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, Happy Father's Day! So ..... how was your week? It was a little stressful as missionary work slowed down because of the Katabu. I want to describe this Kiribati tradition. The people of Kiribati are very focused on families. They love to help one another. This week was the week of the Katabu (ordination) in the Catholic religion someone was sworn to be a father. So the last part of this week has been hard to teach investigators who have family who is related to the Katabu. Everyone gathered as families and prepared the cooking for guests that came from the many islands including Nauru, Kritimati, Tarawa, Nikuanau to Makin. This influx of people has caused stress on the resources available, but I was reminded of an important eternal principle that is taught throughout the scriptures. I will share later. How are your investigators coming along? Ekeuea's family is coming along great and should be ready for baptism on the first of July. Definitely converted just finishing the lessons right now. We have other investigators who are busy and not really progressing but they love to hear the message. Have you been constructing any more homes? Just that one but we will see in the next couple of weeks. What are you hoping to wrap up before you leave for Makin? I am hoping to wrap up all baptismal records that have missing information. And have the people here ready to lead tauramauri. I am guessing Makin doesn't have internet, so I am preparing myself now for not hearing from you....it's sad, but I can do it. I am told that there is internet on Makin, so need to worry yet about communications and we just met a guy here who is trying to improve the way of communication between islands and trying to get the radio tower back in operation which means telephone. Will you be in Makin over your birthday? Yes I will be in Makin, and my birthday falls the day after Independence Day of Kiribati, which this year it will be Gospel Day. I will let you know how that goes. (On Gospel day, the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches host a celebration - a combined service is conducted by one of the heads of the two churches. Following the service, the people celebrate in the maneaba with local dances, choir, and religious songs performed by different groups from the two churches. I am so excited for you two to be able to go to this island and help the people with ordinances and spreading the gospel. I am sure they are excited to have you. There used to be elders on Makin. Do you know why there are not any now? Because the missionary work slowed down to a point where there were no baptisms for a year, and President Larkin felt that they could be used in a different, more growing place. My message this week is based on an eternal principle that I was reminded of as people were busy with the Katabu. It is found in many places but I'm going to start with 1 Nephi 16:29 "Ao e a koreaki te koroboki ae boou iaoia, ae e maataata aron warekana, are e anganiira the atatai n aron ana mwakuri te Uea; ao e a koreaki ma ni bibitaki n taainako, ni boraoi ma waakin the onimaki ao te nanomataare ti anganna. AO TI A NOORIA IKAI BWA MAN KARAOAN BWAAI AIKA UAREREKE AO E A KONA IAI TE UEA NI KARAOI BWAAI AIKA KORAKORA." This eternal principle is by small and simple things are the great and mighty things brought to past. For example this week as members have found a problem they can't seem to find the solution but as I have asked how their reading was they have told me that it hasn't been as good and soon as they did that small thing their life was blessed immensely. I am reminded of another scripture in Alma 37:7 "Ao te Uea ae te Atua e bon mwakuri ma the kantaninga bwa e na karokoa ana babaire are kakannato man akea tokina; ao an bwaai aika a uarereke ao the uea e kaminoia aika a wanawana ma ni karekea kamaiuaia aomata aika mwaiti." I am reminded of a event in church history his name is Joseph Smith he didn’t have any wisdom but he did a small thing by praying to Heavenly Father and he was able to restore this church to the earth. I know it is by small and simple things that the great things. These things include Sacrifices sometimes some examples of small things daily individual and family prayer and scripture study, weekly family home evening, attending all of your church meetings, obeying God's commandments this sometimes means sacrificing what the world is and coming unto Christ. Some examples of these commandments include: Law of Chastity, Word of Wisdom, Tithing, Modesty, Sabbath, Law of the Fast, Following the Prophet, Obedience, prayer, scripture study, Baptism and confirmation staying worthy to partake of the sacrament, and obeying and honoring the law. I have seen the blessings this week as I have stayed dedicated with my scripture study. I am able to teach by the spirit easier, easier to recognize. This principle is so easily bent but the blessings are there as we keep this principle. As we Keep this principle we stay on the straight and narrow path that leads back to our Father in Heaven. When all is said and done can you say as the Apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have KEPT THE FAITH." I testify that our Savior lives and loves each one of us. I testify of these things in the name of our Savior, Redeemer of the world even our elder brother Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki
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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. |