Bas Metavarin! ( Good morning here in Northwest Malekula)

Dear Family,

Bas metavarin!. (good morning here in Northwest Malekula). It’s 9:14 and we’re here in Lakatoro town. This morning Elder Tula and I were sleeping when President Nori woke us up before  6 and told us he stopped a truck for us. We put some clothes on and jumped in the back of the truck with lots of others and the bananas. My area is awesome. We serve in Tulwe branch and we also look after a unit called Leviamp. It’s about a 90 minute walk. Missionaries are very needed here. Attendance this week was 19 at the branch and 18 at the unit. That’s everyone coming. The church is here only for these few faithful families. I hope we can bring some more in. When I came we had one investigator. Now we have a few but this week we’ll be finding some more. I fasted for that purpose. We live here with the branch president and his family. I love them. They are so fun. They remind me of family Saaki in Gaua. We live in a house entirely made of bamboo. We have a small pipe that runs to the river that we bathe in. We don’t own any cooking materials or stove. We eat with the family morning, lunch, and dinner. We buy food on P day and go put it in their kitchen. I told mama Margret that if it was too much of a burden we could get a stove and cook for ourselves. She explained she has 2 kids away at school so we’re simply taking their places. We’ve a part of the family. I call Mark or President, Papa and Margret, Mama. Elder Tula and I are doing great. We get along so well and joke around a lot. I’ve learned pretty well the traits and attitudes here. What’s mine is yours. If you like mine, you can have it. He’s a really good teacher and we’ve had some good chats. We’re just waiting for the Land Cruiser for Malekula to come. The others will use it but they’ll be putting my make-shift weight set inside of it for us 2. We’ll be doing some intense work outs. Elder Tula is huge. I feel totally safe with him haha. He looks like a warrior. I call him Captain Moroni sometimes. We’ve been eating lots of Laplap Sorsor (Malekula’s main food). They scratch either banana, taro, manyoak, or wael-yam into a pudding. Then they bake it with hot stones. In the middle they make a big hole and fill it with coconut milk for dipping the food in. I eat very well and am gaining weight. I eat entirely food from the garden. Anyways that a small update for you. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder Sears

Just landed in Malekula....

Hey family,

Hello from Malekula! So I just landed here and we went straight into "town" here in Lakatoro because it's P day. It feels good/different to be back on the island. I'm just excited to get to my house and area and unpack. It was hard saying goodbye to Erakor. I love the people there. That branch has such potential and will continue to become better. When they heard I was going I was surprised, I didn't serve there long but I made some really good friends. Alan and his family made me a "last kakae" or meal. They made a HUGE laplap sorsor in my honor (malekula dish). It's vegetables (taro) grated on a grater then baked on a stone with chicken meat in there. When it's done you pick up the hot stones with grabbers. Maxai and Tuman was a hard goodbye. We had one last lesson with them yesterday and as I shook hands with him he hugged me for a good while. This morning he called me as I got on the plane and told me that "God is with me". I also got to see Aline again this morning, my recent convert from Etas. She is epic. She's 21, and the institute teacher. She texted last night to ask if we could come teach her again. We taught her and went straight to the airport this morning. She is awesome, just needed some encouragement to be strong. She'll start filling up her forms in July once she has her 1 year membership. Anways that's all thats new. Not settled yet. Next week I'm sure I'll have more to say. Love you all. Pray for me and Elder Tula.



