Dear Family,
Congrats to Liz on her driving test! I hope she is a more better driver than I was. I hope you don't have to go to court for her like you did for me!! It sounds like you all are doing great!
These past few weeks have been REALLY hot! Honesti, I have been roasting out here! I will even just been sitting doing my studies and I am soaking wet with sweat. haha. Even the people think it is hot! The other day we been go to go teach one older grandpa and his house is ontop of this little hill. We waited for him down underneath a tree and he started walking down but he was like staggering. My first thought was..oh great, reschedule he is drunk. He came and plopped down and I said, "Papa, you alraet?" He replied, "Sista, I am drunk from the sun." hahaha I was laughing of ded...but he was ded serious. haha. That just gives you a feel for how how it has been!
But the work has been pretty busy! Last week I been got my first baptaes in over a year. Words cannot even describe the pure joy I felt that day. I wish I could explain it. The two mamas that I told you about before that just got married got baptized. It was an experience I will never forget. One of them has been waiting 9 years to be bapaes. When she got up to give her testimony she said, "It has been taken me 9 years to be baptized. Never think that your work is or nothing. It will happen in God's time." It just made me think about all my past areas and how hard we worked to help people be baptaes. Maybe the timing was just not right, but that doesn't mean that all that hard work been for nothing. I know that Papa God has a plan that is better than mine. Mama Ruth and her husband are already planning their temple trip for next year. How sweet this gospel really is.
We are teaching one papa Heteley and his famle. We started teaching them a few weeks ago but these past two weeks they have just progressed like crazy. At first papa asked a lot of questions just to test us and just treated us like a joke. But as we continued to come
back and teach him we saw something change in him. After a few times he called his whole family to come and listen. We taught them about Plan of Salvation. We testified of how their family could live together forever. This week we been teach about Word of Wisdom. We
found out they were all drinking coffee and tea and Papa smoked and drank kava every day. We committed them to begin living the word of waes and invited them to yusum faith and come to church. Yesterday we came out of Relief Society class and we were shocked to see Papa Hetley come out of Prishud class. Him and two of his pikini been come and stay for all 3 hours of church. After church was finished we went over to their house to teach again and his wife mama mata was waiting for us. We sat down and she said, "Sisters, I want you to know that I have been with Papa for 18 years. 18 years I have never ever seen him go to any kind of church. I have begged him, but he never wanted to go. 18 years me and pikinini of me would walk to church by ourselves. But this morning I woke up and he was already changed for church and packing his buk of momon into his bag. My daughter and I just stood
in the doorway and stared as he walked away to go to church. I never thought it would happen. But he's found truth. He's been looking for 18 years, but he has finally been found it." These are the moments you live for, sweat for, and pray for as a missionary. When people gain a testimony of this gospel, no matter how small, it changes them. They
will never be the same. And that is what happens with each of us as well. As we continually nourish testimony of us that we have, our testiomni will continue to change us. To mold us to become more like the Savior. When we make the decision to become a disciple of Christ,
we can never be the same.
I know this gospel is true. I know it is true because every time I been try best of me to live it, I see blessings. Every time. Sometimes Papa God takes a little time to show us the blessings. But when he does that he is proving us..Will we give up? Or will we continue?" I am glad too much for the chance I have to be a missionary. I have full up more stories to share, but I am outta time! I love all of you!! :) Have a good week!
Love, Sista Brown
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Last Zone Conference
Sister Brown did not send an official email this week. However, I was able to communicate with her a little back and forth, so this information is from me:
My companion and I were trying to fly out to Ambae to train Sisters there. The plane had too much cargo, so our flight got cancelled. We will try to fly out next week.
Well, Santo is a little different than Malekula. It is really nice, but the people aren't as friendly. In the city there are stores, and roads. We live outside the city, but the place we live is nice, it has lights. We never cook, we eat with our neighbors. We eat a lot of fresh pineapple, other fruits and vegetables. We go to a family house at night and make laplap.
I went to my last Zone Conference. We have them every 3 months, I will be returning in two. It was sad to bear my testimony for the last time in Zone Conference.
Weird picture..but sometimes I get to be a nurse out here. This is a
picture Sister Smith one couple missionary took. This is Mickey. He
cant talk or hear, we are teaching his mom. We came to teach his mom,
but he had fallen and a big bamboo had gone through his leg.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Eternal Perspectives
Hello Family!!!
I can no belief that it is Monday bekegen! It sounds like things are great! Man I can no believe that Ash is back already...that is starting to make me nervous! Mom, I am glad that you are bossing for the time being..and that you are keeping in mind that I am coming back
and will take my chief seat backagan! haha. Kidding, I think I have been become less bossy? Maybe not, I guess it will just be a big surprise?
We have been busy busy busy this week. But it has been amazing! You know how I like to be busy! Christie the girl I told you about her married last week is getting baptized this saturday! I am glad gogo!! We also been make another married this week of another
investigator of ours, Ruth, that has been waiting 9 years to be married! Timing of Papa God sometimes isn't ours! But she will also be baptized this Saturday! Love is the air I think? haha. Kidding! I am glad too much that Ruth with be baptized this week. Her husband is
one returned missionary and they are already making plans to go to the temple next year! Talk about an eternal perspective!
