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

Investigators

this is my favorite..hahahaha...our cute little investigator

Dearest Family,


Sister Banimone says hello to you all. We are teaching her father on Wednesday at three..last two times he has been drunk..which is very hard on Sister Banimone..so we pray that he will be sober. 

Just a little bit about our investigators..AHHHHH..they are making me happier than I have ever been. We have the sweestest investigator..her name is Nei Ua..she is 19 years old..and it the CUTEST! She will be interviewed today..and baptized on saturday..as we were reviewing the baptismn questions..she was so sweet..I asked, Do you believe that God is our loving Heavenly Father? She looked at me and said, "I rangi ni kakouaua!" Which means..I really really believe!!!" Hahaha, it was very cute. 

Our other investigators name in Amrom. He is 12 and his mom is a member..but he's not. So he wanted lessons. In our opening prayer he asked that Heavenly Father would help us to overcome all our trials that we were facing..and he asked that satan would leave so we could have some peace during the lessons. It was the cutest! 

Last little glimpse of our investigators is our new family we are teaching. Their names are Ination. They are the sweetest and when we came to their lessons, they man sang us a Kiribati song he wrote! 

May 15th was the best day of my life. I don't know who prayed that day..but boy...it was incredible. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and your love!!
LOVE YOU!

PS: sorry Dev it's a little late -- call it island time -- but HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON MAY 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Triumphs and Failures...

Dearest Family.

Thank you for saying your prayers about Sister B. I think it was Wednesday, or Thursday she woke up and told me just how happy she was. I asked if there was any specific reason..she said no..but just stayed on Cloud nine for the whole day. So thank you for your prayers...they WORKED! To continue the story from last week. Sister B is doing so good. Her family needs her so much right now..especially her sisters..so I am grateful she is here. Her Father has been busy this week so we didn't get a lesson in with him..but we have one planned for wednesday. 

This week...was..I don't even know..it had a lot of complete failures.. and a lot of good triumphs.  It wasn't just an average week..cause there are no average weeks on this mission...a phase you often hear the missionaries say is "Ti aki ataa konaoan te bong" meaning: we never know what's going to happen today. Hahaha.

The funniest "failure" of this week was when they asked me to teach Nutrition in Relief Society... and after teaching "Five Ways to be Healthy here in Kirimati" (less sugar and salt, more clean water and exercise, etc) I had questions and scriptures to hand out to the groups..well group two got mad at group four because they were "stealing their answers". The whole relief society went into uproar and ended up getting a "tuaa" meaning they were punished and had to buy the whole Relief Society ice cream...so much for nutrition. :)

The biggest miracle happened this week. 

So we are teaching this family: Bere and Rotitera..a.k.a. B&R. This family has been taught by missionaries for almost four years..FOUR! And we are ready for them - and feel it's their time to really commit to being baptized and receiving their truth. What is holding them back  is that they are really strong in their church..so we asked a member from our ward who was previously from that church come to our lesson and share his conversion story. We set everything up..Friday at Five. We arrive at our members house, and he wasn't there...so we went to his work office..wasn't there..me and sister B had no idea what to do...we didn't have a lesson planned other than our member sharing his testimony..so we biked really slowly and tried to think of what possible we could teach them..we've been teaching them a long time..and wondered what new material could be taught...NOTHING came to mind. We actually got off our bikes and just looked at each other..we really had no idea what to teach. As we sat there on the white sandy road...I said a little prayer..and asked for the Lord's help in his work. Not one minute had passed, and we saw our member driving on his motorcyle to meet us. WHAT A BLESSING. That lesson was crazy powerful..and the Spirit was felt. How grateful I am for answered prayers. Wow. 

Wanna know the truth? Sometimes...I really have a hard time speaking Kiribati..it just doesn't translate into englsh..and sometimes I think i'm making sense because it makes sense in English...but it makes no sense in Kiribati. I got pretty sad about it this week..I have been out for ten months now..and sometimes I feel like I can't get past basic grammar rules and mercy....so much memorization involved in learning a language...and we all know how forgetful I am.. but I will keep trying. 

Enough! E tau! That is all I have to say.

Tiabooooo.

Sister Johnson.

Sister Banimone

 this is Sister B!

This is my Kiribati name..cause there are no "J"'s or "S"'s in their alphabet...so you get this cool looking word! It sounds more like sohn-sun..wait..I'm forgetting english phonetics..

okay maybe I can't really descibe it... :)

Hahahahahahahaahaha. this picture just makes me laugh. This was our old district from last p-day..and who knew my little monkey feet were so good at climbing coconut trees? (don't worry mom, it was a first and a last)

 

 this was from my birthday..there aren't very many balloons on the island..in fact, i could probably count the number of times i've seen them on one hand...

but i was so happy to see one! and for me!

 So this was my birthday cake! This is me and little "CJ" who had the same birthday...

he turned TWO and I turned TWENTY.

I got a new companion. Her name is Sister Banimone -- and this is her story. 

At the age of nine Sister B was taught by the missionaries, accepted the gospel, and was baptized. Shortly after -- due to no support from her family - she became a "less active." She again joined her former church that her family was so strongly attached to. She attended their worship and many years passed. When she was seventeen she decided that she would become a minister for her church. She bought a plane ticket and moved to the main island of Tarawa to pursue her education there. Two years into her schooling - she received word that her mother had suddenly died. As any person would - she was saddened by the news - which sought her soul looking for answers. In this current church she belonged to - they did not believe in the Resurrection..or that families could be together forever. ..she began to question which church really was true, where her mother was, and if there was hope for her family. So she started attending activities from the Young Single Adult Class hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She prayed harder than ever to seek for the truth. With her heart softened she again rekindled her testimony in this church. She attended church and felt strongly to serve a mission. 

Sister Banimone received her call to serve in Kiribati. She served on the main island for about a year - but due to health problems she was flown to Hawaii to receive medical attention there. After everything was cleared, President Weir wanted her to stay in the Marshall Islands for a little bit to make sure everything was okay. During her stay in Marshalls - President Weir invited her into his office and told her he felt a strong impression to send her to her home island: Kiritimati. Usually it's not allowed to serve in the area where your from..but she was brave enough to accept the calling. 

Fast forward to Wednesday. Sister B arrived at her home island. But remember -- this is a fourth world country..there are no phones to communicate or contact through facebook...she steps off the plane -- and to the surprise of her family and friends..she is a Mormon missionary..not a Minister as she had once planned...

Because on this little island word travels quicker than a dropping coconut...{yes..i just thought of that imagery.} everyone knows that she is here..and that she isn't a Minister but a missionary...Sweet Sister B has received a lot of criticism, a lot of glares, and a lot of rude names...but my word..she has shown strength and bravery this week in the work. 

And that is the start of the story of my companion. Her story isn't even close to being finished though..because guess who our new investigator is? Ueantaake. Her father. 

If you have any prayers this week..if any of them could be said for her..I KNOW the Lord will hear those prayers and help her find the strength she needs. I love her with all of my heart..This is my sister...and you being my family...makes her family too. 

I love you guys -- and will tell you until my fingers fall off from typing it -- 

sitting on this little island on the South Pacific Blue

loves,

sister Tiaontin (the Kiribati version of Johnson)

(ps - I have her permission to share her story.) and pss - Crissy I haven't spoken English for a week...so if it doesn't make sense..you can fix it...

LOVE YOU!!!