9-24-17 A LOT of walking

Kaisa hamaar julum parivaar!

This last week was definitely one of those "slowly but surely" weeks haha. A LOT of walking with results that could have been better, still on the path to actually searching while we're out finding instead of passing by houses and people and considering talking to the ones that look friendly. 

It was just a really basic finding week, nothing super significant in that area. 

Nasau accepted the invitation to be baptized on October 21st if she came to know the church and its teachings are true. It was interesting to see the contrast between this last invitation and the one before. The first time we suggested setting a projected date, she was hesitant to even consider the idea of being baptized. This time, it was a very bold and easy "Yes". One of the best and most rewarding things to hear on a mission is the testimony of an investigator who's been blessed by your visits and teachings. Nasau shared with us how she's seen the change, not just in herself, but in her family as we've been coming by and teaching. It's pretty common for Indians and Fijians to get married, but a bit less so for the families to get along. She talked about how her husband's family would come by every now and then and annoy her in this or that way. She shared how her attitude toward them changed as she read about families in the restoration pamphlet. I'm just overjoyed that everyone is seeing the change in her life here haha. 

Another investigator we met last week, Amelia, came to church yesterday! She said she really liked it; in fact, she volunteered to pitch in for food for a YSA activity on Saturday! The ward does an excellent job at fellow shipping, it's such a blessing. 

To explain the title, this little Chinese boy in my ward is teaching me Mandarin. 

Ni hao ma? Wo hen hao, xiexie! -How are you? I'm good, thank you!

Zaijian! -Goodbye!

He also taught me how to introduce myself by name and age, but I didn't bring my language study book so I don't remember.

Thanks for sending the lyrics, dad! And I'm WAY excited to be able to meet the McCunes! 

We'll be heading out now, I love you all so much and have a great and blessed week! 

Dad: How's work? How are the missionaries doing, are they helpful to you and the ward?

Mom: How's work? How are your callings in church going?

La'i: How's school? Are you doing sports right now? How are you liking Kea'au, not half as bad as you thought aye? How are the youth?
Lehia: How's school? Are you doing sports? Are you still in band? How's the surf been lately?

Nina: How's school? How are you doing?

Love you all, khyaal rakna! 

Elder Ishibashi 

9-16-17 Mission tour was awesome

That was fast! Won't be too long, we had more stuff to do in town this morning (mostly replacing Elder Tui'one's stolen property). But the last few days were awesome! 

Unfortunately, I done goofed and left my notes back home so I can't share anything from mission tour or stake conference in as great detail as I'd like, but I'll try! 

Mission tour was awesome, we were accompanied by Elder Haleck of the Area Presidency who presided over both mission tour and the conference sessions. We received a lot of trainings based on treating our investigators as people with struggles, strengths, and weaknesses, rather than numbers on a record. We learned how to address their strengths and weaknesses and how to teach them accordingly. I can't remember any particularly strong impressions I received but I know there were heaps, we left mission tour edified and refreshed after a hectic last few days haha. The Saturday session of stake conference was excellent as well, and a big focus of the conference was missionary work. I feel like every insight was so vital and helpful for the members to see the importance of this great work, and I feel strongly that the member support will blast up after that session. The Sunday session was actually really interesting. I'll be completely honest and say I don't remember what a majority of it was about. When Elder Tu'ione and I showed up, the Hindi Elders in Lautoka asked us to help in translating the talks into Hindi as they're given. We were all given headsets and others were given out to people who'd rather hear the messages in Hindi. There was a classroom where several people were stationed with headsets and microphones to translate the talks into Hindi as they were being given,and everyone on the same station would be listening in on the translation. Our job was to listen in and evaluate the translation; to see if they were correct and simple. Because most the translators were speaking pure Hindi, I couldn't even understand half of the conference and decided to tune out. Elder Fonua (the other senior Hindi elder) and I, along with an Indian youth, decided to just translate amongst ourselves. I was honestly able to learn so much more as we discussed vocabulary and listened to the young boy translate the talks more simply. What I collected at the end, as Sister Higgins addressed the congregation, is that patience is such an important Christlike attribute that people often overlook; whether we're trying to develop the attributes ourselves or wanting others to develop them. When we have that earnest and patient heart, the storms have less power over us as we can be assured the storm will settle as we endure it well. We're also sure that when the storm does settle, we'll walk out stronger and appreciate the peace that comes with holding fast and strong to our faith in Christ.

I've also been humbled in a very different way. Like I said, we have no neighbors, and thus nobody to bother with noise. We had two other sets of missionaries over Friday night so travel into Lautoka for conference would be easier. We got a little over excited over several rounds of trump-10. Mom, remember when I got a little over excited at a wa'a regatta on Saturday and forgot I had a musical number the next day, so I woke up Sunday morning sounding like I'd been smoking for the last 60 years? That's where I'm at now. I haven't had to speak a lot since conference, but I'm really hoping my voice is better by our appointment tonight, and that by some miracle I can project the message confidently without wheezing or squeaking. I've gained a stronger testimony of the importance of reverence even when people aren't around. I see it as a tender mercy that this didn't happen the night before a full proselyting day, but this definitely won't be happening again. 

