Climbing trees, Bees and Machete's 5/25/2014

That's my BOY!!!

Well my week started off kinda rough! We have been trying hard to find people to teach but it's all Wesleyan people in my area and they have a Conference coming up June 23rd where people from the entire world come here to meet. (Tongans from all over the world.) So every single night they get together and ako hiva (song practice) So at night they aren't home and during the day they are all working which leaves our villages desolate... But we have been doing more lessons and actually had an investigator come to us! His name is Sitiventi and he had been baptized once but ran away when it was time to be confirmed. He really wants to get baptized and we were able to teach and talk to him and will continue teaching him everyday this week! He has a date to be baptized this week! I don't know if it's too fast there aren't really any rules that I'm aware of.. It's more just if we feel he is ready and I think he is! He really wants to go on a mission too! He is 23 and has time to go if he wants! He was definitely a blessing! But also we had a chance a while ago to teach an inactive member about the Word of Wisdom! We taught him the W.O.W. and then he left and went back to Tonga! Well 2 days ago a member came over to us and told us they got a text from Poasi and his family! Saying how grateful they were for our example to him and also how he was so grateful for the message we shared with him and that he realized after the teaching how unhealthy it is to do the things he was doing and that he should clean up his life. Well now he is a strong member and wants to serve a mission also! He doesn't know if he will be able to because of tattoos but he wants to! I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to touch souls. Even when I feel down I know there are people’s lives that I have touched and that they are living better lives because of the Gospel!

Also Saturday was an adventure!!! It was a service day for us! But first in the morning we wanted to start off with a sweet snack!!! So we went with our buddy Sunia to a big mango tree with a BIG bee hive in it!!! He got an old coconut branch and lit it on fire to smoke the bees out... Then with his Machete he broke off the honey comb and that made the bees mad! He asked for another branch so I went to give him one and ran into 1 tiny bee... It stung me right between my nose and right eye... It hurt so bad!!! But it was well worth the fresh honey! haha After that we went to (tufi niu) which is pretty much searching for old coconuts on the ground that people feed their pigs with and make food with the coconut milk! While doing that we decided to climb coconut tress! Man was that an adventure.. Trying to get down was rough... I have a video hahaha! After that we just went to get fire wood for a member and it was fun chopping things with a machete! Oh we also caught a fish with a machete! That was interesting and cool! Tongans are talented!

Well this week is going to be good! I am having a good time, learning a lot and can't wait to progress in my knowledge! I love studying the scriptures and also other materials!

I learned this week from the B.O.M. that we need to learn from our own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others! In Alma 55 the Nephites send a lamanite named Laman to give the Lamanites wine that the prisoners will escape! Well it worked and when the Lamanites tried it on the Nephites the Nephites remembered what had happened previously! I would love to hear what each of you learn in your personal and family study! Please tell me!

Love you all

Elder Swan

Amazing~ What an adventure!

 

Don't let go

My Companion - Elder Caudill

I ate 5 Coconuts this day 

               




                 
                   

Can you see the little boy in this tree
He's a STUD!

Fresh Honey ~ So worth it 

Transfer? Maybe ~ Maybe not 5/18/2014

Family!!! Well it was SOOOO good to talk to you last week! I'm grateful for the phones we were able to use. I apologize for the no Skype! I know most missionaries get to Skype but some of us need to sacrifice Skype. It'll just be so much more special when I get to see all your smiling faces!

We came early to email today because we may get transferred! We should have found out last night but didn't so we may find out today. So we figured we would get an email in!

Oh yeah mom! Will you throw the Ukulele tuner in the box so if I get one i can keep it tuned?? Thanks!

This week was really slow! EVERYONE of the Wesleyan faith have song practice every night so we really don't have much to do! We try and visit members and in actives but they are always gone or busy! We taught a boy named Tanginoa on Friday and it went well and I asked him if he would read the Book of Mormon and he said no.... I asked why? He said he only believes in the Bible! I explained as well as I could that the Book of Mormon is another testament and that it works together with the Bible and the only way to know of it's truthfulness was to read it. I bore testimony and that's all I knew what to do! It's on him to try! But he showed up at church during my talk in Sacrament and I made sure he knew I knew he was there and I spoke to him! It was kinda cool. He seemed like he was listening really well at church. So if I stay here he will be a priority!

