Mele Kalikimaka!!!
Alohaaaaaa e mele kalikimaka ia kakou,
Aloha and Merry Christmas everyone : )
So much has happened this past week, from seeing the entire mission at our mission conference. Seeing my MTC companion Elder Hill for the first time in 14ish months, catching up with friends and teaching a whole bunch of crazy people over here in our sector.
Over this past week I've been reflecting on all of my experienced this past year and all the new faces that have become family. From ending last year and starting this past year in Bora Bora to trips to Raiatea and then back to Tahiti. Having one of the most legendary districts (Arue Braddahs) that was able to push and make change happen in the Mahina/Arue zone. Then taking a flight over to Nuku Hiva and after to Ua Huka. Learning the real meaning of planning especially when the boat with food wouldn't come on time. Learning how to deal with unclean water and growing to love the people of the island. Working with them and serving them no matter who they are because what it really comes down to is every one helping each other.
Highlights from the Week:
- Played beach volleyball on Monday with the other Elders in the district
- Had some dealer tell us he believes in prayer because when the cop's came to raid his house for pakalolo he prayed and the cops didn't find all of his stash.
- Had the Mission Christmas conference and got to see all the missionaries serving on Tahiti/Moorea and it was sick to see some familiar faces again. Also got a package and it had a bottle Chick-fil-A sauce......
- Ate with two inactive families this past week and they were absolutely the best and we're hoping to see them at church soon
- We went Christmas caroling and as we pulled up to this one house this guy got scared as we called out to him. We're about 80% sure he robbed the house we called out with because he was scared and asked what we were doing there, told us the house wasn't his while stuffing things in his backpack and then ran and jumped in a truck waiting for him. Luckily the the guys didn't take anything from us. Me and Elder Dussault were just like "Whaaaaaaaat" and then we were like "Outumaoro ça" or "That's Outumaoro for you"
- Had our ward Christmas part and we did a little booth. After we got invited to participate in musical chairs and I WON!!!! Check the Google Photo's for the final video
- We've been working insanely hard and my poor companion has been absolutely dead at the end of every single day. We'll get back to the apartment and he'll lay down on the couch and then knock out till the next morning. No changing, no shower, no nothing, poor guy.... but sleep can wait till 9pm and naps can wait for after the mission. #ENVOYEZ #SEND IT
- Had our little miracle sunday and found a few friends and talked to sooooo many dealers. Elder Dussault thinks the Outumaoro must be pretty well known because while we were teaching this one guy and his friends there were 7 different tourist who came on mopeds.
- We took a selfie and caught a bigger dealer resupplying another dealer who was working on the streets
Big Takeaways from this past year:
- The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't marginalize people, people marginalize people. The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to unite and bring people together, family and friends in this life and the life to come.
- Even if you don't have much to offer, offer whatever you got because the people here will give you everything they have and then some. Even if it is smiling, saying hello or lending a listening ear.
- Aloha and the power behind the word and the actions that follow.
- The power of saying "I don't know" and using it as a Learning experience because everyone knows something that the other person doesn't know and sucking up your pride allows you to learn and allows you to not just stay stagnant.
Spiritual Thought:
"8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him."
Mele Kalikimaka e Hau'oli makahiki hou...
Shoots brah,
Elder Ellis
Link to my Google Photo's album. Go check um, go check um, go!:
