Elder Smiler going home

Week 14 on Port Vila

Dia famle blong mi,

First off, HAPPY FATHER's DAY!!!   Last week was great!  we were very busy with transfers as you know and on Thursday morning we checked in Elder Mesui and Elder Taleo at the airport to transfer to malekula. Then we went home to do our personal study and we went back to the airport to pick up Elder Esplin, and we brought him to the office and then me and Elder Dakunimata had some time to teach so we visited Edmas and we taught her how the church works with auxiliaries and how it's possible that she could get a calling.  then we saw Sele and Mimo and taught them about the priesthood, he's very excited!

We also went to Jonassy's house and we saw him and taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we invited him to be baptized!  So now we have 5 investigators with baptism dates.  We hope to baptized them on July 11th.

Friday morning we did our studies and weekly planning and had the chance to teach Bella again.  We taught her about the Sabbath and she still wants to be baptized and we were glad to see her again. Then we went to Nambatri to find people to teach. 

We had been praying for the lord to place people in our path to teach and we started walking to the futbol field to go play with some kids when a man named Cyrus carrying a bag of rice looked at us, shook our hand, and said "Gud Aftanun",  and we asked how he is and then he said "my house is right down there if you want to come."  The lord had answered our prayer!

He immediately placed someone ready to hear the gospel in our path and we played futbol with some kids and then we went to Cyrus's house and we talked with him, got to know him, and taught him how the gospel blesses families. Then afterwards he showed us some of his art, he has the talent of drawing and painting, but no one really knows about it but he showed us some cool things he's painted and drawn with his bare hands.  He's a great guy and we hope to teach him again.

Afterwards we visited Moses and Norman's family and we taught them both about the priesthood as well.  then we taught maria and her kids about the law of chastity.  It got dark and then we went to the airport on behalf of President Brewer to pick up President Mahit, them district president in Santo and we took him to the Melanesian hotel where he'd stay so he could witness the Stake Conference.  All the district presidents in vanuatu would come for the conference. President Kevin W. Pearson of the Seventy had also come earlier in the day.

Saturday morning we studied and picked up President Nalawas and checked him into the Hotel with his wife and then taught Avock about Following the Prophet and then we went back to the airport, picked up President Vanu, district president of Malekula and we checked him into the hotel. 

Then we drove to Blacksand's  Branch where the church was holding an activity for every branch on the island to come together one last time before the Stake is Created and ward boundaries change and everyone gets put in their new wards.  The activity started at 3pm and all the missionaries were invited and i'm guessing 1500-2000 people came to the activity.  Each branch had members do a custom dance and danced for everyone.  It was really cool.  There were custom dances from Pentecost, Banks Islands, Malekula, Tanna, and North Efate, it was a lot of fun!!!  It went on until about 8pm at night.

Sunday morning  we went to "Le Lagoon" again and helped usher the people inside the big building so Stake Conference could start. SOOOOOOO many people came probably 2000 or 2500 people!  Members from other islands around the country came to Efate on Ships, some on plane so they could see the Event and see the Stake Presidency sustained! It was an amazing conference.  President Johanssen of the area seventy talked, the new stake presidency bore their testimonies, and Sister and President Pearson both gave talks to the people.  The spirit was so strong and it's taken about 36 years for Vanuatu could get to this point.

Many members and Families have been enduring through all these years with their callings so the church can grow, and now they can have the fulness of the priesthood keys in their country, held by their own people to help the church grow.  It's amazing how fast the church is growing here ands so many blessings will continue to be poured as the church strengthens, NOTHING will stop the lord and his work. 

After the conference we dropped President Mahit off at the airport so he could fly back to Santo and then we picked up Sam Matua, a friend of ours from Saet Siwi and he taught with us while we taught
Matilyn about the Plan of Salvation and we also taught Sele about Temples.

This morning President Pearson and his wife met with us missionaries and talked with us for about an hour before they would fly back.  Man you can always know the disciples of the lord just from when they speak, I love how we have a living prophet today and his servants!  Well all is great here in Vanuatu, the people are being SO blessed and we're excited to see what's to come!

Dad you are such  great example to me and you have been such a great Papa to me!  Happy
Father's Day!  Mi lavem yufala tumas!

