Kanikapila... In Bora Bora
It's pretty funny going throughout the neighborhoods and hearing both the old and young people saying Luiaaaa which is basically a shortened version hallelujah. Luiaaaaa le seigneur. Praise the Lord
There was so many miracles this past week. The first miracle happened at the baptism we had. It was for two twins, me and Elder Parau each did a confirmation. It was really huge because this was my first confirmation I actually did. Someone asked me to confirm them and I had another Elder do it because it was my second week in the mission field and I was super scared/my language definitely wasn't there yet. This time was different, and the spirit and testimonies of the two little boys were so strong. When I confirmed one of the boys my tongue was loosened and words just started flowing out of my mouth.
The second miracle happened at church. We had so many friends, new members, and inactive members come to church. It was crazy because we had been going super hard visiting choke people and trying to have a bunch of lessons each day. We started showing up and making contact with inactive members and friends each day and inviting them to church/having a quick lesson or spiritual thought each time.
Kanikapila is the old Hawaiian way. Gathering around with family and friends and just jamming out on the ukuleles, guitars, and just singing out loud. I can truly say that music brings people together. From singing Bob Marley and Gregory Isaac's with a older gentleman. To jamming out at the docks with Papi Pierre and his Ohana singing E Huli Makou, Hanalei Moon, and some other Hawaiian and Tahitian songs. The love shared between everyone is so strong and feels just like Hawaii. This past week down at the dock I picked up Papi Pierre's Ukulele and started playing and singing Hanelei Moon, and to my surprise HE ACTUALLY KNEW THE SONG!!! He started playing it on the guitar, and his son and grand-daughter started singing along as well.
Other things:
- We ate so much good food this past week and had some days were we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner appointments in the same day and I've been absolutely stuffed.
- Right after the baptism/confirmation of the twins we went back over to their house to eat dinner and their Papi Patu (Grandpa Patu) brought over this Tahitian Ukulele and gifted it to me which was so crazy and extremely nice of him. No picture of the Ukulele right now because Papi Pierre is fixing some cracks, making a bridge for it, and putting on new strings since there weren't any on it.
- Transfer calls happened, it was sad to find out that Elder Yates will be leaving us for Raiatea, and Elder Parau will be leaving to Faaa again but this time he will be a Zone Leader over there. As for me, I've been blessed with another transfer here in Bora Bora.... cheeerrrreh three months down over here and blessed with another month and a half.
If you have the chance, you should watch the movie Chasing Mavericks. It has to be one of my favorite movies about a surfer who pushes himself to surf these monster waves.
In the end his mentor tells him that he doesn't care whether he paddles out or not, and he doesn't care if he takes that drop. The same kind of mindset can be applied to every situation in life. Sometimes it's better just to feel the wave, and to feel the energy around you. You don't always have to add that final thought in an argument, or follow the crowd. Feel the energy and power and react as you feel the need to.
"Vents favorables et mer suivante"
"Mata'i haumaru e moana mania"
"Fair winds and following seas"
Standing by in Bora Bora,
Elder Ellis
