Everyone has challenges and things that they struggle with

Email #66
Area: Mildura South Pickers of the Marion Zone
Companion: Elder Fala & Elder Siaosi

Excerpts from Mom's email:

Hey Mom!

This week started off really great with one of the best P Day's I have had on my mission. We had a district P-day activity where we went to play laser tag together, which is something simple but it was really fun because I really love those in my zone. We simply had a good time with one another. Then we went to the chapel to play games and sports and things which was really nice as well. It was a great start to a week that was full of ups and downs as usual weeks go.

This week was a little bit different then other weeks that I have had this transfer. We finally had the chance to travel down to Berri again to teach the Samoan pickers down there. We started off with a trade off where Elder Fangaiuiha (the Tongan speaking missionary) was with Elder Fala and I, so we could teach the Tongans up here while the other zone leader took my other companion Elder Siaosi to Berri with him. It just was an interesting change of pace and to be able to see how they do things. It was nice while he was up here because in one day we got two new investigators who are really solid. They speak both English and Tongan, so they will probably take over the teaching for him to help understanding.

While on this trade off, we had one of the funniest follow ups with a potential ever! It was this aboriginal man named D......, who when we first met him was really nice. His daughter was sick and he asked for us to come back another time when he is more available. So we came back a few days later... so we knock on the door and he looks past us with just a straight face. He starts to walk right past us like we weren't even there, walks to his metal mail box, and slams his fist into the mailbox.. "Leave my house!" he says in a weird voice. He then just lays down on the mailbox resting his head for a solid 3 min as we just look at each other confused (keep in mind that we had no way out off his property because it was gated and he was blocking the exit). Then he just turns around holding his hand in pain and says "I haven't done nothing wrong". So we slowly walk around him and get off his property. We are on the other side of the fence at this point and are able to talk to him. I was ready to leave, but Elder Fangaiuiha has served in Alice so he has delt with a lot of drunk aboriginals. Anyway, he walks up as if he was going to hug us over the fence. We just handed him a picture of Christ to distract him, then he wanted more of them haha. We just walked back to the car after all this and I feel like it was just one of those "had to be there" kind of moments, but it was really funny!

Then when we finally got down to Berri later on Friday, we were able to first go see our recent convert, S..! It was just really good to see her, because it has been a few months. She is doing really well! She is now up to Alma 44 and is loving it! She comes to church every single week without fail! She even gave a talk on Sunday! After visiting S.., we went to the pickery down there to see them. They ended up just getting back when we got there at around 6:30 at night, all ready to shower and get ready for the night. So we held a Latu (family home evening) with all of them. We shared a message in English, Tongan, and Samoan! I wish I got a picture, we just sit on the floor on mats in a old shack. We set a time to teach them this week now individual. Their new supervisor is coming in and that is the one we have been waiting for! I will just say that he will probably be a strong investigator and a huge help in the work there!

Love you heaps and have a good week!


Excerpts from Dad's email:

Hey Dad!

Yeah that was our front room, but with 5 Elders in the flat some of us sleep on the floor. The islanders actually prefer the floor, so that is where they sleep.

Well we had our first Fireside here that we put together! It was so great! People came from Robinvale, Broken Hill, and Berri (all neighboring towns at least 1 hour away). The music was the best part of the whole thing! Bishop's kids have the greatest voices ever. I think I have sent you videos of them singing before, at least I hope so. Then we sang "Joseph Smith's first Prayer" and I hope to get a recording of that one to. Many of our investigators, including B....... came as well!.

B....... is doing really well still! We went by to continue teaching him and he had a lot of good questions such as "why can't other churches have the priesthood" and "how do I know if it is the spirit or my thought?". He is super genuine and really wants to know! We finally got him a Book of Mormon in his native language, Swahele. We marked all the scriptures that can answer some of his questions and wrote our testimonies in the front. It will be our gift to him when we see him today!

This week was kind of a rough one towards the end. There was some contention in the companionship that was not good and it was really tough. On Sunday was when most of this occurred and it was really hard. At one point though we were asked to go give the sacrament to a man who really needed it. So we had to put all these things aside and when to this man's home. We will call him Brother WH. So Brother WH has been struggling with repentance and overcome a few things. After we blessed the sacrament he explained to us how these visits have given him the strength to overcome temptation for 2 months now. Now Brother WH has a very very basic knowledge of the gospel and was less active for a very long time. He began to teach us without even knowing it. He talked about turning to the Lord and he will direct you to how to overcome your current challenges. He shared a scripture in 1 Nephi 3:7, and taught us without knowing! He said "everyone has challenges and things that they struggle with. I'm sure even you Elders sometimes make mistakes, not us much us us mortals do though. But each of us can have God's help with these things." You know, this one man who we were supposed to be uplifting, uplifted us! Told us what we needed to hear. I really do feel that God knows us and sometimes uses even a man like Brother WH to communicate with us. Now that my companions have acknowledged these things, we feel stronger then before somehow. The lord really does work miracles in our lives.

What a week this was! So many things I would love to tell you about! Love you heaps and have a good week!

District P-day activity playing laser tag