Elder samuel haycock's
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bringing the light of the gospel to the people of kiribati
Elder samuel haycock's
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Mauri utu, So about this week. Just like any other normal missionary week. Wake up, exercise, study time, teach repentance and baptize converts, dinner, retire to bed. Yep that pretty much describes my week. Training has been good as it has kept me on my A game - especially when he has any questions or is not understanding what is going on. Our investigators are progressing very slowly as now we are fighting the Kaitara, (opposition), like the word of wisdom. It has been frustrating. But it has been a good growth. We are now making up for the 20 members that have moved and then are not coming back for awhile. So I am hoping for this week that things will go well. When I go to Moroni, I will put more pictures on. I tangiriko, Elder Ekaki
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Mauri utu, Package: Yes, everything made it to me. The Large shirts were huge on me and Kiribati people usually fit the size Medium. Pants are great! Thanks so much for the ties! Kiribati people are loving them! Probably the mac and cheese and the American candy have been my favorite treats so far. Things Kiribati people need for church is white shirts and ties. Trainer: Yep. I guess the cat is out of the bag. Yes I am training Elder Roberts! He is my considered my "son" since I am his first companion. It is huge adjustment for me, but it has been good as I have had time to reflect on myself and what I need to do. Oh yeah I remember those days when I first got here and struggled with the food and water. He is hanging in there and he taught his first lesson Saturday on Word of Wisdom. He did great! The work is still moving forward and I still teach 8-10 lessons a day for the last 12 weeks so far. Kainaba: The lying problem is still here and we are going to resolve it this week. We have a full work week this week. The retention of new members is pretty good. Life works in opposites. If the work is good and in a really good place, then the opposite has to be big too. We are working with that this week. Programs are getting there. So far we have a primary teacher, gospel principles teacher, youth teacher, relief society, and elder's quorum. I just want to end with my testimony: I know that this church is true. That Jesus is the Christ. Through his Atonement all mankind is made free from death. I know how much God loves us and wants us to become like him we can only do this if we follow his commandments and standards. I am so thankful for a prophet who leads and guides the church. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet called of God. That through Joseph Smith Jesus Christ's church was restored and will be here forever. Also through the power of Heavenly Father Joseph Smith was able to translate Ana Boki Moomon: Kakoauan Taekan Iesu Kristo to English so that Everyone can receive the message of the restored gospel. I know He lives and loves me too Jesus Christ. Through his blood I can be washed clean each and every day. To be baptized again every Sabbath as I can renew my covenant with my Heavenly Father. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I am thankful for the joy this gospel brings that through our faith, we can repent, renew our covenants and be baptized, receive the companionship of a member of the Godhead even the Holy Ghost, and the ability to have a goal to go to the temple to be sealed as a family forever. I know the Plan of Salvation is God's plans of Happiness for us and it is our way to have agency. I testify of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Redeemer, even my Eldest Brother, Amen I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki PS I will send pictures when I get to Moroni Mauri utu, I am doing great this week! Just a little frustrated and disappointed about being lied to by members, but it all will work out. I can't wait to see the package! I will have to ask the Lander's about it. Sorry about the letter delay. Sometimes I can't send it, but I have three to send right now and I sent one last week. (I mentioned that his hair was super blond and very shaggy, but that we liked it.) I can't wait for a haircut! We have Zone Conference this Wednesday. Then we will see if we have infield training this Thursday and we have a bootaki this Friday. And possibly a baptism this Saturday. That is the plan this week. I will probably also be talking to President for an interview. Depending on when school starts, I may be changing my date of going home - as he needs to know six months in advance to make everything work out. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Email from this week:
Mauri utu, Ngkami, kam uara? I am doing great this week! Just another busy week with the baptism of Taniera. I finally sent another letter - sorry they are so hit and missed. I also finally received your letter that you dated on the 28th of July. So what is new: in two weeks there will be two more elders coming out to Kainaba on about the 20th of this month. The battle is real, but what is even cooler is the converting power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am not a 100% sure how long I will be with Elder Curren as he is going home on December 18th. Well health wise I feel great besides being exhausted from the long hot days, but that is nothing to complain about. Yes, other people have noticed that I have lost weight and I don’t feel sick - I feel wonderful. Because if you remember two weeks before I left for the MTC we were moving and food was probably not the most nutritious so I actually think I am fine. My pants so you know how there were 36 inch waist when we bought them it is now easily a 32-34. As I have lost some inches around the waist. I’m excited for my package and can’t wait to see what is inside of it! My thought this week comes from my personal study, as I have been studying from the Book of Mormon. I love reading Nephi’s writings as he does two things, he one: testifies of Jesus Christ and two: gives all of his glory to God. Which makes me pose the question “How am I giving my glory to my Heavenly Father? And do I stand as witness of my Savior Jesus Christ and his Infinite Atonement?” This is my thought this week and I know that my Savior lives and loves me too. That through Him I can be cleaned. I testify that He loves each one of us and wants what is best for us. