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, 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
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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!
Email from 9/17/2017 Mauri utu, There is a letter on the way about more details of the week, but overall my week has been awesome and full of experiences! Everyone is progressing to baptism. Namwaroro and Katikora came to church a half mile walk across a lagoon and Namwaroro carried her on his back. Elder Curren and I were amazed! And now he is rocking my white shirt and one of my ties you sent me! My health is great. Probably the most humbling moment this week would have to be finding out my progressing investigator is moving to Christmas Island and the fact is, I have grown to love that family and I am really going to miss them. I think I have the balance thing figured it out and it should be a lot easier when there are two more Elders here to help. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki
Woke up to a post from Elda Ekaki's mission President's wife, Sister Larkin. I watched briefly and then realized, with great joy, that one of the young Elders dancing was our son! Tender mercies of the Lord to be able to see him moving and enjoying the people he loves to serve. We combined all 4 videos into one and posted it here for you to see and enjoy as well! Letter dated August 14, 2017
Mauri Au utu, Ngkami Kam vara? (How are you doing?) Ngkai, I kekaki ibukin ba te wiiki aei. Kanoana te wiiki e bobota iaonte Tangira Ae Konoraoi. (Right now, I am hanging in there because of this week. This week I have learned more what charity really is.) The best way I can describe this week is stressful, but in the end with a high reward. I have never had this much stress as I did this last week. The stress of being a Branch President when you are only 19 years old ... It is very difficult to find balance, to please everyone and strengthen all 80+ members (all new converts), while trying to teach investigators at the same time. To start things off, Elder Osborne and I returned to Kainaba on Tuesday afternoon as that is when the waa goes back to Kainaba. We went back to the house and took a bucket shower as it was high tide when we got back from Tarawa and the water came up to mid thigh trying to get back onto the island. After that we had 2 lessons and dinner scheduled at 6 and 7. We went on splits with melchezidek priesthood holders, and I was blessed to teach Temwatu ao Aroito. Really a great couple as Aroito is a member and she has not been baptized yet, our goal for her is hopefully the last week of August, but we will see if she is ready. She does come to church and she has stopped smoking, right now it is just a matter of finishing all the lessons to make sure she understands what we are teaching her. After that we ran into a little problem as one of the members got confused and thought that this was her time to cook for the Elders, so we ended up having two dinners that night so we went on splits again. Wednesday....let's just say it was good, but could have been more productive. So we finally had a District meeting in Abaokoro. The only problem with this is it is a two hour walk if it is low tide or a three hour walk if it is high tide. Thank goodness it was low tide. We got there a little after 10 as we had service that morning with Tooti, and we left later than we thought we would. We got there and the District Leader was just barely up and taking a shower, so we actually didn't start District Meeting until 12 - nearly 2 hours after we were supposed to start. The meeting was great, but what sucked (his words, not mine..) is there were two bikes for the Elders and we had to bike all four of us down to the corner of the island where Elder Osborne and Elder Tetea could go back to Kainaba while I worked with Elder McCarthy in Abaokoro. We basically went on a split till the next day. Anyway, after we dropped them off, we went back to the house and picked up the Sisters and we went to get lunch at the hotel in Aboakoro. The cook wasn't there yet so we waited for a good hour, finally he came. We ordered and it took another hour to cook the food. We didn't finish lunch until 4! What was planned was to be working in the norther part of Aboakoro which is about a 45 minute bike ride. It was nice to get to know Elder McCarthy, but when Elder Osborne and I finally met back up we could honestly say we missed each other. I was so happy to see Elder Osborne on Thursday! Thursday was a nice, busy day as we had Taekan te Aro and English class - we were busy and really had no time to think. Friday we tried to help give our service to Antonio as we were trying to build a buoia, but the custom in Kiribati is that the guest, or white man, does not work. We tried our best. After that, Elder Osborne and I finally got back to the house and took showers and got ready for weekly planning. As this was Elder Osborne's last week, we started from that Sunday and planned out what major things are happening and what needs to be done so he is ready for his flight on the 21st. We were told about a Branch Conference, so we called President Atiria and he told us that there will be a waa that will pick up the members at around 4 on Friday to take them to Abaokoro. On Saturday there will be Te Mwaie (Kiribati Dancing) and then the conference on Sunday. So we originally had 8 baptisms scheduled for that Saturday. But as you can see, we ran into a little problem with timing. We were also trying to have dinner with Nei Tooti and her family, but we could not find anything that worked, so we phoned a friend who has a great understanding about the gospel and the role of missionary work. His name is Titana. A little about him - he has a wife who is 7 months pregnant and his 4 kids - the oldest being about 17 and the youngest being 4. We tried to telephone him to tell him to come to our house because we needed to talk to him, but he didn't answer, so we went to his house and asked if he could come to our house. He quickly put down his