Yesterday we got a new branj presidency and the second counseler is Papa Cyriaq. Papa Cyriaq is a recent convert. When they got the chance to bear their testimonies he got up and said, "I have not been a member even one year yet. I do not know anything about how the church works or runs. I am not enough to hold this calling. But with Papa God I am enough. I accepted this calling because the calling came from Papa God, I know he will help me." The spirit of Papa's testimony was unreal. Watching that recent convert sit up on the stand like that just was a testimony to me that those who the Lord calls He qualifies. Papa Cyriaq knows where his true power lies-with the Lord.
What an example of how to put full trust in Papa God. I know that this is true too much. I know that with the help of Papa God we can do any something. I know that when he asks us to do something-keep a commandment, fulfil a calling etc. He will always provide a way that we can do it. Always. As we pray for direction he will never leave us to figure it out for ourselves. Every something He asks us to do teaches us how to learn, grow, and become more like him. I am grateful too much for the janis I have to be out here learning from these amazing people. The faith that they possess strengthens mine oltaem. I could not be more happy!
Thank you too much for all support of you evertime! I love you! Keep on making family skripja studi! Liz and Ben: Do not sleep! haha. I love you!!
Love,
Sista Brown
P.s.
Prime teaching experience this week: haha. So we been teaching Jebat one investigator about Plan Blo Savem Man. We had explained everything and made the comparison about the Celestial, terrestial and telestial kingdoms being like the sun, moon and stars. haha. Okay so after here is how our check up to see if he been understand been go: "Ale, Brata Jebat, so who goes to the Celestial Kingdom? What kind of people?" Jebat (all confident!) "No one!" me and my companion look at eachother...me: "And why do you think that?" Jebat: "Because it is so hot. They would all burn. The sun!" [Silence] Me: "Oh, okay, that is a really good thought Brata Jebat. Let me try to explain this bekegen"....haha
P.S.
On Saturdei we walked to the church in the afternoon to make 3 baptize interviews with our investigators. We had been walking around in the soft mud the full day so our legs were covered in thick mud. We had just been walk inside the gate of the church and one of the couple missionaries Sister Smith came up, looked at our legs and said, "You two need a bath. Do you go walking around in public like that?"bahahaha I was ded laughing....
I can no belief that it is Monday bekegen! It sounds like things are great! Man I can no believe that Ash is back already...that is starting to make me nervous! Mom, I am glad that you are bossing for the time being..and that you are keeping in mind that I am coming back
and will take my chief seat backagan! haha. Kidding, I think I have been become less bossy? Maybe not, I guess it will just be a big surprise?
We have been busy busy busy this week. But it has been amazing! You know how I like to be busy! Christie the girl I told you about her married last week is getting baptized this saturday! I am glad gogo!! We also been make another married this week of another
investigator of ours, Ruth, that has been waiting 9 years to be married! Timing of Papa God sometimes isn't ours! But she will also be baptized this Saturday! Love is the air I think? haha. Kidding! I am glad too much that Ruth with be baptized this week. Her husband is
one returned missionary and they are already making plans to go to the temple next year! Talk about an eternal perspective!
Yesterday we got a new branj presidency and the second counseler is Papa Cyriaq. Papa Cyriaq is a recent convert. When they got the chance to bear their testimonies he got up and said, "I have not been a member even one year yet. I do not know anything about how the church works or runs. I am not enough to hold this calling. But with Papa God I am enough. I accepted this calling because the calling came from Papa God, I know he will help me." The spirit of Papa's testimony was unreal. Watching that recent convert sit up on the stand like that just was a testimony to me that those who the Lord calls He qualifies. Papa Cyriaq knows where his true power lies-with the Lord.
What an example of how to put full trust in Papa God. I know that this is true too much. I know that with the help of Papa God we can do any something. I know that when he asks us to do something-keep a commandment, fulfil a calling etc. He will always provide a way that we can do it. Always. As we pray for direction he will never leave us to figure it out for ourselves. Every something He asks us to do teaches us how to learn, grow, and become more like him. I am grateful too much for the janis I have to be out here learning from these amazing people. The faith that they possess strengthens mine oltaem. I could not be more happy!
Thank you too much for all support of you evertime! I love you! Keep on making family skripja studi! Liz and Ben: Do not sleep! haha. I love you!!
Love,
Sista Brown
P.s.
Prime teaching experience this week: haha. So we been teaching Jebat one investigator about Plan Blo Savem Man. We had explained everything and made the comparison about the Celestial, terrestial and telestial kingdoms being like the sun, moon and stars. haha. Okay so after here is how our check up to see if he been understand been go: "Ale, Brata Jebat, so who goes to the Celestial Kingdom? What kind of people?" Jebat (all confident!) "No one!" me and my companion look at eachother...me: "And why do you think that?" Jebat: "Because it is so hot. They would all burn. The sun!" [Silence] Me: "Oh, okay, that is a really good thought Brata Jebat. Let me try to explain this bekegen"....haha
P.S.
