not fair.

Dearest Family,

One of our investigators names is, "Maii"
She is a nurse at the hospital here in Bikenibeu.
Her duty as a nurse is to care for the malnourished children under the age of five.
She is the only nurse.
She is in charge of all the malnourished children in Kiribati.

She invited us to hold a family home evening at her house..and while we ate.. we talked about her work. I was fascinated. I was shocked. I was a little sad..as she told us stories and experiences that she has had working with malnourished children. How painful it is to her when her patients die. How hard it is for her to carry the work alone..as we talked..I wanted to do something to help..these sweet children..I asked her..What do you need? Milk? What can I do..how can I help..what needs to be done?

She said that the hospital provides for milk, and provides for everything while the children stay in the hospital but the problem is when these children go home from the hospital...they return to their homes..and the same problems happen. They are neglected. They are not fed. And the return to the hospital.

 You want to fix malnourished children? she asked.. You have to fix the family.


Teach the fathers to find work, teach the mothers to love and nurture their children. But before that, teach couples to marry. Teach them to MARRY. Then have children.

As I listened to her.. I was amazed...the key to stopping starving children..is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The answer to malnourished children -- is to follow the Church of Jesus Christ. Do we not teach couples to obey the Law of Chasity..and hasn't the prophet told us in "The Family: a proclamation to the world" Exactly what our duties are as families? That fathers should rear and raise their children -- and mothers to provide for the emotional and physical needs of their families?

If the gospel was lived. And people tried to do their best to follow God's commandments. If we headed to the words of the prophet...this world would be a better place.

On Thursday we were able to go visit her ward in the old run down Bikenbeu hospital..to do some cleaning service for them..and to look at these sweet little bodies..boney, bodies..the life barely clinging to their bodies...was a little haunting...and honestly an experience I can't quite describe..nor will ever be able to but into words the feeling I felt as I watched these children suffer to fight for their lives.

That night in my prayers I prayed to Heavenly Father...I prayed and said, "Father, this isn't fair..why do I have food, and they don't? Why do some in this world live in abundance..and others don't?? How is that fair?" As I prayed I felt so much anger and confusion.

The impression I got to answer my prayers was this: "It is because we have not learned how to share."

I went back and talked to our investigator and nurse, to thank her for the experience we had in the hospital. Before I left..she asked..."Sister Johnson..are there a lot of malnourished children in America?" I shook my head, "No..not like this.."  She said, "Maybe it is because they do not know...maybe you could be the one to let them know.." I told her.."I don't know how..but I'll do my best. I'll do my best to let those who live too abundantly in America realize there are those who don't..I don't know how I'll do it..but I'll do my best."

And that was this week. I don't know how. But I gotta do it. I gotta let people know..I gotta let them see - we can make this world a better place..we really can..if only we live the gospel..and share what blessings we have been given.

I, from this day forward am changed. I cannot go back. I have seen the suffering and must do something about it.

This is my prayer.

Sister Johnson

A week of laughter...

Dearest Family,
Whatta week..what..a...WEEK! Oh my word. Okay, here I go trying to
compose an email...

This week was FULL of laughter. Laughter, laughter, laughter...and it
was a miracle from Heavenly Father because it was honestly the only
way to get through this work.

There is a lot of things I wish I could explain about this strange
little island..that I guess just wouldn't make sense if you didn't see
them..but I'll do my best to give you an image, a little idea of
what's it's like to be here. I think one of the hardest things about
this island is the heat..it is all encompassing..literally suffocating
at times because of the HUMIDITY of this island. It's so thick it's
almost visible and with the direct rays of the sun screaming down from
the sky...it has a tendency to kinda zap your energy. We stay
hydrated, and the Lord does bless us..but I think yesterday was the
hottest day of my life.

It was Sunday yesterday and we set out to church..I got to teach
primary (which was the best!) and then we headed off to lessons...the
heat was piercing..but we kept moving from lesson to lesson...but
nobody seemed to be home. We biked from one village to the next..and
everyone had gone for the weekend. Out of the four hours of bicycling
here and there we found two investigators out of the seven we had
planned. I was really tired...and the sun seemed unusually
annoying..as we biked and biked and biked..I was getting pretty
discouraged. My bike's seat is broken..and it slants downward..so
every three or four pushes on the bike and you've slipped off the seat
..sit back on it..and four or fives pedal pushes later..your back off
it.. Biking on sandy trails feels more like the intensity of mountain
biking -- because you really got to push just to stay moving.