Elder Sears

Onward to Malekula

Hey family,

Didn't get a chance to e mail last time. So news...... I'm transferring! I was pretty shocked to hear. Like really shocked. I'll be going to the Tuluwe branch in Malekula island. The island gets it's name from when Captain Cook the explorer came and named it: "Pain in the a**" in french because of it's terrain and look. I'll be looking after 1 branch and 1 unit. It just got opened up to having it's own elders about 2 weeks ago. Before it was visited occasionally. My house will be like Gaua but more remote. Grass hut and a water pipe. The branch presidents family cooks for me until I get a stove. I'll be serving with Elder Tula from Etas branch. I know all his family. He got transferred from the Solomon Islands back to here.I'm being sent there to finish my mission .I get to be "Manbus" again. When I first heard, my first thought was Erakor. I love Erakor. Everything is going SO well. Such progress is being made. I had a day or 2 of being bummed and lots of thinking. I read 1 Nephi chapter 3 and it really identified with me. I will not murmur but I will do because I'm supposed to and I can because God said so. Pray for me and my Companion. I'm confident it'll be ok. My former and favorite companion, Elder Samuel is from this branch in malekula! It's his own small branch with his whole family and twin sister there. He was jumping up and down when he heard I was going. For the last few months already Elder Samuel's family had been making me some island baskets and mats to send to me when I left. I met his family once here in Vila, they are so awesome. Now it turns out I'll be going there myself. He's giving me the whole low down on everything. So off I go. Today was our Zone Leader Council. It was great as always and encouraged me. Today I spent my time preparing to go back into the bush. Bought a pocket knife, a light, and some other outdoor items. I'm excited to get back out there. President said I'm more well suited out in the bush with those people. So that's whats new with me. So this means I won't be doing any more withdrawls haha. Just one today for needed items before I go. Hoping I'll get my package before I'm out into the wild. Anyways love you all. Glad to report I CAN e mail there. Don't know too much about the island but it does have a place for it. That's it for now. Talk to you from the island.

eLdEr sEaRs

January 14, 2013

Family,

It was great reading your letters. I loved both of your letters, mom + dad. Dad, you're a stud. Good job sharing the Gospel whether it's recieved or not. We had a great lesson last week in Elders Quorum about sharing the Gospel. Mom, it's great to hear about all your good plans for when I get back. I'm excited to spend good time with you guys. I was glad also to hear about the bonus again. I know you're being blessed while I'm away. As for me I'm bittersweet. Until yesterday night I was GREAT. Erakor Branch is the best! We're being abundantly blessed with success and support. We've been trying hard to get to know ALL the members. It's quite the task. Here in Vila people kinda come and go from here and their islands. It's hard to keep track of people and their membership records when they move a lot. Lots of members are in Erakor branch records and lots aren't. Currently my mind keeps being brought back to a comment made a few months ago in Etas. We were at Andrick Vano's house, our Elders Quorum pres. He asked about missionary work in Etas. We told him we were facing a bit of a hard time finding people with little support. He listened and said he had similar experiences on his mission in Tahiti. He said what will happen is you'll struggle but you'll learn. He said you'll go to a different place and it will start to flow. People to teach will come out of nowhere and success will come with seemingly ease. That was true. Everyone we're working with (Mostly LA's) are doing great. We've been trying lots of things. From teaching their children, to casual visits and conversations, going to the garden with them for a day and just caring about them and giving a good example. We've seen 4 families come back since we've started. The last 2 sundays I've counted over a dozen we've worked with. The branch is doing so much better and is on the rise. Last sunday we did a Reactivation with the Elders Quorum with a small meal at the end at the 1st counselors house. At the end we met up with 18 of us! From the branch presidency to missionaries to young men to investigators even! We looked like a white shirted army. It was powerful. Last sunday I gave a talk about Heavenly Father. I read D+C 130:22 and tried to help everyone understand Him more. I went through and described all His  attributes in the topical guide. We also planned a YM activity with our bud Tony. He just got called to serve in Canada. It was "THE AMAZING RACE". It had 9 checkpoints. Everyone you had to figure out and find and take a picture there or a video. We sang the Nat'l anthem in front of the Parliment Building. We visited the Relief society president at her work and sang a song about "Island dresses". It was a blast. After we borrowed a projector from the district and watched the prince of egypt and "Kolipoki" (The other side of heaven, no one here knows that name or calls it that, just kolipoki). We also have some great investigators. We'll be having a baptism next week for Alan, the son on the recently activated counselor in the Elders quorum. All is great in Erakor. So thats the good in a nutshell. But..... yesterday I was brought down. While I was in Etas I had 3 converts: A, S, and R. The first is 50 something. S is 9 and R is 14. R stopped coming to church because she is pregnant. I felt so sick to my stomach and bad for her. I don't know how or why. Last week I read Alma 31:26-31 and pondered it. Now I know how he felt. I'll be doing exchanges in Etas soon and I will go see her. I don't know what I'll say but I'll try do encorage her as much as I can. Thats about it for now. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder Sears


PS PLEASE send John Groberg's book!