I had Ota ika last night! The raw bowl of fish!  Haha it was so yummy!

Well as for last week, not much happened. I hope you can email back soon! Hey did Abe say the box was Okay??

Times up I gotta go mom! I love you tons! Remember to read the B.O.M.

Ofa lahi atu!

Elder Swan

The work is picking up~ 4/27/2014

Zone Conference

Surprise!!

Kind of! Okay so the E-mail thing. I was not going to E-mail today because I received an answer to my prayer to be obedient to the mission rules! But then received a call from Elder Harmon who had just got of the phone with President Tupou! He said we are able to use computers at a public Internet house! Luckily there is one in our area! So we are able to net when its open! But the bad news is that most areas do not have them!  I've only known of two in Vava'u. So you are blessed! Haha! The reason why is because of Disobedience on the computers! It's a real pain because when we obey the rules and do our best we get the punishment along with everyone else. I have more to say but want to remain positive towards my family of Elders and Sisters in Tonga! It actually wasn't President Tupous call, It came straight from Salt Lake City! So It is from the Lord and it will only bless us! In a way I love it because we can only focus 100% on the work! But on the other hand I love hearing from you guys each week and receiving the help I need to carry on in my endeavors. I've been reading about Job. What a guy???!!!! He was so strong and faithful! Even when Satan took everything he had he blessed the Lord and remained perfect and upright escheweth evil! I am trying to be like him and always be obedient and thank the Lord no matter what situation I may be in because It could always be worse! I think that was from Uchtdorfs talk! One thing Pres. Tupou said was in the Book of Mormon the verses that say "it will come to pass" are incredibly powerful! Know that with every trial we receive, it will come to pass!

We had an opportunity to have President Tupou come to Vava'u for a mission Conference! He helped us a great deal in our struggles to find people to teach! After words we decided to put his lesson right to the test at our fafanga! He wants us to role play with members so they won't be scared to invite people to listen to us! So we role played! Usually the family feeds us and kinda wants us to leave! But the Lord blessed us with the entire family sitting in the living room! So we went for it! The dad (Faleula) Is usually standoffish and shy and not really into missionary work! But after a few role plays with his kids I asked him if he would role play! He said sure so Him and his wife role played for a good 5 min! It was awesome and the spirit was super strong! We challenged them all to invite the people who they role played and we will check up on them today! We also realized the Members aren't supposed to help us... We are here to help them. They are all really busy! So we are here to visit the inactive members and invite people to come unto Christ! After putting that into perspective we went our searching for Inactive members! We have 14 or so that we are gonna try and bring back and teach their families! The work is picking up!

I only have an hour so times almost up!

This is me teaching a goat, a pig and a horse. Even some animals won't even listen to us...

I was called to preach the Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and "creature"...

:)

The horse was not having it... He ran away 4 times but luckily
he was tied to a tree or else I don't think we would
 have gotten one word in... 

 As for things I want/ need!

Razors, toothpaste, face lotion, Advil, neosporen, band aids

Grandpas hot mustard and Salami... if possible.. haha

English hymn book one of the small ones

conference edition of the Liahona!

Letters from friends since I have no more e mail most likely!
Pictures!

More church things :) just the little things you always send!

Scripture tabs for my Tongan scriptures!

Small English PMG (Someone took mine)kinda.. I gave it to a member that is serving in SLC in June!

HI CHEWS!!! and See's candy stuff...

tape

Spanish to English dictionary... If you think that's a dumb idea its okay! I thought it could be easier to learn 2 languages! Just learn a word for each one! If you can!

