If we told you all the things that go on here you would cringe.....

(Letter to Mom)

​Mauri Tina,

I Tangiriko naba, (I love you also). We did not hear any special
instructions in coming to Nonouti, but that is definitely true if we
told you all the things that go on here you would cringe, but that is
part of the mission right? I'll tell you when I get home after the
Mission all of the crazy stories. Anyway Yes that was Elder Powell in
the background we have to walk the motorcycle across this 2 and half
foot path because riding it would be a little more scary. Elder Powell
is a lot like Elder Murri, It has also been commented by other
missionaries how they are similar. Some of the things he likes to do
are Soccer, He played the Cello and performed at all-state, and he
told me he really loves clothes which I thought was weird but makes
sense. His Favorite treat is Watermelon Sour Patch Kids or  Mini chewy sweetarts he says either is
great and is up to you.

In the meantime Elder Kennedy left his towel so I am currently using
it. Showers are awesome. I have not used it yet because we use the bucket shower is so
awesome. What we use is called a  bai which is about 2 yards of fabric
that you wrap around your private parts and slip off your garments and
use that water with Chlorine and a small cup and pour it on yourself
and basically wash that way so much more effective.

The Welcoming Party was basically the Matang members.  I'll try and share
those photos with you. What they said to do is every six months is to
send home a zip drive of the first 6 months of pictures, but still keep the sd card.
So basically copy them and send them home. So I may need a couple more
zip drives. Sorry for that tangent.  So the welcoming party Elder Powell
said wasn't that good because everyone was really tired so it was kind
of dead. It consisted of a lot of food and some singing by the Relief
Society Sisters.

I do have that book I'll have to read it and reevaluate myself. But
the biking has been strenuous but has gotten better with practice. I
ataia bwa e maiu Iesu Kristo. I kakoaua bwa rinanon Iesu Kristo ti
kona ni manga oki nakoin Tamara are i Karawa. I ataia bwa e Korakai
Iesu Kristo bwa ti aonga kabwaran ara bure. I ataia bwa e tangirira te
Atua ao bwa ti bon natin ngaia Tamara are i Karawa.

I tangiriko,
Elder Ekaki

PS I told dad some of things I would like in my package but the main
thing I would like is a lot of the water flavoring packets because
that is what helps to get over the flavor of the  well water. I'm very
grateful for an awesome water filtration system that takes care of most of it.
One of things we might have to do this week is clean out our well as it
seems some soap has fallen in. I definitely have something for you to
try when I get back home it is what they consider as there dessert
here and is really good with rice. The question is,  can I find that
fruit in America?

(Letter to Dad)
Mauri Dad,

This week has been great. Sounds like you have a lot to do Hey I have
assigned Josh and Nate to take charge of Family Home Evening and they
are supposed to come up with a spiritual thought I pushed them more to
their experience at the temple and wanted them to lead the discussion
about how they felt and share those feelings. Well some things that
would be nice is some more pens, Mac and Cheese sounds really good,
but the number one thing would be lots of water flavor packets to help
with the taste of the water I'm almost out

Well I love you lot and I ataia bwa e koaua Ana Ekaretia Iesu Kristo.
I Kakoaua bwa e maiu Iesu Kristo ao ibukin bwa e maiu Iesu Kristo ti
kona ni manga oki nakoin Tamara are i Karawa.

I tangiriko,
Elder Ekaki

(Letter to Sarah)
Well it's been great Ekaki is actually how Haycock is spelled in Kiribati.
And Sarah in Kiribati is Tiera  So that is how your name is spelled in
Kiribati if you want to use it. Any questions (are good in letters) I want you to tell me
about school, your friends, what you like to do on your free time, and
if you are pest or are you helpful to mom.

To answer your questions:  how many parties they have they are currently
celebrating an mwaneaba anniversary. My favorite food would have to be
the rice with fried ika (fish) really good if it is tuna. I haven't
seen much dancing but we are learning one later today. Favorite fruit
that is here would have to be the papaya but if i was in Tarawa the
banana (because they're)super sweet. If you read mom's email it tells you more in there so
you'll have to wait and read.

I tangiriko, (I love you)
Elder Ekaki

---

Excerpt from a letter to Elder Ekaki about his stress level and how he was adjusting...
​
 "I am not sure exactly why I am sharing this with you, but I do know that the Lord wants you to hear it.  I love you and am so very proud of your willingness to try to do hard things, to struggle and to grow, to share the gospel and to develop your talents and testimony!  The Lord has sent you to this island of Nonouti for a very special reason.  There are people there that have been prepared and are waiting for your invitation to come and taste of the goodness of the gospel.  Here is the quote:

“I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” — President Ezra Taft Benson , The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (1988), 200