Dad, thank you so much for the scriptures. What you said applies to me directly, I feel horrible about the way we senior missionaries reacted to the game on Friday night in front of our trainees. However, I'm very aware that THAT was indeed my fault, but I'm trying to humble myself and I'll be putting extra effort into showing Elder Tui'one how to appropriately represent the Lord as his servant in public as well as in private. Training is stressful already, but my faith is in the Lord that he'll consecrate my works and my efforts as an example to a young missionary as I go about his ministry in humility, reverence, and genuine love for the people who surround us. 

I'm so glad everything is going well back home! 

OKAY I have to go, I love you guys! Have a blessed week!

Khyaal rakna,

Elder Ishibashi 

9-13-17 Iʻm a Dad!!!

So this is it! And I have almost no time because we were out in town getting haircuts and whatnot, but I'll try to get in as much of the hype of the last week as possible! 

First off, I'M A FATHER! Last week, Elder Kioa was reassigned to serve in Nasinu, and I was assigned to train a new missionary! I rode into Suva on Wednesday, and Thursday morning, I met my son. I always looked forward to the day I'd be able to train a new missionary in the Hindi program for one particular reason: to witness their reaction. Everybody said that the newly-called Hindi elder's reaction is the funniest thing on earth, so I was way keen to see it. When my poor son opened his call, it wasn't so much funny as it was just sad. He looked like his whole world just collapsed and threw the letter haha. All I could do is hug him and take him aside. The look of fear in his eyes when he saw the indistinguishable squiggles on my name badge was pretty funny though.

Elder Tui'one was brought up in Auckland, New Zealand, but his family lives in Tonga now. His parents are President and Sister Tui'one, mission president and wife of the Tonga, Nukualofa Mission. He's the absolute man! Wayy humble, such a pleasure to be around and so ready to work hard. His love for the work, our investigators, and this gospel is so evident as he testifies of its truthfulness. I feel so blessed to have such a great example of readiness and diligence of a trainee. Right off the bat, he said he doesn't really mind and that he loves the language already. That's what I did for about six months while in my heart, I carried a sucks attitude about the language and the work that comes with having to speak it. Whether he's genuine about his comfort in the Hindi program or not, I'm trying my best to convert him to the light side of it. Right now, he has an awesome attitude about everything, and I'm so grateful to the Lord for that. 

This last week has been really hectic but extremely humbling. 

On Monday, our flat got broken into and a lot of things were stolen, particular those of Elder Tui'one's. I'm sorry to report that this is the second time in the last month that our flat's been robbed, the last incident was on the 22nd of August. I didn't tell you guys because I didn't want yous to worry. I'm telling yous now because these things are happening frequently and for a reason. The first time, they took some clothes (of mine, only running shoes and a pair of shorts, not too much), Elder Kioa's hair clippers and polaroid camera and all of our food. They must have needed food above all else, because that was honestly our biggest loss. We don't know their situation, but we hope they needed the food more than we did. This last time, we had no food for them to take (haha) so they took almost all of Elder Tui'one's clothes, his hair clippers, and my broken olympus. At first, and to no surprise, he was pretty heated. After four days in Nadi, he had heaps of stuff stolen. He cooled down quickly and accepted that there is indeed a reason for everything, and that trials are given lovingly by our father in heaven for our progression. 

We've been living with the Nawaka elders over the last few days. Tuesday was mostly consistent of a service project and making calls to ensure the upped security of our flat before we moved back in. I was absolutely adamant against moving back into that flat, because it's obviously marked (it has a history of break-ins and intrusions actually, just two since I've been here), but the mission is making a great effort to find new affordable flats in the area. We've been assured that the windows were again barred up firmly and that a double-bolt deadlock was installed, requiring a key to enter and a different key to leave. I trust that it's safe, so we'll be moving back in tonight. Through all of this, Elder Tui'one has been so patient and willing to help in any way possible. He's an awesome kid, taking everything in and seeing it all as memories for the books.

Yesterday, we met up with Nasau again. Oh, she came to church on Sunday! Nasau is probably the most golden and ready soul I've met yet on my mission. Nasau brought her sister to church with her,  the lesson in the second block really struck them both to the core. The lesson was about how each and every single one of us is so special to God; how we're so much more significant than we sometimes think. Nasau's explanation of how it touched her reminded me of President Uchtdorf's quote from his 2011 general conference address You Matter to him: 

"Compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God."

And another address from President Uchtdorf in 2009 titled The Love of God:

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. … He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken”

The lesson with Nasau was beautiful, and she's already seen the blessings in her life since we've started visiting her. She committed to making the journey up to Lautoka for stake conference on Sunday, and I have all confidence that I'll see her at the stake center. 

I feel bad because this last week has been so weird for my son, so studies and the daily schedule's been a bit funky. REALLY looking forward to mission tour tomorrow and then stake conference on Saturday and Sunday. Monday, I'll have some hot new vuku to drop on yous. Hopefully by next week everything will be back to normal. 

Dad, I'm way glad the fireside went well! I've gained such an appreciation for my kupuna and the example they set in following Christ as I've served. I have no clue what legacy I'll leave in Fiji, and I'm sure the missionaries that brought the gospel to Keaka knew just as much. This is the work of God and we are his servants, purposed to bring the gospel to his beloved children so they might have the opportunity to return to our heavenly home. I also know with all my heart that that's true, obedience=blessings. I'll be one hundred percent honest, there were points earlier on in my mission when I was less-than-exactly obedient, and though it may be fun to deviate from the rules for a moment, it is NOT worth it. As simple as that formula is, another is just as simple: disobedience will cast the spirit away. Without the spirit, the work of the lord can/will not carry out. On the contrary, I have a testimony of the missionary principle "Obedience brings blessings;exact obedience brings miracles."