On Saturdei we walked to the church in the afternoon to make 3 baptize interviews with our investigators. We had been walking around in the soft mud the full day so our legs were covered in thick mud. We had just been walk inside the gate of the church and one of the couple missionaries Sister Smith came up, looked at our legs and said, "You two need a bath. Do you go walking around in public like that?"bahahaha I was ded laughing....
some pikinini blo mi!
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Santo
Dear Mother,
Hey mama, thank you too much for the trail mix and fruit snacks!!! We LOVE the pillowcases!!! They are beautiful! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Thank you too much for sending all those photos of food....honesti..torture..but eh, that's okay! Blessing of you guys!! It looks like you all had an amazing Halloween! And Mase is the cutest!!! He is HUGE!!! Everyone is getting old!! It was great to see all the fall leaves, they are beautiful!!! You and skinny mom rock! I will have to follow the two of you when I get back!!
This week has been...nothing short of amazing. I have seen absolute miracles this week, I feel blessed too much. These past few weeks we have been fasting and praying strong to find families to teach. On Friday we contacted one papa of one of our investigators. At first when we would be come, he would run away and hide...it was kinda hilarious actually. Like when we would "singout" he would open the door, peek his head, and then shut the door. Well Friday we went to see our investigator, but she wasn't there. But when we walked up papa was just sitting out in front of the house…perfect! But something was different this time..he didn't even try to hide! He asked us where the church started and we ended up teaching about the Restoration. He was blown away. At the end of the lesson he said, "You know, I have already decided that my family and I will be joining your church." Wow....blessing! We have taught him and his wife two different times now, I figure that this week we will invite them to be baptized. Papa God heards and answer prea!
Ontop of that, we have been teaching Christie, a long time investigator. Christie is just like a member, she reads Buk Blong Momon everi dei, comes to church, has a beautiful testimony, but she is not married. Man of her has not agreed to get married, but they live together and have 2 kids... Well Thursday we went and saw her and I asked her again to ask her man if they could just get married in the church first and then do custom after. Yesterdei Christie bin come to church and tell us "He said yes! We want to be married in President's office tomorrow!" So this morning Christie and her family, my companion and I and Branj President met at the church to perform a small marriage. Christie didn't want anything big, she said, "that is for the world nomo" and that "none of that stuff matters to Papa God." What an amazing eternal attitude. The marriage almost didn't happen because we did not have a male to witness, and so I went to a bunch of men that were working at the church and said, "Raise your hand if you know your birthday!" Only one raised his hand and I said," Brata, you
come, you are going to witness a marriage!" hahaha.. he was a little shocked, but we gave him a lollie for his help haha. The small, simple marriage was amazing. They were so happy. After the marriage was finished Collen (the husband) came and told us he wanted to be baptized as well. Side note: before he was very against the church and against Christie getting baptized. We will be teaching him later this week so the two of them can be baptized together...as a family. Every samting happens in the time of Papa God. His time is not always ours. I love the work. I love the people. I love the Lord. He lives. He is very much alive. I see His hand every single day.
I love you!!
Love,
Sista Brown
Hey mama, thank you too much for the trail mix and fruit snacks!!! We LOVE the pillowcases!!! They are beautiful! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Thank you too much for sending all those photos of food....honesti..torture..but eh, that's okay! Blessing of you guys!! It looks like you all had an amazing Halloween! And Mase is the cutest!!! He is HUGE!!! Everyone is getting old!! It was great to see all the fall leaves, they are beautiful!!! You and skinny mom rock! I will have to follow the two of you when I get back!!
This week has been...nothing short of amazing. I have seen absolute miracles this week, I feel blessed too much. These past few weeks we have been fasting and praying strong to find families to teach. On Friday we contacted one papa of one of our investigators. At first when we would be come, he would run away and hide...it was kinda hilarious actually. Like when we would "singout" he would open the door, peek his head, and then shut the door. Well Friday we went to see our investigator, but she wasn't there. But when we walked up papa was just sitting out in front of the house…perfect! But something was different this time..he didn't even try to hide! He asked us where the church started and we ended up teaching about the Restoration. He was blown away. At the end of the lesson he said, "You know, I have already decided that my family and I will be joining your church." Wow....blessing! We have taught him and his wife two different times now, I figure that this week we will invite them to be baptized. Papa God heards and answer prea!
