that it is witnessed by many if it be God’s desire. Please also refer to the seventh Article of Faith.

Lastly, I would like to share with you a passage of scripture from Paul’s epistle to the people of Galatia. If we as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ are preaching His Gospel, we must bear fruits of His Spirit – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23). During the time that we met with you and your associates I felt that there could have been more effort in reflecting these attributes. I was saddened at some of the ignorant and sometimes immature comments that were made. In particular the mocking and being called “puppets” was degrading and unappreciated. I feel that if we can all learn from the direction of the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

My hope in writing this letter is to clarify some misunderstandings surrounding points in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is also my sincere hope that we may both grow in our tolerance of other faiths, understanding that we are not each other’s enemies, but rather are enemies of sin. In the eleventh Article of Faith it states: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

Thank you for all that you do as a Christian organization. I am not fully aware of what your church does amongst communities or various other doctrine taught within your church but I am sure that it is all for the perfecting of the saints as directed in Ephesians 4:12. I wish you all the very best. If you would like to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints feel free to visit mormon.org or lds.org at your discretion. I would also be more than willing to respond to any further questions that you may have.

With regards,

Elder Danien Berends

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

 2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

 3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

 6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

 7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

 8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

 9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

 10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

 11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

 12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

 13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Week 64 - Abaiang (Companion: Elder Anderson)

Elder Grant & Berends back on Tarawa

Hey 

So there is no internet here in Abaiang, just 3G internet for phones, so I'm borrowing a members phone. 

So, a lot has happened  over there in Brisbane... Dad you old fart hahah. I'll be praying for you. And Rhys has just graduated high school out of no where. That's crazy! Was not expecting any of that. 

Over here on this side of the planet there has be changes. Its been 3 weeks now in Abaiang. I'm training my son, Elder Anderson, he's from Utah and he is the man. 

Abaiang is a very long island so lots of bike riding. We are white washing here, our area hasn't had elders for 6 months, so thats been a challenge. Also the church in our part of the island isn't that strong, we have unit leader do church for about 30 members in a village called Borotiam. Other than that we do church in 2 other villages that are just to far away for members and investigators to come to Borotiam. So the work is a lot more unconventional, however we should have some baptism on the 17th December before we go back to Tarawa.

By the way, don't know if you've heard. All missionaries are being brought to Tarawa for Christmas time. I'm going to be away from my area for 10 days. 81missionaries then 10 more coming. There will be 91 missionaries in Tarawa. 

Anyways loving it here, I did get what I've always been hoping for, raised stick house, sleeping on the floor, its a way sick house. When I'm in Tarawa I'll send pictures. We have sweet members we actually live with the unit leader so we are well looked after. Unit leaders wife, Kaboterenga hand washes our clothes for us. 

Also our last baptism in Tarawa went so well! I wrote all about Tiaon and Abi's baptism in my journal so I'll be able to tell y'all about it another time but it was one of the most spiritual experience of my mission so far.

Aight, thats it love you all.

Elder Berends. 

(All pictures are from my 35mm camera taken back on Tarawa, film sent home with Elder Grant who had them developed back in Australia and sent me a link).

Elder Schoeny & Osborne

Elder Emor

Elder Parry

Week 60 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Elder Parry & Elder Emor)

Hey Family,

Sounds like the house is coming together, but have you ever thought of getting rid of all the furniture and just sitting on the floor? Haha honestly if i get a house thats what I'm doing, it leaves so much space in a room and it looks so clean.

Anyways, I completely forgot to mention last week that Elder Grant as leaving on Thursday. So yeah Elder Grant is in Australia right now! I gave him some roles of film to take back so hopefully he can get them developed and we will see how they look.

So now its just us three, Elder Emor, Parry and I. Its a funny companionship, I love them both so much. Elder Emor is a companion I'll never forget, just so many funny situations I run into with him. And Elder Parry is the man, I'm gonna learn a lot from him.

