Week 13 on Gaua March 24-March 30, 2014
Dia famle mo frien blo mi we mi lavem tumas,
Monday we went to Eapot because Elder Raskina's new companion Elder Math was coming. The Santo District President and a Senior Missionary Elder Williams came to work on a water project for the branch here. Then we went to the branch to help Elder Williams. We helped him build a roof to cover a water tank. The roof has sheet metal so when it rains, the water will run and collect into a gutter and into a tank. The church sent all the materials on the ship and they did this project so some of the members and anyone in need can have water. Helping building this brought back memories of building houses with Grandpa and my Uncles. It was fun to be building something again.
Tuesday it was hot at the house so we walked down to the ocean where there was a nice breeze and we did our personal and companionship studies. We were able to teach a couple of lessons, then Brushly gave us some kunala which is like a sweet potato, but not as sweet. So I cut it up and heated some oil and made some french fries.
Wednesday we taught three lessons and committed one papa to be baptized but he said that he will wait and pray about it first.
Thursday we did some service for Brushly. We helped him cut "kobra". We walked to an area not too far and that mama's were gathering coconuts and halving them with axes. Our job was to use a tool to cut out the flesh of the inside of the coconuts. We cut out four piles of coconuts. We did it for about four or five hours straight! My hands were pretty sore. The total of bags we filled up was thirteen bags. Now I can say I have cut and carried kobra. It's hard work. Whenever we see someone working kobra we say "yufala wok had tumas." It's true though. Here's how it works. They gather all coconuts (old coconuts that are starting to grow into trees) and halve them and cut out the flesh, fill up heavy bags, carry the bags to a roasting bed, roast them, turn them and roast again. And when roasting is finished, they fill up bags again and carry them to the ocean when a ship comes. The pay is very low. They weight the kobra and they get about 30 vt (30 cents) for one kilogram about 2.2 pounds. The people all know they work too hard for small pay, but there is not any other good work for them to earn money. But they mostly just need money when they pay school fees or want to fly somewhere. They all have enough food from their gardens.
One thing that I realized about this country is that it's a place where the people don't have much money, but they are all happy and they all have food and water. It's not life Africa where the kids and people are suffering from hunger and thirst and poverty. Here people have some money and they never seem to run out of food. Everyone is happy here.
Friday we studied down by the ocean again and we taught a mama that we had committed to be baptized a long time ago. We set a baptism date for her on Saturday, April 5th. Then we taught her daughter who is a recent convert. We then taught three more lessons that afternoon.
Saturday Elder Math and Ransika came to interview the mama to be baptized and she was ready. Then we taught a couple of lessons that afternoon.
Sunday we went to church and learned about repentance and what happens if we die in our sins. "Don't procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end". We then taught a girl and her cousin and committed them to be baptized next week as well. We met with our unit leader and he was very happy with our progress and work. He said that the work now has been better than ever! Then we taught a couple more lessons. That night Brushly roasted yams, taro and kumala. He also cooked a fowl or what we call chicken. It was good food and we ate with them. Then that night we totaled our key indicators (all lessons taught, referrals, new investigators, baptisms, and confirmations) we realized that this week was awesome! We taught many lessons and committed many investigators to be baptized. I think this week was probably better than any other week work wise.
I hope work and everything that's happening in Cedar City is good. Know that everything is awesome here and the work is great. I love you all and hope all is well.
Love, Elder Beynon
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Week 12 of Gaua March 17-March 23, 2014
Dia famle blo mi we mi lavem tumas,
Monday we just stayed home because of Elda Leva's swollen foot. I did my usual wash and washed my clothes. We couldn't go to the store to buy our food for the week so we just gave some money to some friends and they did our shopping which was nice. That night we gave Elder Leva a blessing for his foot.
Tuesday an investigator came to our house and we taught him. On Wednesday we stayed at the house and waited for an investigator to come but he never showed.
Thursday the swelling on Leva's foot began to go down. He said that he could walk a little so we went out and taught. He was able teach a couple of lessons which was good.
Friday was just like Thursday.
Saturday was VERY hot! It may have reached ninety degrees but the humidity wasn't that bad. We were only able to teach one lesson that day. That night we waited for the zone leaders to tell us our transfers. This transfer went by extremely fast. I can't believe I've been out for six months! I was very worried that I would be transferred because I love Gaua. They called us and we found out that we will all be staying here. I was very happy.
