It's beeen a good week
A little slow, because of our current lack of transportation. Our truck was taken in for maintenance two weeks ago, and given that we cover two (quite large) areas, we haven't been able to visit a lot of families without losing a LOT of time; time lost waiting for buses, which drive very slowly, to take us into the outter reaches of our area boundaries where lots of crucial families happen to live. Anyways, we should be getting it sometime this week, which means less money spent on bus fare (more money for Hot Bread and milo) and less time spent on transportation (more time in the day, and more appointments!) However, the appointments we did have were golden and we were blessed with a good week with great results!
Oh, in regards to the title, I got the card! (and the hint, vinaka) I haven't attempted to draw from it yet, but let me know! I'm sitting pretty well off with money right now, so don't feel rushed to get me funded or anything. Also, I'm actually not ENTIRELY sure I got the hint. Is it put to MY inoa, or that word? Anyways, I'll survive another week without additional funds so to be safe, I'll wait a week for that sure answer to attempt a withdrawal. But here's what happened!
Last week, after district meeting, Elder Vitiari (zone leader) handed me a letter from the Denver North, Colorado mission. Inside the envelope was a note attached to another envelope, reading "Hello Elder Ishibashi! You left this in the President's car when he dropped you off at the airport!" which is not true because I had never seen that envelope. President Mendenhall must have received the letter and forgotten to give it to me when we left. Anyways, I have it now, bahut bahut daniwaad! (Thank you very, very much!)
Last week Sunday, something awesome happened! Elder Mong Yen and Elder Monga (whom I replaced in Nausori) has been teaching a woman named Eta for several weeks before I came. She had accepted the baptismal invitation, and just needs to attend church regularly and receive the lessons before we put her on date. Between my arrival in Fiji and last week, Eta had been in Lautoka and thus unable to meet with us for about three weeks. Last week, when we showed up in Waila ward, we were told that she was there! And not only was she attending our services for the first time herself, but she brought her mother and sister with her! And they all stayed all three hours! We spoke to all three of them following the meetings (not including Eta's twin three year olds), and they shared with us their excitement to return the following week! We set up an appointment to meet with them in the week, and were able to introduce ourselves and our purpose to Eta's mother and teach her! They did again attend church yesterday, which was wonderful! The ward is sooo good with welcoming them. I see all the old ladies hugging and kissing Sara (Eta's mom) and the kids playing with Eta's daughters. After church, the girls were already running around with and playing with the other kids! Jeanette Maiwiriwiri, who conducts the youth class, did an excellent job at introducing Mere (Eta's sister) to the youth and making her feel welcome and comfortable. The class ended up being the missionaries sharing why we came out, how the mission will improve our lives in the future, and our testimonies on the importance of missionary work. Though it was an on the spot call, it was really nice to stand in front of that small class of youth and share with those future missionaries the importance and joys of missionary work. One awesome thing about Jeanette, if you didn't know, she just received her mission call to Japan! How cool, and exciting!
But yeah, it's been a great week. The Singhs are doing really well. Funny thing, we have a recent convert named Aji. She speaks no English whatsoever, so our visits are always a tiny bit awkward because I sit silent for about twenty minutes as Elder Mong Yen and Aji speak to each other in Hindi. During our last visit, I was able to share a small testimony in Hindi, which she seemed to understand, which was awesome. Anyways, the funny thing I learned a few days ago is that Aji is not her name. Aji means grandmother, and everyone just calls her Grandmother. I have no clue what her real name is, but she's the sweetest old woman and she never lets us leave without having fed us something. She makes some BOSS halwa, which is like a sweet pudding, almost like poi but not healthy, like at all.
Bats are still awesome, I thought I saw a crocodile in the river last week but it was a log, when the cranes here fly they look just like pterodactyls and it's way cool.
Alright, Elder Mong Yen and I are going to get hair cuts right now so I'll finish this off now. I'm glad you folks are still doing well, and thriving physically and spiritually!
Lehia, I want one tuna you speared yourself at my homecoming. Dad says your fish are getting bigger and bigger, I like see. Penina, just keep swimming, (just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming) and keep doing well in school! Give my love and face kisses to U'i, Mikel, and their babies, please!
I pray for you folks multiple times a day, and I know that the blessings I've seen in my mission have come from my faithfulness to the work and your guys' love and prayers, as well as your efforts in serving those around you. Oh, speaking of which, my bishop in Nausori wanted me to thank you folks in his behalf for the blessings your prayers bring to the missionaries, and thus the ward. He's an awesome man, so humble, willing to help the missionaries in any way that he can, and accepting of any suggestions the missionaries have concerning the members and ward unity. He's a recently called bishop, so he's still getting the hang of it, but he's handling everything like a champ and the ward seems very supportive of him and him of the ward.
ANYWAYS, I will buy a new SD card today (which are way cheap) so I can take more pictures and send them to you.
I love you guys so much, and I see the blessings of serving a mission and a wonderful family in everything that I see and do. My only request from you folks is to continue always to strengthen that relationship with God and each other. Again, hum aaplog bahut, bahut pyaar! Moce!
Eldar Ishibashi
-Crossing a small river from Toga to Navatuyaba for service, with a member we met on the bus. There's just enough space on the camera itself to take some pictures.
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