Love,

Elder Beynon
 

Me and member friends

One of Cyrus' paintings

Blacksands Branch

Stake Activity

Kastom Danis Blong Pentecost (Custom Dance)

Our Zone

Family Hous Naet with Hungai  Family

Week 13 on Port Vila

Dia Famle Blong Mi, Sorry you haven't heard from me awhile, we've been SO busy with transfers!!! Since you last heard me , Tuesday last week we had our transfer meeting and made plans to get all missionaries in place and some ready to train before President Granger arrives next month.  We came to the conclusion that Elder Dakunimata, from Fiji, will be my new companion. This next transfer will last 8 weeks instead of 6.  We had our meeting and taught Edmas about Temples and she was very interested in the topic, there's so much more we can learn from the Restored Gospel!  We also saw Moses and Norman and taught them about Obedience and how it's so important in our lives.  Then we also saw Sele and we taught him about Enduring to the End.  We ate dinner at president Tiasanmal's house as well, his wife is a good cook! Wednesday morning went to the airport and checked in with President and Sister Brewer and we flew to Santo for Zone Conference once again.  We arrived around lunch time and Elder Killpack and Elder Pearce picked us up and took us to the Luganville chapel. Missionaries were just finishing cleaning it up and we exchanged.  Me and Elder Pearce dropped off Elder Smiler and Elder Killpack in their area (called "Tanavoli) and they taught there while went back to the chapel to help translate some interviews for prospective missionaries. We also talked with Elders and Missionaries and that afternoon we drove to Tanavoli as well with a prospective missionary from Gaua named Larry Mol.  He followed us and we drove to a member family's house and taught them about priesthood keys and how it can be used in the home. Thursday morning we all woke up and Zone Conference started at 9am and  we held the conference and just before it finished 6 Elders from Ambae arrived, their flight changed and got postponed to the day of the conference.  We ate good food at the Santo Hotel again and then waited for all the interviews to get done and we exchanged again and we visited the Hungai Family in Tanavoli.  They fed us rice, fish, bread, and Tuna for dinner and we shared a message about the blessings of families who are sealed and how there's nothing that can separate us as families.                  Friday morning we had MLC meeting and it was a cool meeting, we discussed lots of things we need to prepare for when President Granger comes.  Afterwards we went with other elders into town and we just walked around, looked at stores and ate at a restaurant called the "Altar".  I had a good cheeseburger for lunch there and there was a tame parot there and I put my finger right by it and it climbed on and I put it on my shoulder and it wouldn't come off.  I had it there for a while but when I was ready to take it off it would run to the other shoulder and get mad and peck around, but I finally managed to get it off, it was a pretty funny, stubborn bird.  That afternoon we went to the airport and we arrived in Port mila at about 8:30pm. Saturday we studied and went to the mission office and had a few meeting with mission president about changes in the transfers and ended up staying until the afternoon and then all the missionaries finishing the next week went to dinner with President Brewer.  So Elder Smiler went with others and a new missionary exchanged with me and we drove to the airport to pick up an arriving missionary who will be transferring.  Then after the others had dinner me and Elder Smiler went to the mission office and we called all the Zone Leaders to let them know who's all transferring and we did that for the rest of the night. Sunday we went to church to Sacrament Meeting and the Branch Presidency and District Presidency bore their testimonies for the last time before Port Vila District becomes a Stake.  Many of the testimonies were powerful and everybody was touched that it would be our last time meeting as a branch and this week we will meet as a ward!  After church we taught Elorine about the importance of Scripture Study and we taught Moses and Norman the same thing.  That night we taught Maria and their family about the Plan of Salvation and she and her kids are really progressing!  The all came to church too. At the end of the Day we picked up Elder Dakunimata so he could stay with me and we could plan together and start working together. Monday morning at 5:30am, we checked in Elder Oli in the Airport so he could transfer to Santo and then afterwards we had to go get a few additional plane tickets for other missionaries.  Then we took Moses Namak, a prospective missionary from Tanna, and went with him to buy a suit and a few things for his mission.  At 1pm we had our usual Office Meeting and afterwards we went straight to the airport to checkin Elder Braden Passey and Moses Namak to Fly to the U.S.A. Elder Passey is from St. George, Utah, and finished serving and he was flying back home while Moses Namak would be flying to the MTC.  So if any of you hear about a returned missionary in St. George from the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission, it's Elder Passey.  Then we went to the District President Basil's house and we had a family house night with their family and a last dinnner with Elder Smiler.  They're all from the "Banks Islands" Merelava, Motalava, Gaua, Vanualava etc... and they're a great family. Tuesday morning Elder Smiler exchanged with Elder Ormond while me and Elder Dakunimata went to the airport at 8am to checkin Sister Boehula to transfer to Malekula.  Afterwards we had propane tanks for the missionaries to refill and we did that and washed the truck and then went to the airport with President to meet Elder Din and Elder Taleo arrive from the MTC,  they were only there a couple weeks and just came back.  We brought them to the mission office and gave them an orientation of the mission and then ate burgers and fries for lunch at seaview and dropped them off in their areas and then we drove all the way to Etas to pick up Sister Lekupe to take her to the airport so she could fly home back to P.N.G.  We checked her in at 6pm and she flew at 8pm and also President Tiasanmal's son Elder Tiasanmal returned from his mission.  They invited us over for dinner and me, Elder Dakunimata, Elder Smiler, and Elder Ormond came for Elder Tiasanmal's homecoming dinner with the family and we ate some good food there: sausage, potato salad, steak, rice, it was all good! This morning we woke up at 4:30am and checked in Elder Smiler, and Elder Ormond at the airport so they could fly back home to New Zealand.  They flew at 7am and we went home for breakfast and went back to the airport and checked in Elder Tupou so he could transfer to Ambae.  He flew at around 11am and then we had lunch and went to the office for a couple hours to record baptisms on our computer and meet with President Brewer.  We got done at 3pm and then we saw Avock and Rose and taught them about Enduring to the End and afterwards saw little Avock and taught him about obedience and we commited him to be baptized next month and he's very excited!  Then we also saw Maria and her family and we taught them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and invited her to be baptized as well.  After teaching her we had planned on going to the airport to pick up Elder Esplin, he was supposed to arrive so he could transfer to his new area but we got a call saying he will arrive tomorrow, so we decided to take this time to email right now. I'm excited for the end of this week, President Pearson and Johanssen of the Area Seventy will be coming this weekend for the creation of the Stake and Saturday afternoon there will be a big cultural activity at Blacksands Branch where members from each branch will do a Custom Dance and it's gonna be cool!!!   Then Sunday morning we we all meet at Le Lagoon once again! We are keeping busy and are working hard.  Many blessings are being poured out and the church is growing fast!!!  I can't wait for this weekend. Mi lavem yufala evriwan mo evri samting i gud nomo lo ples ia. Love, Elda Beynon

