Too Tired To Think Of A Clever Title (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 20)

Na Vale Tabu

And that's how hard we worked this week. So much work, we're so exhausted. I'll try to cover what we did this week really quick, if I can remember past what I ate for breakfast (I had pretzels that a member gave us).

Monday we had a combined Family Home Evening with the Matanatabu's, the Kasa's, and the Toga's. Two of Sister Kasa's kids, Serewaia and Carrissa, have started taking lessons and are going to be baptized probably next week. They're so solid, we've been seeing them a lot so that we can get them baptized before the end of the transfer. We're also still working with Talei Ciri, who will now be baptized with Serewaia and Carrissa, probably on the 9th of July.

I love little Fijian kids!

Tuesday and Wednesday I was on exchanges with Elder Carlson, my old companion from Tavua who is now my Zone Leader. It was way fun - he's changed so much since I've last taught with him. I asked him if I've changed at all, and he said that I've changed so much he could hardly describe it. That was a bit of a proud moment for me - but I know that I have a long way to go, and I'm hoping to change just a lot more before I finish my mission later this year. But the exchange with Elder Carlson was way fun - I worked him so hard that we had to take periodic breaks in walking (Elder Kahia and I don't take breaks - we walk until we get there*).

We ate something called "Moca" (moe-tha) at the Tuinisautu's house, it's some kind of green that's the midway point between rourou and bele (not that any of you know what that is). It was way tasty! We ate our fill that time, and the Tuinisautu's always give us a big plate of cucumbers too, which is pretty rare in Fiji (my brother Zac would die here without cucumbers). We have some fantastic families here in Samabula, and they never let us go hungry.

Sunday was a day of a lot of ups and very few downs - the only real downer being that the Kasa's couldn't make it to church. But Salote Ravosai could, and it's been 3 years since she's been to church! Elder Kahia and I were so happy when she walked in with Sister Korologa. Elder Kahia and I also spoke in Sacrament Meeting about people we've served here in Fiji. It was fun hearing the members compliment us afterwards on our Fijian.

We found this centipede on our way to a lesson on Thursday night -

 I've never been bitten by one, but I heard that it just hurts ca sara ga

I'm sorry, at the moment like everything escapes my mind. I just know that nearly every day, we worked until we dropped. And that's what's gonna happen next week too! Let's go!

Elder Barnaby

*unless we stop at the store for a snack

The Week God's Work Worked Us (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 19)

We found a cool little trail - it led to a pig sty (I mean a literal pen of pigs)

Sister Taufa tried to draw the

 "Avatar: The Last Airbender" symbol on my head with a whiteboard marker.

And I mean it! There hasn't been a single day this week that we haven't gone home just completely dead-tired. Allow me to explain a little bit the wonderful, joyful, hard work that Elder Kahia and I experienced this week.

We had the great "Suva North Zone Cup" last P-Day - 

District versus District. 

Samabula District's team color: blue (SamaBlua!)

Monday was super fun. We had a big Zone-wide tournament and each District had a color and there were different events like Basketball, Volleyball, relays, and "Pani" (a Fijian game involving stacking cans and throwing balls). It was awesome - even though we lost by one point to the Tamavua District. That evening, we had a Ward Family Home Evening, to which came several of our investigators.

Behold - Tukana "Tuks", king of dance

Tuesday we had our first-ever District Potluck Lunch after District Meeting. Definitely worth it - Elder Carlson cooked some mean curry and fried chicken. This next week Elder Kahia and I are the chefs, so beware! But Tuesday, that's where it started. We started getting into so many houses and so many appointments that by the end of the day, we were just so exhausted. We started teaching Talei, Sister Ciri's daughter who is 9 years old and hasn't been baptized yet. She's really shy and quiet, but she really wants to be baptized so we're excited for her.

Fijians know how to make the most of life

The rest of the week was just work - work, work, work, work,

work. I've never sweat so much and had so many people just stop us and say hello and ask us to come back sometime. No one has come up to us yet and said, "Hey Elders, baptize us" but that's not our entire purpose anyway. Our real purpose, as we explained to Shane and Asinaca Suka in a very Spirit-led lesson on Saturday, is to invite all to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel and its blessings, through faith and repentance and keeping covenants with our Heavenly Father. The other purpose is, of course, to bring families closer together. One observation we made this week is that our well-known name tags carries to names in bold: the name of our family and the name of the Savior, which is part of the name of the Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). That is our purpose - baptism is just a step in that process we make to draw closer to the Savior.