So this week at church we had such a good turn out! 200 showed for sacrament meeting. Tiaon and Aabi are going well, but we were worried about them when their fellow shippers turned up to church with out Tiaon and Aabi. we were so worried that they weren't going to show. But just as the bishopric stood up to conduct the meeting we see them walking into the church. They had come to church all on their own. That shows to me that they are in this for real, that their testimonies are becoming their own.

so yeah next Sunday they should be interviewed for baptism and baptized on the 19 November, I just hope so bad I dont get transferred before then because I've already missed the baptism of our golden family in Kiritimati.

We have another couple coming along well, Bwatiku and Nei Patricia. They are a younger couple 22yrs and 24yrs and Patricia is pregnant due in January. We just have to get their marriage sorted out and then hopefully everything else will go good from there.

Thats about it love yall's

Elder Berends

Week 59 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Parry)

So its been a great week, our baptism was really good, Tebwebwe, her daughter Maggie and nephew Roteta got baptized as well as Ueen, Aborina, Rotikate and Kaaremwa. And all the other children in the photo are just child of records (Children who have just turned 8), so there was a lot of white. President and Sister Larkin flew in on Friday and it was good to have them at our baptism. It was one of the best baptisms I've had, lots of member support and just a really spiritual experience for all who attended.

Tiaon & Aabi... GOLD.

So this Sunday Tiaon, his wife, Aabi and 3 of their kids came to church and stayed all three hours! I'm really proud of them, that cant of been an easy thing for them. First of all they live in a area that is very strong catholic (they have to walk past the biggest catholic building in Tarawa to get to church). Also I was talking to bishop and he was very surprised to see him at church because of things he's done in the past, so obviously there is gossip about him (something that cannot be avoided in a society like this). So was a big step for that family, and they were fellow-shipped really well.

To answer your questions about the outer islands, the West zone looks after Makin, Butaritari, Marakei and Abaiang... anything north of Tarawa. And there is reliable communication in Abaiang and Marakei but Butaritari can be a hassle to get a hold of, and they do not take part in zone conferences. They are out there all by themselves until they get a transfer and if there is anything they need to know, we tell them over the phone. And zone conferences happen whenever President is in town. but no conference this week.

And the sisters in my district have a favour, they want a shout out in my blog so shout out to sisters Lee, Tutuila, Heni, Beria.

And for a parcel, please put more 400 speed film in there, spare white shirts for investigators, please find some dope ties (I need to step up my tie game, Elder Parry is destroying me). maybe chuck in the other lens for my pentax, I think its like 35-70mm and that's all I can think of.

So that's about it.

Happy anniversary! cool to hear Rhys is going for school captain and that y'all gonna meet Vaughan's girl... awkward for mum and dad, hahah  

love y'all,

Elder Berends

Week 58 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Parry)

Email Dated: 24/10/2016

My companion Elder Parry did arrive from Kiritimati! Elder Parry arrived in Tarawa Thursday. I actually got to work with him for a day in Kiritimati so we are already good friends, he's from Idaho and I'm really excited to work with him. 

Tebwebwe and family did not get baptized because of women problems... but will be baptized next week with Karemwa, Aborina, Rotikate and Ueen. So it'll be a big baptism next week. Utara's marriage paper is ready to go so once he is married he'll be baptized but right now he is a little busy, his wife is in the hospital giving birth! So it's all very exciting. 

We also had some one new at church this week, our investigator Tiaon! He is so legit we teach him and his wife Nei Aabi. They have 5 kids and I'm really feeling good about them. I remember when we first met them we were actually looking for a referral so we approached their house to ask them if they knew the referral. They didn't but they invited us in for a drink, so did we got to know them, found out that they were already married (which makes our life so much easier), don't really have any specific religion (so rare in Kiribati) and were willing to listen to our message. Those circumstances have so much potential so really excited for them. 

Yes we did watch conference in Kiribati, and what I got from conference was that the Book of Mormon is so important, I felt a lot was talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptism...) and I really liked the talk in Priesthood session, I think it was Holland's. we talked a lot about home teaching, which is something that Kiribati needs right now with all the less actives. The lessons I learnt from conference have really helped with my teaching especially using the Book of Mormon to teach the gospel.