Ontop of that, we have been teaching Christie, a long time investigator. Christie is just like a member, she reads Buk Blong Momon everi dei, comes to church, has a beautiful testimony, but she is not married. Man of her has not agreed to get married, but they live together and have 2 kids... Well Thursday we went and saw her and I asked her again to ask her man if they could just get married in the church first and then do custom after. Yesterdei Christie bin come to church and tell us "He said yes! We want to be married in President's office tomorrow!" So this morning Christie and her family, my companion and I and Branj President met at the church to perform a small marriage. Christie didn't want anything big, she said, "that is for the world nomo" and that "none of that stuff matters to Papa God." What an amazing eternal attitude. The marriage almost didn't happen because we did not have a male to witness, and so I went to a bunch of men that were working at the church and said, "Raise your hand if you know your birthday!" Only one raised his hand and I said," Brata, you
come, you are going to witness a marriage!" hahaha.. he was a little shocked, but we gave him a lollie for his help haha. The small, simple marriage was amazing. They were so happy. After the marriage was finished Collen (the husband) came and told us he wanted to be baptized as well. Side note: before he was very against the church and against Christie getting baptized. We will be teaching him later this week so the two of them can be baptized together...as a family. Every samting happens in the time of Papa God. His time is not always ours. I love the work. I love the people. I love the Lord. He lives. He is very much alive. I see His hand every single day.
I love you!!
Love,
Sista Brown
Santo (my new island/area)
Cooking
YW Value Naet in Litz Litz Branj!
So when someone they love leaves to go somewhere...they do this custom
thing called "changing" they take you into the house and put an island
dress on yu with a flower or something. It is like a token of
gratitude and respect. These are the kids of one famle I spent a lot
of time with.
thing called "changing" they take you into the house and put an island
dress on yu with a flower or something. It is like a token of
gratitude and respect. These are the kids of one famle I spent a lot
of time with.
This is a famle of mine...we cried and cried when we said goodbye!
They told me they would pay for my ticket to come back haha.
They told me they would pay for my ticket to come back haha.
Monday, October 27, 2014
New Sister Training Leader
I am the new STL backagain...haha. I was one in Malakula and now I am the one for Santo and Ambae. I will now have to travel to the islands to train and exchange with each sister on the islands. I thought I was going to be able to relax these last two months! Misstem!
Man, I thought I was a worry wart...haha just kiddin, love ya mom! But yes I am alive and well! We been gat some pretty bad rain and weather, but I am swimmin in the soft mud and lovin every second. I gat to be dirty and swim in the soft mud!! Literally..i swim in it… because I am just as graceful as I was at home... I pretty much fall down every two steps..it been become the big joke of the place now...But other than that I no been feel any something like earthquake or whatnot! Vanuatu is a huge place! So no worry! I am safe! Tellem Caroline Goodbye for me and tell Becky she'll be just fine! Papa God protects ALL his missionaries, no matter where they are at. I can promise that.
Last week I got transferred out of my area in Litz Litz. Those were probably some of the hardest goodbyes I have said so far. Litz Litz been hardest area for me on my mission...by far. We faced just about everything there is to face in that place. I never been work more hard in my life than I did in Litz Litz. But I never been learn more in my life than in Litz Litz. I have come to realize that I am a professional seed planter. After years of no baptisms in Litz
Litz there will be the first baptism on Saturday...and I wont be there to see it! Thomas has been investigating the church for many years, and we have been teaching him the whole time I have been in this area. There have been some sometimes that I just wanted to give up, but the spirit said otherwise. No effort is ever wasted. We also have one previous less active family that is now preparing to go to the temple at the beginning of next year! I could not be more happy! After months and months of hard work and prayers things are finally moving forward. There are now no less actives in Litz Litz branch. Everyone comes to church close up every time. I have been waiting to see progress like this for ten months, and now here it is. I know that sometime yumi prea and prea but it looks like Papa God isn't answering. But sometimes He is quiet to teach us lessons and to help us learn how to excercise agency of yumi right. But He does answer. In His own time and in His own way. God's timing is always better than ours. As we strive to fulfil His will instead of our own, we will see the blessings and miracles he will pour upon us.
Funny joke of the week: We were teaching Alfred, one previous less active about Buk Blong Momon: "Brata Alfred, why do we call the Book of Mormon the book of mormon?" Him with full up confidence smiles and answers, "Mormon...the book will bring More Men to the church" (me)..."Umm...yeah, that's really true!"But let me tell you another reason...Bahahaha. Gotta love it! :)
Have a great week!!! I love you all!!
Sista Brown
digging ground to carry to fill up the new church house..bekegen..
Man, I thought I was a worry wart...haha just kiddin, love ya mom! But yes I am alive and well! We been gat some pretty bad rain and weather, but I am swimmin in the soft mud and lovin every second. I gat to be dirty and swim in the soft mud!! Literally..i swim in it… because I am just as graceful as I was at home... I pretty much fall down every two steps..it been become the big joke of the place now...But other than that I no been feel any something like earthquake or whatnot! Vanuatu is a huge place! So no worry! I am safe! Tellem Caroline Goodbye for me and tell Becky she'll be just fine! Papa God protects ALL his missionaries, no matter where they are at. I can promise that.