Sunday we were able to go to church and teach a couple of lessons. And that night Brushly gave us a big fish that he speared. We ate good that night. Sorry not much happened this week.
You guys may be wondering how the mission is growing? I feel bad because I haven't given you guys much information about it. There are six islands in Vanuatu where there are missionaries: Tanna, Efate, Malekula, Ambae, Santo, Gaua. When I first came to Vanuatu there were only two zones: Port Vila, Efate, and Luganville, Santo. Tanna was part of the Port Vila zone and all the other islands were part of the Santo zone. But now Vanuatu has four zones: Tanna and Malekula are the two new zones. So now only Ambae and Gaua are part of the Santo zone. There are four districts in Vanuatu now. The biggest goal of the Mission President is to establish a Stake in Vanuatu. We hope that sometime this year it will happen.
I don't know much about New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. We are all one mission but each country worries about itself. When you serve in Vanuatu you don't hear much about the Solomon Islands or New Calendonia. I think for each country the Church has different goals, and that's why you don't hear much. But I do know that the Solomon Islands has a zone, and New Calendonia has a zone. New Calendonia also has a Stake. That's all I know about the mission.
Well how is Costa Vida? Did Roberto ever come back to work there? I've had a few dreams that I was working there. Probably because I was thinking of the food.
I hope all is well at home. And with everybody who reads this on the blog. I love you all very much and know that everything is great and the first six months here have been awesome!
Love, Elder Beynon
P.S. Sorry you all never got emails, they didn't have district conference for some reason. But zone conference will be held in May.
Dia famle blo mi we mi lavem tumas,
Monday we just stayed home because of Elda Leva's swollen foot. I did my usual wash and washed my clothes. We couldn't go to the store to buy our food for the week so we just gave some money to some friends and they did our shopping which was nice. That night we gave Elder Leva a blessing for his foot.
Tuesday an investigator came to our house and we taught him. On Wednesday we stayed at the house and waited for an investigator to come but he never showed.
Thursday the swelling on Leva's foot began to go down. He said that he could walk a little so we went out and taught. He was able teach a couple of lessons which was good.
Friday was just like Thursday.
Saturday was VERY hot! It may have reached ninety degrees but the humidity wasn't that bad. We were only able to teach one lesson that day. That night we waited for the zone leaders to tell us our transfers. This transfer went by extremely fast. I can't believe I've been out for six months! I was very worried that I would be transferred because I love Gaua. They called us and we found out that we will all be staying here. I was very happy.
Sunday we were able to go to church and teach a couple of lessons. And that night Brushly gave us a big fish that he speared. We ate good that night. Sorry not much happened this week.
You guys may be wondering how the mission is growing? I feel bad because I haven't given you guys much information about it. There are six islands in Vanuatu where there are missionaries: Tanna, Efate, Malekula, Ambae, Santo, Gaua. When I first came to Vanuatu there were only two zones: Port Vila, Efate, and Luganville, Santo. Tanna was part of the Port Vila zone and all the other islands were part of the Santo zone. But now Vanuatu has four zones: Tanna and Malekula are the two new zones. So now only Ambae and Gaua are part of the Santo zone. There are four districts in Vanuatu now. The biggest goal of the Mission President is to establish a Stake in Vanuatu. We hope that sometime this year it will happen.
I don't know much about New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. We are all one mission but each country worries about itself. When you serve in Vanuatu you don't hear much about the Solomon Islands or New Calendonia. I think for each country the Church has different goals, and that's why you don't hear much. But I do know that the Solomon Islands has a zone, and New Calendonia has a zone. New Calendonia also has a Stake. That's all I know about the mission.
Well how is Costa Vida? Did Roberto ever come back to work there? I've had a few dreams that I was working there. Probably because I was thinking of the food.
I hope all is well at home. And with everybody who reads this on the blog. I love you all very much and know that everything is great and the first six months here have been awesome!
Love, Elder Beynon
P.S. Sorry you all never got emails, they didn't have district conference for some reason. But zone conference will be held in May.
Week 11 on Gaua March 10-March 16, 2014
Dia famale blo mi we i taff tumas,
So in the last letter I talked about a hurricane or tropical storm that might hit. I said that the wind wasn't very strong and there wasn't much rain but that was just the start of the storm.