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Letter dated August 28, 2017 Mauri utu, Sorry about last week's letter - just no a whole lot happened. I can say that Elder Osborne left safely from Tarawa, Kiribati. That was kind of fun to send off all those missionaries and to be gathered with all of the other missionaries. I helped Elder Baker by being his companion so he can do his Zone leader responsibilities. We also picked up Elder Deacon from the airport that evening but ran into some troubles with dropping off Elder Hilliard as the Temwaiku Elders didn't get back until late Tuesday. We went to the mission office to pick up needs for the members here in Kainaba and got back here on the waa and had a nice Tuesday. Wednesday was fun as we visited Namwaroro and Katikora. I dropped off my laundry to be washed and then came back here because we had to clean up the trash from previous Elders. We had dinner that night with Itaia. We went to what is called te re (lessons for the Kiribati dancing). This was in preparation for District Conference and it has been fun for getting close to the members here. Thursday was nice as we mastered our dance more for next week with Kamaera he'd Taekan te Aro, had English class, had dinner with Tanieara and had the te re again. Friday was an interesting turn of events as we had a normal morning and we went and taught Namwaroro and Katikora and had a good weekly planning session. Started going to the southern part of the Island when my companion, Elder Deacon told me he needed to go the bathroom. So we buy some toilet paper and let him use the bathroom at the primary school. Things weren't good there and he needed to be seen by a doctor. We texted the Belens. After this experience, we had to come back to Tarawa to get him checked out because he was so sick. We started learning a march for our District Conference. Here are the lyrics: Ana Teka te Atua Bon te kabang ae Vaitera wiina E urua ninia rabwatan te ro. E bon tokanikai. Saturday we went to Tarawa to switch out my companion so Elder Deacon could be checked out at the hospital. Now I am working with Elder Bollin for a week until we see what happens with Elder Deacon. Sunday was nice as we had 75 at church and another 11 in Nabeina. My thought for this week comes from Matthew 7:1-5. Are we judging righteously? I know that as we show our love for others we will be blessed by our Heavenly Father to have the gift of Charity. I know this to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Matthew 7: 1-51 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Letter dated September 4, 2017 Mauri utu, This week has been different as I have helped the members of Kainaba get ready for the District Conference this past weekend - 1st through 3rd of September. However the preparations for this conference have put a lot of stress on me as I had to prepare the members. Monday, Preparation Day, we got up and we practice the dance for the conference for over 8 hours. We asked Katiria to help fix our hands, legs and head movement. Kiribati dancing is almost - if not as hard as the Samba. To give you a perspective - all the little head movements, hand positions have to be perfectly in sync. While we were practicing, I got a call from President Tamana (2nd Counselor in the District Presidency). He told me I needed to interview all of the Aaronic Priesthood brethren to see who was ready and worthy to accept the Melchizedek Priesthood. I interviewed 11 Aaronic Priesthood brethren and found them ready to accept the Melchizedek Priesthood. This is what consumed the rest of my Tuesday and I finished Wednesday. Wednesday was our last whole day before we came in for the District Conference. I taught a few lessons, but really just visisted everyone to make sure they were ready. Thursday we came in on the waa which was a lot of fun as we were able to be close to our members in Kainaba. Friday was the big day for dancing as we were able to perform for the Mission President and his wife, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy - Elder Johansen (super neat guy - Tongan, very good at explaining principles), and some senior couples. It was a blast! I will have to try and send a video. I will at least send some pics. Saturday was super awesome especially the Priesthood Leadership Training. I was so good to get some counsel from the Seventy in how to be a better Branch President, and programs that need to be started in Kainaba. Sunday was nice to be able to help Elder Peterson here in Eita and to try and get people back to church. Before I close my letter, I will close in a spiritual thought. I take some advice from Elder Johansen. he spoke about the Sabbath Day. He emphasized what we should and should not do. He said, "The sabbath day is a significant day, cooking should be to a minimum, in fact we should be fasting every Sunday." This never occurred to me that Sunday should be kept like this. Thought that was interesting. I know that as we keep God's commandments, we will be blessed. I know this to be true. And I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. I Tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki We heard from Elder Haycock on Sunday evening too. It was brief. He was headed to play games with his District for his preparation day. He said he is happy and loving what he is doing and very much looking forward to his package. He also sent a couple of pictures. They are a bit goofy - as in we don't think he was paying attention when they were taken, but we don't care because we love seeing him!
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Elder Samuel HaycockI am called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This blog is about my adventures in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ for the next two years in the Republic of Kiribati. Archives
July 2018
CategoriesContributorRachel Haycock - I am the mother of 6 amazing children and the lucky wife of a dear, sweet man. I love to write, read, cook, teach and sew. I hope you feel the Spirit of the Lord as you read about Elder Haycock's adventures in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. |