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 61 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Elder Parry)

hello

This week's been great, had some memorable moments.

Way stoked to hear that Joseph and Boyd received the the Melchizedek Priesthood, it's such a blessing for a family and I have learnt that more being here. 

I'm transferring :( to Abaiang on the 20th of November. I'll be district leader out there and the district consists of Elders Naurer, Hilliard, my kid (I'll be training) and I. It is an outer island, however is the closest island to Tarawa. The church is somewhat strong, they have 2 small branches. I really want an island that is just you and your companion and a challenging church unit.... but not my will, Gods will. I know I'm still going to love it out there. 

Maritaake (Teiou's brother) got baptized this week, she is 20yrs old and another girl who is way too ready for baptism, she was a Moroni High school student. The baptism I'm really looking forward to is Tiaon and Aabi's baptism on the 19th (so lucky I get to witness it). 

On the Saturday we had such a great lesson with them, the whole family sat in, Tiaon, Nei Aabi, Nei Alma (15yrs, what are the chances they named their daughter that!), Tawita (11yrs), Eri (9yrs) and Nei Ruteta (7yrs). All the children aren't quite ready for baptism as we have been concentrating on the parents so they'll be taught properly later and hopefully be baptized by their father. Anyways, the lesson was just to prepare them for the interview with the district leader, but at the end of the lesson we all shared our gratitude for the opportunity to teach/being taught. The spirit was so strong possibly the strongest I've felt in a lesson before. This family couldn't be any more ready, even when the circumstances where not in their favour. 

So yeah, that's about it for the week, we'll see what the email situation is like over there in Abaiang, if not so good. Might not email next week, so I'll see whenever :) loving it out here, sad to be leaving this area but excited for what is next!

love y'alls 

Elder Berends. 

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.

Week 52 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Good morning,

That's cool to hear that you got to chat with the Larkin's and yes there is some challenges in our Zone, but are on their way to being solved. But other than those few problems, our zone is doing really well! I did get a chance to talk to the whole Zone on Wednesday about using members while teaching. Our Zone is still going really well however, some areas need more encouragement so we are going to go on splits and work with those needing help.

The baptism did not go through, because of women problems... Kiribati people describe it as crashing into the moon, hahaha. but Nei Tekabutara and Omeri will be baptized next week!

also we were meant to have Tebwebwe and her child be baptized next week as well, however, while filling out her baptism form we found out she was not yet married to her partner... for some reason we thought she had but no. So we talked about helping them get married and here in Kiribati you either pay $3 to the government then wait 21days before you can get married, or, pay $50 you could get married straight away. and Nei Tebwebwe is just so legit, she really wants to get baptized so bad, it looks like she's going to drop $50! the crazy thing is we only started teaching her on the 21st of August and as soon as we taught her word of wisdom she quit smoking, cut down her weed plant in their garden (so yeah, just found out that marijuana has made it to Kiribati) and has been so faithful even when her youngest 1 year old child got really sick, she left the hospital on the other side of Tarawa just to come to church!

So, if they get married she'll be baptized on the 24th. but right now i really want to help her husband, Tabomoa. he's a bit of an alcoholic and Nei Tebwebwe really want him to stop. I met him on Friday and he's a really nice guy, i invited him to sit in our lesson on Sunday, but when we showed up he was drunk... so maybe another time.

Nei Emi, has still not climbed the wall of baptism, dont really know what more we can do except for getting her a Book of Mormon in Japanese.

as for stories for your talk in Sacrament meeting... we've been asked to cast away devils a couple of times, so thats something you dont get to do every day, but not sure how you can relate that to a gospel topic. how about that thing we talked about last week about missionary work here and in the spirit world, thats pretty interesting.

thats about it from me... those photos i was meant to send last week they ar in google drive right now.

Love Elder Berends

Week 51 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Mauri, 

So sounds like Dads gonna break a bone mountain biking, haha. And for the m&m's that was a request from a sister missionary from NZ, so I don't know really what they are. And for the tie's flowers, plain, thin but not to skinny, just anything (Elder Berends' Birthday Request). 