As I was biking thinking, "Man I feel kainanno.." which is a funny
remix of Kiribati and English just meaning...I feel like I'm a little
tired/suffering a bit. A little thought came into my head the My
Savior has suffered more. We kept going.

We finally got into a home of one of our investigators. His wife is a
member, he is not. He has had lessons with missionaries for over a year.
He has never been baptized because he has never come to church. I
really prayed for the Spirit..to help us know what to say..we gave a
thought about the purpose of this life..and then Sister Itioa handed the 
discussion over to me. "Binoka," I said, "You weren't able to come to church
today..was there a reason?" He said..."I feel really embarrassed to
come to church because I know all the members are going to look at me, and
judge me for all the things I do wrong.."

..and maybe it was a accumulation of all my tiredness, but I'd like to
think it was the Spirit..when I teared up and told him.."Who are you
more scared of:.the members from Bikibeu First Ward..or God?" His head
hung down..and I continued to talk. "Binoka..I left my family, I left
America. I left everything I knew to come on a mission. To come to
serve you and your family..and to tell you and help prepare you to
meet God. (see Alma 34:32) When it comes the time of the
judgment..it's not going to be you and all the people from Bikienbeu
Ward...when it is the time of Judgement..it is you..and your God. So
what are you going to do in this life to get you ready for that day?"

Binoka quickly apologized for not keeping his commitments and told his
wife, "We are going to church on Sunday.." the wife replied, "I have
always told you that it's up to you, I will never force you..it's up
to you." Binoka replied, "I'm going to church."

Keep him in your prayers this week as he can keep his commitment to
come to church...

There was some other really cool spiritual experiences this week..but
maybe that was the only one I really needed to share this week...but
like I said..I got through this week with laughter..

I though of my little Goose, Sarah Jane, this week..because really
everything was SO funny. Maybe you had to be there..and maybe this
heat is getting to my head..but top five funnies of this week:
..okay truth..I just typed them out..and they were not really
funny..hahahaha! Basically it boils down to this: a bird pooped on me,
our investigator ran away from us..but not just run..i Mean he ran for
his LIFE away from us....our Recent covert tried to teach me to dance
in Kiribati (HA!) and our bathroom has no door on it. Hahahahahaha. OH
THIS LIFE!

Well, I sure love you guys. I love this work..I am definitely being
tested..but I love these people so gosh darn much I couldn't leave
them if you made me.

your daughter, friend, and coconut girl,
sister johnson

These pictures were sent to us from a young woman that got to go visit her parents on

Christmas Island. That was the last area Lizzie served in. We just got them this week.

 doing laundry!!

Back to Tarawa

[Lizzie has been transferred this week back to Tarawa and has been assigned to be the Sister Training Leader. Devin (her little brother) is doing his Eagle Scout project and collecting white shirts and ties for the priesthood brethren on the island.]

Flight was good, but we had two nights with no sleep because of the flights that were scheduled in the weeee hours of the morning..but thanks to the goodness of God, I was not even tired..can you believe that? He has given me strength.

I'm glad President and Sister Weir approved of the Eagle project. Please send as many shirts as you can..because a lot of the island Elders here only have a couple of shirts too -- we need them mostly for missionaries as well as investigators and diligent ward members. I'm so excited for you guys! BEautiful idea. I'm truly grateful.

As far as the sister missionaries we have 10 sisters on Tarawa and 2 on Kirimati so a total of 12.  Mom - if you could see these people -- these sisters -- what they sacrfice to go on a mission -- how much they trust the Lord -- man, it is inspiring! Anything that you think they could use would be helpful - simple things like bobby pins, or nail clippers or lotion. Don't worry about good brands of anything -- brands don't exist here...cause there is usually only one brand of something. 

The beauty of giving gifts to these sisters is that it is not just going to the sisters -- because when you give an islander a gift...it goes to the whole island..I guarentee the sisters will give to their investigators, to their family..they are so sweet to share..so just know by helping the sisters, you are helping Kiribati be a better place.

I'm really grateful to be in my old area...six months later..to see the recent converts staying faithful means more than anything to me!! 

I am working on obedience - exact obedience!! I know that the most important thing to do is put the Lord first! I know I cannot build my life upon anything but the rock of our Redeemer.

I love my family with all my heart and I love this work!!!!!!!
your girl,
Liz

Fourth Try...

You guys. I wrote an email for thirty minutes..I hit send..the
internet died..didn't save my draft...So I wrote a recap of what I was
going to send..took a good ten minutes..and hit send..and the internet
died...AND NOW THIS IS THE THIRD TIME. Hahahahaha. So here goes try
#3.