On Monday the wind was a little stronger but we didn't worry much about it. We went to the ocean and went fishing. We used fishing line that was wrapped around water bottles. We put snails and small hermit crabs on a hook as bait. I didn't catch any but Elda Leva and Ransika did. They were very small fish but it was fun. While we were fishing a couple of boys that live close told us that a hurricane is coming our way! And many people are going to take shelter at the school because the school buildings are supposed to be stronger. The wind slowly started to get stronger and we knew that the hurricane was really going to come. We helped our neighbor Brushly put rocks on top of his sheet metal roof so it will stay down when the strong winds come. Then Brushly brought us some sheet metal to cover some of our windows (our house doesn't have glass windows) so it was important that we covered them. We covered all the windows where we slept and one window where our table for studying is.
Then that night the winds got stronger and we went to sleep. Surprisingly I slept well but I woke up a few times because of the wind, but the house held up well. Tuesday morning the wind was still strong but there wasn't any rain. We bot bored so we went fishing. The water wasn't very rough because a reef blocks all the big waves from coming in. Then after noon, the storm passed. We decided to go to the store and buy more fish hooks. And we wanted to see how our unit was. While we were walking you could see more damage from the hurricane than where our house was. Banana trees were blown over and manyoke was blown over. The ground was covered in leaves and everything that fell from the trees. A few coconut trees had fallen down as well. But all the houses were standing and our church house was alright. The roof was damaged a little bit but that was it!
You are probably thinking "This is exactly like The Other Side of Heaven," but it isn't. Not everything was destroyed here. The only things that the hurricane affected were the fruit from the trees and manyoke. Most of the manyoke was blown over so everybody had to harvest it. Or it will die and most of fruits on the trees were blown off. The hurricane affected the island a little bit but everybody still has food and there are many other crops that were alright. But most of the damage was away from our house. We think it's because, first the Lord, second there are many coconut trees that blocked some of the wind, and third, there is a hill to the west that blocked the wind too. And the phone tower here was damaged so we didn't have reception.
On Wednesday we wanted to go help clean up the unit and neighbors around it but Elder Leva was sick and didn't feel well. So me and Raskiva just helped our neighbor Brushly and another neighbor named Phillip.
Thursday Elder Leva felt better and we decided to go and help anybody that needed help. Sadly enough nobody needed help most of the people had already cleaned everything and even school was continuing. Then we went to our unit and picked up fruits to take to our house. We got avacados, which are amazing here. I think I will have to make some guacamole sometime. We also picked up some grapefruits here. They call grapefruits "pomplemus" here, it's a little different than American grapefruits, but they are still good. Then the network came back so we were able to make calls again. We called the zone leaders and AP's and they didn't really even ask about the hurricane. I don't think they knew what happened here. Everyone was unaware of us. But it's alright because everything is fine here. And no one died on the island, everyone was safe. Yay!
Oh and did I tell you I ate flying fox (bat) the other night? Our neighbor Phillip shot one with his 22 and then he gave the bat to us because he didn't want it. Elder Raskiva roasted it and then boiled it with some manyoke. I tried it but the taste of it was strong and I can't quite explain it. I didn't like it that much.
Friday (Chance's Birthday) we waited for a ship to come that had a propane tank for our stove. There is no place in Gaua to refill propane tanks, there are also no fuel pumps stations for the trucks here. They get their gasoline from fifty gallon metal barrels that the ships send. We have three propane tanks. When one runs out we put it on a ship that goes to Santo and tell the zone leaders what ship the tank is on and the zone leaders take it to get filled and send it back to us on the ship. Anyways, the ship came not too far from our house, but there is no port or anything for the ship to come close to shore. And there is a reef so the ship can't come very close. They have little motor boats that they use to take you to the ship and load all of the food and items. Elder Leva told me to get the tank so the motor boat picked me up (and many other people) and took me to the ship. Elder Leva and Elder Raskiva just stayed on shore. I got to the boat and I talked to a man and told him that we have a "bottle gas," that's what they call it here. Then they put it on the motor boat with many other boxes of food and supplies for stores and such. Then they brought me back to shore. Honestly I think that was the first time I've been on a ship in the ocean.
Then we went back to the house and there were many people around. A neighbor was making a custom feast because someone in her family died last month. They killed a Bulluk or what we call a cow and they killed a pig. They gave us some meat. I cut off some slabs of meat and made some steak. I rubbed it with oil, some curry powder and put some salt and pepper on it. It was very good but it would have been better if I had grillmates.