CONGRATULATIONS to Shon! I've heard there is an oddly large number of Indians in Logan, tell Shon I can hook him up with some vocab if he wants to impress some aunti on the street. It'd be a great OYM technique, I reckon. Let me know first thing when Siaosi receives his! My guess is Tonga. 

I'M OUT OF TIME, I love you all so much, have an incredible/blessed week! 

Hope you like the pictures!! Love yous! 

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi

Selections from drive from Suva to Nadi

-Seeing off the Australians finishing their missions (E. Kumar and S.Tuivai)

-Seeing off the pops

-The Tongan gene skips a generation

-Oldest Hindi Elders in Fiji with the youngest 

-Caught our ward clerk passed out after priesthood. When he woke up to me taking a picture:
"... Amen."

-Everybody that had anything to do with my upbringing in the FSM is dying. Soon, I won't know anybody out here. Moce to Sister Tupaea

-Na moko

-Literally me having absolutely no clue where we are

-"Everything the light touches is our kingdom..."

-Now feat. Elder Jessee

-Feat. Na luvequ

-Last night, sending Sister Teitiaki home to Kritimati. There were heaps of people from Hawai'i there because the Honolulu flight stops in Kritimati, but I was too shy to talk to anyone. I know, shame...

9-10-17 Don't be alarmed!

P-day was moved to Thursday due to travel complications within the zone, so my full letter will be sent then! My companion and I were given special permission to email briefly because he lost his wallet and needs to tell his parents to cancel his personal card. All is well, this week has definitely been interesting to say the least! Can't wait to share everything in a few days. I love you all, I'll wait till Thursday to read your emails as well. Just to let you know though, mom, I've received my camera! Yous are in for a treat.

I love yous, be back with more in a few days! 

9-3-17 I figured out that the west is so hot because it's overheating from working so hard

Maika'i no au, makuakane! Pehea 'oukou, ku'u ohana??

Not very much time today at all! The computers are extra trippy today so half aren't allowing myldsmail to work. The shop is also extra full because the whole zone in in Nadi right now for qito, so I'm writing my letter quickly then letting Elder Kioa on this one so he can write President and his family. Too bad, because this last week was sooo great and there's so much to talk about! 

Our color war was wayyy fun, I'll definitely try to attach pictures. I got Elder Eberspacher, my zone leader, pretty good with red dye. Unfortunately, because he's blond, the red actually dyed his hair pretty nicely and his looks ginger now. It's pretty funny. 

On Wednesday we met up with a family we met last week, the mom's name is Nasau. Normally when we set appointments, the family doesn't remember. When we rock up to the follow-up appointment, the family usually just happens to be home so they're like Oh, yeah sure come in. As we approached Nasau's house about ten minutes later than we planned for the appointment to be, Nasau's son shouted "Mom, they're here!" When we got in the house, Nasau said that when 4:30 rolled up and we weren't home, she thought we weren't coming. Then, three other women walked into the house that Nasau invited to hear our message. We held an awesome lesson with the family! When we returned on Saturday, they accepted the invitation to be baptized if they came to know the message was true. Nasau expressed that it was definitely something new and interesting and something she'd never heard before, but something told me that it made sense to her. As I sat there with them, I thought... the relief society would love you. Your kids are way cheeky, just like our youth. They'd get along great. We'll be working closely with them as well, they have excellent potential!

Yesterday, we were privileged to witness the baptism of Afroz! It was an absolutely beautiful service. To top it all off, even though Afroz was too shy to bear his testimony, Shaehana got up during fast and testimony meeting and bore her testimony! She shared with the congregation the blessings she's since since they've started taking the discussions. She talked about the changes she's seen in her husband and their marriage since they started reading from the Book of Mormon together. It's definitely just a matter of time before she follows Afroz into the waters of baptism, and I'm sure that the desire to do so will grow as we prepare Afroz for the temple and teach him the significance of the priesthood he'll be receiving. They're awesome, so stoked to work with them over my time here in Nadi!

It's transfer week, so IF Elder Kioa leaves, we find out where on Tuesday. 

Oh yeah! It was also during fast and testimony meeting that Aunty Bale got up on the stand and told the congregation "He doesn't know this, but I've known Elder Ishibashi since he was this tall." *puts her hand at waist level* My reaction must have been pretty funny because she got half the chapel giggling. It was nice though, she's waayy sweet and funny. Please give her my aloha! 

I'll be heading out now, the zone is getting together at Wailoaloa beach nearby for qito today. We also have to go and collect the shirts that Elder Kioa and I designed for the district from the embroidery place. We have an awesome week lined up! Know that Elder Kioa and I are in great health and spirits! Elder Kioa is seriously awesome, his drive and love of the work is inspiring to me as his senior companion. The work is going really well here right now, dropping-off and picking-up at a good, consistent rate.

Dad, thank you so much for sending me your address for the fireside! I remember hearing those stories growing up, but only ever separately. Now that they've all been placed together and chronologically, I have a greater understanding of the significance of the work my forefathers did and the faith in the priesthood that they had. I see a lot of Indians out here making similar changes in their lives. Hinduism could have been in the family for thousands on thousands of years, so it's obviously a pretty drastic and heavy transition from such to Christianity. Like Keaka decided to follow Christ rather than the traditions of his family, blessings are seen in every instance. The gospel of Christ can and will help everyone that desires to know of its truthfulness and seeks it out just as diligently. I testify of that.

