Dear Family,
So I've hit a year now! I've hit the top of the mountain and
I'm headed down now. Crazy. I really enjoyed all of your e mails. It was so
great to hear how you're all doing. I have such a great family. Is it cool if I
can be one of those guys who lives at the house until I'm 40? haha I feel like
going on my mission has made me realize how good of a family I have. When you're
in high school all you think about is friends but it's been so cemented how
important families are on my mission. So I'm here in Santo for Zone Conference.
It's been good. We spent all day yesterday at the church house in trainings.
President Klingler is so great. He loves his missionaries. He looks out for 3
countries but he knows every one of us, our companions and areas. He prays for
us and cares a lot. So I'll tell you about a few updates since the phone call.
May 19th was epic. We had been working for that day for a long time. Jonas,
Fred, Marus, Richard, and Louise got baptized. They are all sooo great and we've
spent so much time preparing them. All of them have made huge changes in their
lives. 2 of them are here at the conference with us, and Jonas, (jeremy's dad, the
albino) will likely become the 1st councelor of the branch. I can't take credit
for the success but Gaua has changed SO much. When I got here it was a unit with
attendances of about 19ish every week. We had a unit leader who taught sunday
school and gave the talks prayed and lead the songs. We've gotten a new branch
president, JANSEN since then. Elder Bacon and I really focused on him when we
were new there. He was less active but had always been so enthusiastic about the
church, but some of the members had went against him. Now he's become a great
branch president. Inexperienced but SO willing and consecrates his time. Before
we'd come and it would be hard to find him because he'd always be at the ocean
in his kayak. Now he hardly goes. He always says he was called just like christ
called fisherman to be his disciples. I love Jansen. I will never forget him. If
communication were better he would be a life long friend. Between us it's really
just genuine love. The other day after our phone call I got sick. President
heard and went to the ocean to get me some fish in really rough water fried them
and brought them over. We work so well together. He said he will say goodbye to
me the night before I leave but won't come to the airport to see me off because
he'd cry. I love the members so much here. I feel so loved here and comfortable
with them. I've been here for longer than anyone else who has served in gaua.
I've basically been here my whole mission. It'll be hard to top it. I came here
out of being trained and my first area slightly clueless. From then on in this
area and for a bit in blacksands I feel like i've really grown. Last week we had
a double marriage! Elder and Sister Hanks, a couple from Las Vegas and President
Mahit, the district president came to visit Gaua. We set up the marriages before
they came. When we tried to go down we all walked to get to the boat that could
take us down to queteon. We went out and the water was really stormy and rough.
We went back in and the Hanks had to go back and we walked. They were super
happy to be married and have been wanting and waiting for 2 years now to get
baptized. The new church house here is just about finished! They're just waiting
for cement to make the floor. Too bad I'll miss the first week in there. They're
also going to send extra cement to make a huge water tank. Our area that we're
really having success in is called Naveto village. The chief said he's afraid
that in a while the anglican church will be empty. Tons of people have told us
or Jansen they want to join but they won't be able to use the big community tank
because the chief blocked members and converts to the church from using it. Our
new tank should help. I didn't inhale it but I was almost worshiped the other
day haha. After church we had an auxillary meeting. I started it, shared my
thoughts and at the end they all started planning my farewell feast. Then they
started to talk about why I was great and actually did something in Gaua unlike
the ones before, I didn't inhale it but it felt nice to be appreciated. I think
we'll be having Jansens Pig at the farewell? So as of late I'm getting lots of
questions thrown my way. Studying helps so much. I've felt so guided and
prepared for them. I'll be going back on monday and promptly transferring. I
don't know which of the areas but I have it narrowed down to a few. Should be
exciting...
Hey sierra! Mi lavem yu!
To answer a few questions- wierdest food this week?
I had pizza on Gaua! This french lady named Morey had always been
promising me she'd make me one. the other day I texted her and asked her to
throw some fanta's in the icebox. She was about to jump on her 4 wheeler and
bring it up to us when we ran into her. She's the only one with an icebox on
Gaua and she brought cheese from vila that was frozen. very tasty. anyways I
gotta go! Love you all! Time for my last interview with President Klingler.
. Anyways I love you all. The church is true.
Elder Sears
