The FIRST Stake Conference EVER in VANUATU!!

I love this little island and I’m loving it more and more every day.  I might just have you all move here when I finish my mission instead of me moving back to Utah! Everything about Vanuatu is beautiful!

On Wednesday of this week we had zone training.  Both the zone leaders and sista training leaders give training, so Sista Tagini and I taught about receiving personal revelation.  It went really well!   I shared the story of President Thomason speaking at a stake fireside for the youth.  He was asking questions from the pulpit and then calling out names of people to answer the questions.  I remember sitting in the congregation thinking that there was no way that President Thomason knew my name.  We had never talked and I was just one of many young women in the stake.  After the fireside I went home and forgot about the whole thing.  A few days later, I got a letter in the mail from President Thomason.  He told me that after he finished speaking at the fireside, he sat down and looked right at me.  He said in his letter that he was so glad that he knew me by name and wanted me to know how much he and Heavenly Father loved me.  What an amazing experience, huh??  I talked about how in-tune to the spirit my stake president was to be able to know how much I needed that letter and how, as missionaries, we need to be just as in-tune so that we can help our investigators become truly converted and the only way that is done is through the Holy Ghost. 

Friday, Sista Eron and Rivera came back from their zone conference in Santo.  They brought back everything they own, so that means they will be staying here for a while.  Sista Eron's health is getting worse and worse every day.  They think that it is cancer, but she goes in tomorrow to confirm it.  Please keep her in your prayers. 

My  Missionary District

 Saturday and Sunday was the first stake conference EVER in Vanuatu!  The whole chapel, all the rooms, and two huge tents outside were filled with people.  The mission president talked, along with his wife and the stake president.  Before the conference all the missionaries were given a pack of pass along cards.  During the mission president's talk, he encouraged all the members to take as many pass along cards as the missionaries gave them and give them to those who don't have the gospel in their lives.  We had 40 packs of pass along cards and we gave them all away!  Talk about getting the members involved! 

Saturday night, my district decided to drive around the island.  We loaded up in two trucks and made the 3 hour trip around the island.  Boy is it BEAUTIFUL!!  Here are just a few of the pictures that I took.  The sunset was also incredible that night!  It is sooooo hard not to just jump into the ocean.  Look at how blue and green that water is and how clear it is!  Temptation is real people!  The time with the district was super fun as well.

Papa Pakoa had his baptismal interview this week.  He is scheduled to be baptized on Saturday, along with Mama Sarah, Same and Emily.  One cool story that happened with Emily and Same this week:  We taught them the word of wisdom and when we got to the part about not drinking coffee, Same stopped us and explained that he drank strong coffee while he was on his ship at night to stay awake.  After we explained why coffee is bad and that the word of wisdom is a commandment from God, he agreed right then and there never to drink coffee again.  He they started listing off other unhealthy things he eats and was willing to give it all up if that's what Papa God wanted.  I was amazed.  He has some incredible faith and I have the blessing of knowing him!

Well, that's my week.  I love you all!

Elder Benry and Elder Ratu

Pikinini with a giant lizard (yes, I put it on my head and when
it started to crawl down my face I freaked out!)

This week has been one of the hardest in the mission so far, I just need to trust that God is in charge and has a plan for each and every one of us.

That's so weird to think that it's getting cold back at home in Utah and that you're using the heater!  All I want is air conditioning!  There is nothing better than good old AC:) We are moving into a new house tomorrow that is bigger so that we can host more sistas.  It has everything. .  . . . except for A.C.

Earlier in the week, Sista Tagini and I were able to do an exchange with the sistas in Malapoa.  They are in a trio so I stayed in Ohlen with Sista Beniata and Sista Oramnatang while Sista Tagini and Tesinga went to Malapoa.  We were able to get a lot of work done and, because all three of us are pretty new, improve our language skills.  These exchanges help me a ton because the other sistas expect me to lead, so I get to improve on that during exchanges.  I love those two sistas and was sad when the exchange ended.  Good thing we see them every week at district meeting:)

Sister Rivera (serving in Malapoa) and Sister Draper

On Wednesday, Sista Rivera and Eron flew in from Santo because Sista Eron has been having random fevers for the last three weeks.  They've been to the doctors in Santo and in Vila and can't find anything wrong.  It's scary to see her go from smiling and laughing to weak and shaking in just minutes.  It has us all very worried.  Sista Granger is thinking about sending her to another country for a third opinion.  We'll see what happens. For now they are staying with us and we are doing our best to help her in any way that we can.