Mom, I reckon I'll definitely be seeing a lot more people especially here. Because Nadi is where the airport is, we have heaps of visitors every week, so it's nice to be able to meet a lot of new people every Sunday. I'm eating really well mom haha, don't worry at all! I'm actually pretty glad that my goal (of getting black and skinny) is getting closer! We just do a lot of walking here and it's wayyy hot. I feel 'Io's pain, except probably not because we have two really good fans in the flat. But yeah, I'm eating well and consistently; we never go without dinner. I haven't received my camera yet, but I should get it either during this week or next week. It's not that It's lost, packages just aren't very usually brought over from the mission office to zones outside of Suva. I did see the deposit though, and thank you so much! Elder Kioa and I ended up taking another pair of missionaries out to dinner on Tuesday night because one of their birthdays was on Sunday and the other's on Monday. I also want to take Elder Kioa out before he gets transfered, he's paid for my bus fare countless times and basically paid the entire district shirt fee. 

I love you all so much, sooo glad everything is going well! You all have an incredible and blessed week, aloha nui! 

Khyaal rakna! 

Elder Ishibashi 

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.

Zone conference 

-Wailoaloa beach

-Zone dinner

-A quickened spirit exhausts quickly

-Elder Kioa 

-District 

 

-Votualevu gang

8-20-17 I feel so blessed with a companion that likes to work

It makes me SO happy knowing what a light and an example my brothers are being to the world! 

When people see missionaries in their whites doing that kind of thing, people think "Okay, well they have to do that. They're religious people." but when they see normal people showing a spirit of love and kindness that's (sadly) rare in a public setting, it softens hearts and causes curiosity. The best missionary work one can do, in my opinion, is commit random acts of genuine love to those who need it most. When you're in the service of your fellow brothers and sisters, you're in the service of our heavenly father. 

Anyways, pehea 'oukou o ku'u ohana maika'i no??

This last week was awesome, found some more awesome people we really look forward to following-up on and progressing with. One family we followed up on in the last week was the Singh family. We've been visiting families in that area for several weeks, and they've all suggested we go and meet the Singhs because they're strong Christians. We haven't yet been able to meet Stephen (the father and head of the household), but we met with his wife, Shanti, and four daughters. They all agreed to be baptized by the restored authority of the priesthood if they came to know our message was true. We'll try to meet with Stephen today or tomorrow (his only free days from work), which usually happen to be our busy days, but we'll work it out. They're an awesome family with such strong faith in the savior and His atonement. 

We're also working closely with Patrick. Patrick has been going to church for several months because he lives with a high councilman, and he loves it. Before we were even introduced to him, he'd gained a personal witness of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. Every lesson we have with him is awesome, he soaks everything up and asks great questions. He's way excited to be baptized, and we have him scheduled to be baptized on September 3rd. 

Afroz and Shehana came to church again yesterday, where President and Sister Higgins happened to be present! President praised us uncomfortably heavily to the congregation from the podium in his closing remarks, but I'm so grateful for a mission president who obviously cares about us as individuals and the work of the Lord. He made sure to meet all the investigators the missionaries brought to church immediately after sacrament, and Afroz and Shehana seemed way glad to meet him. Afroz again shared how excited he is to be baptized in the coming weekend. Shehana's a bit difficult to read right now. Afroz keeps telling us that Shehana talks to him about them being baptized together quite often, but when we ask her about it, she acts clueless. We'll be seeing them today and we'll set it straight, whether or not she wants to be baptized with Afroz, because it's definitely a possibility. We're playing it by ear haha.

We had an awwesome sports day put together by the missionaries on Saturday and we were able to get some referrals out of it too! Last night we had an incredible and successful Book of Mormon fireside put together by the missionaries as well. Everything went smoothly and everybody seemed to have left edified and with a newfound confidence in sharing the Book of Mormon. 

The work here is going really well right now, I feel so blessed with a companion that likes to work and a ward so supportive of the missionaries. 

It feels like we're sending so many missionaries out at once and all of a sudden, how awesome is that?? SO excited for and HUGE congratulations to Makana, Jaden, and Anjo for receiving their mission calls! PLEASE tell me when they report, so I know when I can write them! 

We'll be heading out soon, so I'll use the remainder of the time I have left to write President and friends and family. Glad everything is going well back home! 

Briefly, haam khali manta raha apaan gawahi hissa kare aaplogke. Ham janta hai ki iis kam Bhagwan ki kam hai, aur ham iis kam bahut achaa lage rojroj ke. Ham janta Mormon ki Pustak ek sachai kitab hai, aur jab hamlog uuske baat pare aur zinda kare, hamlog dher ahivaad dhekega apaan zindagi me. Iis girjaghar Ishu Masih ki sachai susumachaar se, uus Joseph Smith ki dwara

fir se banais raha Bhagwan se. Ham iis susumachaar bahut pyaar karta, ham dhanyavaad de rojroj Bhagwan ke apaan putra aur uuske balidaan ki wastin. Ham aaplogke bahut pyaar karta, aur ham khali iis chiij hissa karta Ishu Masih ki naam se, Amen.

