Week 4 Island of Tanna Oct 24, 2013

Dear Beautiful Mother Dear,

I found out that I will only get computer access every 2 weeks.  That's why I didn't email last week. The island is great and it is very cool, the volcano is AMAZING!!! And we might go there again tonight. The people are great and everybody cares for each other. One thing I've realized is that the kids never fight.  They get along and play together so well. Sounds like New York was awesome. I wouldn't mind seeing "Wicked", I've heard it's pretty cool.  We had Zone Conference the week I last emailed you and it was fun. We went to Port Vila and went to a nice restaurant.  It was good food! (During Zone Conference).

The language is coming on pretty well. I'm starting to speak it more and more.  I taught a girl in Bislama and the lesson went pretty well. It's nice to have the spirit help me with the gift of tongues. I walk a lot.  Me and Elder Langi walked down the mountain from Saet Siwi and back up 3 times this week. (When I get back from my mission I will have the biggest legs you've ever seen.)  So me and my companion found out that we can't go to Port Resolution anymore until we work some church stuff out with the Chief of the town.  Hopefully the Lord will prepare a way for us to go back there eventually.  So we won't be able to baptize the 2 people we invited until we are able to go back there. We now have 5 baptisms that are waiting to be done. I don't know when they will be.

We just have to help some investigators first before we are able to make a baptismal date.

Things have been slow this week because most of the people in Saet Siwi have been taught.  Without Port Resolution we can't teach much.  Wednesday we weren't able to teach a single lesson. Thursday it rained like heck and we only got one lesson done and by the time we got back to our house we were soaked and we hung up our clothes inside to dry.  It was a slow week but on Saturday, it was just like Wednesday, no one that we planned on teaching was home and we weren't able to teach until Elda Langi and I decided to go to a river to buy some time before we walk back up to Saet Siwi.  While we were at the river I took some pictures(of course!) and then a family came to go swimming. The father of the family recognized that we were missionaries and asked that we teach him while the mother and kids swim. We taught him about the restoration and asked him if he would be baptized. He accepted and we were so happy. It was a good end to the week.
 

The place I go each other week on "P" day is called Lenakel. It's where I do my E-mails. It's on the west side of the island.  Elder Jones (my old companion from the MTC) is the designated driver and picks me and Elder Langi up and part of our district. They take us to their home every other week and we sleep there and do laundry there. We go shopping for food as well. I might do some laundry by hand when I'm in Saet Siwi  because I have 2 weeks worth of clothes to wash in the machine if I don't.  So I don't drive (it's weird not driving for over a month). Maybe when I get transferred I will drive. Sounds like halloween is going to be fun. what are you going to be? Make sure to send pics of dad to me.

Just so you know I found some salt and pepper in Port Vila. Yay! Know that I love you and thanks for your e-mails.  I'm glad you are all happy. Remember that life is good and that I'm happy.  I love you

Love

Elda Smith Baenon

Sunset at Port Vila after Zone Conference

Teaching a bunch of kids after church

One of the villages that we teach at

The view near Port Resolution Oct 2013

Week 5 Island of Tanna October 31, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

I found out that I will only be able to get internet access every 2 weeks, thats why I wasn't able to email you all back.  Things are going great here in Vanuatu!  I've had 3 coconuts since I've been here and it's really good.  I haven't eaten anything weird yet but I've had some interesting island meals. One I had the other day is called Laplap (loplop) It's a mixture of crushed up Talo and Manyoke (which are island crops that taste kind of like potatoes.)  The crushed Talo and Manyoke is mixed with whatever you want. I had it mixed with pork so I think it's called Pork Lapap. It's then cooked and it tastes pretty good.

Just so everybody knows, we are not allowed to wear Lava Lava's as our proselyting clothes. They used to allow it when this mission was part of the Fiji mission, but it's mostly a Fiji type thing. I haven't seen many people wear Lava lava's at all here. I might buy one that I can wear for pajamas though.  I had Zone conference last week and it was fun. We were able to eat at good restaurants and we ate at a fast food joint called "SeaView:" "Takeaway."  It had chicken and fries and milkshakes and that type of stuff. It was good to have a milkshake again.  And the fries are good but not as good as in America and they are called Chips here, not fries.

This week was a slow week because everybody we planned on teaching were never home. Saturday night we found a new investigator and taught him and he accepted to be baptized. It was a great end to the week. We have 5 baptisms that should be coming up. It will just take time to sort everything out with our investigators.  I will keep you all updated on that.  Me and my companion found out that the 2 people we asked to be baptized in Port Resolution will have to wait.  The church has to sort out some stuff before we can go back and proselyte. Things are great though, we might go back to Mt. Yasur (the volcano) again tonight. I am loving my mission. Whoever is reading this, consider serving a mission, it is so much fun. I love you all and can't wait to see what's in store for me. Take Care!

