Week 46 & 47: Helping out the locals

Picture with Mule. Lee not in picture :)

 

Aloha Kakou!

So many amazing things are going on here in the Kekaha area. The work is moving really fast! I'm excited to tell you some of our experiences in the few last weeks.

We have been able to teach so many lessons to some awesome people. One of our investigators' names is Marsha. She has been taught by missionaries, and been closely connected with the church for years! I wondered why past missionaries haven't recently taught her. She goes to church and scripture study class every week! Me and Elder Tipa were asked by her if we could help move some things out of her house with another member named Anthony (He's hilarious by the way. He poked me in my stomach when I met him at church). Then after the service was over, we went to a bench near the ocean (Everyone is so close to the ocean in Kekaha) and she asked what we were going to study today. I felt a strong feeling just to talk about re-introducing the lessons to her again. I said "Marsha. Today we are going to talk about your relationship to God." We asked about her history with being taught by missionaries and she says it's been a long time since she'd been taught. Then we talked about learning the lessons and being baptized. She quickly said that she wanted to know everything beforehand. And we said that we would teach her. We asked what day she thinks she could be baptized. She said August 20th. I replied, " Marsha, that's inspired. You know why? Because that's my BIRTHDAY!" She set her baptismal date for my birthday! So we're going to do everything in our power to get her ready by then. Up till now, we're scheduled to meet at the end of this week.

Another person we are teaching is a man named Tim. He is a newer convert to the church and we are teaching the after-baptism lessons. He already has a really strong testimony and great faith. We had dinner at his house and taught the Plan of Salvation with him and he shared some really hard experiences with us. He told us that he is glad to have something like the gospel to guide him. He really loves missionaries and we could really tell how much he already loves the gospel.

We had a lesson with Dawson! We went to his home and taught him the Restoration. It went really well! The spirit was really strong. His wife, who is a member, was able to sit in on the lesson and the spirit in the room greatly affected her too. He accepted our invitation to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it's true. I'm so excited to keep teaching him.

We have made some really good friends with the neighbors as well. Our across-the-street neighbors were in their driveway cutting carpet. We quickly ran over and helped them cut it. They were really grateful. Now we see them all the time and they always wave and talk to us. I love the community where we live. Everyone already knows everyone and talking is really easy.

One fun thing we were able to do is go do volunteer work at a cocoa plantation. We got to open cocoa pods and take the seeds out that they use for chocolate! Maybe one day you could be eating a chocolate kiss that I helped make. You never know.

One of our members, Brother Palacio, had to move and we helped him move for about a total of 4 days. As a token of his gratitude, he let me play his guitar. (My guitar is missing a string ) And it was very pleasing. Trust me.

We had our last zone conference with President and Sister Walker. It was the saddest meeting I ever went to. They just gave us life advice like we were their kids. Then when we did our final interviews, they put our families on video chat to brag about us. My family was in Disneyworld for this so my mom and dad were huddled in a corner while in line for one of the rides. Then I said an emotional goodbye. They profusely said they loved me.

Us Elders performed a farewell Haka dance for the Walkers. It didn't look very authentic with Elders like me performing it   but it was still very fun.

Never miss out on an opportunity to give service to those around you. Everything you do as a disciple of Jesus Christ is service to others. And great is the joy of him\her who serves.

Have a fantastic week! Happy Belated Fathers' Day!

Love, Elder Nielsen

Weekly Planning: Glasses found in church gym. 

Our Neighbor Willie helping us open coconut.

Cacao plant. 

Proof of life with cacao

Comp study BY  the beach.

Elder Tipa appreciating Kauai flowers

Found a bag full of leaves while we were tracting.

Cool hike northern Kauai