People (3) Marcus Beynon

Me with some kind of bird

Me and Elder Passey and Elder Namak

Family Hous Naet with Basil Family

Elder Tissanamal's homecoming

Bein' Goofy

Week 12 on Port Vila

Dear Family Blong Mi,

Alright since you last heard me I was getting ready to go to Tanna.
Thursday me and Elder Hubbert, one of the Zone Leaders, flew
to do an exchange with Elder Ross and Elder Ngatehau.  We arrived and
drove to Lenakel to our house and did a small plan and we drove to
Whitegrass where we dropped off Elder Hubbert and Elder Ngatehau there to teach.
Then me and Elder Ross drove all the way up to Saet Siwi and we
arrived at around 12pm.  Everything was much greener and the road up
was fine.  We got up there and met two of my good old friends named
Maban and Jerry.  Both are preparing to go on missions now.  We went on
splits with them and Elder Ross split with Maban and I split with
Jerry.  Me and Jerry stayed up in Ikurup as Elder Ross and Maban went
down to Imaeo.  We ended up teaching Elder Benry's mother named
Natinmen about the Restoration.  Everyone in his family are members
except for his parents.  I was able to teach a little in the language
and Jerry translated as well as needed.  Afterwards we walked around
and talked with people and many people were surprised when I talked to
them in their language.  We then walked town to the village of Iabowr
and taught a new investigator named Ellen who was interested in the Church.
We taught her about the restoration as well and she knew everything
was true.  We walked back up through Inias Village and past Iakunamari
and back down to Ikurup where I ran into Elder Benry's dad.  He's the
one who makes the bamboo flutes I told you about. I ended up buying 4
off of him to bring home.  Then we taught a group of kids about
prayer and we ate some manyoke and Maigargar (a type of cabbage) for
dinner.  We met up with elder Ross and Maban and even Elder Rausika
came with them and I was very happy to see him.  I said goodbye to
everyone and took some photos and then we drove all the way back to
Whitegrass and picked up the other 2 elders and drove back to Lenakel.
We all made new teaching records and updated the area book and we were
very happy with the work we did.  Combined we all taught 11
lessons and all were new investigators!
     Friday morning we studied and then in the afternoon we flew back
to Port Vila and we had lunch with the Zone Leaders, and then we
taught Elorine about Missionary Work.  It got dark and the Zone
Leaders came over to bake a cake for Saturday's Zone Baptism.  I made
a cake as well which turned out pretty good.
     Saturday morning at 10am we held our Zone Baptism Program.  All
the missionaries came with there investigators and many members came
as well.  A total of 16 investigators were ready to be baptized!  The
baptism was organized really well and Me and Elder Smiler baptized
Avock, Rose, Anna, Sele, Moses, Norman, and Elorine, a total of 8
baptisms in our area!  Afterwards we heard the testimonies of the new
converts and it was very strong meeting, many great testimonies were
shared.  Then we all had cake and biscuits for refreshments.  We
didn't get done until the afternoon and we went to President
Tiasanmal's house that night and visited with the prospective
missionaries.
     Sunday morning during sacrament meeting 3 babies were blessed and
we gave all 8 of our confirmations before the sacrament was passed.
The blessings and confirmations took up so much time that the first
counselor bore his testimony and had to end the meeting.  All the
confirmations took up the whole time!  After church we went to
President Basil's house where many members came to for an afternoon
meal.  President Basil and President Toungian ended up both adopting a
baby and we all ate together to commemorate it.  We also taught Moses,
norman, and Elorine about enduring to the end.  They were so happy to
be baptized!  Then we went to Namba Tri and taught Avock about
Chastity and mama Mara and her family about the plan of Salvation.
She too knows everything we've been sharing is true and she has a
great family.
   Everything is great here in Vanuatu.  This next week will be busy,
Wednesday through Friday we will be going to Santo for Zone Conference
again and then next week will be transfer week again!!! So a lot will
be going on and we will be keeping busy.  Mi lavem yufala Evriwan!!!