Looking at it, it looks like I jammed the keyboard haha I love Hindi.

I love you all, thank you so much for your prayers, know you're all in mine! 

Ham aaplogke bahut pyaar karta hamar julum parivaar, achaa hapta rakho!

Khyaal rakna!

Elder Ishibashi

8-13-17 I feel so unbelievably blessed

Kaise hamaar julum parivaar~!!

For some reason they start qito early in this zone, and I need to look for a new bag in Lautoka town (my shoulder bag zipper broke and I reckon a backpack would be more convenient for travel anyway) so today and probably the next few emails will be a bit short. I wish I had more time because so much is happening! We're getting heaps of work done here and finding heaps of people every day! Lately we've been blessed to be lead to heaps of Christian Indian homes, which is way sick. Wayy stoked to progress with the people we've met! 

Pretty much our whole week was finding new people in this and that area. 

Afrosh and Shahana came to church for the first time yesterday! They seemed to really like it and are keen on coming next week. Yesterday morning was actually pretty tough because were expecting to have about eight investigators in church, but when we called each home, each had a reason not to come. Ragni's was that she was going to her own church instead, which is why we may actually drop her. Church is a HUGE part of conversion, and investigators attending church is a huge indication of their genuine interest in the gospel and dedication to their gaining a testimony. Afrosh said that Shahana was too sick and asked us to come over before church to give her a blessing. When we arrived, Shahana suggested that we take Afrosh and that she'd be fine at home. After a bit of talking between the two, they decided they were well enough to come. We didn't give a blessing, Shehana just got ready and we were all out the door in ten minutes. What a tender mercy that was, and I strongly feel that is was Shehana's faith and knowledge that she had to go to church that healed her so suddenly.

I think I'll use the rest of the time to respond to my siblings, but I'm so glad everything's going well back home! Lately I've been thinking a lot about how much everybody has already grown and accomplished since I've been out. I can't wait to come home and see it all for myself! This morning I woke up to the crushing realization that I really don't have much time left at all. We're nearing the end of the year, and once the end of the year comes, I'll only have five months left. Not that I'm counting. Anyways, in the meantime, I have other families here I need to help before I can see my own again. I've come to love so much the focus of the family in the gospel. Something I always like to share with people when we introduce the concept of eternal families is that death will always be a sad thing. When we lose a loved one, of course it's disheartening  because we can't hear their voice or feel their touch anymore. However, everyone will die one day, and what a blessing it is to know that once we've been sealed on earth and reunited in the kingdom of our father, we will never be separated again. No force can part our families after the point of physical death. On Tuesday we'll be asked to share in district meeting why our particular families are unique and what we love about them. I love that our family has such a distinct sense of humor and an appreciation for art in it's countless forms. Most of all, however, I love that our family is built on a foundation of Christ. I've seen how families fall apart when their foundation is weak, and it's especially sad because they blame the foundation they didn't strengthen when it caves in. I feel so unbelievably blessed to have a strong base in the gospel built by generations of faithful servants of our Father in Heaven. 

I love yous all so much, keep being that shining light in this ever-so darkening world; it needs yous. 

I love you all so much, have a blessed week! 

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi 

8-6-17 I'm loving the area and the work!

First of all, soooobo dad no say dat kine! Don't ever worry about being too busy to write, I'm totally aware of everybody's responsibilities at home, especially now! With so much going on, I reckon free time is a tight thing to acquire as everyone's trying to take care of this and that. I learned early on in the mission that when I came out, yous gave me to the Lord for two years AND vice versa. I know the Lord is taking care of yous and blessing my family immensely in my physical absence, and know that he's doing the same for me! Thank yous so much for the check-ups and status reports on blessings obtained over the last week, I can't say how much I appreciate them, but you all have responsibilities in the church to attend to, just like me. PLEASE don't let me get in the way at all of your fulfilling your responsibilities to the best of your ability! Yous making me feel bad! (I mean don't STOP writing me but don't prioritize me)

Anyways, KAISE HAI hamar pyaari parivaar?

This last week was awesome! First full week in Nadi. Nadi actually reminds me heaps of Kona, WAY hot and dry. Almost everything is dead or growing out of cracking ground, but the dry ground does produce what the people here need to get by comfortably, which is great. 

On Tuesday we held the first district meeting of the transfer with the new district, which is a BIG one (I think, 5 companionships)! We had some fire trainings and set a good transfer goal that everyone felt comfortable with after consulting with the Lord about it. After which, we were accompanied by one of the YSA in the ward who came out teaching with us. James should be receiving his mission call soon, and this was the first time he went out proselyting with the elders, so it was good for him. 
I met Shehana and Afrosh for the first time. They're a young, non-practicing Muslim couple and they're waaay cool. We have Afrosh on date to be baptized the first week of September. He has such strong faith in Christ, loves the discussions, and keeps all the commitments we extend to him! He has a smoking problem and has been doing an awesome job at rationing his tobacco since we taught the Word of Wisdom on Tuesday! He'd JUST bought a little pack when we got there and we invited him to ration it until Friday, and on Saturday he'd be able to buy another one (He smoked about 3-4 packs a day, so this would be a big step for him). When we went back on Friday for service, they were both proud to announce that he did it! Shehana is suuuper good for him, way supportive of his efforts to quit and helps him with it heaps. Though she's not quite ready to change right now (though she even shared that it's definitely a possibility that she follow Afrosh into the church), she loves the discussions, asks heaps of good questions and even loves the Book of Mormon and other LDS literature. She believes the things we share, she's just not ready right now to make the change. They're a power couple with a lot of faith and humble hearts. 