          The work is good. Last week we were so humbled to have twenty of our
          investigators, and less actives and recent convernts we have been working with

          at our church. It was amazing.

I don't have time to write anything else...but just know that the Skype
with you guys was the biggest miracle of my whole life. I love you
guys so much! Sorry the internet thing here is kinda crazy..but rumor
is I'm going back to main island not this week..but next week to go
back to my former area with my former companion (four companions now I
have again been companions with!!!!!) and...have been called to serve
as the sister training leader...wazaaam! What?

Okay I'm sending this off. Much love.

Sister J

part of the mission...

hey fam,


I've only got five minutes left. There is only one computer on the
whole island that is working right now..so I took time to read all
your emails..but unfortunately can't respond again. I guess it's just
part of the mission. I'll do my best to skype you all next week..but
like I said, there is only one computer on the whole island that
works.

This week was a roughie. I got more homesick than I ever have on my
mission...I am really really stretching past my "comfort zone" because
I miss home so much. No missions are easy..so I'll just keep my chin
up. I just really love and miss you guys. A lot.

That's all for now, sure love you.
sis liz

whatta week

Dear Family:
Sorry I haven't been able to get a good email out to you guys in a
while...the power has been on and off, but the one "fast" internet
place on the island is now shut down..so my time in email has
dramatically shifted..and don't have as much time now..but no worries.
Okay, so I will do my best to give you the update on the past two
weeks. Sister Banimone was E.T.ed (Emergency transferred) back to Tarawa
because the pressure from her family was getting very intense (at this
point we were doing all her fathers laundry, trying to cook him food,
etc.) It was really sad to see her go, but I was really grateful that
she could go back to Tarawa, I think it needed to happen. We found out
late Sunday night that she would transfer..and flights are early
Wednesday morning..so we had to get all her things packed and
everything worked out quickly. On Wednesday Sister Alafoki arrived.
I've had her as a companion before..she was my, "follow up" trainer
back in Tarawa. She is the companion that really taught me how to work
hard on the mission..she is the one that pushed me to go to lesson
after lesson..after...lesson..after lesson. And taught me that I can't
rely on my strength..just focus on the strength the Lord gives me.
Because of having her as my companion so early on in my mission (at two
months out on the field) it has pushed me to work hard my entire
mission..because I know how to do it. I know that I can do it.

So we are back together again. AND I LOVE IT. It's so cool to see how
we totally push each other to be better. I won't let her talk in
English..and she makes us get out of the house by 10:00..just little
things like that that we really compliment each other on. It's nice
now too because we are both at the same level of speaking Kiribati, so
we can both teach during lessons.

But if I was to spend any bulk of this email on anything..it would be
on our investigators...you guys...I seriously couldn't type enough
about them..they are my world..they, man there really aren't any
possible words to describe how INTO THIS WORK I am...

So I got to tell you about Rawa and Tatu..our family we are teaching.

We found them through the efforts of tracting, and they have
been our golden family right now. We started to teach them, just the
husband and the wife..and they told us the wife was from the Catholic
and the husband was from the Protestant..he is 45 and she is 42...and
they LOVE to laugh and talk story..I wish you could see them when they
get into a story..hahahahaha..oh these islanders and their talk. The
husband, Tatu asked if we could just come once a week and teach
them..so we had taught them every Wednesday for a little time..but we
weren't really getting anywhere with once a week..
so we arrived on Wednesday, and as all missionaries do, we followed up
on the last lesson. Our comitment to them was for them to pray about
the living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. We asked them how their prayer
was..and she said, "Ma iai au kanganga.." Meaning..I have a
problem..we asked her what it was..and she said she couldn't pray
about if their was a prohet or not because she feels like her faith is
dead..she can't pray..she has no faith. She said, "I can say a prayer
with my mouth, but not with my heart."


So like all missionaries do, we focused our lesson on her
concerns..and trying to help her understand faith, and without
works..yes faith is dead..and so on so forth..then we recommited them
to prayer and asked if we could return in two days time. When we
returned, we didn't even have time to start in an opening prayer or
say anything because she jumped right into the lesson and said, "What
are you guys teaching us?! Do you know ever since we have been praying
we have had so many problems? We are fighting for no reason..and mad
at each other..and on and on." She was laughing when she said it..but
she was totally serious..she then told us everytime in the last 48
hours she was mad, or frustrated, after praying. The husband
questioned if praying was even good, because if it was..why was it
causing so much contention in their home?

