Area 1, Week 13 - Nasinu, Fiji 06/02/13

Lots of raindrops collected in the middle of a dalo leaf

Dear Matavuvale,

How has everything gone this week? For me, this has been a good week. We were able to confirm Ana and Neitani as members of the church yesterday. Bishop did the actual ordinance and we stood in the circle. It was really good to see them both as new members of the church now.

Well as you guys already know, I attended my first Zone Conference and I learned a lot there.  It was really good. They talked a lot about member-present lessons. Me an Elder Ishibashi have been struggling to get them because we could not get anyone to come with us. They said that it is important for all of us to try to get as many as we can.  Having a member at these lessons helps investigators so they can gain a friend and know someone in the ward. Also, it might help them because they may come from a similar background.  Members may have experienced the same concerns that new investigators may have and they will know what will help them to gain a testimony of the church. We were able to get one member-present this week, so that was good. Also with Zone Conference, the best part was Sister Klingler’s cooking!  For lunch we had potato chowder. It was so good! I am now always going to look forward to these conferences because we are going to get some good food from Sister Klingler.

Last morning Elder Ishibashi and I are together

You guys also know this, but transfers were called out on Saturday night. Elder Ishibashi is leaving to Rakiraki here in 5 hours to be a District Leader and Elder Owen’s (from my intake) will be his new companion!  It is about 6 hours away.  I will be staying here in Nasinu.  This day had to come where Elder Ishibashi and I were going to have to split up.  This is the only bad news about this week.  

If Elder Ishibashi's family is reading this, this is the letter we as Elder Grotepas' parents sent to your son today:

"Congratulations on your new assignment in a new area of Fiji and for being assigned the new District Leader.  As far as being a leader goes, you are one terrific missionary and leader!

We are so thankful that you were our son's first companion and trainer.  In my experience of being a missionary (Dallin's dad)  your trainer sets the pace for your entire mission.   How grateful we are that he had such a wonderful trainer. You have been such a great example to our son.  You treated him well, you loved him, and you took him under your wing.  You helped him get off to a great start.  I am emotional thinking of the parting of you two because you have just been so awesome to him and to the people of Nasinu 1st! 

May you continue to have success for your future areas of service and throughout your life.  You should be proud of your accomplishments! As parents we are so grateful for you!"

I am getting a new companion, Elder Nawaqasema. I haven't heard anything about him, other than that he is a cool guy.  He is from Tamavua, a place about 10 minutes from where we are. He he is coming to finish his mission here for about a week or so. With my new companion, I will do everything I can to have a strong relationship just like me and Ishibashi had. After that I think that I am going to get another Elder or I am going to get a Ward Missionary until the new intake hits Fiji, and then I am going to train one of them. 

I don't know what will happen. I am a little bit nervous now because I am leading the area. First of all, I don't even know the language that good. It is going to be a bit stressful these next couple of weeks, but I know that the Lord will help me through it.

This week it rained every day and has been cold. Today it is actually very nice and hot out there.  I never thought that I was going to get cold here in Fiji. I thought it was going to be so hot that you did not even want to take a step outside because you would be sweating already. But this week it got down to 73 and it was chilly. This morning I did not want to get up because I was so warm in my bed and it was cold outside. It is weird how my body has adapted to different weather conditions.  Also there was a breeze so I think that made it colder here. When I first got here, Elder Olsen our old District Leader, said that I would get cold sometime. I did not believe him but know I do!   

Well something funny that happened this week. Elder Ishibashi and I were walking home yesterday from our dinner appointment and we went down this muddy hill hoping to get home faster. We made it fine down the hill but when we were at the bottom of the hill, next thing I know Elder Ishibashi has fallen. I don't know he managed this, but all of a sudden I see him moving fast to get past a certain area and then he was down in the mud!  As he fell he threw our phone.  It took us about five minutes to find all the pieces to the phone in the dark. The phone is fine.  It is one of those old Nokia phones and it does not break. I think that we have dropped that phone at least 50 times. A couple of them have been pretty hard hits. When we got home Elder Ishibashi’s legs were covered in mud! It was so funny.

Thank you for all of the advice you are giving me. It is helping me out. I know that it is hard to get enough courage to talk to people you don't even know. Sometimes it is hard to open your mouth, but I know that they are put in our path for a reason. We just need to open our mouths more (this is Elder Grotepas’ response to his father always telling him to never let someone pass you by without sharing your message).

I hope that everything goes good for you this week and you are all protected. I know that I am here doing the Lords work. Jesus is the Savior of the world. Thank you for everything you do for me!  I love you all very much and look forward to talking to you next week.

Love,

Elder Grotepas

Jill (top) and Dilsi (bottom) -  Molani and Junior's daughters

What Reese's cups look like when we get them