Last week I got transferred out of my area in Litz Litz. Those were probably some of the hardest goodbyes I have said so far. Litz Litz been hardest area for me on my mission...by far. We faced just about everything there is to face in that place. I never been work more hard in my life than I did in Litz Litz. But I never been learn more in my life than in Litz Litz. I have come to realize that I am a professional seed planter. After years of no baptisms in Litz
Litz there will be the first baptism on Saturday...and I wont be there to see it! Thomas has been investigating the church for many years, and we have been teaching him the whole time I have been in this area. There have been some sometimes that I just wanted to give up, but the spirit said otherwise. No effort is ever wasted. We also have one previous less active family that is now preparing to go to the temple at the beginning of next year! I could not be more happy! After months and months of hard work and prayers things are finally moving forward. There are now no less actives in Litz Litz branch. Everyone comes to church close up every time. I have been waiting to see progress like this for ten months, and now here it is. I know that sometime yumi prea and prea but it looks like Papa God isn't answering. But sometimes He is quiet to teach us lessons and to help us learn how to excercise agency of yumi right. But He does answer. In His own time and in His own way. God's timing is always better than ours. As we strive to fulfil His will instead of our own, we will see the blessings and miracles he will pour upon us.
Funny joke of the week: We were teaching Alfred, one previous less active about Buk Blong Momon: "Brata Alfred, why do we call the Book of Mormon the book of mormon?" Him with full up confidence smiles and answers, "Mormon...the book will bring More Men to the church" (me)..."Umm...yeah, that's really true!"But let me tell you another reason...Bahahaha. Gotta love it! :)
Have a great week!!! I love you all!!
Sista Brown
my branj
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Blessings
Family!!!
Sorry too much that I havent emailed! Things have been pretty busy! But it looks like you all have been busy as usual!
These past few weeks have been pretty busy... I am not sure where to start. The two sons of the Chief got married this past week, one chief dead, huge rain storms...we have had it all. This past week was Malampa Dei.. the dei that Malampa became a province. So that was kinda interesting. Well a holiday here in Malekula is more like a Holiday week. They have a futbol torny for the full week and programs every day of the week until dark until Friday the 10 which is the actual holiday. Well a week before the Malampa dei tufala son lida bin receive a invitation to come and give the "morning devotion" about the LDS church on Malampa dei. Well the Elders were nice enough..or mean enough...to ask my companion and I to make half of the "devotion' Every morning of the week the government lidas invited a different
church to do devotion. This was the LDS church's first time to do the the devotion. Well Sista wamura and I were pretty nervous…speaking in front of everyone on the big mic...Well we decided to make a question box and leave it at the field for the whole week and then
answer all the questions during our segment of the Malampa die program.We were pretty nervous, but everything turned out pretty well and it was definitely an experience we will never forget. It was successful and it was an awesome opportunity to share about our
beliefs with the people that attended.
The week before last week we held the first Young Women Value Naet. It was a huge success. Here we are trying to start personal progress with all the young women. We were able to hold a value neat where the young women presented different items about each of the young women values. There were many dances, skits, and other activies. It
was taff we taff. I will try to send some fotos whenever I get a chance! :) It is amazing how the programs inside the church are exactly the same no matter where you travel in the world. what a blessing it is to be a part of a world-wide church.
Our investigators are progressing like crazy. We are actually preparing for the first baptism in Litz Litz in the past 7 years.. I cannot believe I am actually saying that. There were times after being in this area where I began to doubt that it would ever happen. But it is happening! Thank you too much Papa God! Thomas is an investigator we have been working with for the past 10 months. We have actually dropped him 2 different times because he was not ready. Well Thomas is the prime example of change. The gospel has completely changed his life. This past week we asked him to share his testimony and he shared the most amazing testimony of him about the Buk Blong Momon. He said, "This is how i came to know the church is true. There is power in this book. I used to drink and smoke every day.
Now that I read my Buk Blong Momon every day I don't have any desire to drink or smoke. My friends offer and I just don't want it anymore. I know that it is true. I feel it every time i read it." These are the moments you live for as a missionary. Every one in the village has
noticed the change in him. His sister came and told us, "I used to go into Thomas's house and look a pack of cigarrettes by him while he sleeps. But now the cigarrettes are gone and he sleeps with his Buk Blong Momon near by. No effort to help others is ever wasted. Never give up on someone. You never know when they will change and come to accept the gospel in their lives. He is ready to be baptized. We are just waiting for the approval of the chiefs...(work on the islands is a lot different)
I have much much more to tallem yu, but time is short. So I just want to finish by telling you thank you thank you thank you thank you too much for all the packages! I receieved them last week and they were amazing!! Thank you too much for all of your support. And thank you
too much for the ties! Honesti! I gave a tie to each of the Prishud in our branch. One in particular..Alfred. When I went to go and give him his tie he held it close to his heart and said, "Sista, I have never had a neck tie. This is my first one and i will never forget it thank you thank you thank you. I will look after it well." He didn't know how to tie and and so he tied his neck tie like a shoe lace and just had the biggest smile. I didn't know how to tie it either and so our branch president tied it for him. He was so grateful. Every time he would talk he would straighten his tie first.haha. It touched my heart that these men were so grateful for these hand-me-down ties. As I sat in that sacrament meeting with all those prishud men wearing ties that I recognized as dads and mikes it really hit me hard. As
our branch president got up to conduct wearing dad's tie it made me think about the many years I watched him sit on the stand at church wearing that tie. And now many years later a branj president of a small branj in the islands is wearing that same tie. Thank you too
much for everything. They all send their love and appreciation.