And its alright we get the magazine with all the conference talks anyway and I actually have a USB with all my photos from Tarawa that i could send, however I've lost all my photos from the MTC and Kiritimati because of the sketchy computers here :( But a lot of my Kiritimati photos are from Elder Millers camera anyway so I'm just gonna ask him to put up all the photo's on google drive.

So our zone consisted of Sister's Lee, Tutuila, Tuilotolava, Bibinibeia, Manu, Heni, Beria, Sua and Elder's Hoskins, Herr, Emor, Grant, and Parry. Then we have Elders Bataua, Curren, Osborne, Schoeny, Jim, Darm, Naurer, Hilliard on our outer islands. I feel like all are working really well with each other and getting some good work done. 

As for a trasnsfer coming up soon... I have no clue, there is a lot of talk that I will be transferred because I've been ZL for a while but when I first moved to ZL President Weir he wanted me here for all the big intakes which means to the end of the year, but we have a new President now so who knows. But I feel like my work here in Teaoraereke 2nd ward is not done... But that's what i felt about Kiritimati. 

So that's about it.

Love Elder Berends. 

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

Week 56 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Email dated: 10/10/2016


So this P-day I've decided to reply to all those other friends that email me so I'll make my family email a short one, sorry...

But as I promised last week I'll share the funny story.

The District

So while the AP's (Assistants to the President) where in Tarawa they went on splits with us. Elders Emor, Hunter (AP) and I worked together.

So we have an investigator who is having lessons behind her fathers back, even thought she is 20 yrs old the culture is that you have permission from family if you are going to do such a thing as being taught in a different religion.

So our plan for that day was to just visit the father because she was scaried to tell him herself. So we talked to him and he said he would think about it, so I then asked if he would listen to our message and he said go teach my wife and children. So we had a really good leason about the Godhead, prayer and I introduced the Book of Mormon. At the end I ask if we could come back again, they said they will hear from the father.

So any way right as we closed in prayer Elder Emor said to me in his broken english, "I need to go bathroom" so me and Hunter said our final words but we weren't quick enough Elder Emor had ran away.

So we looked around and we eventually found him in a toilet guarded by a security guard, he told us he was in there. So we waited a little and then he came out and said, "we go to the house, I pood my garments" it was so funny, what was even funnier the poo smelt like the ice cream from the night before. so I'm pretty sure he is lactose intolorent and he doesn't even know it.

So yeah that's the story. We did have a baptism, was a 22 year old girl living with our bishop, and yes the family baptism is postponed, they are now married just trying to get the husband ready for baptism.

Yes, the new missionaries from the MTC did not come we were all at the airport waiting for them and was shocked when no one got off. It messed up a lot of flight tickets we had bought but they should be coming to day.

life is good

Love Elder Berends

Week 55 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Hey Family,

Right, I'm emailing from an Internet cafe, the internet is not fast enough for photo's so you'll have to wait till next week. 

If the translating is done we should be watching general conference next Sunday.

So this week has been an eventful one. President was on the island for a week with the AP's, Elders Peeti and Hunter. So while they where around we had a zone conference, all missionaries on Tarawa attended. Lucky we didnt have to present anything, just presentations from Elder Peeti, Hunter and President Larkin. 

Elder Peeti gave really good training on being bold but not over bearing, and the best way to do that is follow the promptings of the spirit and not cutting it off. Definitely a skill I have learnt/learning while on my mission especially being in leadership. Anyways walked out of that conference with a motivation to be bold and hopefully not to be over bearing.

So later that day we did splits and worked with Elder Emor, we visited our investigator Tebwebwe, she had just got back from the KUC (Kiribati United Church) headquarters. So while a ago we were talking and i had mentioned that i really liked the bibles the KUC ministers have, they are black leather, have gold on them like the quad combinations and have a zip... so real fancy, but only can be purchased at the KUC headquarters. so after that she tried to go and

get one for me with out telling me, thats why she was at the KUC. However, she was unsuccessful. she told me the first time she tried to enter the KUC she was told to leave because she was wearing pants. so she went home, put on a skirt, went back, was aloud to enter, but when she tried to purchase the bible she was told she didn't have a good enough reason to buy one.