Love,

Elder Beynon

Teaching in Saet Siwi

My Family in Saet Siwi

Our Zone Baptisms

Moses and Norman's family

Week 11 on Port Vila

Dia Famle Blong Mi,

Wow, it's been a while!  Well everything has been great here! Last Tuesday we had a lot of work to do in the office and we were able to teach Avock about the Word of Wisdom, and teach Edmas the
Baptism Interview Questions. That afternoon we also taught Norman and Moses and Elorine about Tithing.

Wednesday morning we checked in an Elder named Elder Rillang in the Airport so he could go to Malekula, then we went home to do our Studies and then we had district meeting and then we saw Matilyn.  We taught her about faith and then we saw Avock and Rose and we taught them about tithing.  We also taught Sele about the Baptism Interview Questions and he's very excited to be baptized!  We also had the chance to see Jonassy and we taught him about the Plan of Salvation.
He was very interested and already knew quite a bit from coming to church.  That night we went to Namba Tri to mama Josette's house and we shared a message in the Ensign with her and her daughter Isha.

Thursday morning we played basketball with the office elders and afterwardes got ready and had the Efate MLC meeting and it went on for 3 hours, man was it a good meeting!  We got stuck in the office afterwards and didn't get out until late in the afternoon.  We picked up the Elders in Pango and Elder Joseph interviewed Edmas and also Sele to be baptized and both are ready!   That afternoon we visited Avock and taught him about tithing and then a new investigator named Maria and her kids about how heavenly father loves us.  They were glad and we set a return appointment, everybody is so open to the gospel here!

Friday morning we studied and had to go to the office to meet with President Brewer and that afternoon we were able to have Elder Joseph interview Avock, Rose, and Anna to be baptized. We also taught Moses and Norman about the Sabbath and then taught them and Elorine about the baptismal questions.

Saturday picked up the Elders in Pango again and Elder Joseph interviewed Elorine to be baptized and then we participated in a marriage for a couple in our branch and a baptism for the Elders in
Erakor.  The marriage was great, it was done by the branch president and the couple invited us to eat with them afterwards and we had biscuits and good cake!  Afterwards we taught Matilyn and about 10 other kids who came and joined with the lesson about the Plan of Salvation.  It was cute having them all around.  One thing I've seen here in Vanuatu is that EVERYBODY believes in Heavenly Father and Jesus.  There's anti-christs or anyone who just believes in science, everyone knows of Jesus Christ, I love it, the people are so faithful here.

After seeing Matilyn we taught Edmas about baptism and confirmation and she too is very excited to be baptized.  Then we taught Sena about the Restoration and the spirit was very strong,  she knew everything was true, without a doubt.  Then we visited mama Maria and taught her, her son Japeth, her daughter Angelina, and her nephew Matthew about the Restoration, them too, knew everything was true, mama Maria has been coming to church alot as well.  Then for the first time we had the chance to meet Moses and Norman's full family! 

We asked them how they felt when they heard that their children were going to be baptized and they said they were so grateful.  The mama and papa want to become members as well but want to wait because contention from other people might rise if they do.  They absolutely love the church though and they plan to come to Moses and Norman's baptism.  They hope that when their kids become members first, they will be able to come afterwards.  We ended up teaching their family about family prayer and we had tea and biscuits for dinner with them. They're such a great family and I love  teaching them.