I love you all!!!! Sorry I have so much more to tell you but time is
short!! :) Continue doing FHE and family skripja studi!! :)
Sorry too much that I havent emailed! Things have been pretty busy! But it looks like you all have been busy as usual!
These past few weeks have been pretty busy... I am not sure where to start. The two sons of the Chief got married this past week, one chief dead, huge rain storms...we have had it all. This past week was Malampa Dei.. the dei that Malampa became a province. So that was kinda interesting. Well a holiday here in Malekula is more like a Holiday week. They have a futbol torny for the full week and programs every day of the week until dark until Friday the 10 which is the actual holiday. Well a week before the Malampa dei tufala son lida bin receive a invitation to come and give the "morning devotion" about the LDS church on Malampa dei. Well the Elders were nice enough..or mean enough...to ask my companion and I to make half of the "devotion' Every morning of the week the government lidas invited a different
church to do devotion. This was the LDS church's first time to do the the devotion. Well Sista wamura and I were pretty nervous…speaking in front of everyone on the big mic...Well we decided to make a question box and leave it at the field for the whole week and then
answer all the questions during our segment of the Malampa die program.We were pretty nervous, but everything turned out pretty well and it was definitely an experience we will never forget. It was successful and it was an awesome opportunity to share about our
beliefs with the people that attended.
The week before last week we held the first Young Women Value Naet. It was a huge success. Here we are trying to start personal progress with all the young women. We were able to hold a value neat where the young women presented different items about each of the young women values. There were many dances, skits, and other activies. It
was taff we taff. I will try to send some fotos whenever I get a chance! :) It is amazing how the programs inside the church are exactly the same no matter where you travel in the world. what a blessing it is to be a part of a world-wide church.
Our investigators are progressing like crazy. We are actually preparing for the first baptism in Litz Litz in the past 7 years.. I cannot believe I am actually saying that. There were times after being in this area where I began to doubt that it would ever happen. But it is happening! Thank you too much Papa God! Thomas is an investigator we have been working with for the past 10 months. We have actually dropped him 2 different times because he was not ready. Well Thomas is the prime example of change. The gospel has completely changed his life. This past week we asked him to share his testimony and he shared the most amazing testimony of him about the Buk Blong Momon. He said, "This is how i came to know the church is true. There is power in this book. I used to drink and smoke every day.
Now that I read my Buk Blong Momon every day I don't have any desire to drink or smoke. My friends offer and I just don't want it anymore. I know that it is true. I feel it every time i read it." These are the moments you live for as a missionary. Every one in the village has
noticed the change in him. His sister came and told us, "I used to go into Thomas's house and look a pack of cigarrettes by him while he sleeps. But now the cigarrettes are gone and he sleeps with his Buk Blong Momon near by. No effort to help others is ever wasted. Never give up on someone. You never know when they will change and come to accept the gospel in their lives. He is ready to be baptized. We are just waiting for the approval of the chiefs...(work on the islands is a lot different)
I have much much more to tallem yu, but time is short. So I just want to finish by telling you thank you thank you thank you thank you too much for all the packages! I receieved them last week and they were amazing!! Thank you too much for all of your support. And thank you
too much for the ties! Honesti! I gave a tie to each of the Prishud in our branch. One in particular..Alfred. When I went to go and give him his tie he held it close to his heart and said, "Sista, I have never had a neck tie. This is my first one and i will never forget it thank you thank you thank you. I will look after it well." He didn't know how to tie and and so he tied his neck tie like a shoe lace and just had the biggest smile. I didn't know how to tie it either and so our branch president tied it for him. He was so grateful. Every time he would talk he would straighten his tie first.haha. It touched my heart that these men were so grateful for these hand-me-down ties. As I sat in that sacrament meeting with all those prishud men wearing ties that I recognized as dads and mikes it really hit me hard. As
our branch president got up to conduct wearing dad's tie it made me think about the many years I watched him sit on the stand at church wearing that tie. And now many years later a branj president of a small branj in the islands is wearing that same tie. Thank you too
much for everything. They all send their love and appreciation.
I love you all!!!! Sorry I have so much more to tell you but time is
short!! :) Continue doing FHE and family skripja studi!! :)
Monday, September 22, 2014
In His Time
Mama!
Wow you are just too talented: sporty tennis mom, ravioli making mom, hiking mom, crafty mom...I am impressed! It sounds like you all have been pretty busy as usual! Bahah tell all the boys to stay away from Liz..she is a baby yet! After years and years of telling you you aren't the fun mom, I can finally see that you really are the fun mom, I think I was just blind when I was at home! I can not belief that Hayden and Jake are leaving soon. What adventures they will each have.
