Week #54

Bula Vinaka Matavuvale tawamudu! Sa yawa sara ga na macawa sa oti kei sa vuabale na yaloqu ena reki ni noqu Kalou! The work of the Lord just doesn't stop here in Levuka! I am so happy right now and praying that when our Mission President calls us for transfers tomorrow that I will have the privilege to serve the people here just a little longer! So many amazing things have happened this week. I feel too lucky to serve in such an amazing area where many decide to add to our numbers daily! The faith of the Fijians is incredible. Last week on Monday night we had a BOMB family home evening! We talked about the Liahona and how it works according to our faith. When Lehi and his family became idle or lazy (vucesa) the Liahona would cease to work and they wouldn't progress in their journey. We talked about how at this time the work of the Lord is hastening and if we want to continue to increase as a branch we need to exercise more faith in Jesus Christ and we invited them all to go and ask their friends to sit down with us and to start being bold in sharing the gospel. All of the members and even our investigators who came got so exited to share the gospel and they just started bearing their testimonies and it was so powerful. The rest of the week their testimonies showed through their works. The members this week have been giving us so many of their friends to go and visit! Tuesday we went to go visit Sister Nani. It had been a long time since we had last seen her. During the lesson we could feel through the spirit her desire to be baptized! We talked to her about the baptismal covenant and what baptism means! Elder Ruwhiu and I both knew she was ready. We invited her to be baptized on the 21st....(which was yesterday!) She was way excited! The only dilemma was that we still had 2 more lessons to teach her and we were planning on going out to Moturiki the next day. We decided that it was much more important to stay and help Sister Nani prepare for her baptism. Our zone leaders came out on Saturday to interview her and it was pretty funny how nervous she was. Our zone leaders told us that at the end of the interview she asked, "Did I pass...?" hahaha I thought that was pretty funny! The rest of the week we spent preparing Aditabua and Diana to be baptized as well. I can say with certainty that Satan did not want these three women to be baptized.... he worked hard on our investigators and Elder Ruwhiu and I had to push through challenges and work harder to help strengthen them! It has just been a fulfilling week knowing that satan didn't win and all three of them made it to their baptism! I am just so happy! So you probably all heard Fiji won the gold medal for Rugby! This morning we had this small town parade with the members and everyone from Levuka! It was pretty fun. Today is a holiday in Fiji so we are having a ward sports day! The whole branch is getting together and we are going to play rugby, soccer and netball! I'm super pumped. I love everything about the people here. They are family! Elder Ruwhiu and I are hoping we get another transfer together because so much is happening in Levuka! As members of the church we cannot compromise. The closer we come to Christ the harder satan works. We cannot miss a day of prayer or scripture study. I know that to be true. I know we can strengthen ourselves everyday by praying and reading and allowing all of our decisions to be made through the gift of the Holy Ghost! I love you all and am loving being in the service of God! Thank you all for your prayers!

Much Love, Elder Jonati