Long God Yumi Stanap

Sears Family,

Thanks for the letters. Things here have chilled out a little bit. Last week was crazy. We had Zone Conference on friday and all of Tanna was here. Our bus was well worked with all of them going all over Vila. It was the first ZC we had planned for. It was really good with some things to improve for next time. One part I really liked. President Basil, the district president here addressed us. He has served in the Church for so long. He's definitely a pioneer. He talked about missionary work here and gave us some right on advice. He's from Mere Lava in the Banks group (I've been to his village on my one trip there). He talked about the people here. He used Alma 32 about people in poverty who are compelled to be humble. He's lived here his whole life but he's been to other countries. He realizes his people don't have many of the worldly things or modern comforts that other places have. The people here in Vanuatu are so humble. They are so kind. He reminded us that because of custom and respect almost all will accept you into their homes to share. BUT it's about finding those who are ready to hear/change. Here has it's own challenges. He read a scripture about the Lamanites and how they were wild and ferocious people. He said they are not like that here. I can honestly say that EVERYONE here believes in God. Like the nations motto: "LONG GOD YUMI STANAP". "Vanuatu" means "Land Eternal". During his talk and others I felt so grateful to be here to teach but especially to learn from their great examples of love and kindness. I've tried hard to learn and adopt their attributes. On a funny note the other day we had a "Famle haos naet" at family Pierre's house. Their son, Jeremiah said I look like Captain America, or like the actor that plays him when he gets into the Captain American suit? (Don't know haven't seen it). I love having FHE here, they're always fun. We had one yesterday with Family Joseph in Erakor Village. It's a very large village with lots of people. They have a massive yellow church house called the presbyterian temple thats quite the sight. Joseph is the first Branch President of Erakor branch and his whole large family of grown children are all members. Sadly, his wife, Anna is the only one who had remained faithful since he was released. We went and had a really good activity and message. We chatted for a good while and heard about him joining the church. Oh, and by the way we met Joseph Smith. Joseph named one of his grandchildren Smith because his family name is Joseph making it on paper: Smith, Joseph but it's reversable. I've also started exercising a lot. I'm using a make-shift bench set. It's a long piece of iron with two cement round blocks on both sides. The bench is made of small timber. I've been lifting every morning and night. It's not super heavy so I just lift it a bunch until i get tired. It makes me more energised throughout the day and I've seen some results asthetically haha. As always I'm enjoying my Book of Mormon reading. I miss not being so busy. Ever since I've been here I haven't been able to study as much as before. I remember on Gaua there was lots of time for it. Everyone here goes to bed early so we end up at the house and I'd lay down and read Jesus the Christ and the BoM a lot. I'm trying my best to learn all that I can in my remaining time. I've been praying to have experiences to learn from. Also, our best bud/ member present got his mission call! His name is Tonny Lauoto. He has been called to serve in the Canada Montreal Mission, spanish speaking departing for the provo MTC on april 30. Elder Yunacks same mission? not sure. He's super excited and we'll be working with him a lot. As far as Sister Waiane, she is back here in Vanuatu. She got her visa but missed her MTC group. Her new mtc date is january 29 out of here. Anyways thats all i can think of right now. Thanks for everything including the prayers. Love you all.

Elder Sears.

 

