8-27-17 This week was AWESOME, WAY busy!

Kaise hai hamar julum parivaar!

This week was AWESOME, WAY busy!

The highlight was definitely zone conference! Zone conference was a bit different this time, it was a sweet little change from the normal finding-techniques trainings and scripture-study insights. The focus of each training was more on the "gray areas" of missionary work, so to speak, particularly when preparing an investigator to be baptized. Zone conference was basically about investigators who've already agreed to be baptized on a set date, gained a testimony, and received all the lessons. The zone leaders trained us on how/when to set a baptismal interview with an investigator. The AP's taught us how to use every minute of someone's baptismal program as a teaching opportunity to nonmember friends and/or family members in attendance. The STL's taught us how to build a good relationship of love and support with investigators, but ensuring that they're converted to the gospel rather than the missionaries. President Higgins trained us on how to extend invitations, connect the blessings with each invitation, and teach the particular principles in a simple and bold way that they'll understand its significance. All in all, zone conference was AWESOME and way fulfilling!

We moved Afroz's baptism to this coming Sunday, and it may even be extended yet. He doesn't feel quite ready, so we're working really hard with him to prepare him properly. Shahana continues to be a great support for him, she herself seems to set for herself that she isn't quite ready to follow Afroz into the waters of baptism, but still sees it as a possibility in the future.

The only issue with Patrick is that we don't get many opportunities to meet during the week. He wants to be baptized as soon as possible, but he may have to wait as well.

My internal struggle is this: Elder Kioa hasn't been able to baptize anyone he's taught yet, so I want him to have that opportunity. This coming Sunday is the last opportunity we'll have to do that, as he's most likely leaving the area next week. On the other hand I don't want to rush any baptisms at all, teach short and simple lessons where we cover more principles than they may be able to remember just to cross them off as 'taught'. It's definitely all about the investigators.

Elder Kioa and I are seeing a lot of success in the area right now, finding and teaching heaps of people who are interested in hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and finding out how they could possibly live with their loved ones in a state of never-ending life and happiness. The field truly is white already to harvest.

Glad everything back home is all good! Keep those baby pictures coming, sista! MAN I can't believe Jaden, Makana, and Anjo are already heading out, please give me their report dates and emails!

Please also give my warmest aloha to the new Pachecos! Beyond happy for them!

Dad, that sounds WAYYY cool! We're actually planning a cultural fireside for the future, and an idea came up for each missionary to sing a song in their native tongue. If you could send me the lyrics to E Ke Akua Mana E, I think that'd be a perfect song! That's way exciting to expect every living active descendant of Keaka to be in attendance, and I think that'd be an EXCELLENT teaching opportunity for any less-active or non-member descendants as well.

Mom, I haven't received the camera yet, and I don't think I'll see it until late next week or two weeks from now (when transfers are in movement around the mission). Don't worry about anything else, once I get the camera yous won't be without pictures for the next nine months. How crazy is that, just nine months before I get to see you guys again. It was honestly way too fast already.

Give 'Io a BIG hug for me before he heads out, don't worry man. I'll be there with you in no time!

We have a wayy sick qito planned for today, we're combining holi with a game called tin pani. Don't have time to explain now, but I'll get pictures off someone and send them. It's gonna be awesome.

Again, glad everyone is all good! I love you guys, know yous continue to be in my prayers every day. Have a blessed week, I LOVE YOUS!

Khyaal rakna,
Elder Ishibashi

PS Elder Kempe is serving in Pahoa ward right now, please give him my aloha! He was assigned to Hawaii speaking Marshallese, I was three weeks into the MTC when his intake joined our zone. He, in all honesty, is the most incredible pianist I've ever witnessed with my own eyes. His cover of Be Still My Soul is impeccable, give him a listen if possible. He's also way cool, tell him I said Aloha and Ij iokwe eok! (ask him how to pronounce it, Marshallese is alien)

I also met a sister from Waikaloa in church yesterday, she just got back from her mission in New Caledonia (it's evident in her thick-as accent) and married a FSM RM who served with Herb (Elder Heiman). I forget her last name but it sounded familiar, and she said her dad just recently got released as bishop in Waikaloa.