Sunday morning we went to church and had time to just partake of the sacrament and go meet President and Sister Brewer at the airport to fly to the Solomon Islands.  We flew out at 10:30am and arrived at 12:30am and it was beautiful but just HOT!!!  Hotter than Gaua. We arrived in Honiara, Guatal Canal Island, and Elder and Sister Sampson picked us up and we got talkin'.  I think some of you know a little about them already but they're from St. George, Utah as well!

We went to the area of Whiteriver and they were just finishing up with church and the people swarmed around Elder Smiler,  he served in the Solomon lslands for a year and 2 months before coming to Vanuatu, so many people knew him.  I was able to communicate with the people a
little bit.  Some of you may know that the main language in the Solomon Islands is "Pijin".  I could understand most of it but it is a little different than bislama.  Pijin seems to have more English mixed
in it and they say phrases a little differently.  Example, if I want to say "what are you doing right now? in bislama, I would say: "Yu stap mekem wanem naoia?"  or in Pijin you say: "What nao yu doem this taem?"  It's pretty funny.

Well after church we went to Elder Willoughby and Elder Liu's house and we went on splits and I went with Elder Willoughby and we taught an investigator Toni about the Plan of Salvation.  I tried to do it in Pijin as best I could and I did pretty well if I say so myself.  One thing that's interesting about the Solomon Islands is the people learn English in school, and they write in English, but they speak Pin Pijin.  When we teach there we use English Book of Mormons and Pamphlets. As in Vanuatu, you either learn French or English in School, sometimes both, and people speak bislama.  They don't even learn bislama in school.  Everyone in Vanuatu somehow teaches themselves how to read bislama, it's cool.

 Me and Elder Willoughby walked up to a place called Greenvalley and there were some beautiful views and we also walked down to a member's house named papa Nixon Louniu, we talked
with him awhile and I saw that he had a guitar and I started playing it and gave it to him and to my surprise he started playing songs by Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Def Leppard, and all these hard rock
bands.  I don't know where he learned how to rock out but he knew how to play pretty well, if he had an electric guitar you would've been surprised!  We visited a couple other members as well before going back to the house at night.

The people in Honiara aren't as bush as Vanuatu, many people have jobs and live in somewhat a city life, mostly everyone has power in their house but they still don't have too much, and they all know each other and are lovable people as well.  Man I wish you could be here to see these places and meet these people.


Monday morning we hitched a ride in a bus into town to go to Zone Conference.  There's lots of people in Honiara, there was some traffic there too, we actually arrived 10 minutes late because of traffic.  We met in the Honiara Branch for our Zone Conference and it went on until 1pm and we had good ham sandwiches with mustard for lunch and later on we went shopping in town.  We had a bus take us to the Central Main Market and I bought a few cool necklaces and bracelets they make with
shells and stuff there.  It's pretty cool.  I also had to at least get a T-Shirt and hat as well.

We went home and changed and played Volleyball with members and non-members at Whiteriver Branch and then went to a Family Home Evening with papa Nixon's family.  We shared a short message about prayer and ate rice, Kumala, and Chicken with them.  We origionally planned on eating Dog but they didn't find one to kill and eat so we had to substitute chicken, but that's all right.
(I was looking forward for at least tasting dog once:).

Tuesday morning we went to the Honiara Branch for MLC meeting with the Sampsons and the Zone Leaders and it went on for about 2 and a half hours, a very good meeting. Afterwards Elder Sampson brought us down the street to the newly completed District Church Building and it was Beautiful! It will be the new Honiara Chapel and have 2 branches worshipping there in the future.  So here in the Solomon Islands there's 4 branches, 3 in Honiara, and 1 in the province Malaita.  We have 6 Elders in Honiara and 2 missionary couples, and 4 Elders in Malaita.  There's over 600 members of the church in the Solomon Islands and the church is growing fast!

Well we saw the new church and then Elder and Sister Sampson took us to the airport.  On the way they took us to a place where old crashed WWII planes and canons were.  It was pretty cool!  We got to the airport and flew all the way back to Port Vila.  We got off the plane and it ws alot cooler.  I loved the Solomons, except for the heat.  I should be going back there in July.  After we arrived in Port Vila 3 missionaries got set apart and they stayed at our house for the night.  One was Samson Nipikou, President Nipikou's son in Saet Siwi, he will go to P.N.G., and another one named Elder Din, from Ambae , who will be serving in Vanuatu, and another named Elder Ishmael Taleo,
he's serving in Adlade, Australia.
  