Famle blong mi,

Thanks for the letters. I always appreciate them. Sounds like you guys had a fun Christmas with the family/and the Bacon's. I'm so excited to see all of them again. All the Sears/Donovan clan. My Christmas was pretty good. My favorite part was our Erakor branch activity. We went to Eton beach and had lots of food + fun. It had great attendance! 77 came to the activity 45 came to sacrament meeting the next day, haha. We're trying our best to help this branch. Right now missionaries in this mission have an interesting role. We are missionaries/branch strengtheners. We're spending lots of time with the members trying to encourage them and help them in their callings. One change we made was where the Elders quorum and Relief society were meeting. All the papa's were inside under the shelter and the mama's were outside where rain has come before and sun. In branch counsel our idea was put into place. The last 2 sundays we've switched. Also the start time was changed to a time more suitable for here. Last sunday I was happy to see some less actives we're working with come. We're preparing a child of record baptism for a boy named Alan. His family is half active. We've been going at least twice a week and teaching him with his whole family and the recent converts who live in that area. It's made a good impact on them and we're liked around there (Erakor Bridge area). This time of year can be hard for missionary work with Christmas + New Years today. People are busy and...... occupied. . I feel a little dormant. I MISS serving on the "island". Outside of town and other missionaries. I hope I'll get a last area after this one. Zone Conference is this week. We've been doing lots of planning for it. This will be a hectic week. I'm excited to see what President Brewers comments and vision is for us. I'm enjoying The Miracle of Forgiveness, such a good book. Anyways hopefully next time I'll have better stuff for you guys. Love you all.


Elder Sears

As for Elder Watch and I, We're just dandy....

Dearest Family,


I got the first package! It was nice. Lolly packed. I especially enjoyed the Narration of Charlie Brown you guys did. . How are you guys? Hows real Christmas? haha. Everythings good here. We're in charge of planning Christmas for us 18 missionaries here on Efate island. It'll be fun. Thanks for all the pictures too. I love seeing pictures. Sierra is unrecognisable, really. Do I look any different? So I heard indirectly sierra got her patriarchical blessing through Elder Yunacks letter. Thats so great. I would really like to hear about that. So as for Elder Watch and I we're just dandy. He's a fun guy. We're a good combo. He's a super multitasker and sometimes go here go there worrier type. As for me I'm sure you remember that one time I was described as "laid back to a flaw" haha. We're a good balance. We LOVE our area. Erakor is an awesome branch. Lots of work to be done. Lots of Reactivation. There are SO many less actives. That's the branch's biggest need. Any advice, stories, experiences, scriptures, etc. on that topic? I really like working with Less actives. It's a long/rewarding work. They still have a testimony. You just have to help them remember. In response to this work President Brewer said read every verse out of the Topical Guide under LOVE. That is so true. People can tell so easily if you really care about them or if you're there just to do work. We've been working with a family of members here. They're all members in the family. The dad is the 1st councelor in the Elder quorum. Only the mom still comes. We were teaching 2 recent convert girls in another yard when we found Alan, 9 yrs. from that family. We were able to start teaching him and his whole family were joining all the lessons until today. Yesterday when we got there we found Alan and his mom there waiting on time for the appointment. We found them having a discussion about repentance, the last principle we shared with him. The parents love us coming and everyone see's Alan learning and that it's helping him. His mom, Anna gave a heartfelt testimony that the church is true. The dad, Freddy really likes us. He has high respect for us and always walks us back to the truck. He'll ask," when are you guys coming back?" It's going slowly but I know they'll come back. Also enjoying teaching Maksai and Tuman. They're great. He's really interested in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They want to change so badly. I can't wait for tomorrow when we get to teach one of my favorite things to teach: the Plan of Salvation. I wish we could be in our area more. Being a Zone Leader is good but lots of extra stuff. We're trying best to serve all our missionaries. We're well liked because we never say no haha. We get some pretty funny requests but gotta do it to keep em happy. We're planning lots of stuff like Christmas, Zone Conference, a fireside, activities for the branch, and A trip to Solomon in February. Crazy. Trying best to manage our time well. Still enjoying my studies as always. I've been thinking a lot about applying to BYU. Elder Arnett here is trying to talk me into BYU Hawaii haha. I really enjoyed this last conference reading it all the way through in the Ensign. We are so blessed to have Prophets and Apostles. I really liked "Beware of yourselves" and "The First Commandment". I love studying. The mission has taught me just to study the scriptures but to LOVE them. I really do. They are a TREASURED possesion. I know my life will get busy when I get back but one thing will help me to grow and progress spiritually even if I'm no longer on the mission. Daily scripture study. I have to be disciplined and not miss. I don't want to grow complacent. I want to always be progressing, learning and becoming better. I want to serve others and learn more and more the meaning of Charity. It'll be hard but it's what I want. Anyways that whats on my thoughts, random. Thanks for all you do. Love you guys.


Elder Sears