Week 35 - A Parade, A Book, and a Tahitian Mami Friend

Just a forenote: I'm really sorry there aren't any pictures! It's lame because I have a lot of pictures to send, but my chord doesn't work with the computer here. Super lame.

A good week this week! We did A LOT. I've made lots of new friends out here, and am starting to make myself a little more at home every day. For example, I made friends with a Tahitian mami [grandma] and told her I'm trying really hard to learn Tahitian. And we're around her neighborhood every day, so when we see her, she flags us down and tells us, "Wait here! Wait here!" Then she runs inside her house, comes back out with a piece of paper and says, "I have another one for you today!" and then gives us some advice about our health, or our future families, things like that. And then she sends us off on our way! The pieces of paper have lines of french, and then right underneath, translated in Tahitian. That helps a little, but the best part is that she's my friend now.

We had our first lesson this week with Kimberly, who is dating a return missionary. She really wants to have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ, but she wants to have it for herself, not for her boyfriend. So, she's taking the lessons! She's amazing. Her desire to know the truth is almost contagious - it lights our desire as missionaries to share the truth. We love her!

I taught my first English class this week, which was cool. I don't know if it was very good, but at least I still speak English, so I think I'm qualified.

I've been making an effort this transfer to always have a Book of Mormon in my hands, in case I need it. I can testify that the Book of Mormon is true, and it's crucial to the things we teach, so having it always with me helps remind me of its importance.

At one point this week, we were doing a little exploring up on the mountain, and we caught sight of a woman doing some cleaning outside. We waved to her and she came over, and we got to talk to her a little bit. We talked about her work, her family, her life... A little of everything. She had a speaker back at the house playing her music kind of loud, but all the same, I started to share about the Book of Mormon, since I had it in my hands. I talked a little about what I've learned from it, the power of the Book, the story inside. I shared my favorite verse, 3 Nephi 11:14, which are the words that Christ says to the people when he comes in this chapter. As she read the verse aloud, the Spirit came and testified to me of its truth. Conveniently, the song in the background ended right around the time that we started testifying, and the Spirit took that opportunity to testify powerfully to each of us of the truth. Afterward, the conversation was simple:

Us: "In fact, if you don't already have one, we'd like to give you this Book, as a gift. It's very special to us, and we want to share it with you."

Her: "Really?"

Us: "Really. A present, from us to you."

Her: "... You don't need it?"

Us: "We already have some for ourselves."

After a pause...

Her: "Well then, yes. I'd like that a lot."

It was a wonderful little moment. The joy I felt was surely the Holy Ghost, continuing to testify of the truth of what we said. It might have been the highlight of my week!

Otherwise... We were invited to represent the Church of Jesus Christ and march in a parade! It was fun! We're representatives of Christ in all times, all things, all places... And I don't know if Christ would march in a parade, but President told us he'd like us to, so we did. Like I said - it was fun :)

Tons of love from across the Pacific,

Soeur Sperry

ps. I also received the news this week that two separate converts from my secteurs before are getting baptized! I'm so glad they've finally been able to make that decision for themselves, and you KNOW I'll be there at their baptisms.