When we left their home, and went and met heaps of new people. James was such a big help and I know he'll be an amazing missionary! 

Another family we visit heaps is the Singh family. Elder Kioa and his last companion found 

them last transfer and they're way onst. We usually just meet with Ragni (the mother) and one of her three kids. Ragni previously belonged to the Souls to Jesus church, but as the missionaries have been visiting, she's gained a testimony of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel in these latter-days. She knows the church is true and is on date to be baptized on the same day as Afrosh, but her husband doesn't let her go to church. We're still trying to figure that out, and we will! We're praying that Brother Singh's heart will be softened so that Ragni and her kids can go to church and be baptized.

The next day, we were asked by a less-active member to visit her after a long while of missionaries not coming by. Sherlini introduced us to her partner Amesh and his son, Anish. We learned that Sherlini is a returned missionary, her partner and his son are not members, and that they want to be! They both have a lot of faith in Christ and are really interested in getting baptized, just several things complicate the situation. One of those is that Amesh was never properly educated throughout his life. He can't read, write, or speak much English. Sherlini and Anish, however, are more than willing to help us and Amesh to understand the importance of our message. Another complication is the fact that Amesh and Sherlini are living together despite not being married. Amesh is divorced, but Sherlini's divorce is still pending and the work is being done in Canada, where she was married. Until she goes to Canada and finalizes the divorce in October, they'll either need to separate or Amesh will need to wait for the divorce to be made final AND for them to be legally married before he can be baptized. These things won't affect Anish's eligibility to be baptized, so we may baptize him early just so that the home can have the priesthood in it. We're really looking forward to seeing them again! 

We're way excited to continue to teach these people and help them to come closer to the savior. We met heaps of new people last week, so the next week will be a lot of follow-up appointments.

We're looking at a good week and more new water for Nadi's dryness!

In response to the love: LET'S GOOOOO MAKANA!! You seriously have no clue how stoked I am for him! SPANISH!! HOW SICK IS THAT! Oh my goodness, and what a cool thing for him to set that example for Hoku and his friends. Makana is going to looove his mission and the Dominicanos are going to looove him!  MAN so excited for him! 

Glad everything else back home is all good! Everyone looks so good, thanks for all the pictures I received! I'll respond to the individual emails as well, and I'm running out of time, so I'll close this letter now.

Know we're in great health in spirits, Elder Kioa is still the man and pushes me hard!

"It's okay to be weak when you've exhausted all the strength you could possibly muster. Until then, leave nothing in the tank."

I'm loving the area and the work! 

I love you all, thank you all again so much for the love and blessings I receive as I search the Nadi desert for Christ's dwindling sheep! Have a blessed week all of yous! 

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi

P.S. I feel like yous might know Elder Kioa's parents aye? That Fijian guy knew both our parents and Aunty Sia and Brother Maiwiriwiri know Brother and Sister Kioa as well, just wondering.

7-30-17 President Higgins reassigned me

Kaise hai vinaka hamaar pyaari parivaar!

This last week had definitely been a very interesting one! So much to write about!

On Tuesday we held a really nice district meeting which consisted primarily of role plays and sharing OYMing methods. It was pretty fun because we'd planned to have a potluck lunch after district meeting but nobody had time to cook that morning, so we ended up using the chapel's kitchen to cook/prepare our lunch DURING district meeting. Since the people in the house are cooking a lot of the time we approach them, we reenacted several scenarios where a member of the house prepared food for their guests and listened in while the missionaries shared a message with the rest of the family. It was fun, we learned a lot and was able to get a lot done during our district meeting. As we were preparing to leave the chapel, transfer calls were circulating throughout our area, and it was our turn to receive. 

President Higgins reassigned me to serve in the Nadi Hindi area!

That night, I received such a tender mercy from the Lord that I don't reckon I'll forget any time soon, and I'll cherish it for as long as I remember. The Tarbiti family always felt bad that some members of the family would still be out in town whenever we arrived at their house, so we'd have to wait a little for everyone to arrive and settle before we could start the lesson. Because of this, we always ran out of time before our dinner appointment so we'd have to quickly close and rush out the door to make it on time. Last week, Fifin asked us to make sure no dinner appointments are scheduled for Tuesday so that THEY could feed us and we wouldn't have to stress about having to be somewhere else. We made sure the Tarbitis were the last family we had planned for that evening, we held a great lesson with the family about the importance of baptizing the same way Jesus Christ did, and a niiice feast was placed in front of us. Before we ate, Fifin told us how much she appreciated our visits and the spirit we bring into their home. She said it was a custom in Vanuatu to give gifts to people who visit the family often and ultimately become good family friends. She and Betisha (9 year old daughter) went into the back room and brought out two of the most gorgeous Vanuatu lava lavas I've ever seen. Betisha came to me, wrapped hers over my left shoulder and tied the ends together under my right arm (like a kihe), and Fifin did the same for Elder Mo'unga. It was only after this that Elder Mo'unga told them that I'd be transferring on Friday and that we'd be busy Thursday night because of transfers, so that would be the last time I got to see them. Fifin was sure, as am I, that the Lord arranged for that evening to be so special. Tuesday night was especially significant for two reasons:

