Ni sa bula vinaka and welcome back to Fiji!
It has
been one crazy week again. Elder Pomate's time has come to an end on
Tuvalu, so we had to come back to Fiji for a week so I can pick up my new
companion. We spent most of the start of the week saying goodbyes and
making sure our investigators will be set for the week we are gone, and then we
flew out on Thursday. Tuvaluans went crazy and gave Elder Pomate so many
seashell necklaces that almost went up to his neck, and a bunch of handcrafted
fans as well; they must have felt bad for me or something so I got a bunch of
necklaces too even though I'm coming back! It was really nice of them
though.
And then we got on the plane and took off! After a good 2
1/2 hours I started to see Fiji again below me, and we landed in the
Nausori/Suva airport. We stepped outside and...........IT WAS COLD.
I know. I thought Fiji would never be cold, but when I
stepped out it felt like a bitter fall breeze back in Utah. I am still
cold. I'm not sure if it is the stark contrast with how hot it is in
Tuvalu or just the season.... Super weird.
So yeah but then we got out of the airport and got in the
zone leaders' van, and then we asked them "Do you know where Elder Pomate
is going or who our new companions are?" because our phone has been
broken for a couple weeks and we couldn't get call ins for transfers, and then
the elder sitting next to me said "Oh, I'm your companion! I thought
you already knew!" It was pretty funny.
My new companion is
named Elder Paki and he is half Maori from New Zealand (we were really shocked
that they didn't send another Samoan). He is like 3 years older than me
but one transfer younger than me in the mission. He is super cool and is
already picking up Tuvaluan from the few materials I brought!
So after that we found out that we are staying in Tamavua
for the week, which is funny because that is Elder Pomate's new area. So
I have been spending time with him and Elder Burgener from Pleasant
Grove. It's pretty good because both Elder Pomate and I speak way bad
Fijian mixed with our Tuvaluan, so we have to correct each other all the
time! I can understand what the Fijians are saying, but when I try to
respond it is pretty pathetic haha.
By the way I saw President Maiwiriwiri from Taveuni at
church! His son is the bishop here in Tamavua and he is here visiting so
that's pretty cool. Maybe he can make me some waicipoki before I leave;)
Anyway I am super happy here. I haven't talked to
other missionaries in forever, and since us and Kadavu (another way far out
island) are here they are having zone conference early so we can attend!
We'll be leaving to head back to Tuvalu on Thursday and then we'll hit it hard
for another 3 months until I come back. All is well!
Have a good week everyone!
Loloma levu,
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