This morning we checked in the 3 elders to fly to the New Zealand MTC and they flew and we went to Zone Training, afterwards we went to the mission office to put some baptism records through the system and we ended up staying most of the day because 2 missionaries, Sister Tagini, and Elder Lapenmal unexpectedly arrived back from the MTC.  So we gave them an Orientation and then had a tiny bit of time to teach Elorine about baptism and confirmation, and we dropped off the Elder
and Sister with some missionary companionships.  Then we had time to do a little shopping and just found time to email.   And tomorrow me and one of the Zone Leader's Elder Hubbert will be flying to Tanna to go on an Exchange with Elder Ross and Elder Ngatehau, we're very excited, they've been teaching like crazy there!

Well everything is......hmm.......splendid!  I am so happy to be doing what i'm doing and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.  I love seeing how the gospel applies to all of us in this world regardless of who we are, where we're from, and what we're like.  The church is True, that's all there is to it!!! Mi lavem yufala evriwan!!!!!

Love,

Elda Beynon

Me and the members at the white river branch

Me in Green Valley

Honiara Branch

Solomon Islands Zone

Honiara Solomon Islands

Honiara Solomon Islands

Family Home Evening at the Nixon's

View from the Chapel

The New Honiara Chapel

Beautiful!

WWII Aircrafts

Teaching the kids

Me and Elder Welegabit and Elder Benry

Playing some basketball with my friends

Port Vila Week 10
 

Halo Famle Blong Mi,
 

Since you last heard me I was pretty busy with transfers, it continued throughout the whole week.  Not too much happened because of it but I will try to give a good rundown of the week.

 

Last Wednesday morning we checked in Sister Tagini at the airport at 5am and she flew and we went home to do our morning studies, but sleep got the best of me and I slept for about an hour before we went to District meeting.  After our meeting we taught little Avock about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then we went to the mission office and President Brewer brought 3 new missionaries from the airport, Elder Benry, Elder Fa'agalu, and Sister Ro'oarii.  We ran them through an orientation of the mission which took up most of the time during the afternoon before we had to go to the airport again to pick up Elder Ngatehau, who will be transferred to Tanna.

Thursday morning we checked in Elder Ngatehau and Elder Ross in the airport at 6am so they could go to Tanna.   We went home and studied and went to teach mama Edmas about the Sabbath.  then we went to the mission office to meet with president and get some stuff done before we went to Avock and Rose's  and taught them about baptism and confirmation.  Then we saw Jonassy and Claude (I thought his name was Glot by the way they pronounce it) and we taught them about the plan of Salvation. Then we saw Sele and taught him about "Folem Profet" and we went to the Vanva family's house and taught a short but very spiritual lesson about the Temple.  We also showed a small mormon
message about temples on a portable DVD player and the spirit was very strong, bringing tears to all our eyes, I can't wait until our temple in Cedar City gets built, and I can't wait for the day they will have a temple built here in Vanuatu! ......I love the blessings from the Temple!

Friday morning we went back to the airport and checked in Elder Welegtabit to fly to Malekula and Elder Benry to fly to Santo.  Then we went home and we fell into a deep sleep, I woke up at 1pm confused, but came to my senses, we didn't have an appointment planned thankfully, I just need that rejuvenation after going to the airport every morning this week.  We taught Avock and Rose about Fasting and filled out a baptism record for them.  Well now it seems like about 8 investigators will be ready to be baptized on the 6th.  We will work with the others to prepare for the future instead.  Well after we taught Avock and Rose, we taught Elorine about the Sabbath and then checked in Sister Rooarii into the airport so she could fly to New Caledonia  for her mission.

 

Afterwards we got a call from our investigator Gabbie saying that her friend was sick and wanted a
blessing.  We walked to their house in Beverly Hills and the girl's name was Carol, we talked with her mom and family and came to find out that they're from Uripiv in Malekula, I know some of their family there, what a coincidence? But here in Vanuatu, everybody's family, there are many relations around these islands, it's pretty cool.  We gave a blessing to Carol.  She had many others give her blessings but she never seemed to feel better, but after we gave one, the next day she felt a lot better, the power of the priesthood is a very great blessing.

Saturday morning  we played basketball with our 2nd counselor Berry Toungian and his son  Kasto, the office elders came as well.  We played a great game, lots of fun!  Then we did our normal studies and taught Edmas about Folem Profet and filled up a baptism record for her.  then we taught Moses and Norman about Chastity.  And at 1pm we had district conference.  We had our priesthood meeting first and I sat with Moses and Norman, and their friends.  Moses and Norman are just like members, they're so cool and have many member friends that bring them to church and it's awesome to see the members doing missionary work!  At 3:30pm we had the Adult Session and the chapel was filled to Capacity!  I think over 800 came!  A lot was discussed about the Stake that will be organized next month, many people are excited! After District Conference we did our Weekly Planning.