On Friday, we got a call from the sistas in Santo saying that Elda Benry had been killed.  We could not believe what we were hearing.  Later that night, Elda Iund called me and explained to me what had happened and asked us to pray and fast for:  the eldas involved in the accident, Elda Benry's family and the Mission President and his wife.  Apparently five eldas were driving to the airport to send one to come to Vila for a transfer when they decided to switch from the designated driver to another elda who isn't very experienced at driving.  The roads in Santo are not even and when they hit a pot hole, the driver over corrected and flipped the truck.  Elda Benry was killed instantly.  Elda Ratu, the elda from New Zealand that came with me to Vila, was ejected from the car and is in critical condition.  He has been flown back to Auckland, New Zealand for medical care and recovery.  The other three eldas were not hurt.  Our mission has been mourning and praying and fasting for everyone involved in the accident.  At the time, the Mission President was in Tanna (The home of Elda Benry).  He was able to fly to Santo that day and then Tanna the next day to be with Elda Benry's family during a small funeral.  Please keep these people in your prayers. (See the next blog post to read the letter from the mission president.)

The day following the accident, Sista Rivera and I had the chance to teach the Plan of Salvation.  Maybe it's because I've never had anyone close to me die before, but as I taught the lesson, I KNEW that what I was teaching was true.  By the end of the lesson our investigator, Sista Rivera, and I were all crying.   Elda Benry will see his family again!  This life is not the end, and because of that knowledge, we can continue our lives with a greater desire to live so we are worthy to live again with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Elder Richard G. Scott was an amazing example of that as he did everything he could while he was in this world so that he could be with his beloved wife and two children who have already passed on.  

I love you all.  Thanks for the prayers and letters and emails.  Have a happy Thanksgiving!  

Crab for dinner!

Message from President and Sister Granger

This is what the Mission president sent everyone this week.   Elder Benry has been out for less than a year and is fairly new to the church.  Everyone that knew him said that he was the happiest, most loving person in the world and if anyone had to go, it would be him because he was ready.

My Dear Elders and Sisters,
We have some very sad news to share with you today and we are heartbroken to have to write this email to you all.
Last Friday, November 20th, on the Island of Santo, Vanuatu, Elders Dakunimata, Ratu, Benry, Daniel and Ned were involved in a vehicle accident.

Elder Katum Benry from the village of Saetsiwi on Tanna, Vanuatu was killed instantly. 
Elder Ratu sustained injuries.
Elders Dakunimata, Daniel and Ned suffered shock and minor bruising.

Sister Granger and I were on Tanna when Elder Dakunimata rang us with the news. We could not believe what we were hearing. We didn’t want it to be true. We immediately arranged for a charter flight to take us to Santo straight away to be with our Missionaries.

When we arrived at the hospital in Luganville there were lots of hugs and tears as we met with the Elders and let them know we loved them and were there for them and would help them. The other missionaries from the Zone were there as well as some members from the Church and relatives of Elder Benry.

Elder Ratu was a priority as we met with the doctor to determine the extent of his injuries and what needed to be done next to help him.
The hospital in Santo does not have the equipment necessary to give doctors a proper diagnosis of his injuries. The Missionary Department worked very hard to make all the plans necessary so that Elder Ratu could be taken by Air Ambulance from Santo to a hospital in Auckland so that he could get the best treatment and care possible. 
Elder Ratu was able to talk to us and tell us that he was coping okay. We arranged for him to speak to his parents. Elder Iauko and Elder Oten stood watch over Elder Ratu in the hospital all through the night in case he needed anything and he was airlifted out on Sunday evening.
We are hopeful that the injuries Elder Ratu has are not serious and that he will recover quickly without any lasting damage.