Time is just flying. This week I have been reminded bekegen of how aware Papa God is of all of His missionaries, and how involved He is in His work. So this week we decided that we needed to work on finding new investigators. I have been in the same area for almost 10
months and so I know just about everyone in the area. The past couple of transfers I have been working to gain the trust of the people. It is impossible to teach the gospel if people do not trust you. Well this week was a "be uncomfortable week" haha. We started on Wednesday. Wednesday we decided to go see one of our neighbors Helen. She is a single mom that we have been friends with since day one. We have done just about everything together: family house night, fighting fires, washing, cooking etc.. We have a great friendship with her, but we were always a little scared to talk about the gospel with her. Well when we went to go visit her we talked and talked and finally we asked if we could come back. She was really hesitant at first, but she agreed. Well Wednesday-Friday we prayed
and prayed that Papa God would soften her heart. Friday we went to go teach her. We taught her about how the gospel of Jisas Kraese can bless lives. The whole lesson she didn't talk much, so at the end we just paused. The room was silent for a little bit and then she smiled, looked up and said, "I know that this church is true. I feel it every time I come. (She had followed our other neighbor a few times to church). I know that what the two of you have shared with me is true." Unbelieveable. I know Papa God prepares people to hear the
gospel. I know that many people that you and I know right now are prepared already, it just takes two seconds of courage to invite them to learn more. Be brave! Fear is of Satan.
Another experience we had this week was a little interesting. So I don't know if you remember but we met Brain and his family about 4 months ago. At first it seemed like he was just ready for the gospel in his life, but time and time again we been pass by and he would hide or pretend he was busy. We decided that we would just leggo and give him some time. Well Monday we were walking to our area and we met Brian on the road. Usually he hides, but this time he came straight up to us. I was a little shocked and my companion looked at me like.." What is going on??" He came up to us, shook our hands and
said, "I want the two of you to come and see my family. When will you come?" I guess my open mouth and stunned look on my face gave me away...because he was like.."What? When will you come?" I said, "Well, Wednesday!" Honesti...we were dying. God's time is not always our time. But His time is always better. Sometimes we have these plans of "our timing" and when they don't work out we just give up. But hope is never lost to Papa God and it is never "too late." There is no such thing as a "lost cause" in missionary work. These are all His children. He will lead them to the missionaries or the missionaries to them. Everytime. I am grateful too much to be able to be an instrument in this great work. When it seems like all hope is lost, He comes. Sometimes He makes us be patient, but He will always come.I know this is true.
Okay, so I have wan narather story: So Sunday we walked to church with Mama Alex. She lives in Lambaubu which is a village on the other side of the mountain of our area. She had been staying with her daughter right by our house and so we walked together. As we walked she shared her testimony of trusting Papa God with us. Mama Alex was baptized in 2008. She is the only one in her family that was baptized. Well last Friday Mama Alex heard that there was going to be district conference on Saturday and Sunday. The only problem is that to jump a truck from Lambaubu to lakatoro (where the conference would be) is extremely
expensive. (about a 2 or 3 hour drive I think) Anyway, she told her husband that she would be going and he told her, "We have no money. And even sapos you jump one truck with family of us, you will have no money for food for the next three days." She looked at him and said, " I know Papa God will find a way for me." She continued to stori that she packed one island dress, a few other things and stood up at the road. She waited and waited and then one family of her who drives a truck passed. He told her to jump and so it looked as if her first problem was solved. They drove and drove and she finally made it to Lakatoro (it was Friday) Well it was late afternoon and she hadn't eaten anything. She was really hungry but just went to find some place she could sleep for the night. The morning she woke up and she was really really hungry. She knew she didn't have any money, but she decided to go look around at the market. As she looked around at the market she began to pray in her heart, "Papa, I need you. I know you see I need you, and I have faith you will help me." She walked around for a little longer and then looked through her small basket. She opened her small coin pouch that was empty when she came and saw 200vt that had not been there before. After seeing the 200 vt she began to cry because she knew her prayer had been answered. She then ran over to a small bush on the side of the market and knelt down and prayed to thank Papa for hearing her prayer. Papa hears every prayer of every child of His. When we are obedient He will provide for us. We need not worry, from se He is here, He has promised that will never change. What an amazing example of faith. I am amazed by the amount of faith that I am surrounded by each day. Papa God is good too much to each
of us. I know He loves us. Fear not, He will provide.
I love each of you. I am grateful too much for all the sacrifices you make for me mom. I love you. I pray for each of you every single day. Continue to do the small things such as family house night, prayer, skripja studi. It will make all the difference. I love you. I know Papa God will look after all of you until the Big Bad Boss comes back!