stuff that he was doing and immediately followed us. After we explained our situation, he really helped us to understand what to do. What we decided is that we would have a bowi (meeting) the next day at 10 am to get all of the members on the same page and that the Saturday before we will come back from Tarawa because Elder Osborne has an interview with President Larkin at 2 and the waa won't get back in time. We have his farewell on Thursday this week with the members from Kainaba, and we are going to eat with Nei Tooti and her family Friday night before we get on the waa to go back to Tarawa. After we made the plan, we went from end to end of the island giving the message about the bowi that next day. Saturday.....well. I went to the bowi like we said, but the only problem is NO ONE showed up on time. So we waited. We then went and tried to get everyone to come quickly and that is when Itaia left. So we were like, "That is weird." So we had the bowi and then went and visited Itaia. I didn't face him because I was behind Elder Osborne, but after this meeting, was feeling very low and did not know what to do. What I loved is instead of panicking and blaming someone else, he went inward and communicated with his Father in Heaven. There is a spot on the island where there are no houses. We went there and asked me to give him a priesthood blessing. I was so honored that I could do that for him. After we both knelt down and offered a companion prayer. I have never felt so close to a companion until Osborne. He has helped me to reflect on myself and make me want to be a better person. After that meeting, we went and visited everyone. We were told by Itaia's wife to come back to dinner, which we did. The power of repentance is real. I have seen it. He was not the same Itaia that I met with earlier. Sunday was a great last one for Elder Osborne. Lots of people came, especially some that have been a little more less active. In total we had 73 there, 1 YSA, 10 investigators and 9 Melchezidek priesthood holders. This next week will be fun as it is his last week. After sacrament meeting we had to leave to go get on the waa so we could get back to Tarawa. It took us about an hour. My spiritual thought is on the power of repentance. The definition of repentance is a change of heart and changing our will to Heavenly Father's will, stopping an unrighteous action and doing a righteous action instead. I know that Heavenly Father loves us. I know that the Savior's Atonement is infinite and works for all of us. Our Savior Jesus Christ loves us and wants us to come unto him. I want all of you to know how much I love you. Keep moving forward! I tangiringkami, Elda Ekaki Letter dated July 31st, 2017 Mauri utu, This week has been fun. This last P day was a blast not having internet and being able to spend time with members. We did some service for Katikora - it is called borau, which is picking up all of the pandanus leaves that are not broken and are pretty new so that they can last a long time as the roof. After that we went to play games at Titana's home which was a lot of fun. On Friday the primary had a day called, "Culture Day" in which they did everything of the iKiribati. That meant no English food such as the rice, flour, and sugar, or even canned foods. It was a very fun day as Elder Osborne and I were judges of the events. I'll have to send pictures when I can. Saturday was my first time going on splits as we just have too much work to do and we were able to visit a lot of people quickly. This past Sunday we had church here in Kainaba and church in Nabeina which is also part of our area, but haven't been able to visit since we are so busy here in Kainaba. Before I go, I would like to share a spiritual experience. I told you I went on splits last Saturday. I went and visited Namwaroro and Katikara and we were teaching them on repentance and for him to stop smoking. I don't know where these words came from (I do now...), but I was prompted to say, "When you have the urge to smoke, I want you to open the Book of Mormon with a prayer in mind and then open the book and read it until the desire to smoke is gone." I want to tell you that this is the power of the Spirit and it is a promised blessing to all of us as long as we live worthy of it at all times. I'm so thankful that I have been able to serve here in this mission for the Lord. I am also thankful to have the opportunity to serve here in Kainaba. I love you all a lot. Ao I atargi bwaai aikai n arau Iesu Kristo, Amen I Tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Letter dated August 7th, 2017
Mauri utu, I have had an adventurous week as Satan really doesn't want this branch to be formed. The biggest tool Satan has for Kiribati is their cultural norms and gossip. Last Friday, there was some gossip that was shared about how this family couldn't go to the temple because she supposedly saw them drinking nengkona (alcohol), but they weren't. So it caused some contention to the point that they didn't want to come to church because they are afraid they will be made fun of and cause the church to back downhill. Well we put a stop to that rumor and encouraged them to come to church (which thankfully they did). The other major problem we had this past week was we were supposed to have dinner with a family but one of the members went up to them and told them that "missionaries don't have dinner with nonmembers." When we heard this it crushed our hearts. This week we are having dinner with them tomorrow. That is the gist of this week. Trouble in paradise, but still...it's paradise. My spiritual thought for this week comes from Moroni 7:15 - 19. In this section of scripture Mormon is talking about the Light of Christ that is given to every person. I know that through Christ, we can be clean and that we will be judged by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that we should judge righteously. I love you guys a lot and I know that my Redeemer lives. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki |
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. |