Elders Dakunimata, Daniel and Ned did not want to believe what had happened. They were overcome with grief and loss. We talked with them and reassured them and comforted them as best we could but they are taking it very hard.

As Sister Granger and I contacted Priesthood leaders and families and the Brethren at Area Office to make all the arrangements needed to help these Elders and also to take Elder Benry home to his village on Tanna we came to know that the Lord was with us and blessed us with many miracles to make the way easier as we tried to take care of everything. The right people were sent into our path and challenges were smoothed so we could accomplish our tasks.

A plane was chartered to carry Elder Benry home and Sister Granger and I were privileged to travel along with the coffin to Tanna where family and other missionaries were waiting to load the coffin onto a transport and begin the long drive up the mountain to Saetsiwi for the funeral and burial.

The District President of Tanna, President Morgan, had talked with the Village chief and offered on behalf of the Church to assist Elder Benry’s family with anything that they needed during this time. There had been some misunderstandings before but the Lord softened hearts and the spirit helped us to say the right words. We were able to organize to provide a bullock and a pig and other food as offerings of respect so the family could make a traditional feast.

The Chief also gave his permission for us to conduct a small funeral service for Elder Benry. It was a simple but meaningful service. 
After the service the chief thanked us for our help in returning Elder Benry to his family and for the gifts from the church.

Elders and Sisters, this is a hard thing for us all to bear. Many of you knew Elder Benry personally and remember his bright confidence and cheeky smile. He loved his Mission and loved being with his fellow missionaries. He was loved dearly by his family.

As we delivered his body to the waiting arms of his parents and family many of his aunties gathered around the coffin weeping and saying over and over – ‘He gave his life in the service of Jesus’.How true that is.

Elder Benry made the sacrifice to come on a Mission and share the Gospel with others because he had a love for the Savior and a testimony that was growing stronger every day. He was a young man who had a purpose in life and had committed himself to the service of the Lord.
How grateful we are for his time with us all and the memories we will have of him.

Elder Benry’s work as a missionary extends beyond this life because as a result of these events the Lord has sent the spirit at this difficult time to soften the heart of Elder Benry’s village chief and others and pave the way for the work of the Gospel to move forward in that part of Tanna. 

We may all be spread across three different countries and many different islands but may we be unified in our desire to follow the example of Elder Benry and be mighty missionaries with mighty testimonies as we continue to serve and teach the elect people of the islands of the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission. 

May the Lord comfort and bless us all as we come to terms with the loss of this great young missionary who always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye as he served.

I invite you all to offer a prayer for the family of Elder Benry that they may be comforted in their loss; for Elder Ratu that he will recover quickly, and also for the other three Elders involved in the accident so that they may have peace and comfort as they struggle with the experience.

We love you and pray for you every day
President and Sister Granger.

Mama Rachel was baptized!

Sister Tagini, Mama Rachel, Sister Draper, and Elder Iund

This week started off with an exchange with the sisters in Etas and Freshwota.  There is a major drought in Vanuatu right now and there is no water in Etas so the sisters are staying in Freshwota.  I went to Freshwota with Sista Lianos (from Micronesia) and Sista Monu (from Tonga).  We had so much fun in the area doing service together.  Sista Lianos even taught us how to bake a cake on the stove.  It so neat to learn things from people who grew up so differently than I did.  Teaching styles, life styles, everything is so different!  I can't wait for more exchanges to come.  We go to Malapoa this week and next week we'll fly to Tanna and stay there for 4 days of exchanges. . . that means I get to see the VOLCANO!!!  And I get to meet Sista Norton, the only other American sista in Vanuatu!  Ahhhhh!!!  I'm a little excited:)

Simone and Allison are doing well and come to church every week and Simone goes to Young Women.  The other day I helped her with Personal Progress.  Because the church is so new here, no one really understands what it is.  It was good to help her because I know what a blessing it was and is in my life.  

