Elder Brown 12 June 2017

Malo e lelei!

The internet has been weird all over Vava'u over the past couple weeks so I'm glad it's back to normal, knock on wood. We don't have anything to do today but email since everyone's getting moved around today, so I'll give you two weeks worth of goodies! I even promise to email Ali!!!!!

We got a new investigator last week who's talked to quite a few missionaries over the years. He is the only one in his family who hasn't been baptized; his father was just ordained as the stake Patriarch and his sister got back last month from Korea. At first we could tell that he didn't really want to be there, so we asked him if he was really interested and he told us no, we joked around a bit and he asked "we all pray to the same Lord, why don't you leave us alone? I already believe in Jesus." We hear that question like every day so we gave him our best lesson 1 and he said he gets it now. He came to church last week but didn't accept the invitation to be baptized, we're good friends by now and we'll continue digging.

Yesterday was transfers, and my comp and I are both staying. I love my members and the people we teach so that was a happy phone call.

Yesterday president Makai and his wife came to our sacrament meeting. They brought with them a couple of their friends from Utah and they asked me to translate. I had a really hard time following along over the sound of my own voice. Every once in a while, I'd come across a phrase that I'd have to think about, so I would end up falling behind a few seconds; I would invariably end up lost. I would start out each talk okay but a couple of minutes in they'd tell a joke or use a Tongan idiom and I'd be lost, so I'd make up my own talk and my own jokes so now they think I'm a Tongan expert. President Makai was sitting right there and he gave me some quizzical looks, but then he realized what was happening and we started laughing. it was bad for my linguistic self esteem but it ended up being pretty funny and me and President have an inside joke that isn't going away anytime soon. Mom and dad area coming to pick me up in October, so they should be aware of this before asking me to be their interpreter. Go find someone that speaks Tongan :)

This is a small area, and we have a day or two a week that's full of cool stuff that the rest of the time goes by pretty slowly. Everyone's gone until 1 or 2 and its hard to find stuff to do, Teaching doesn't happen as often anymore and we only get 3-4 lessons a week with an investigator. When it happens, it's a lot of fun and I appreciate it a lot more than I did before. I hope I get to finish in a crazy area so I can get some work ethic lessons in me again.

I love the Lord and this church is true. Sorry the internet's been uncooperative; hopefully it won't be happen more. Thanks for all the emails and the support!

'Ofa lahi atu!

Elder Brown

Jennifer Brown

copan@att.net

To learn more about me, click here!

Elder Brown 22 May 2017

Mother's Day Skype with Elder Brown!

Malo e lelei!

I got a camera, so although I'm short on time I'll post some pictures!

We went this morning to Mount Talau and had a grand old time. We woke up at 5 but the truck didn't show up till 6:30, so we didn't get to see the sunrise from the mountaintop. I got a picture on the road though and the sunrise was beautiful.

A quick cultural lesson about Tonga: Tongan Time is different from Hawaii Time. In Hawaii, things run a little behind schedule. It's not strange o start a meeting 15 or 20 minutes late. Tongan time is totally different and unpredictable: if we're supposed to have a meeting at 6, the thing starts right at 6 half the time and at 6:45 the other half of the time. My companion swears that he can tell when something'g going to start on time or not, but I have no Idea how it all works. I've just gotten used to waiting :)

President Tui'one is in New Zealand, so the first counselor, President Makai, took over and a few surprise transfers have taken place. My companion, Elder Langi, was transferred to Talihau and I'm now companions with Elder 'Uvea from Ma'ufanga. He came in about two months ago but he's very confident and he's a lot of fun. I love this guy! Elder Langi was hard at first and we left on a bit of a bad note; I think time will heal that one however and we'll be best friends before we know it.

Things have been really slow here; we knocked on everyone's door in our area last week and very few people let us it. We have a tiny little area so I'm not sure what to do from here other than go back to the people who weren't home. Knocking doors was the thing I was always scared to do when I got in, but now it's fun. I just wish more people would listen to us.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous this week; its been sunny and like 70 degrees and windy. Just another day in paradise. I love it here and this place is absolutely beautiful.

It was such a blessing seeing my mother's face on mother's day! I know she prays for me along with all of you and I know that your prayers help me when I'm out of juice. Last week while we were going door to door I just wanted to sit down and go to sleep, but I said a little prayer and I made it. This would be a lot harder without all of your prayers and encouraging words.

I love the Lord,my companion, and the people of Tu'anekivale!

'Ofa lahi atu!

Elder Brown

Elder Brown 25 April 2017

Malo e lelei!

This will have to be a short one, most of the baptismal plans have dropped through except for Semisi and Loleini and their family; it doesn't seem clear whether or not they'll be able to be baptized before the transfer, which has us at least a little nervous because word on the street is that this transfers going to be a weird one. We'll see what happens.

Elder Langi and I are getting along a lot better now than we were before, and things are a lot easier now in our area

The bishop is about to leave and I don't know what else to write about, so I love you and I'll continue to email to the greatest extent I can!