This week has been pretty cruzy, no crazy things happened being a Zone Leader, missionaries are behaving. In fact missionaries at least in our district have been working so hard, we've been setting goals for our district to hit 55 member present lessons a week just between our three companionship so that's about 18 each and we have been killing it, now we just need to get the other Districts in our Zone concentrating on their member presents and we could be hitting over 100 member present lessons in our Zone. From this effort of using the ward members has definitely made a difference in the amount of investigators coming to church and should really help recent converts stay faithful. So that's what we will be talking about in our Zone meeting on Wednesday.  

Okay so investigators... Teannaki and Rerei are soooo faithful they are definitely some of our best investigators, however, Rerei has still not divorced with her ex-husband, therefore can not get married to Teannaki until she gets divorced. And to make things worse, her ex-husband is in Tamana, an island very far away without any any missionaries and hates the church... so i hope Teannaki and Rerei just keep being faithful until we get that sorted out.

Also Emi has hit a wall she thinks baptism is this huge massive step that will take several months for her to take, and it is a big scary step considering that her family all back home are Buddhist. 

We have some baptisms coming up, Tebwebwe and her daughter Maggie should make it for the 17th and this Saturday the 10th Omeri and Tekabautara are getting baptized.

And i guess I'll share a little about my thoughts of missionary work so far. So far its like I've lost all concept of time and the outside world. like it doesn't feel like I've been out very long or for a short amount of time. More like this is just how life is now... Missionary work. I read this thing in the Liahona how missionaries come back home and miss the feelings that they felt being a missionary, and its because they are no longer fully consumed in the service of others. they now have worry about themselves again, work, school, money, family, etc. But as a missionary you don't worry about your self much at all, your thoughts are always about you investigators, your ward your members. you are constantly thinking outward and not inward. its an amazing thing, even when you're sick and tired you still want to put that aside for the benefit of others. And because of that determination to help others and God you feel the most fulfilling happiness and joy you could possibly feel. So yeah, not looking forward to that day I have to take off that badge and leave this beautiful place.  

And I'm sorry for my lack of detail in my emails, something that ive noticed about languages is that I'm not yet good at using them, even when speaking english i dont feel very literate. so when i get home I'm definitely going to be reading some books. 

alright love yous

Elder Berends

Week 50 - Tarawa, Teaoraereke (Companion: Elder Grant)

Email Dated August 29, 2016

Hey Everyone !!

This week has been waaayyyy busy, so we had some emergency transfers go down. So the whole of Tuesday was spent driving up and down Tarawa... sucked so bad, had so many lessons planned for Tuesday. And Wednesday was also a day where we had to drive sisters up and down Tarawa, and only got time to teach 3 lessons... Throughout the rest of the week things were normal until Saturday and Sunday. 

This week we had Stake Conference because in both the East and West the Stake's were getting new Stake Presidencies. So we had Elder Johansson (Member of one of the 70's), Elder Cardon (councilor to Elder Halek) and the Fiji Suva Temple President come and do the stake business. 

So for this conference Elder Grant and I were asked to translate from Kiribati to English for people who don't understand Kiribati. We were given a headset so we could listen in Kiribati and a microphone to translate on the spot and everyone who didn't understand Kiribati were given a headset so they could hear us. 

So thats my new experience for the week, on the spot translating for 70's and other important people, it works your brain so hard especially when grammar concept are completely different on Kiribati. If you where to translate a Kiribati sentence word for word to english, it wouldn't make sense. So yeah lots of our weekend was taken up by conference.  

Our investigators are great, working with the ward is going really well, almost all of our lessons are taught with a member present and this effort of getting members involved has really showed in the amount of investigators we are getting to church every week. 

The Pentax camera is awesome I've taken about 8 photos so far... and my photography game has stood up a little bit. 

So for my birthday could you think of sending Almond M&M's, pistachio's, Macroons(that NZ biscuit), more film 200 speed just 1 or 2, those Lint chocolate things that are soft in the middle, maybe some dope new ties, a Japanese Book of Mormon and Liahona if you can get it in time, really I don't know... what ever...

Alright that's it, I'll try and write some personal emails now...

Love Elder Berends.