It was fantastic! Rosi's husband, Jerry, performed her baptism!

LDS Primary School children just know 

the most important parts of the gospel

The main focus this week was Rosi Matanatabu and her baptism. And was she ready? You better believe it. She opened up so much this week, passed her baptismal interview with flying colors, and was able to be baptized by her husband Jerry. It was such a special day. To hear Rosi bear her testimony was powerful - she was quiet, and very nervous, but the Spirit was strong. This girl is converted. We're so proud of her, and Jerry, who have made such changes and sacrifices in their lives to become more like the Savior of the World, our Master, Jesus Christ.

We're not the best at selfies

This week brought heaps of work - and next week, now that we're stronger, the work better watch out!

Elder Barnaby

My home Fiji!!

The Members Are Calling Me Fat (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 18)

This little guy's name is Josevata - we did service at his family's house this week

This week has just flown by, and somehow tons of work got done in between. I don't know where to start!

On Wednesday we had our Zone Conference about the Atonement and it was fantastic - so inspiring, we learned so much from it! President Layton has a great understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and it was exciting to get to tap into some of that wisdom. Probably the most quotable thing he said - "Some people try to atone for their own sins, but that is impossible - except to the Savior."

This is Immanuel, he's from the island of Rotuma and he's about to leave on 

his mission to the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) this week!

Throughout this whole week we've been seeing Rosi and Jerry, getting her ready for her baptism next week. She's so prepared! She comes every week and has kept all the commitments we've asked her to keep. Jerry is also a big help - he wants to be at every lesson to help and support her, and he often asks her unspoken questions. Ever since they got married a few weeks ago, they've been much happier and more open with us. The Lord truly does bless those that put him first. The ward is getting pumped for her baptism this week, in addition to two other activities and our Ward Conference that will be happening this coming week. Seems like we'll be at the chapel every day!

Service at the Suka family's house

One of our favorite new families that we found is the Suka family. Shane Suka is the brother of Sister Williams, who runs the Church Distribution Center on the Temple compound. He and his wife have had a lot of interaction with the church over the years, their kids school at LDS Primary, and they were super welcoming when we first met them, on request of Sister Williams. We went to their house on Saturday and spent all morning helping them cut and clean their yard. It was a very enjoyable experience, and a great first-contact with them. They invited us back to have dinner there next week, and we're so excited to get to know them better.

Elda Kahia and Tukai just chilling

How 'bout those headphones? Kelepi is 

determined to get the experience out of his game

Every day was filled with food this week - some days we ate four times, between the hours of 12 and 6pm. It was actually very hard. Never thought I'd have that problem on my mission. In Fijian culture, they give you everything - and the best of everything. And it's very rude not to accept the offering, so we just ate as much as we could without it coming back up (with one exception...). At our dinner appointment on Thursday, Sister Tuinisautu pointed out that since I've gotten to Samabula 4 months ago I've gotten fatter ("O iko sa levulevu mai!"). And those were her exact words. Several other members agreed throughout the week. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I guess it is a blessing that the members love us so much.

And I love them too. This week was so great, and I can't wait for what next week holds!

Elder Barnaby 

Lucky Number 13 (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 17)

Elder Ta'a's last day in Samabula - we had a race with Ben and Isikeli Dunn 

for exercise that morning (Ben won by a landslide - and he was the only on barefoot)

Transfers! Elder Ta'a left to go to Toga Branch in Nausori South Zone, and I am still here in

Samabula 2nd! I tend to spend a good amount of time in each area - at the end of this transfer, it will be nearly 6 months in Samabula 2nd (same as my stay in Taveuni and Tavua, the latter being my first and longest area).

My new companion is named Elder Kahia, he just finished his

My newest companion - Elder Kahia!

training in Dratabu, Nadi and he is my 13th companion. Lucky number 13! Not often do people have this many compnaions - I'm just lucky I guess! Elder Kahia is from Brisbane, Australia, he's 18 years old and he's way funny. He loves the Fijian people and is just a great positive guy to be around. I feel like this is going to be a way fun transfer!

photo credit to Ezekiel Dunn

We got Elder Ta'a all ready to go on Friday to Toga Branch (which is funny, because it's pronounced the same way as "Tonga", which is where Elder Ta'a is from), said some goodbyes, Sister Matanatabu made us a big pot of kokoda (raw fish salad - and she made us finish it ourselves), and we parted ways. Elder Ta'a is my longest companion, and I definitely learned a ton from him in our 3 1/2 months together. He's a really fantastic missionary - and nothing stops him!

