We had a pretty cool week this week, life is cool here in Taha'a.
Tuesday I think my bike got more work on it than any other day on my mission. We rode at least 40 miles on Tuesday, with this huge sector that we have. We met a french hippie named Plume, that talked for like an hour straight about her hippie life, and the hippie conventions she's been to and stuff...who knew you could find hippies here at Taha'a. We also checked out a new house that we were wanting to move into after that, with a missionary couple that came from Tahiti for the week. We had a coordination meeting after that, all in Tahitian...I'm goona track down whoever created that language and give them a piece of my mind, because it's sooo hard. But I'm making some progress, it's getting a little easier. I'm up to about 20% comprehension.
On Wednesday we went on a split with our DMB and his wife, who took us around the whole sector and showed us where all of the members and the investigators live. Thursday we had to pack up all of our stuff in the morning, because we found out that we were going to be moving. The afternoon our bishop helped us make like 4 loads in his truck to get everything moved over to our new house. The new house is great, it is like 6 times bigger than our old house. The only problem is that the plumbing isn't quite finished, so we are doing bucket showers from the kitchen sink. But that's no big deal, some missionaries have to do that their whole mission. (sorry Zach) Our ZL's came over for a training here in Tahaa, and stayed the night with us.
Friday we did a split with our bishop for like the whole day, and went to see a bunch of investigators with him. I love our Bishop, this huge young Samoan, that speaks such bad french. He's the funniest guy. When we got to our dinner appointment, the dad was outside...skinning and gutting a dog! It was so gross! And it's gonna be left unsaid whether I ate some or not.
On Saturday Elder Stevenson came to Tahiti, and Saturday morning he did a special meeting for all of the missionaries. We joined them over the internet...not nearly as cool as being there, but it was super awesome. The spirit was so strong, and I learned so many things. That definitely doesn't happen often that an apostle comes to visit the mission. We had a way good day after that, 2 of our investigators accepted the invitation to be baptized. And then Sunday was great as well, in between the ward and the branch we had 11 investigators at church.
Je vous aime, et faaitoito pour la semaine!
Elder McQuiston
Pics:
The first one is a pic with my district and zone leaders. The second is a pic from the split with bishop, hiking through the forest, the third is us on a conference all to the meeting with Elder Stevenson and the last one is from this morning cuz its pouring rain
Hello everyone from Taha'a! It is incredibly pretty here, when you think of paradise, this is what comes to mind. We definitely had a crazy week this week, with a lot of stuff to do and a a lot of changements.
Tuesday of last week I spent showing the new Elder around the sector, because they were whitewashing the area. And then Tuesday night I went up to President's house to meet my son, who is Elder Arlington. He is from Indiana, and was home-schooled, because his family moved around a lot. I'm way pumped to train for the first time!
Wednesday we had to go back up to President's house, to pick up my son. And then we went around my old sector together, and I said goodbye to everyone. And then Wednesday night was Vaiarii's baptism. It was super cool to be able to be there right before I left, which I may or may no have arranged that way on purpose... It is sad to leave Mahaiatea, I loved that sector, and I had so many good friends there.
Thursday morning me and my son took the airplane headed for Raiatea. When we landed in Raiatea our zone leaders were there to pick us up, which is Elder Goodwiin and Elder Omorodion, my old companion. We chilled for a while together, waiting for the boat for Taha'a. And then we took the boat, and our Bishop was there ready to pick us up and take us to our new home.
Friday-Sunday were all spent trying to get to know everyone here, the investigators and the members. I am hoping that we will be able to quickly get the hang of things here, so we can get to the grind and start working. This morning we went fishing on the other side of the Taha'a, and then ate it for lunch; fish, crab and these oyster things. So good!
I love you all, have a great week!
Elder McQuiston
la ora na tout le monde!
So first things first, I was super shocked Thursday night when we got the transfer calls, and I found out that I am getting transferred as well. I'm going to the island of Tahaa, and I'm going to be whitewashing, training, and district leader. On Wednesday I'll be picking up my son, and then Thursday we'll be taking the plane together. I'm super pumped, it is definitely going to be a crazy experience that's for sure.
Our week actually went really really good. We fixed 4 baptisms this week, and had a lot of people at church on Sunday, I'll send pics. We also worked really well with the ward, and have a bunch of activities planned. I'm glad to know that I'm leaving the area with it doing so well. I'm sad to be leaving everyone here, I've made some really good friends, but that's the mission I guess. The end of this week was pretty much just full of goodbyes, and then this morning I had to say goodbye to all of the elders that are finishing today, which was way tough.
Other than that I've got two funny stories for this week. The first one is that I had like insomnia Thursday night, and couldn't sleep at all. So Friday I was super tired, and I had to take a nap. Well turns out I couldn't even fall asleep for my nap. So I took some melatonin, and realized as soon as I took it how bad of an idea that was. I was literally like a walking zombie for the whole rest of the day, I had to use every single ounce of my strength to battle the sleep that tried to envelope me. Moral of the story, do not take sleeping medicine in the middle of the day.
The second story is that the other day we were with an investigator, and she said the closing prayer an started crying, because she was super touched by the spirit. Well turns out she like never cries, and when her son saw her he yelled, "Dad, mom's crying!" And her husband comes out and stares at us and is like, "uhh, why is my wife crying?" It was super awkward haha good times.
Well, that's it for this week, talk to you guys from Tahaa!
Elder McQuiston
Pics: The first one is our class of investigators and recent converts at church, the second is us eating lunch by the ocean, the third is a picture with Tehaamatai family, and the last one is with DMP and his wife.
y
la ora na everyone!
From what I read it sounds like everyone had a way good time at Disneyland, which is good news. E had a decent week this week with some good times. On Tuesday we went and saw G., because it was his last day here before he moved. He announced to us Tahiti the found a job at Faaa, and that he is getting married, and his future wife is getting baptized at the end of the month. That was awesome news, he is already getting super blessed for his obedience and his decision to follow Christ and get baptized.
Tuesday night Elder Gilstrap got an emergency transfer to Moorea for the last of his mission, and a french elder named Elder Dieutre replaced him here at the house. He doesn't speak hardly any english, so we've been talking in French the whole week. I feel it slipping already my English haha its getting corrupted. We were able to go to the temple with Guy to do baptisms of the dead Wednesday night, which was super cool, I love Guy so much.
On Thursday my toe was finally healed, and I was able to play sports and wear normal shoes in the first time in like 2 weeks which was great. On Thursday the Jehovah Witnesses stopped by to try and preach to us and so I roasted then in bible bashing, which doesn't do anything, but it's always fun.
Saturday was super fun, Elder Thorpe went to his old areas for some marriages and a baptism. So I was with Elder Prete and Dieutre all day in their truck (sooo much better than bikes). We did the lessons that we had planned in both areas. Kinda funny, after one of the lessons with a 12 year old girl, her mom brought out bananas, and I was STARVING, and literally downed like 12 bananas, and the little girl just stared at me with this astonished look on her face. Good times.
This morning we did a hike up to a lake called Lake Vaihiria way up in the mountains in the middle of the island, which took forever to get to. It was incredibly pretty, and is definitely a must see, even tho we spent all morning going to the forestation and the mayors office to get permission to go. Worth it 100%.
I love you all, and have a great week this week!
Elder McQuiston
Pics: The first 3 are from Lake Vaihiria the last one is with Gaspard and DMP.