One, I felt like we definitely could have done more work or found more people. My ultimate goal when I enter an area is to leave it better than I found it, and though I can in all honesty say that for Suva, I felt like I could have done more and I was sad. That night, I really felt like we made an impact on that family's lives. Their love and appreciation for us was so evident, and that night, I felt like I'd been successful in that area. The second reason that evening was so special is because it was easily the most love and appreciation I've ever been shown since I've been here. I've taught people who ended up being baptized and even myself helped several into the waters of baptism. The Tarbiti family had not received an answer yet as to whether or not our teachings were true, but they were humble and so willing to find out. Some had no indication, some had received light promptings, but there was no surety yet. Despite this, they knew we were sent from our Father in Heaven and that the Spirit was evident when we entered their home, and they were grateful for that. Even though they haven't been baptized yet, I'm sure they will be one day. That was an amazing night. 

On Wednesday we were joined by Elder Fonua, the Hindi elder from Lautoka who was called to train a new Hindi missionary. That night, he taught me heaps of Hindi words that I didn't know that don't even have real English definitions, and I realized how much serving in the city limited my Hindi haha. The next day we were joined again by him and his trainee and we were able to see a good lot of people and teach the yougin his first Hindi words. 

Friday rolled around and by 9am, I and 8 other missionaries were on a bus to Nadi. After a nice and beautifully scenic four hour drive, I met my new companion at the Nadi airport. 

Elder Kioa was raised in San Mateo, California, but has been living in Utah for the last few years. He is SOOO chill, so humble and suuper funny. I'm super excited for the next transfer, I feel like we're going to have a lot of fun and get a LOT of work done together. This particular area is notoriously dry (in the air and in the work), so I'm really looking forward to getting some good new water flowing these old dusty pipes. It's a bit difficult adjusting to being a senior companion because I feel sometimes that I lack confidence and sufficient enough Hindi to teach someone (even though his Hindi is WAYY good, way better than mine was at his stage), but in time my leadership skills will kick in and I'll be able to preside over this area effectively. But yeah since I'm Elder Kioa's first companion out of training, I am, in missionary terms, his mother! Anyways, Elder Kioa and I are ready for work and we're about to SMASH it here!

I really enjoyed church yesterday as well, Nadi ward is awesome! The members are so loving and inviting. I was actually blessed to give a talk in sacrament yesterday, and I don't know why but I almost threw up on the podium because of how nervous I was. The members seemed to enjoy my nervous twitches, stutters, and facial expressions, so I know they also have a sense of humor. Speaking of which, I was oddly insulted when my new ward mission leader called me haole during our brief Missionary Coordination Meeting, MCM after church. He also needs some time to learn how to pronounce my name, so until then my name is either Elder Islamabad or Elder Istanbul. I'm excited to see what world capital city he can come up with next... he really is a funny guy though. 

I learned this morning that my new companion is an excellent disciplinarian (and thus will make an excellent senior companion himself one day). I've come to Nadi for three reasons: To preach repentance and baptize converts, to follow-up train Elder Kioa, and to get black and skinny. Nadi is also notorious for doing that to people, so I'm excited. This morning, we went running. I haven't gone running since that one time in Nasinu, so my legs still feel like they're full of lead. I'm pretty disappointed at this moment because I thought that I had to have run like four miles this morning, but I just checked the distance on google maps and it's just barely two miles there and back. It's okay, a hard run is a good run. Elder Kioa noticed I struggled the first time to our destination, so he was right behind me the whole way back egging me on and pushing me to keep going despite my pleads to let me stop. THAT's a good companion, those kinds of people in paddling and judo always got me through the season. 

MAN but yeah, everything is way good! I'm happy and healthy and glad to be in the West zone.

Thank yous so much for your prayers, I know I wouldn't be receiving all these blessings without them. I love you guys so much, hope all is well at home!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, now that I don't have Elder Mo'unga or the other missionaries to leach pictures off of, I may need that camera a little sooner than initially anticipated. Don't worry about it though!

Please give grandma as big a hug and kiss as you all can without hurting her for me, and massage her feet for two hours each (one for every year). Hau'oli lā hanau e ku'u tūtū! Aloha nui wau iā 'oe, e ho'omaika'i a me mālama pono! 

Again, love you guys so much! Have a great and blessed week!

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi

Elder Kioa

7-23-17 Humbling experiences

Bula vakaise hamaar parivaar wananavu!

Man it's been a long week, which is always way good! We were able to go out on exchanges with the zone leaders and the other elders in our district, double-exchanges weeks are always longer but heaps productive. 

When I was out with Elder Roberts (ZL) on Tuesday, I had several humbling experiences. 
I haven't had an umbrella for a long time (I have a horrible habit of losing or breaking them), and I haven't seen much use for one lately since we haven't seen heavy rain in a while. We saw it on Tuesday. While we were out finding, I was getting dumped on and soaked. We contacted a few houses in the rain, all of which bese'd us. I was cold, wet, my shirt became transparent and my kamakis were uncomfortably visible. As we walked, I received several impressions to knock on several doors/gates, but I ignored them because 1. I didn't want to sit on someone's couch soaking wet and 2. I didn't want anyone to see my underwear through my shirt (3. I didn't want people to pity me for not having rain gear). I bought an umbrella a few hours later when the rain cleared, and I haven't had to use it once yet. I didn't think much about the promptings I ignored. 