Sista Tagini's leg is doing better.  President Granger gave us money so that we could ride the bus to and from our area and that has seemed to help a little.  She still complains that her leg is going numb, but the pain is gone.  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but we talk to the nurse again today to see what she thinks.  We also celebrated Sista Tagini's birthday this week (even though it was a month ago).  We bought her a cake and sang happy birthday.  She loved it!

Elder Willoughby, Sister Tagini and her birthday cake and Elder Aka

We continued teaching Papa Pakoa this week.  He is around 65 years old and has lost a leg due to diabetes (or "sugar" as they call it here).  We teach him what we've prepared and he contributes the most amazing and spiritual comments!  He's reminds me of Steve Christaens from my home ward in West Jordan.  His trials have made him an incredible person with an eternal perspective.  He KNOWS that God lives and is aware of him and because he KNOWS that he trusts God 100% with everything in his life.  I love teaching him and feeling the spirit he brings to the lesson.  

On Thursday night our stake had the opportunity to hear from the area presidency as well as the Young Men's general president and the second counselor in the Sunday School presidency.  They focused on getting young men ready to serve missions and how it all starts in the home.  They also encouraged every member, who is of age and worthy, to get a temple recommend.  The closest temple to Vanuatu is Fiji and it is currently closed, but they promised blessings to those who hold a temple recommend and live worthy of holding it.  I learned a lot and it was nice to have other white people in the room!

Mama Rachel was baptized on Saturday!!  Oh man, I love that lady!  She is so sassy and so funny and just loves the church.  She was super nervous about her baptism but was completely calm when it finally took place.  She is solid.  She bore her testimony after her baptism and even though it was short, it was powerful.  I love my job!

Yesterday I had the chance to speak in church about missionary work.  Great opportunity, right?  Yeah!  If I was only fluent in Bislama!  But I tried to do my best and I can say the gift of tongues is real!  Heavenly Father helped me give a talk in Bislama and helped the people understand my message, even if it was only just a little bit of what I said.  Every day I am amazed at how aware Heavenly Father is of us individually.  He helps us and carries us through so many hard things.  What a blessing!  I love you all!  God is real!  He loves yumi everiwan!! 

Fire, Snakes and an Earthquake!

Hope you all had a fantastic week wherever you are in the world.  I sure had one here in Vanuatu!  

This week we went over to visit with the Relief Society president in our ward, when we finished storying with her, we asked if she had any friends or family we could teach.  She gave us the name of two sisters and then took us to visit them in their homes!  We talked with one mama (Latup) and she said she was very interested and would love to story with us. We taught her for the first time on Sunday and she said that everything we teach in our church is crystal clear.  She says it just makes sense.  We explained to her that the spirit helps us understand things and brings light and truth to our understanding.  It was so neat to see her drinking in everything we (and the spirit) had to say.  Afterwards, we went to the other sisters home (Mama Emily) and she said that she would take the discussions and her husband would as well.  When we finished teaching them the first lesson on Thursday, Emily's husband, Samie, asked when he could be baptized!!  It was awesome!!  The Lord is providing and preparing so many people for us to teach.  His work is moving forward and I have the huge blessing of being part of it!!

On Wednesday night our Zone Leaders, Elda Aka and Elda Willaby, came by to drop off some letters at our flat.  They told us that a store was on fire just down the street.  So all four of us went down to check it out.  A huge Chinese store was on fire!  It was super sad because these people live above their stores, so not only was this family's way of financial income destroyed, but their home was as well.   In Vanuatu they have dinky little fire trucks that do absolutely nothing. Fires are devastating.

On our way back to our flat, after looking at the fire, we walked by a members home where everyone was freaking out.  We asked what was happening and they said that a snake had come out of the bush because of the heat of the fire and had slithered into their yard.  Elda Aka went right on over with a stick and smashed the snake dead.  When he pulled the snake out of the bush, I realized why the family had been freaking out.  Snakes here aren't like snakes in Utah.  This snake was close to five feet long and as thick as my arm!!  Elda Aka was a hero!!

