Tuvalu - Week 9

Ko gali te alofa!  

Man another great week here on Tuvalu!  It was actually considered a cold week here in Tuvalu this week.  It was a bit cloudy, rainy, and I actually used a blanket when I was sleeping!  All the Tuvaluans were wimping out and staying home but I was still sweating....  It was nice though.

We had a baptism on Saturday!  I had the privilege of baptizing Danny and then Elder Pomate confirmed him on Sunday!  It was an awesome day, especially for Danny because of the decision that he made.  He is hands down the most prepared investigator I have ever taught.  He had no problem believing what we taught or following any of our commitments the entire process!  He has changed his life around in less than 4 weeks from the time we met him, and now he is baptized.  He gave a great testimony afterwards that showed how much he treasures the gospel.  And he is even thinking about a mission!:)  I am just grateful to be a part of it.

Also, if everything goes well, we will have another baptism on Saturday for F____!  F____ is really good and always comes to church, but it is hard to find time to teach her so it has been slow, but we are working hard to get her baptized on Saturday:)

We also have a lot of other investigators that we are working with.  A lady named S____ has been meeting with missionaries for years, but now she is getting really excited, coming to church with her whole family, and trying to quit a really strong addiction to cigarettes.  She really wants to be baptized so please keep her in your prayers!!  

We also have gained a few investigators who are from Kirabus or from the Tuvaluan island of Nui which speaks Kirabus!  They don't speak English or Tuvaluan very well though so it is kind of difficult; we are either going to have to get a translator or learn Kirabus!

If you can't notice we are getting really busy:)  The Spirit is working on the people of Tuvalu after the visit of President Layton and Elder Johansson.  Random people keep showing up to church with no invitation or explanation (haha when we asked one guy why he came to church, he just pointed up).  I'm getting really excited and also stressed because I can't keep track of it all!  But the work is picking up!

Thank you for all the prayers!  I know the Lord loves Tuvalu and is preparing the way for us to work here.  The Church is true!

Alofa atu,

Elder Harris


Below are a few answers to questions Elder Harris' family asked him this week:

 Are you glad you made the decision to go on a mission?
Yes!  It is the best decision I have ever made.  I am able to bless other's lives as well as mine.  I am able to learn and grow and improve myself.  The greatest of the Lord's blessings go to his servants.  He helps missionaries do the work.  And I am the happiest I have ever been.  D&C 18.

What things did you do in High School that you are glad you did in preparation for your mission?
Seminary, reading my scriptures, studying hard.  The mission is a lot of studying and learning.  The better you work in High School the more you will be prepared.

What do you wish you would have done in High School that you didn’t to prepare for a mission?
Look out for others who are struggling and help them through being a Christlike friend.  Following the Spirit always and be a missionary while in school.  There is so much good you can do in High School.

If you could sum up the last 6+ months of your life in a few sentences what would you say?

A time to learn about myself and about the gospel.  It has been a time to grow closer to the Lord and to serve Him with everything I have.  A time to show Him how much I love Him and show others how much he loves them.

Elder Pomate, Danny, Elder Harris

Danny's Baptism