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