Ok news.... drum roll please...I'm going, going, back, back , to Gaua, ,Gaua!

So..... news again! Just got here to blacksands it feels, but news has
come again. I think I'll make you wait first. So this week has been
pretty good. Challenging at times. Some good lessons. One of my
favorites was with Lorenzo and Roger. We went out to their house and
taught about following the prophet. We read Ephesians 2:20 and then I
got out my ensign that had the first presidency, quorum of the 12, and
the seventies on it. They were super interested and asked so many good
questions. They wanted to know more about President Monson. They asked
where they could find his teachings. They also wanted to know about
his life. I explained some things to them and they want to watch
general conference next time. I had studied about prophets that
morning and it really helped. I felt very guided by the spirit. After
the lesson, him mom Marcella came up to me. She showed me this energy
drink powder and asked if it was ok to drink looking at me as if I
were some sort of wise man haha. I was also sick a little on
wednesday. We had a lot of appointments so we went anyways but I felt
really weak, especially hiking up the mountain in Rango rango. Our
last lesson we taught up there was the best, with the Taleo family.
They are recent converts. In the other lessons that day my weakness I
feel was holding me back. The spirit really invigorated me in this
lesson. We read 2 nephi 4 or the "psalm of nephi". I really like
nephi's comments here. Even nephi of all people felt guilt and shame
for sin. But then he snapped out of it, realized, and trusted the
savior. I taught about the power of the atonement not only to overcome
sin but any other kind of hardship. They were clearly touched and once
again maripol shared her gladness for joining the church. After that
they said their next door neighbor requested a blessing. We went over
with Joe Gila, our member present. Joe did the anointing and I gave
the blessing. I love giving blessings. I had read a talk from
President Monson that morning about the power of the priesthood. After
the blessing it was quiet and reverant and the spirit was strong.
After all seemed to be looking at me. After another neighbor of theirs
who had watched asked me a bunch of questions with very big interest.
In my peripheral vision I could see he didn't take his eyes off me.
The priesthood is real. That day I saw my own weakness, and power was
given to me that was not my own. Joe, who was following us to teach,
the branch presidents son had been limping a bit from a soccer injury
the other day. He said his foot felt fine now after the blessing and I
felt a lot better as well. Also taught Amos again. He's a good guy,
very genuine. We taught him about the word of wisdom and the law of
chastity. At first he didn't understand the word of wisdom, coffee in
particular. After we explained to him he said more or less that he got
it, they were just using all of those things wrong and that they
werent' for the body. Saw Aru as well. He's a strong SDA. We taught a
good lesson about the importance of the Sabbath day. Of course he
started getting into the sabbath or saturday or sunday thing. After I
read 2 verses from the bible and he took it very well. I think because
we answered humbly he accepted it. He wants to come to church next
week. Also went and taught this lady named Elsie. She got baptised in
Australia and then came back here after her work was finished. It
looks as if he agreed to satisfy the missionaries. She came back and
started teaching a bible study class in a church close to her. We had
a good chat with her and after we went to the Book of Mormon. We read
Mosiah 18 and focused on the baptismal covenant. She liked it a lot.
After she went a little weird. She said that she kept prophecying
things and then they were happening. There was a building here in Vila
that burnt down a few months ago. She said she prophecied that would
happen haha. The highlight of the week was my interview with President
Klingler and Zone Conference. We had a good long interview. We talked
a lot about how to help my companion. He's such a good leader and he
really loves us. He said he has very big confidence in me and needs
me. I've heard that he likes me a lot which I was glad to hear. Zone
Conference was great as always. President Klingler stressed Obedience.
He said we as missionaries are able to learn this faster than anyone
because of the instant blessings that follow (the spirit). I was glad
to hear this because I've really been worrying about some of our
missionaries who don't realize the importance of it. Missionaries who
are partly obedient through their missions will come back learning a
part of what they could have learned or experiencing part of what they
could have. I'm not perfect but I really am striving with a willing
heart.

Ok news............. drum roll please....................................
I'm going, going, back, back,
to Gaua, Gaua!
haha suprise! I was way suprised to hear. President wants me to go
re-open Gaua and train again. Headed out monday I think? I'm pretty
stoked. We have some baptisms that weren't able to happen and I
haven't forgotten anyone at all over there. Now I get to go and see
the new branch, with it's new branch president and see the new chapel
coming in. I am way excited to go back. One of our investigators from
Gaua, Lydia came to church in blacksands on sunday because she found
out I was here. We had a good chat and she said she should have gone
back already but didn't have enough money. She didn't ask but I gave
her 2000 vatu to help out. She said everyone there misses us so much
and were so sad when we left. Norbert wouldn't eat. Mama Veka cried
all night. She said I hope you or Elder Bacon can come back some day.
I also saw the other Lydia from Gaua here at church on saturday. She's
the former branch presidents sister and mother of Michelle :). She
said she'd be going back and said the same things. They need
missionares again. Stoked to go back. They said I have to get there
and find us housing haha. Should be an adventure. Learned some great
things here that I can take back there. Sister Klingler talked about
the impression we leave in our areas. I have a chance to leave a big
one.


Elder Sears