The next day we went with Mama Lidianna to go "fishing" for service.  By now you would think I know not to expect things to be the same here as in America, but really, how different can fishing get???  VERY DIFFERENT!  We went into the bush and walked for about a mile through grass taller than me (the whole time I was freaking out that a giant snake was going to eat me)  and into a swamp.  We proceeded to wade into waste high soft mud, and with a mosquito net, scoop fish out of the soft mud.  It was gross and I am never, ever doing it again.  But we did fill up a 25 kg. bag full of fish to sell at the market. 

Friday we had a nice little earthquake during one of our lessons.  No one was hurt, but hey! I survived my first natural disaster in Vanuatu!

Sister Draper, Mama Lidianna and Sister Tagini

Saturday we went to the doctor because Sista Tagini's leg has been going numb when we walk up hills and hurts all day.  The doctor can't find anything wrong and so he told her to limit her walking to a minimum. . . kinda impossible as a missionary in Vanuatu!  So we go in to talk to the mission president later today to find out what he is going to do with her.  I'll let you know what happens.  Maybe we'll get a truck!

I love you all!!  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  They help me get through every day.  Keep doing the basics:  reading the scriptures and praying- every day, every day, every day!  "Through small and simple means are great things brought to pass."

Transfers and Baptisms

My Jack-o-lantern from Vanuatu!

This week has been nice gogo!!!  We have stayed really busy and have worked a lot of hours in the hot, hot sun, but it feels so good!

  

On Tuesday we met with a new investigator named Grim.  He is a papa of two pikinini and is married to a beautiful young lady and plays in a string band.  We went to story with him and he sat down with his Bible and started questioning everything we taught him and asked for backup from the Bible.  He has read the Bible and is just like Joseph Smith.  He sees all the different churches, but doesn't know which one to choose.  We didn't have all the answers to his questions, but we promised to find answers and learn together next time we came.  That night Sista Tagini and I got to work!  We used "True to the Faith," "Bible Dictionary," "Preach My Gospel" and all other resources we had and we learned a ton!!  It was awesome.  Scott told me one time that you can find answers to any question you have if you look in the scriptures.  We found answers to all of Grim's questions and much, much more.  I am so excited to teach him tomorrow and show him what we found.  He loves learning and has such a strong desire to follow Christ's example.  The church is true!!  Proof is EVERYWHERE!

Beautiful sunset!

On Wednesday I got to go on an exchange with Sista Tune.  She finishes her mission this Wednesday so it was good to learn from her and see a different style of teaching the gospel principles.  She is over the Mapaloa area so I got to meet new people and stay in a new house for the night.  We had a lot of fun! She even made me pancakes for dinner:)

Elder Jefferies, Sister Draper, Allision, Simone, and Sister Tagini

Saturday, Allision and Simone were baptized!!  The baptism was supposed to start at 10 a.m. but Allision and Simone didn't show up until 10:45!  Luckily, we are on island time here in Vanuatu, so all was fine and the baptism still happened-- just an hour late:)  Elda Jefferies performed the baptism and did a fantastic job.  After the service, we ate lunch with Sista Tune and Sista Torea who go home this week.  It was sad to say goodbye, but they have done amazing things here and have done a lot of good.  A mission isn't a waste of time!

Transfers were on Saturday and I didn't know they would be so intense haha!  Elda Iloa told us he would call around 8 p.m. to tell us what would happen . . . but 8 came . . . and then 9 came. . and then 10 came. . . and finally at 11 (when I was sure I was going to die) he finally called!  Sista Tagini and I will be staying together in Ohlen, BUT we have been called to serve as the Sister Training Leaders over the islands of Efate and Tanna.  I feel pretty overwhelmed.  I haven't finished training yet and now I'm supposed to go around teaching others during exchanges and teach at zone training and conferences. . . I have a lot of praying to do and will be relying more heavily on the Lord to say the least. 

Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, and letters.  I love you all so much and thank God for you every day.  Have a fantastic week!

Happy Halloween from Vanuatu!