'Ofa atu!

Elder Brown

Elder Brown 17 April 2017

Malo e lelei!

We had a good week this week! We came early to the church and the network is cooperating, so I should be able to email everyone today,

The Wesleyan minister here went over to talk to Semisi and Loleini about the LDS church, and it's not super clear what they talked about. We've gone over a couple times since then but they tell us they're busy. They said to head over tomorrow, so we'll see what's up then. I know they felt the spirit and they've had all the lessons, so the ball's in their court. My blood is clean but it stinks to wait on other people like that.

Last week went pretty quickly; a lot happened and lots of people have made progress or lost interest; Everyone seems to have either gotten to a point where they're comfortable or where they want to change, and we're focusing on preparing people for baptism. Semisi and Loleini still seem to be the most likely for baptism, so we fasted for them yesterday and will be going to them tomorrow.

Friday and today are holidays, so the temptation to go swimming has been in full effect. I won't do it!

I love the Savior and we went around the whole week talking about him. We gave as many spiritual thoughts and- lessons or scripture verses as we could, and that made this week special. I love this church and I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he leads us.

'Ofa atu!

Elder Brown

Elder Brown 12 April 2017

Malo e lelei!

The internet was down again on Monday, so sorry I wasn't able to get a letter off. The bishop and my companion assure me that it doesn't happen often, and even though most of the areas in Vava'u have computers the connection in many areas is spotty at best. The internet people came yesterday and the computer is up and running, so we're sneakily here netting on a Wednesday. It's been two weeks in a row now, so I didn't want to wait till next week

Since I've gotten to Tonga, people have been telling me that the work in Vava'u is slow, and it definitely seems slow so far; I, however, happened to transfer in right when a bunch of people (whom missionaries have been working toward for months) are deciding that they want to be baptized, and so we have our hands full and we get to teach almost every day.

The family we're feeling the most optimistic about is Semisi, his wife Loleini, and their two kids. They have been talking to the missionaries for months now, but never seemed very interested. Last transfer, the district all came and helped to build a fence around their yard, which we were able to finish last week. This is one of the best wards I've worked in as far as fellowshipping goes; there's no awkward barrier between the Mormons and anyone else and it's taught be a lot. Semisi is still trying to quit smoking, so we're aiming for the 22nd for baptism. We love them and know they will make it.

We're teaching a 40 year old Australian guy in Ha'alaufuli. He's a lot of fun and a cool guy. He leads a congregation in the Churches of Christ, and he's very well read. He is the personification of the philosophies of men mingled with scripture, and it's been a challenge to teach him, even though he shys away from arguing and yelling. Teaching in English is still very awkward for me but we do the best we can, and the Elder I go teach with (elder Sulunga from Sacramento) is awesome. He reminds me of my brother Jacob and he's a great help.

General conference was great and many prayers were answered. Things in the companionship have been rough, and I found a lot of helpful thoughts and advice. I know that we have a living prophet and apostles.

I love you all! Thanks for all the letters!

'Ofa atu!

Elder brown

Elder Brown 27 March 2017

Malo e lelei!

President came around and interviewed everyone in Vava'u today in preparation for zone conference tomorrow, and so we ended up waiting in the house for hours. We would have emailed if we knew he would have been late. I've been limited on time for a couple weeks in a row now so I'll do my best.

We went earlier this morning to M'ounga Talau, the highest peak in Vava'u. It's one of the prettiest views I've ever seen and We got some cool pictures. It was awesome.

The work here's very different and a lot of fun; I'm really glad to be in an area like this and I'm loving it. Vava'u is a lot slower, and there are a lot of less actives. There are a couple of families we are working towards and we are still teaching a lot. We're working a lot with the less active members, and we got one family to show up and they brought someone who hasn't been baptized yet, so there's another baptism potential there too!

The members love us and would do pretty much anything for us. We love them and they love missionaries. They would let us eat their food, use their car, kiss their daughters, take their boats, whatever we want to do they would let us do it and no one would ever find out about it. Integrity is important!

I love it here! 'Ofa atu!

'Ofa atu!

Elder Brown

Elder Brown 20 March 2017

Malo e lelei!

I have been transferred to Tu'anekivale, Vava'u and am companions with Elder Langi from Kolomotu'a. This has been a major motivation booster and I couldn't be happier right now. I know Elder Langi from before, he used to be in my zone when I was a zone leader and I love the guy. We're very excited to work here. Lots of people tell me that this is a slower area, but I've already met a cuople of the members and I love them. It's cloudy here, but if it wasn't I'd send you pictures. It's really beautiful here.

That's all I can get off today; They've got internet here so I'll be able to email weekly as long as it's cooperating. It took a little while to get the pictures uploaded, so I'll fully update you next week.

'Ofa atu!

Elder Brown

Jennifer Brown

gohawaiianstyle@gmail.com

To learn more about me, click here!