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