Sunday morning at 8:30am we checked in Elder Fa'agalu in the airport so he could fly to the Solomon Islands and afterwards we rushed to the "Le Lagoon" town center for our Sunday Session of
District Conference.  It also was filled to capacity and many people sat outside to listen.  Over 2,100 people came!!!  A pretty big District Conference if I say so myself!  It was great, I met many great friends from other branches and had a great time.  We will meet there again next month for stake conference and I can't wait to see how many people come!  After the conference, we taught a new
investigator named "Sena", she followed a friend to District Conference and is interested in the Gospel.  then we taught Elorine about the law of chastity again to review it because she couldn't
remember the lesson very well and then we taught Bella and shared a scripture with her.  We taught her at President Tiasanmal's house and we hung out there and I talked with Sam Matua, Willie Dan, and Rosali, all prospectives from Saet Siwi, they're all excited to serve, they're just waiting for their Visa's to come, after the Cyclone.

 

Visa's have come to a hault and it takes awhile for them to get approved so many prospectives are getting their MTC dates postponed, but it's alright, the lord will send them in his own time.

Well everything is great in the paradise of Vanuatu, and I love seeing the blessings of these people, oh and this upcoming Sunday we're flying to the Solomon Islands for Zone Conference!  And we'll come
back next Tuesday.  I don't think I'll get the chance to email because we'll be busy so probably plan on hearing from me next Tuesday or Wednesday.  Mi lavem yufala tumas!

Love,

Elder Beynon

Me and our squad at district conference

Me and the District Presidency

Baptizing Pita's family

The Aaronic priesthood in our branch

Port Vila Week 9
 

Dia ol famle mo ol fren blong mi,

Sorry I haven't emailed you for awhile, we've been really busy because of transfers!
 

Here's a little rundown of last week. So last Tuesday morning we had a 2 and a half hour meeting with President Brewer about transfers. We thought of who could go where, what assignments they need and what needs to be done, it was pretty cool.  Part of the transfers was that two Elders will be going to Tanna,  Good ol' Elder Ross and Elder Ngatehau,  possibly we will be going on exchanges with them every transfer to see how the work is there.  I'm excited!

 

After our meeting we taught Avock and Rose about the Word of Wisdom and they loved it,
absolutely knew it was true, our bodies are temples and need always keep our bodies clean.  We also taught Sele about The Sabbath Day and he knows just about everything he needs to know to be baptized.  At the end of the afternoon we taught Jonassy and Glot about The Restoration.  Those two are cool,  they are very interested in the gospel, and Jonassy has been coming to church!

Wednesday morning we woke up early and played basketball with Elder Jones and Elder Ormond, and then we studied at our house before going to District meeting.  We went to the "Air Vanuatu" office and got plane tickets for all the missionaries who will be transferring.We had the chance to teach Avock about the Plan of Salvation and mama Edmas about the Word of Wisdom, she's ready to be baptized as well. We wanted to Originally baptize a few investigators this Saturday but we
will be having District Conference, so everybody's date will be on June 6th. (Mom and Dad's Anniversary!)

 

Then that afternoon we taught Elorine about the Word of Wisdom as well.  I love teaching kids about
the Word of Wisdom, they always understand it well and know what's good and bad for our bodies. Then we did an Exchange with the Elders in Pango.  Elder Smiler went to Pango with Elder Mastin and Elder Joseph came with me.  Elder Joseph is cool.  He's from vanuatu from the island of Merelava, not too far from Gaua, you can see it in the distance from the shore by our old house in Kaska.

Thursday we went to mama Shantel's house and taught her about the Plan of Salvation.  Now we're mostly reviewing the lessons and she really loves it,  she's learning a lot.  We then walked to Seaside and saw lots of kids playing futbol (soccer) and we played with them, had some fun, and of course I had to do some magic tricks.  Now everyone is referring me as "Majik Man!"

 

We then taught an investigator named Matilyn who comes from a part member family.  We taught her about the Restoration and Commited her to read the Book of Mormon.  Then we got on a bus to go to Beverly Hills.  Oh, I don't know if i've told you before but here in Vila there are lot's of little buses that the people drive around to transport people to make money.  So if you need to go somewhere if you don't have a truck, you stand by the road and flag one down and they'll stop and take you where you need to go and it's only 150 vatu per person ($1.50).  That's how all the other missionaries here without trucks transport themselves around, it's fun!  

 

Ok well we got to Beverly Hills and taught Sele about Baptism and Confirmation and the Covenant we make when we're baptized.  Then that night we ended our exchange.