Rosi and Jeri are officially married! They put the Lord first, and to be honest, I haven't seen them happier. We sat down with them on Saturday and set Rosi's baptismal date for the 18th of this month. She's really excited to be baptized, and her husband wants to sit in on every lesson to help her to understand everything! Those Matanatabus are so inspiring. Sister Matanatabu is having a bit of trouble - she got a new job, which requires her to work on Sundays. Prayers for her would be great, so she can figure out that situation to be able to keep the Sabbath Day holy and come to church.

Just outside the temple, we ran into the Tora family from my first area - Tavua! 

Nina, the one in the center, was my second convert in the mission.

Nice view from Nauluvatu settlement

We're doing lots of finding, trying to expand our teaching pool and see more people this transfer. We're hoping and praying for miracles, which I know will come as we work hard and are obedient and prayerful to the Lord. After all, Elder Kahia is lucky number 13! Let's go Samabula! Go Fiji go!

Elder Barnaby

I got a new name tag - Fijian style!

O Viti, O Viti (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 16)

Wow - the Lord really can make something out of nothing. He made miracles happen when we least expected it. The big highlights of the week were, for me, the baptisms in the Samabula 1st Ward and Church on Sunday in our Samabula 2nd Ward.

As a District Leader, I am authorized to conduct interviews of candidates prepared for baptism. The interview is, in part, to check their knowledge and understanding of the doctrines and principles they've come to believe by taking the missionary discussions, and in part to check if they've truly repented of their past mistakes and are committed to following the Savior Jesus Christ for the rest of their life. It's less of a test, though, and more of a conversation about testimony. A testimony is simply what you believe - and it is gained through the Holy Ghost, who testifies to our souls of truth. That's really what's being talked about in baptismal interviews - testimony and conversion.

This past week, I was able to conduct two baptismal interviews, and both were powerful in a simple way. It was the simplicity and the calm atmosphere that the Spirit brought that made Te and Ben's baptismal interviews so special. They are both truly ready to make and keep covenants (promises) with the Lord. And they have already started - they, along with two others, were baptized on Saturday, and it was probably the highest-attended baptism I've ever been to in Fiji.

The special event of Sunday was that our recent convert, Sister Matanatabu, received her first calling - to be 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. That, coupled with the news that Rosi and Jeri Matanatabu will be married so that Rosi can be baptized, just made everything so sweet this past week.

We have transfers this week, and I'm pretty sure I'll be going, but I learned this week that I love Fiji. I never want to leave. This is my home. And wherever I go next - or if I stay - it's still Fiji and it's still my favorite place in the world.

Elder Barnaby

"In Remembrance of Me" (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 15)

I have a small print-out of a painting of the Savior above my desk in our flat. It's a depiction of the Last Supper, and it just touches my soul as I see Him breaking the bread in the painting in such a loving way and hearing His words repeated in my head, "This is in remembrance of me". It's touched me in a way that I can't forget, looking up at this picture every time I feel inadequate or down. I hear those words, "This do in remembrance of me" and I realize that that is what I'm doing right now. I'm doing this, I'm serving a mission, in remembrance of Him and helping others to come unto Christ so that they too can do all things in remembrance of Him who gave us all things, and saves us from all things if we will but heed the call, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest".

Because of Christ, people can change a lot faster than you'd think possible. I saw that in one of our less-actives, Jone Varawa, this week. Over the past month, he just made a huge switch and started coming to church on his own. As we've seen him and befriended him, he's made leaps and strides towards living a better life. He's about 25 years old, and people just gravitate towards him. He's so himself, so funny that everyone loves being around him. I have a feeling that he's going to do amazing things for the Samabula 2nd Ward and for the people around him as the Lord uses those talents for good.

The same goes for my awesome companion, Elder Kanongata'a. He's so powerful and all the members here love him. Our recent convert, Sofaia Matanatabu, even quoted him in her testimony during sacrament meeting last sunday! The Lord uses his talents in furthering the work of salvation here in Fiji and in changing me into a better person. I really enjoy seeing that picture every morning, and thinking of the words "In Remembrance of Me", because I'm realizing that more and more every day the truthfulness of the Prophet's words: "Our lives must become a meaningful expression, the symbol of our testimony of the Living Christ" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Symbol of Our Faith"). In other words, if we are living the way He would live, we live "in remembrance of Him".