We opened up the Book of Mormon and read from 2 Nephi 32:8  "And now,
my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts;
and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye
would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would
know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to
pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray..." we explained that
becuase they were starting to grow their faith, and pray..that they
would feel some resistance..but the Holy Ghost will always teach us to
pray. We could totally feel it, "click" in the room..and how one
scripture from the Book of Mormon turned a room full of confusion and
questions..into a room filled with understanding, and filled with the
Spirit.

That lesson ended on a really good note..and Sister Alafoki and I
could feel the spirit as we left..We asked their oldest daughter if
she wanted lessons, and she said she did. Then we asked their youngest
son, and he said he wanted lessons as well. So we now are teaching the
whole family..and I love that family with my whole heart. I wish I
could explain what it's like to love an investigator...that you just
give you heart to them, give them everything you have, pray for the,
fast for them, celebrate when they keep their comitments, and feel
saddened when they don't come to church...helping them meet their new
best friend, Our Saviour Jesus Christ..and helping them understand
that God loves them..

for a place that literally has nothing..to give them something so good
as the gospel..brings me more happiness then I could ever explain.
Just to walk down the streets of Kiritimati Island..and feel this
responsibility for my brothers and sisters here..and really feel like
I belong here..it's a feeling like none other.

So that's our new family to teach if you ever want to pray
for them, or put their names in the temple :)

And so that's my story adventures for this week! Other fun
adventures..I swung from a coconut branch..and ate octopus last
night..that was pretty good actually. It was fresh! AO! I forgot!
YEsterday was a KILLER DAY in the work. It was phenomenal. Sister
Alafoki and I were able to get 13 lessons taught, we found 3 new
investigators and 11 of our people we are working with (less actives,
investigators or recent converts) attended church! This work is moving
forward!

Well I sure love you guys..I pray for you always, and keep you in my
mind. I taught Relief Society on Father day..and gave a good salute to
you Dadda. Sure miss you. But how grateful I am for the Plan of
Salvation that I know we can be together forever!

Always and Forever,
Sister Johnson

11 months and counting...

Sorry didn't get to email last week, internet was down. Right now it is still down, so I'm using the senior couples computer..but we only get 30 minutes..so sorry no time for stories or adventures..but I am very grateful that we get as much internet time as we do..most of the
outter islands don't even have internet..and elders and sisters go without email for five or six months not talking to anyone! So I feel grateful that we get as much time to talk as we do!

Transfers are in: Sister B is headed back, and Sister Alafoki (my second companion) is coming to Kiritimati Island..which means my first three companions..I have again had (in order) for the second time! Sister McD, Sister Lavulavu, and now Sister Alafoki! Hahaha!

I'm doing so well, working our heads off to get our investigators ready for their  baptismal dates: June 14.....BIG DAY!! 

Just for further notice..I live literally RIGHT next to the senior couple here..I can hear them doing their laundry..THAT CLOSE. President and Sister Anderson (He is in the Mission Presidency) so if you ever don't hear from me, you can email them..most likely their internet is down too..but it's an option.

Sister Cassita is a sweetheart. I was so so so happy when she came to Kiritimati..the joy of my whole week! As I am approaching my 11 month mark tomorrow..I'm just weeks away from hitting one year on a mission...wow. Time flies when you are working..doesn't it?

In the Kiribati culture you celebrate only two birthdays..your first birthday, and your 21st...you celebrate your first birthday because you are still alive..a lot of deaths occur under the age of one because of the living circumstances..and I am feeling about the same way. I have almost survived one year..that has need to celebrate I'd say!! ..haha...21 is when you are "an adult" so most people here still think of me as a "youth" ..but hey, good thing the gospel is true no matter how old I am.

Sure missing you guys...But so so SO grateful to be here.

love you!
lil liz

(Nurse Cassita visited Lizzie's island last week.  She sent the following message & pictures) 

Mauri Mauri,

Your daughter is doing wonderful. I was sent to visit Kiritimati Island to check out the hospital and make some contacts with the medical personnel there. It was a successful trip. I also was able to treat another missionary.

But the best part of the trip was seeing your daughter. I know that I'm her nurse and senior but she has lifted me in a time of great need and now when I see her my spirit is recharged. This is one of the hardest missions in the world. Your daughter is no doubt one amazing Stripling Warrior!  You can be sure of that.

Here are some photos that I took while visiting. Their island doesn't always have great service for the internet or phone service. It's wild out here but I love it!

Have a wonderful day!

Love,

Sister Cassita