Friday morning we did our Weekly Planning and went to the Air Vanuatu Office to pay for all the plane tickets for all the missionaries transferring, the Office Elders needed help with a few
things so we split with them and then we got together again and me and Elder Smiler taught Avock and Rose again about the Law of Chastity, and then Jonassy and Glot about the Book of Mormon.  

 

Afterwards the sisters in Ohlen called and asked me if I could baptize a family they were teaching.  The Parents names are Rose and Pita,  I came to find out that I already know them.  Back while I was in Tanna with Elder Child some kids from Middlebush walked all the way to Lenakel to come
to church, and me and Elder Child didn't know who they were at the time and we found out where they lived and we drove to their village called "Laruanu" and taught their family, and gave them as a referral to the Elders in Middlebush, because they lived in their area. 

 

The Elders in Middlebush taught them and almost got a date for the family to be baptized but the Elders emergency transferred out of the area, so the family wasn't able to be taught.  But apparently after the cyclone, the whole family came to Port Vila and found the missionaries again and now they were ready to be baptized.  I baptized the Mom and Dad, and 4 of their children, I was so happy to see the family be baptized.  I was so happy to see that the Seeds we Planted have finally sprouted and they will continue to grow and bear fruit!  The Gospel is True, The Fulness of it truly blesses us and our families, man do I love sharing the gospel with these people!

Well on Saturday morning we taught Edmas about the law of Chastity and Matilyn about baptism.  Then in the afternoon Elder McCain (from Tuscon Arizona, he's also lived in Gilbert) and Elder
Saulala flew in from the Solomon Islands so they could finish their missions.  Then later the afternoon we went to the mission office and called all the Zone Leaders to let them know about transfers.  Some didn't have network so we waited there until we could get a hold of them.  Many missionaries called about their new assignments as well. It was pretty cool!

Sunday morning we went to Church and afterwards we taught our recent convert Melisha.  Then we taught Moses and Norman about the Word of Wisdom.  Once again, I love teaching that lesson to kids, we also talk about our favorite foods to eat in Vanuatu.   We also visited Gabbie and shared her a scripture before we went to Sele's and taught him about obedience.   Then during the afternoon we picked up Elder Saulala and Elder McCain so they could have their last interviews and then President Tiasanmal invited us over for dinner that night.

Yesterday (monday) we woke up at 4:30am and checked in Elder Saulala in the airport so he could fly home to new zealand.  We also checked in Elder Killpack in the Domestics so he could transfer to
Santo.  They flew and we got home at 8 and slept for an hour before going to the airport again to check in Sister Lekupe.  We checked her in and waited the 2 hours before she flew and went straight back to the office to have our office meeting.  Afterwards we had to go to the airport with Elder McCain and also 4 Elders and sisters were arriving.

Some needed to meet with president Brewer and the Schedule was so tight that we took 2 seperate vehicles.  Elder Smiler drove the bus and I tailed him in our Toyota Hilux.  It's a pretty nice truck!  I
hadn't driven for 1 year and 8 months......weird......but I still got it!  I got there quickly and didn't even stall!  (My perception is a little off though, it will come back).  We got to the airport and checked in Elder McCain in the International and Elder Ross, Elder Hubbert, Sister Timoteo, and Elder Tyran Welegtabit arrived in the Domestics. 

 

I was very happy to see Elder Welegtabit,  He's from Gaua, he was preparing for a mission while me and Elder Leva served together.  We called him Tyran and we carried Kopra with him and taught his mother and sister and they were baptized while I was there. And now he's on a mission here in Vanuatu!  Well they arrived and I drove with Elder Ross to the Office and Elder Smiler came with the
others later on and after all the meetings we dropped the Zone Leaders off with the other Elders in Erakor.

Then we went to the Sovouai's family for Family Haos Naet.  The Tui family came as well and we shared scriptures with each other and bore testimonies.  One thing that was cool was that one of the ladies there just returned from the Provo, Utah mission,  she served in Temple Square and she knows very good English!  We had good chicken and fried noodles and cabbage for dinner, and ice cream for dessert!  They allheard about my magic tricks and asked me to do some and I ended up
doing a little show for them.  They loved it, it was hilarious!!!   I did many without the people catching it.   It was a great end to our night.

Today we had a little time to clean our house and study, and then we met with President Brewer for awhile and we were only able to teach Norman today about Prayer.  We played Futbol with them as well and we just barely got our shopping done and now we have time to email. All is well here and we're keeping busy!  Onward, ..........Ever onward, as we glory in his name!  I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Beynon

  

Transfers

Family Home Evening with Sovoia Family