Times up! I love you all! Until next week
Love Elder Swan

Another week down! 4/20/2014

~Elder Swan State Champion~

Well another week down in Houma! It's been a better week. We were able to teach 2 lessons this week... That's more lessons than we have in 4 weeks... We've been having a hard time here but I think It is slowly picking up! We are still trying to catch Samiu to teach him but His family was sick and he was taking care of them then on Friday he was drunk... So we couldn't really teach him hahaha. But we did get to teach Siosaia, he is 17 and is a pretty cool kid. He's pretty strong in the Wesleyan church but He set up a time for us to teach him today at 4 so I hope that goes well! We also got to know a girl who is 18 named Mele. She has a wild story but has talked to the Elders before! She was going to be baptized but her dad wouldn't let here. But now that she is 18 she can choose! So I am hoping we can teach her soon and give her this wonderful gift of Eternal life. There are times when I think "What's the point of me working and trying to teach these people when they don't like me or don't listen... But then I tell myself that no matter what I will try because it is Eternal Life!" So that's my motivation. It's tough but I know there are those who will take a leap of faith and grab hold of the Gospel! So I just need to find them! And I will!

 I love you all so much!!!! Fast and pray for our success and also the success of all missionaries !!!! Love you !!!!
I hope you have an awesome time in Vegas!!! TANNER HAPPY BIRTHDAY... 17 .. Holy Freak... I guess I'm next..20- We are old goobers man! Take it easy.

My favorite kid in the world
His name is Tomasi and he is our best friend!

This morning I was fighting some kids with sticks.
                   It got pretty WILD!!!

This is Sione toki, we are trying to teach his family.       It's not working out to well but he is a stud!

These two cute girls Lute and Salifaia are grading                                coconut meat.

This is a Molokau~~ They are huge centipedes and they are poisonous. Our Branch Pres. took the fangs out Haha !!!  So CREEEPY!!!!

Thanks so much mom I got my packages!
I have already finished Legacy of Faith and Joseph Smith! I loved them!

Where the Wesleyan's hang out 

Need a shave?

Two weeks is to long :) 4/8/2014

     We had not heard from Tyler for 2 weeks and it's been just about killing me waiting and waiting for an email but late last Sunday night we got a quick email from Elder Freer letting us know that Tyler was fine and that their computer was broken and he would email us as soon as he could. What a sweet and very needed email from Elder Freer~ thank you. Then I had a wonderful surprise Tuesday morning when I opened my email and saw this from Tyler.  

MOM!!! I got a chance to e mail today! So I will make it fast! The past two weeks have been..... The same!! Kinda no fun without the success, but I am so happy for all the Elders that are getting success! There will be a day!! :) But Last Sunday we showed up to church with 0 people there 30 min before it started... Finally 15 min later our branch pres and 1 other showed up... We started church with 5 people including me and Elder Katolo. Instead of bread we had crackers which was funny! Katolo blessed the bread and water and I passed! After The Sacrament was passed 4 more people showed up but that was it! Our Branch pres decided to end church after everyone bore their testimonies and we just went to all who were sick and shared a message and gave blessings! It ended up being really cool! Transfers were this week and I am staying here with Katolo! We both think next transfer we will be training.. Which I hope I train a Palangi! We have 1 solid investigator and He is really doing well. We set a baptism date for the 19th! So hopfully that can go through and all will be well! I want you all to know that everything will be okay. 

 I love you all sooo much! Miss you heaps!!

Your son

Elder Swan

Funeral's in Tonga/Tubs of Ice Cream 3/23/2014

Elder Caudill, Elder Riddle, Elder Ika, Elder Swan

Family! How is it??

I'm just in Tonga, our Branch pres told us to be quick so I am gonna summarize this week!