Saturday we baptized another investigator! I baptized him because Elder Leva couldn't because he had a bad sore on his ankle. And his foot started to swell. After the baptism we went back to our house and stayed there because Elder Leva couldn't walk anymore. If he continues his foot would keep swelling so we didn't teach anyone that day.
Sunday we didn't go to church because Leva couldn't walk around. He could walk short distances but just couldn't put pressure on his foot. Then we ate bat again and this time it was pretty good. So it was a week without teaching. We didn't feel like missionaries, but we couldn't teach because of the hurricane and Elda Leva's sore foot. But it's alright, those things happen.
Know that all is well. I had my fifth baptism in Gaua and we are all safe. Life is still good and I hope life is good in Cedar City. I love you all so much!
Love, Elder Smith Beynon
P.S. Happy 14th Birthday Chance! I can't believe you are already a teacher! I hope your birthday was awesome!!! I love you bro!
Dia famale blo mi we i taff tumas,
So in the last letter I talked about a hurricane or tropical storm that might hit. I said that the wind wasn't very strong and there wasn't much rain but that was just the start of the storm.
On Monday the wind was a little stronger but we didn't worry much about it. We went to the ocean and went fishing. We used fishing line that was wrapped around water bottles. We put snails and small hermit crabs on a hook as bait. I didn't catch any but Elda Leva and Ransika did. They were very small fish but it was fun. While we were fishing a couple of boys that live close told us that a hurricane is coming our way! And many people are going to take shelter at the school because the school buildings are supposed to be stronger. The wind slowly started to get stronger and we knew that the hurricane was really going to come. We helped our neighbor Brushly put rocks on top of his sheet metal roof so it will stay down when the strong winds come. Then Brushly brought us some sheet metal to cover some of our windows (our house doesn't have glass windows) so it was important that we covered them. We covered all the windows where we slept and one window where our table for studying is.
Then that night the winds got stronger and we went to sleep. Surprisingly I slept well but I woke up a few times because of the wind, but the house held up well. Tuesday morning the wind was still strong but there wasn't any rain. We bot bored so we went fishing. The water wasn't very rough because a reef blocks all the big waves from coming in. Then after noon, the storm passed. We decided to go to the store and buy more fish hooks. And we wanted to see how our unit was. While we were walking you could see more damage from the hurricane than where our house was. Banana trees were blown over and manyoke was blown over. The ground was covered in leaves and everything that fell from the trees. A few coconut trees had fallen down as well. But all the houses were standing and our church house was alright. The roof was damaged a little bit but that was it!
You are probably thinking "This is exactly like The Other Side of Heaven," but it isn't. Not everything was destroyed here. The only things that the hurricane affected were the fruit from the trees and manyoke. Most of the manyoke was blown over so everybody had to harvest it. Or it will die and most of fruits on the trees were blown off. The hurricane affected the island a little bit but everybody still has food and there are many other crops that were alright. But most of the damage was away from our house. We think it's because, first the Lord, second there are many coconut trees that blocked some of the wind, and third, there is a hill to the west that blocked the wind too. And the phone tower here was damaged so we didn't have reception.
On Wednesday we wanted to go help clean up the unit and neighbors around it but Elder Leva was sick and didn't feel well. So me and Raskiva just helped our neighbor Brushly and another neighbor named Phillip.
Thursday Elder Leva felt better and we decided to go and help anybody that needed help. Sadly enough nobody needed help most of the people had already cleaned everything and even school was continuing. Then we went to our unit and picked up fruits to take to our house. We got avacados, which are amazing here. I think I will have to make some guacamole sometime. We also picked up some grapefruits here. They call grapefruits "pomplemus" here, it's a little different than American grapefruits, but they are still good. Then the network came back so we were able to make calls again. We called the zone leaders and AP's and they didn't really even ask about the hurricane. I don't think they knew what happened here. Everyone was unaware of us. But it's alright because everything is fine here. And no one died on the island, everyone was safe. Yay!
Oh and did I tell you I ate flying fox (bat) the other night? Our neighbor Phillip shot one with his 22 and then he gave the bat to us because he didn't want it. Elder Raskiva roasted it and then boiled it with some manyoke. I tried it but the taste of it was strong and I can't quite explain it. I didn't like it that much.