Love 

Elda Baenon

Sunrise off the beach near Port Resolution

Pigs that the sister missionaries bought and roasted

Lava at the Volcano

Smith at the Volcano...Yikes!

Tolu (an Island crop), Coconut Milk and Island Leaves that taste like Asparagus

Building a fire an act of service for a wedding Oct 2013

Our little missionary house on the island of Tanna Oct 2013

Week 3 Island of Tanna Oct 14, 2013

I will try to type as much as I can.  I only have 1 hour to get internet access.  It costs 500 Vatus ($5) to get internet for one hour. Tana is Great!  I am living in an area called Saet Siwi (pronounced sight siwi like kiwi).  It's on the south eastern end of the island (not on the beach).  I found out that Elda Longi (my companion) is from Tonga.  He's a cool guy.  He's big and strong and works out every morning (reminds me of Michael.)  He's very nice and humble and we get along well.  He likes Pokemon as well.  He never played the games but likes the cartoon show.  (Kenzie, Pokemon X and Y came out 2 days ago!)

The people here are great! They are all so nice and the kids never fight.  I can understand Bislama (one of the languages on the island) pretty well now but it's the talking that's hard.  There's a kid in Saet Siwi named Katem who knows some English and helps me learn his language.

This island is different from others.  The people all speak different native languages.  But most still speak bislama.  Romassen nebnebun is good morning in Saet Siwi's native language.  Mt. Yasur the volcano isn't very far from Saet Siwi and me and our district is going there tonight. The volcano rumbles a lot and I've heard from other elders that little earthquakes occur sometimes.  Friday afternoon me and Elda Longi walked to another area called Port Resolution which is about a 3 or 4 hour walk to get there. On our way we hitched a ride with some people in a truck which saved time.  The people are so nice and stop if you need to hitch hike.  We taught the family of David and Susan who just got baptized  the week before I came.  They gave me Bananas to eat and Manyoke.  The food is pretty good here but very plain. I haven't found any salt and pepper yet.

While in port resolution we stayed the night because there was no way we could make it back to Saet Siwi before sundown. (The sun rises at 5a.m. and goes down at 6pm). I have adjusted pretty well to the time change and Tana is cooler than the other islands and the humidity isn't nearly as bad as Efate.

We invited 2 people to be baptized in Port Resolution and both accepted.  We invited a little boy named Tarri and a older woman named Mawie.  It was such a great feeling to hear them say yes!  I think we will baptize them at the beginning of November.  There are 2 people in Saet Siwi who are waiting to get baptized as well.(They were invited to be baptized before I came.)  Things I've eaten so far: Sugar Cane(one of my favorites,  crab (was good but hard to eat because of the shell), Tarra (which is mashed up manyoke cooked and tastes kind of like thick crepes), and fish (which was really good.)  There are mango trees and banana trees everywhere but I just need to wait until they're ripe to eat them.  I've been eating lots of noodles, corned meat, eggs, and breakfast crackers. (I'm thinking Arby's, I would pay good money for some of that.)

Me and my companion got picked up by Elda Jones and his companion.  Me and Elda Jones are in the same district and Elda Mastin is in our Zone.  When I got picked up, we had to sit in the very back because the car was full and it smelled like poo.  The sisters bought pigs and put them in a bag and threw them in the back of the car.  Elda Longi and Elda Jones companion killed them this morning (monday) and are cooking them right now. I've been waiting to make a Sweet Pork Burrito! 

Well just so you all know it's a lot different here than America but I like it here so far. I have no complaints and can't wait to see what's in store for me. I am able to sleep at night and the food isn't too bad so life's good. Really Good!!!  I love you all and thanks for all your mail.  I can't respond to all of them for the sake of time.  I will send some pics with my other e-mail.  Love you!

Sincerely, Elda Bainon,
A missionary of the Jos Blong Jisas Kraes Blong Ol Lata-Dei-Sent

P.S. The Weather Forecast for Enoch Utah on Monday is a high of 53 degrees mostly sunny, Calm wind becoming north 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon with a low of 28 degrees tomorrow night, partly cloudy, North wind 7 to 14 mph becoming east after midnight.

Scenery on the Island Oct 2013

Picture of New Zealand from the plane Oct 2013

Week 3 Port Vila Oct 9, 2013

Dear Family,

Olsem Wanem?

I made it to Vanuatu safely (i'm sick of being on planes!). The humidity is killer but it is such a beautiful place.  When I arrived, we went to the mission office and walked over to the police dept. to get a driver's license.  I got my license but I can't drive until I get approval.  I then went to the bank and got an ATM card.

Just so you know mom I met Elder Esplin.  He's an elder that's from Orderville, Utah.  We went to the mission home yesterday and had Soup and rice for dinner. Surprisingly I slept really good last night.