So when we visited she told me what that she was going to buy bible for me but was unsuccessful, so she gave us the money and told us to go buy it our selves. at first i was like, heck no those bibles are expensive and im pretty we'll be chased out on the KUC if we try to enter. but in the end she convinced me to do it.

So we went forth with faith and courage, not fearing Man more than God (defitination of being Bold) and enter the KUC compound. we asked security where to buy the bible, they all had surprised looks on their faces but they pionted us to the building. while walked to the building a minister asked us what we where doing, we replied "we are here to buy a bible" and just kept walking like we were meant to be there.

we walked into the building, it seemed to be a printing room where they print their church materials. their where about 9 ladies in that room and they all stopped their work and stared at us, you could tell what they were thinking by their faces. but i asked if i could buy the fancy black bible and they sold me one with out any questions asked, it was as if they refused to confront me or even talk to me. but Elder Emor and I got away with a nice new bible.

so yeah thats one story and there is actually one other story that happened this week but ill type that up next week.

we also had a baptism this week, Nei Kamaawa. she was a referal from Tekabutara (was baptized 2 weeks ago). was really good i really like how fellowship went with her, she was followshipped by Tekabutara, Kameri (recent converts) and this really cool couple, Kaong and Aribeta. so all these come to church together like a family its really cool to see. after the baptism we all went to Kaong's and Aribeta's house for dinner, was really fun.

we have some cool families right now and im realy trying hard to help them all because far in this area we have had success with 16yrs-25yrs old individuals, and even though they are all solid recent converts, eternal families are what we want. we are gettig really close with Tebwebwe's family, The fast for her partner, Tabomao, seems to have payed off and we have started teaching them all as a whole family. They are going to be married this Thursday, and before Tebwebwe and her kids were going to be baptized on the 8th of october, but now that Tabomao is investigating we are going to put it off for a little and see how he goes because Tebwebwe really want to be baptized as a family. it all really realy exciting and i love this family so much!

So that's about it for now. I love you all

Love Elder Berends

Week 54 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Hey,

So sorry I didn't email last week the internet got shut down before I got a chance and I wont have time right now to email much because I gotta leave for the airport in 40 mins to pick up a sister missionary who just got back from her visa appointment In Fiji. So she'll be working in Kiribati until she gets her visa for where ever she is going.

So these last 2 weeks has been pretty slow as Elder Grant and I got sick. I was only sick for 2 days but Elder Grant has been sick for over a week now, so the work has slowed down. However the baptisms of Omeri and Nei Tekabutara went really well. We had our old bishop/new stake president baptize Omeri and a YSA from our ward, Marako, baptize Tekabutara., it was very special for them both to have them baptized by those members. we also had 2 investigators at the baptism Kamaawa and Tebwebwe so that was really good for them to see that.

To help the work keep going we ave been taking advantage of having 3 missionaries in this area, Elders Grant, Emor and I. Almost every day Marako has been coming on splits with us and its been really great. He's a really good guy, just put in his papers and waiting for his call, I cant wait to see where he goes.

Our investigators are going well, Tebwebwe is amazing, shes already up to Alma in the book of Mormon. Her marriage papers are in so she'll be married and baptized by the 8th of October hopefully, it will be her and daughter being baptized but we are trying so hard to get the husband involved, he's a great guy, I've talked to him a couple of times but he's an alcoholic and Tebwebwe really wants him to stop. So yesterday we fasted with her for her husband.

Got a couple of new investigators and they are all potential complete families which we are really excited about. Nei Kamaawa will be baptized this Saturday she's a referral from Nei Tekabutara so its good to see recent converts then introducing their friends to the gospel.

So my Birthday was chill, Wednesday was surprised by my zone with cake and then in the middle taking photos with the cake your parcel arrived! Sister Jenks (senior missionary) just walks in and hands me the box so its a miracle it came a day before my birthday. Thursday was just normal day work, nothing special just birthday wishes from other missionaries, didn't tell anyone from the ward so was no celebrations and on Friday was given another cake by the sister training leaders so had plenty of cake. I actually ended taking that cake to members the day after my birthday and they got pretty mad that they weren't informed, but all well next time ;p

So that's about it thanks for the birthday wishes,

Love Elder Berends.