Love,
Sister Brown
Wow you are just too talented: sporty tennis mom, ravioli making mom, hiking mom, crafty mom...I am impressed! It sounds like you all have been pretty busy as usual! Bahah tell all the boys to stay away from Liz..she is a baby yet! After years and years of telling you you aren't the fun mom, I can finally see that you really are the fun mom, I think I was just blind when I was at home! I can not belief that Hayden and Jake are leaving soon. What adventures they will each have.
Time is just flying. This week I have been reminded bekegen of how aware Papa God is of all of His missionaries, and how involved He is in His work. So this week we decided that we needed to work on finding new investigators. I have been in the same area for almost 10
months and so I know just about everyone in the area. The past couple of transfers I have been working to gain the trust of the people. It is impossible to teach the gospel if people do not trust you. Well this week was a "be uncomfortable week" haha. We started on Wednesday. Wednesday we decided to go see one of our neighbors Helen. She is a single mom that we have been friends with since day one. We have done just about everything together: family house night, fighting fires, washing, cooking etc.. We have a great friendship with her, but we were always a little scared to talk about the gospel with her. Well when we went to go visit her we talked and talked and finally we asked if we could come back. She was really hesitant at first, but she agreed. Well Wednesday-Friday we prayed
and prayed that Papa God would soften her heart. Friday we went to go teach her. We taught her about how the gospel of Jisas Kraese can bless lives. The whole lesson she didn't talk much, so at the end we just paused. The room was silent for a little bit and then she smiled, looked up and said, "I know that this church is true. I feel it every time I come. (She had followed our other neighbor a few times to church). I know that what the two of you have shared with me is true." Unbelieveable. I know Papa God prepares people to hear the
gospel. I know that many people that you and I know right now are prepared already, it just takes two seconds of courage to invite them to learn more. Be brave! Fear is of Satan.
Another experience we had this week was a little interesting. So I don't know if you remember but we met Brain and his family about 4 months ago. At first it seemed like he was just ready for the gospel in his life, but time and time again we been pass by and he would hide or pretend he was busy. We decided that we would just leggo and give him some time. Well Monday we were walking to our area and we met Brian on the road. Usually he hides, but this time he came straight up to us. I was a little shocked and my companion looked at me like.." What is going on??" He came up to us, shook our hands and
said, "I want the two of you to come and see my family. When will you come?" I guess my open mouth and stunned look on my face gave me away...because he was like.."What? When will you come?" I said, "Well, Wednesday!" Honesti...we were dying. God's time is not always our time. But His time is always better. Sometimes we have these plans of "our timing" and when they don't work out we just give up. But hope is never lost to Papa God and it is never "too late." There is no such thing as a "lost cause" in missionary work. These are all His children. He will lead them to the missionaries or the missionaries to them. Everytime. I am grateful too much to be able to be an instrument in this great work. When it seems like all hope is lost, He comes. Sometimes He makes us be patient, but He will always come.I know this is true.
Okay, so I have wan narather story: So Sunday we walked to church with Mama Alex. She lives in Lambaubu which is a village on the other side of the mountain of our area. She had been staying with her daughter right by our house and so we walked together. As we walked she shared her testimony of trusting Papa God with us. Mama Alex was baptized in 2008. She is the only one in her family that was baptized. Well last Friday Mama Alex heard that there was going to be district conference on Saturday and Sunday. The only problem is that to jump a truck from Lambaubu to lakatoro (where the conference would be) is extremely
expensive. (about a 2 or 3 hour drive I think) Anyway, she told her husband that she would be going and he told her, "We have no money. And even sapos you jump one truck with family of us, you will have no money for food for the next three days." She looked at him and said, " I know Papa God will find a way for me." She continued to stori that she packed one island dress, a few other things and stood up at the road. She waited and waited and then one family of her who drives a truck passed. He told her to jump and so it looked as if her first problem was solved. They drove and drove and she finally made it to Lakatoro (it was Friday) Well it was late afternoon and she hadn't eaten anything. She was really hungry but just went to find some place she could sleep for the night. The morning she woke up and she was really really hungry. She knew she didn't have any money, but she decided to go look around at the market. As she looked around at the market she began to pray in her heart, "Papa, I need you. I know you see I need you, and I have faith you will help me." She walked around for a little longer and then looked through her small basket. She opened her small coin pouch that was empty when she came and saw 200vt that had not been there before. After seeing the 200 vt she began to cry because she knew her prayer had been answered. She then ran over to a small bush on the side of the market and knelt down and prayed to thank Papa for hearing her prayer. Papa hears every prayer of every child of His. When we are obedient He will provide for us. We need not worry, from se He is here, He has promised that will never change. What an amazing example of faith. I am amazed by the amount of faith that I am surrounded by each day. Papa God is good too much to each
of us. I know He loves us. Fear not, He will provide.
I love each of you. I am grateful too much for all the sacrifices you make for me mom. I love you. I pray for each of you every single day. Continue to do the small things such as family house night, prayer, skripja studi. It will make all the difference. I love you. I know Papa God will look after all of you until the Big Bad Boss comes back!
Love,
Sister Brown
Mi wetem sam family
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