It was a normal week in this small town! Except there was a funeral! Funerals in Tonga are different than in the states! They Shut down the entire town! No playing music no playing volleyball , marbles or anything! And it's for a full week! They also wear all Black! No other colors.. So we got invited to the putu and went but we had to wear our missionary dress! So us being the only white people there and also wearing white shirts was really scary! A lot of dirty looks were thrown our way.. But we took a mat and gave it to the family and then went to see the body... We were in the line and I saw that every single person in front of us kissed the body.. It being too late to bail because there are people behind us and we were next, Nelisa the member we were with turns to us and says "'Uma" Which means kiss! So I kissed her then Caudill did too! It was an event that we wont forget.. Then afterwards they gave us a raw bag of meat! hahaha but I honestly believe people go to those to just eat.. They fed us 3 times... Haha!!! It was also Caudills B-day on Saturday so we got 2 big tubs of Ice cream.... Between me, Caudill, and Ika we only ate half of one together then me and Ika decided not to waste it so we promised to eat until it was gone... Bad idea.. I ended up eating a full tub... Ika is a bigger boy so He took it well.... I went and threw it all up as soon as I finished!!! Nasty!! Haha

The good news! We just got a referral on Friday and he lives in Ha'akio so we taught him and he is super interested! His name is Samiu! He is 21 and wants to learn all about it. He has talked with missionaries once before but had a problem with his family! So now we are hoping he will continue to search for truth as we teach him! I think he is one that is ready to receive this Gospel!

Other than that, that's about it!!  Ohh... I just took laxatives..... Uhh ohh!!!

What is better than what I'm doing? 3/16/2014

Mom, Dad, Family of all sorts and sizes,

This week was pretty good! I was thinking it was gonna be a slow week but it turned out pretty well! Tuesday through Wednesday was kinda slow! We just visit with people and try to get them to help us but sometimes they are just too lazy! It's like, do they not know how important it is to help these people find eternal truth and happiness! Mosiah 28:3 " Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that one soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble" Why can't everyone be like this? D&C 88:81 "... and it becometh every man who has been warned to warn his neighbor" There is a lot of work to do! And It's not gonna get done with only missionaries! We need the help of those who have been "Warned" and if you are a member of this Gospel then yes, you have been warned and yes, it has been commanded of you to help share it and bring others to eternal happiness!  I like how in Mosiah it says they "Could not bear" They have been given such a strong love for all people and they would not stop until they helped all they could! I know it's hard because they aren't full time missionaries but even still, there is nothing more important than the Gospel in this life!  Some people let silly things get in the way of what is truly important, but we need to all remember how short this life is compared to Eternity! Shouldn't we want all our Brothers and Sisters with us? I know I do! And that is one thing that will be changing when I return home! I will put this gospel before all else!

Well that's my spiritual preaching today!

On Thursday we had a baptism! His name is Taniela! He is a ho'eiki! Which is a high Chief of this village! He's 37 and I love the guy! I don't know him very well but since I've been here he has quit smoking and has been baptized and received the holy ghost! He is on his way to be sealed to his family in a year! Also yesterday, Sunday night, we had a Musical Fireside! It was amazing!! You know Tongans and their Music, well in a spiritual setting WOW!!! Like nothing else. Here's how it went...

Song, Testimony, Song, Testimony, Song, Testimony etc.. all the missionaries in that stake were there and we all brought investigators or inactives and It was amazing!

Well that's about all that has happened in tiny old Houma! But Hey what is better than what I'm doing? I get tons of good study and get to share it!
I love you all and miss you all!

Ofa lahi atu!
Elder Swan

So some pictures wont send because they are too big! But I do have a funny not so fun story! I got this huge Punga (Idk the English word for that) under my arm pit! It was the size of a golf ball and it was almost like a boil. it got so big and painful I couldn't put my arm to my side. So I went to the Hospital and got some meds. The next day after a sleepless night, I woke up and there was a head on it so I could finally pop it! And oh boy did I do so! I had Elder Katolo film it and it is Hilarious!!!! We were dying! The pain was horrendous but it was so worth it! I put my fingers beside it, pushed super hard and PAAAAAA Tons of gunk squirted out and shot 4 feet to the wall and hit the mirror! There was enough to fill like 3 shot glasses! It was nasty!!! But it hurt!! But that's my nasty funny story of the week!

Dripping down the walls and all down my side... NASTY!!! I believe it is from the water in Vava'u. It's NOT CLEAN!!!
Sorry to disturb your Sabbath :)

Elder Swan