Friday (Chance's Birthday) we waited for a ship to come that had a propane tank for our stove. There is no place in Gaua to refill propane tanks, there are also no fuel pumps stations for the trucks here. They get their gasoline from fifty gallon metal barrels that the ships send. We have three propane tanks. When one runs out we put it on a ship that goes to Santo and tell the zone leaders what ship the tank is on and the zone leaders take it to get filled and send it back to us on the ship. Anyways, the ship came not too far from our house, but there is no port or anything for the ship to come close to shore. And there is a reef so the ship can't come very close. They have little motor boats that they use to take you to the ship and load all of the food and items. Elder Leva told me to get the tank so the motor boat picked me up (and many other people) and took me to the ship. Elder Leva and Elder Raskiva just stayed on shore. I got to the boat and I talked to a man and told him that we have a "bottle gas," that's what they call it here. Then they put it on the motor boat with many other boxes of food and supplies for stores and such. Then they brought me back to shore. Honestly I think that was the first time I've been on a ship in the ocean.
Then we went back to the house and there were many people around. A neighbor was making a custom feast because someone in her family died last month. They killed a Bulluk or what we call a cow and they killed a pig. They gave us some meat. I cut off some slabs of meat and made some steak. I rubbed it with oil, some curry powder and put some salt and pepper on it. It was very good but it would have been better if I had grillmates.
Saturday we baptized another investigator! I baptized him because Elder Leva couldn't because he had a bad sore on his ankle. And his foot started to swell. After the baptism we went back to our house and stayed there because Elder Leva couldn't walk anymore. If he continues his foot would keep swelling so we didn't teach anyone that day.
Sunday we didn't go to church because Leva couldn't walk around. He could walk short distances but just couldn't put pressure on his foot. Then we ate bat again and this time it was pretty good. So it was a week without teaching. We didn't feel like missionaries, but we couldn't teach because of the hurricane and Elda Leva's sore foot. But it's alright, those things happen.
Know that all is well. I had my fifth baptism in Gaua and we are all safe. Life is still good and I hope life is good in Cedar City. I love you all so much!
Love, Elder Smith Beynon
P.S. Happy 14th Birthday Chance! I can't believe you are already a teacher! I hope your birthday was awesome!!! I love you bro!
Week 10 on Gaua March 3-March 9, 2014
Monday we decided to go to Eapot to hang out at the branch presidents house. We played volleyball with the members and had some fun. We played volleyball with the members and had some fun. I don't know if I've talked about sports in Vanuatu yet but volleyball and soccer are the biggest sports here. The people here are very good at both sports. On this side of the world all sports are different. They play rugby instead of football, cricket instead of baseball. I haven't seen them play rugby or cricket yet but they're familiar with the names. If you ask them about baseball, they won't know what you are talking about. They are a little bit familiar with American football though. Then we ate at the branch president's house for dinner.
Tuesday we went out and taught but was only able to teach one lesson. We didn't have district meeting because a new companion for Elder Ransika hasn't come yet. We actually found out that he won't get a new companion until the end of this transfer. So he will still be hanging out with us for the next few weeks. We've had some fun together already.
Wednesday we had an activity in our unit. Many members came and we all played lots of volleyball we had rice and soup that the mama's made and had lots of fun. Then the members hooked an extension cord to a gas powered generator (yes they have those here). Then they hooked up some speakers and played music and they also hooked up a tv and all of the kids watched movies. We all watched "Mr. Bean" (one of Smith's favorites) which was funny, haven't seen for a while. Then we watched "Ella Enchanted". I used to hate that movie but I was so happy to watch it again! I haven't watched that much tv in a long time. Oh and did I tell you that they used a bluray player? I guess they have those here too!
Thursday we were able to teach many lessons which was good and we really kept busy that day. On Friday we went to the airport because the two perspective missionaries of the branch were flying out to go on missions. It brought back many memories of when I left. I can't believe I've been out five months! Two years isn't enough time to serve the Lord it seems. While there we went to the branch presidents house and ate octopus. Octopus is pretty good, they boil it and make a curry sauce. We eat the meat and the tentacles and everything. You are probably all freaking out and saying "gross!" But it's not that bad. The first time I could only eat the meat inside the tentacles, but now I can eat the whole thing.
Saturday we only taught a couple lessons but we kept pretty busy which was good.
Sunday morning we woke up to wind and rain. Apparently a hurricane or a tropical storm had hit the Solomon Islands, and it was coming for us. It's wasn't that bad of a hurricane. The wind wasn't too strong and it's not raining too bad.