Tuesday night, we visited the Tarbiti family. Their 11 year old son was in the hospital having a tumor removed from his ear. Last we heard, he's doing alright and the operation went well. We brought a member with us to the lesson (another RM from Vanuatu) and taught a good brief lesson about the importance of receiving personal revelation through prayer, reading the Book of Mormon and church attendance. I led the lesson. When we left, I was mortified to realize that we didn't start the lesson in a prayer. We've made that mistake with that family a couple times before; it's usually because we're waiting for our member-present to arrive when the family starts asking questions about the reading assignment we gave them in our last visit or particular things they heard/noticed in church. We start answering the questions, then accidentally connect our answers to the topic we were planning to discuss with them and head straight into the lesson. Since Elder Mo'unga always leads the lessons, I blamed this last incident on him and the fact that it's happened before; like I was just ma'a starting the lesson without a prayer.

When Elder Roberts and I got home that night and discussed our exchange, I thought about the decisions I made throughout the day. 

Something happened a few transfers ago that I never wrote home about, but it's one of the most humbling experiences I've had so far in my mission and I feel like I need to share it. 

I told yous about how I found Shryna, the little girl I taught in Nasinu that was baptized improperly a couple years ago. There's more to that story that I found significant as I've gained experience over the last few transfers. When we were out that day with Raymond Koyamaibole, Elder Datoon told me to OYM a nani sitting on her porch. For me, if I receive a prompting and I have a good attitude about it, I'll OYM without hesitation. I personally felt no prompting whatsoever to talk to this nani, so I said no. He went off on all that "maybe she's the one you came to Fiji for, she's been waiting for you since the pre-existance, you're denying her salvation" stuff, and in all honesty while it was helpful in the end, it made me super mad. After several stubborn no's and with a really stink attitude, I walked back to the house and asked the nani if we could share a message with her. In the middle of my asking, she waved us away like flies. I was already upset, but after that I lost the fire to work. I walked silently ahead as Elder Datoon and Raymond conversed behind me. After a few minutes, I received a really strong prompting to knock on the door of a pink house on the left side of the street. As the spirit prodded at me, I told him "No way, I'm not in the mood right now" and walked past the house. Immediately afterward, Raymond told us to stop. He pointed straight at the pink house and said that he used to visit the family there with the missionaries. That's how we found Shryna. I don't believe she's being visited anymore because the missionaries after me expressed some difficulties with her, but I learned heaps of teaching methods (and patience) in our visits. 

Reflecting on Tuesday made me think about that experience. You'll be pleased to know that I'm definitely receiving my lessons on humility by our Father and I'm learning every day. I've stressed it countless times in my letters over the last year haha, but DON'T IGNORE PROMPTINGS. Blessings are promised as we follow the Holy Ghost wherever he'll take us; often in odd or unexpected ways, but they're blessings nonetheless.

I talked about how I saw my role as a junior companion in my email two weeks ago. I realized how selfish I was to throw Elder Mo'unga under the bus because I didn't begin the lesson in a prayer. I often feel like if anything goes wrong in a lesson, it's his fault because he leads the lessons and it's his responsibility to tell me what and when to teach/testify. I often forget that I have my own conscience and that there will be a time where I preside and will have no one to shield me.

Speaking of which, it's transfer week, and several sources say that I may be made a senior companion in the coming week. 

The sisters in the district held a baptism for two young men on Saturday, to which President and Sister Higgins were invited. President Higgins said something in his closing remarks that I always knew but never really thought about. He told the young men who were just baptized that at that very moment, they were completely anew. As they sat there in that chapel, they were without sin or blemish, like a baby straight out of the womb having committed no sin. In that moment that they left the water, they were perfect. It made me think of the urgency of receiving the gift of the holy ghost as soon after baptism as possible. Newly baptized members NEED that guidance to keep themselves clean and pure. Inevitably sins will be committed, but repentance will consciously become an important and essential thing in our lives as have the spirit and are sensitive to his promptings. 

This last week was definitely one of reflection and learning haha. We'll be heading out soon because Elder Mo'unga had a lot of things he needs to do as he approaches his last six weeks in the mission.

RIGHT OOOOON JADEN!!! It's not Fiji but HOLY SMOKES I'm so happy and excited for him! Tell me when he reports so I know when i can start writing him!

WAYYY GOOD ON MAKENNA, ILIHIA, AND SANDY AS WELL!! That really is awesome that they all get to serve in the same mission! It's like one area too I think, I don't really know how the temple square mission works but MAN how lucky for them!

Suva is doing an excellent job at sending missionaries out, in my time here we've already dismissed three on their missions. This week, two will be leaving, and another five or so over the next month! What a beautiful thing to see the work of the Lord increasing in numbers and vigor.

Alright we're heading out now, know that we're busting out as much as possible before one of us leaves the area and that we're doing it in great health and spirits! Can't wait to see what the next transfer has in store! I love you all so much, hope all is well! Have an amazing and blessed week! 

Khyaal rakna!

Bahut pyaar, 

Eldar Ishibashi

-Service project two weeks ago in the teitei (cassava patch)

After Church on Sunday 

-From museum P-day

Museum P-Day

-From last night

-Let me eat in peace

With an old Indian tapestry