So, that's the challenge this week: Are you living "in remembrance of Him"? Do people recognize Him as they interact with you every day? When you partake of the Sacrament on Sunday, are you willing to "take His name upon you" and be a remembrance of Him? That's what I'm trying to do right now, and it isn't easy, but it's so right.

Loloma yani mai vei keitou mai na veiyanuyanu i Pasifika!

Elda Barnaby

Glory to God (Samabula 2nd Area, Week 14)

She knows He is listening!!

First of all, I have to say Skyping my family last week was fantastic! The internet was spotty, the conversation wasn't long and was cut short, but it was so worth it. That was the last one - next time I see them will be one of the most bittersweet days of my life! But, let's not think about that - let's talk about this past week.

Raijeli C may be the cutest

 little girl on the face of the planet.

We had exchanges this week - I went with Elder Tairua to his area and we just smashed out the work. I love Elder Tairua as a Zone Leader because he really cares about me - during language study, he just had me tell him stories about my life (in Fijian of course). He really loves these people, and they love him for good reason. One of the appointments was with a less-active family who had been given the challenge by Elder Tairua and his companion to teach them a lesson. It was way cool - and I think they learned a lot by preparing it (the amazing part is that they actually were prepared, with written out questions and everything). Super fun exchange.

On Thursday we had a special Leadership Training Meeting for the Zone Leaders and District Leaders (including me) in Suva and Suva North Zones. It was fantastic - we learned so much from President Layton and the Assistants about becoming better leaders, dealing with certain situations, and performing our different responsibilities effectively (I'm not entirely sure if that made sense in English).

One of the areas we go to is called Lovonilase, which is a small settlement in, well, a graveyard.

 It's kind of sketchy, but hey, who else can say that they proselyted in a cemetery?

One of our new favorite investigators is Rosiana, who is engaged to Brother Matanatabu's brother, Jeri, who is less-active but coming back to church. They live with the Matanatabus, who have gotten their eviction extended as they are waiting on the wood to build their house. Rosiana is, as they say here in the mission field "way golden" and really wants to embrace the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and be baptized. We're working with them to get married first but we're praying that all works out well for both of them! Rosiana has come to church two Sundays in a row (Sister Sofaia

Matanatabu, the one Elder Ta'a and I baptized, is a big help in this regard). This Sunday, we were surprised to see some other potential investigators who live with the Lord family at church on Sunday. They're from Tavua, so I always get pretty excited to speak in Tavua dialect to them. To top it off, we had over 75 people at church today for the second week in a row - an amazing change since I first got here to Samabula 2nd! When I first got here, the average Sacrament Meeting attendance was maybe in the 30s or 40s, but now we're getting into the 70s and 80s and it's just really nice to see the Lord's hand in His work.

Brother Vuidreketi is one of my favorite people - 

this was at our Ward FHE last Monday

This is Errol Qaqa - the man himself (honest)

I'm going to skip back as I close this letter - on Tuesday, we had District Meeting and I had been trying to come up with an object lesson to use for my training, which I'd titled "Glory to God". Finally, that morning it came to me, and I know for a fact that it was from the Spirit because it had a powerful impact on us. I pulled out a bag of Doritos (yes, we have them in select stores in Fiji) which had been mostly eaten down to the last few chips. I then dumped them on the floor and had the members of the District then race to see who could collect the most chips. After counting them up, we determined who was the winner and the winner began to eat his chips - off of the dirty floor! We talked for a little bit, and I asked if they really wanted to eat the chips off of the floor. I then gave them an alternative - to give all the chips to God. At this point, the winner had eaten all of his chips and had none to give, but the other Elders and Sisters put theirs back in the bag, and I rewarded them with a fresh, unopened bag of Doritos. The object lesson was that when we give what we earn (the glory) back to God, He will reward us more than we can know. I asked the winner, who had eaten all of his dirty, slightly stale chips off of the floor, which he enjoyed more, and he said that he liked the fresh chips a lot more. That's the kind of joy we can have when we return the glory to God - so much better than if we take the honor and praise for ourselves. It was super powerful, and the Spirit was strong as

Now that's what 

I call a full dinner calendar

we discussed the concept.

I love you all - hope you have a great week and always give the glory to Him whose glory it rightfully is!

Elda Barnaby

You don't know life until you haven't eaten Cap'n Crunch for a year and a half - and then you eat a whole box.