Oh and on Sunday one of our investigators was interviewed for baptism. Just know that everything is alright. I think that the storm is just a tropical storm and the house is holding up and not much rain is coming inside.
The work here is still good and I love it. We should be having another baptism next Saturday which is good. I love you all and hope everyone is well.
Love, Elder Smith Beynon
Monday we decided to go to Eapot to hang out at the branch presidents house. We played volleyball with the members and had some fun. We played volleyball with the members and had some fun. I don't know if I've talked about sports in Vanuatu yet but volleyball and soccer are the biggest sports here. The people here are very good at both sports. On this side of the world all sports are different. They play rugby instead of football, cricket instead of baseball. I haven't seen them play rugby or cricket yet but they're familiar with the names. If you ask them about baseball, they won't know what you are talking about. They are a little bit familiar with American football though. Then we ate at the branch president's house for dinner.
Tuesday we went out and taught but was only able to teach one lesson. We didn't have district meeting because a new companion for Elder Ransika hasn't come yet. We actually found out that he won't get a new companion until the end of this transfer. So he will still be hanging out with us for the next few weeks. We've had some fun together already.
Wednesday we had an activity in our unit. Many members came and we all played lots of volleyball we had rice and soup that the mama's made and had lots of fun. Then the members hooked an extension cord to a gas powered generator (yes they have those here). Then they hooked up some speakers and played music and they also hooked up a tv and all of the kids watched movies. We all watched "Mr. Bean" (one of Smith's favorites) which was funny, haven't seen for a while. Then we watched "Ella Enchanted". I used to hate that movie but I was so happy to watch it again! I haven't watched that much tv in a long time. Oh and did I tell you that they used a bluray player? I guess they have those here too!
Thursday we were able to teach many lessons which was good and we really kept busy that day. On Friday we went to the airport because the two perspective missionaries of the branch were flying out to go on missions. It brought back many memories of when I left. I can't believe I've been out five months! Two years isn't enough time to serve the Lord it seems. While there we went to the branch presidents house and ate octopus. Octopus is pretty good, they boil it and make a curry sauce. We eat the meat and the tentacles and everything. You are probably all freaking out and saying "gross!" But it's not that bad. The first time I could only eat the meat inside the tentacles, but now I can eat the whole thing.
Saturday we only taught a couple lessons but we kept pretty busy which was good.
Sunday morning we woke up to wind and rain. Apparently a hurricane or a tropical storm had hit the Solomon Islands, and it was coming for us. It's wasn't that bad of a hurricane. The wind wasn't too strong and it's not raining too bad.
Oh and on Sunday one of our investigators was interviewed for baptism. Just know that everything is alright. I think that the storm is just a tropical storm and the house is holding up and not much rain is coming inside.
The work here is still good and I love it. We should be having another baptism next Saturday which is good. I love you all and hope everyone is well.
Love, Elder Smith Beynon
Week 9 on Gaua February 24-March 2, 2014
Dia famle blo mi we mi lavem wetem fular hat blo mi,
On Monday we paid $50 for a pig, killed it, and then the other Elders roasted it while me and Elder Echols went to buy rice. We also went to their house to get some bbq sauce that Elder Echols bought in Santo during zone conference. We went back and boiled the rice while the pig was roasting. When it was finished, we cut open the pig and started eating. The zone leaders had brought some bread when they came from Santo so we shredded the meat and put it on the bread with some bbq sauce. We had a bbq pork sandwiches! It was amazing!!! I could go for some Arthur Bryants or Sonny Boy's bbq right about now!
Then Elder Tula went home with Elder Echols and Ransika then Elder Sione came home with me and Leva. That night Brushy gave us some big fish that they killed and another neighbor brought us a turtle. I like turtle, it's good food. It was a good p-day feast!
Tuesday Elder Sione came and taught with us and also interviewed one more investigator of ours to be baptized. He taught us a lot and that night he talked to us and told us how we can improve. Elder Sione's pretty cool. His family is from Samoa but now they all live in New Zealand now.
Wednesday we went to the airport so the zone leaders could go back to Santo. Elder Echols had to go with him as well because last week he cut his thumb with a bush knife. It was a deep cut to the bone. He went to the doctor here where he cleaned it (yes there's a doctor here). But the doctor here doesn't have x-ray or anything to know if his thumb was all right. So the zone leaders and Elder Echols left and his companion Elder Ransika is staying with us.