This morning, we had breakfast and I packed my bags because I'm getting transferred to the island of Tanna.  I heard there's a volcano there.  It's about a 40 minute flight south. My plane leaves in 2 1/2 hours.    My "P" days will be on Mondays (Sundays) in Utah.  I should be able to get internet access every week so make sure to check your e-mail every Sunday.  I'm 1 of 15 missionaries to get transferred today.  President Brewer says that we are the biggest group to arrive and get transferred yet.

I will meet my new companion tonight when I get to Tanna.  His name is Elder Longhi.  He will be training me for 12 weeks. I think he is from Vanuatu so I will be able to learn a lot. I will be learning Bislama as well and I found out it's pronounced (bishlama).  I heard that my companion doesn't know much English so I will have to teach him too. I love it here so far and I'm so excited to serve here. I will try my best to keep in touch.  Love you All!!!

Love,

Elder Smith Beynon 

Smith at the Mission Home

Right after I got off the plane in Port Vila

The Beach Oct 2013

Landing in Vanuatu Oct 2013

Week 3 Port Vila Oct 9, 2013

He made it to Vanuatu!  This is an email we received from the mission home.  

Dear Brother and Sister Beynon –

Your son, Elder Beynon, has arrived safely in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission, and has been assigned to the Saet Siwi Area on the island of Tanna. He looks happy and excited to be here, and appears to have survived the travel well. We look forward to serving with him in this important work.

Attached are photos of the missionaries who arrived on October 8^th as they arrived at the Port Vila Airport and later at the mission home. We look forward to a wonderful association with your fine missionary son.

Group of Missionaries that arrived at the Mission Home with Smith Oct 2013

 

Week 2 at the MTC Oct 6, 2013

This is our last letter from the MTC:

Dear beautiful mother dear,

I am doing great!  Sunday was a hard day for me, but today was a good day for me.  I have learned SO Much.  It's not cold up here yet, but I hope it snows!  You know how I LOVE snow!!!  Say hi to everybody at Costa Vida for me.  Tell them that I love and miss them.  Everything is going great!  Continue to be happy  Try not to worry about me.  Get some sleep and don't worry!  I have not had any problems sleeping yet and I am happy to be here.  I miss your mallow creme pumpkins that you put out with your halloween decorations, I could go for some of those right now.  Wish JoDee a happy birthday for me.

I am having fun with my companions.  We are building a strong relationship.  I have a great District and I love everyone.  Do you know what me and my companions have in common?  We all LOVE Pokemon!  We all sing the Pokemon theme song and even my teacher Brother Lee likes Pokemon!  I guess we are all geeks but I sure love them and we all get along.  I hope you have received my letters and e-mails.  I sent a letter for the Midvalley Priest Quorum if you can give that to the bishop that would be great.

I will be flying to Vanuatu this Sunday (conference Sunday) on the 6th.  I will fly to San Francisco Sunday afternoon, then to New Zealand that night.  I will arrive in New Zealand on Tuesday morning.  I will then fly from New Zealand to Vanuatu.  I will be losing a whole day in my travels, crazy!  I am excited and I can't wait to get there!

I just want you to know that I love you so much.  Thanks for all the letters in the MTC.  Try not to worry I am having one of the best times of my life!  I will keep you and the family in my prayers.

Love, Smith

(We are hoping that Smith will call from the airport on Sunday...)

Week 2 at the MTC Oct 6, 2013

I was able to give my first priesthood blessing today for a girl in my district. She was sick and needed to feel loved.  It was a pretty cool experience.  Life is good and I haven't been very homesick which is a good thing.  I still miss you all and I can't wait to let you know how Vanuatu is.  I love you and I hope everything is still going well. I will send some pictures in separate emails. 

Sincerely,
Elder Smith Beynon

Smith with his district at the MTC Oct 2013

Pictures from the MTC October 2013

Smith and other Missionaries outside the Provo temple

Smith with his District outside the temple Oct 2013

Smith jumping for joy that it snowed in Provo

Week 2 at the MTC Oct 4, 2013

Dear Family,

Thanks for all your letters.  The dear elders have been coming and I have enjoyed reading them.  I can't believe how much letters mean to me now.  Oh and thanks for the package Kenzie.  I was running low on candy.  Thanks for the bookmark too.  Today was a great day. It snowed here (only about a half an inch) but I am glad that I can see the snow before I leave.  I went to the temple this morning and had a great time.  It was a really pretty temple.  I will try to attach some pics.  Me and my companions still get along.  Now Elder Mastin is my companion and Elder Jones got a companion from our zone, Elder Elliott.  Elder Elliott was supposed to go to Twin Falls, Idaho with his old companion but he got athletes foot and a fungal infection.  So he needs to stay here another week or two.  I can't believe I will be flying to Vanuatu this Sunday! I will be able to say that I've been to New Zealand (make sure you tell Jody).  I think my flight leaves at 4 and I will try my best to call. I won't be singing in the priesthood session but that's fine. Sounded like you had fun at Lake Powell mom and dad! I got the pictures and those boots are cool!

Provo Temple Oct 2013