Thursday we went to Tyron's house and helped them put up siding for their house that they are building. They cut up some bamboo into strips and weaved it into a wall. It's hard to explain. It's a lot different than the houses that I built with Marty, Shane and Grandpa.
Friday we taught many lessons and I was able to have fun with the kids. The kids play marbles a lot here. They taught me how to play so I bought some marbles and played with them.
Saturday was an awesome day. We ended up having four investigators baptized instead of three. Our perspective missionary Tyron baptized his mom and his sister. I baptized Tyron's cousin and another investigator of ours. Oh and we baptized in the ocean by the way. Pretty cool! I was SO happy. I'm so happy to be here to help these families. I've been so blessed to be here. We hope to baptize two or three more investigators in the next few weeks.
Sunday we went to church and I confirmed one of our investigators. It was testimony meeting and I bore my testimony and many other kids did. The kids here aren't that afraid to get up and bear their testimony. Whenever we teach kids and ask questions they always answer, unlike Tanna. Kids in Tanna were always scared and shy.
Just know that the work here is awesome and I'm so grateful to be serving in Gaua. I love you all so much.
Love, Elder Smith Beynon
Dia famle blo mi we mi lavem wetem fular hat blo mi,
On Monday we paid $50 for a pig, killed it, and then the other Elders roasted it while me and Elder Echols went to buy rice. We also went to their house to get some bbq sauce that Elder Echols bought in Santo during zone conference. We went back and boiled the rice while the pig was roasting. When it was finished, we cut open the pig and started eating. The zone leaders had brought some bread when they came from Santo so we shredded the meat and put it on the bread with some bbq sauce. We had a bbq pork sandwiches! It was amazing!!! I could go for some Arthur Bryants or Sonny Boy's bbq right about now!
Then Elder Tula went home with Elder Echols and Ransika then Elder Sione came home with me and Leva. That night Brushy gave us some big fish that they killed and another neighbor brought us a turtle. I like turtle, it's good food. It was a good p-day feast!
Tuesday Elder Sione came and taught with us and also interviewed one more investigator of ours to be baptized. He taught us a lot and that night he talked to us and told us how we can improve. Elder Sione's pretty cool. His family is from Samoa but now they all live in New Zealand now.
Wednesday we went to the airport so the zone leaders could go back to Santo. Elder Echols had to go with him as well because last week he cut his thumb with a bush knife. It was a deep cut to the bone. He went to the doctor here where he cleaned it (yes there's a doctor here). But the doctor here doesn't have x-ray or anything to know if his thumb was all right. So the zone leaders and Elder Echols left and his companion Elder Ransika is staying with us.
Thursday we went to Tyron's house and helped them put up siding for their house that they are building. They cut up some bamboo into strips and weaved it into a wall. It's hard to explain. It's a lot different than the houses that I built with Marty, Shane and Grandpa.
Friday we taught many lessons and I was able to have fun with the kids. The kids play marbles a lot here. They taught me how to play so I bought some marbles and played with them.
Saturday was an awesome day. We ended up having four investigators baptized instead of three. Our perspective missionary Tyron baptized his mom and his sister. I baptized Tyron's cousin and another investigator of ours. Oh and we baptized in the ocean by the way. Pretty cool! I was SO happy. I'm so happy to be here to help these families. I've been so blessed to be here. We hope to baptize two or three more investigators in the next few weeks.
Sunday we went to church and I confirmed one of our investigators. It was testimony meeting and I bore my testimony and many other kids did. The kids here aren't that afraid to get up and bear their testimony. Whenever we teach kids and ask questions they always answer, unlike Tanna. Kids in Tanna were always scared and shy.
Just know that the work here is awesome and I'm so grateful to be serving in Gaua. I love you all so much.
Love, Elder Smith Beynon
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Hi Ya'll it's Shauna. I'm still waiting on letters to do a new post for the blog. Exciting things are happening! Smith has been transferred to the little island of Uripiv. The best news is, that he will be able to email every week! If you want to send him an email, please do, he would love to hear from you! His p-day is Mondays, so the best days to email him is Saturday or Sunday.
As soon as I have letters and pictures I will post something new. All is well. Smith is healthy and happy and loving his mission! Thanks for all of your love and support!
Love, The Beynon Family
As soon as I have letters and pictures I will post something new. All is well. Smith is healthy and happy and loving his mission! Thanks for all of your love and support!
Love, The Beynon Family
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