Finally! 1/27/2015

It isn't p-day, but the internet is finally working on Abaiang and we got some time with David today.  It had been 30 days since we heard anything at all from him. Here is the info:

The connection is slowish but alright. We have checked the email at least 3 times a week since I got here. It is the first time that it has worked. I've got some time. How is life there?

I am companions with Elder Jacob Miller (His parents names are Russ and Sandra) from American Fork UT. He is from the intake before me but his Kiribati is much better than mine. He pushes me hard so I've been learning lots.

The island is long and it has 2 branches and a unit. Everyday we take turns going to different parts of the island to teach. Tuesdays and Saturdays at Tabuntebike (means end of the beach) then Borotiam (pronounced Bro-sum) is on Thursdays and sundays, We live on a compound with the chapel in Tuarabu and work there on Wednesdays and fridays..  Each is about an hours bike ride away.

There are 3 places on the island to do email. The 2 high schools and the Council Office. School is out (starts again on monday) so the ITs have been on Tarawa. The council office's internet has been broken since before Christmas and it just got fixed yesterday.

Our goal for everyday is 5 lessons. Borotiam, the unit, is really doing well so some days we get 9 lessons (we would most days but people usually like to talk too much which takes up time). Then the other two areas are slowly improving. Even with this email time we should hopefully be able to get our 5 today.

We have had 2 baptisms (in the ocean!) with hopefully 2 more this week.

I really do feel the love of our family in that ipod. Everyday it seems I will find something new and bring back an old memory. One time it was the Priesthood session music, another time it was Steve's singing, another was allstate. The talks and everything are miracles.
 I have not been able to write you a letter yet from Abaiang. Even though we haven't been able to email there still isn't much time.

Call to repentance.  The mission handbook states to write every week.  Your mom has been beside herself waiting to hear from you.  If you saw the tears in her eyes when she read that you have not had time to write you would understand how much she wants to know that you're ok.  Letters don't have to be long but you need to write something every week. love  dad

 I know that I have been bad, this week both of us made a goal to write a letter this week as a lot of members are going to Tarawa, when they go it is the only time that we have a reliable way to send letters. There is a very quality one ready for that boat.

Does the island really celebrate New Years for longer than a day?

The towns on the island celebrate everything they can for as long as they can. New Years  Celebration really was a week. People will come into town, or something else will happen so there will be 3 day parties. It is really a pain for teaching if everyone is in a party. One of our investigators (hopefully to get baptized on Friday!) will walk for a few hours to go to a party a couple towns a way. He usually finds one every week. It's sorta a problem, but they don't have much else to do.

I think that it is miraculous that you prayed for my legs because shortly after I got here I developed an exciting rash. It started at my ankles and then moved up my legs, then jumped up to my arms. It is on the mend now (that is a phrase right).  I shower with bleach and use antibacterial soap and have some sorta cream. But as usual mom receives very specific revelation for me.

 There is another story, that happened back at Christmas time.  He was supposed to catch a flight to this island, but it left an hour before it was supposed to. He hadn't been feeling well for a while, so he checked in with the nurse.  She diagnosed him with pneumonia and started him on antibiotics.  By the time that the flight left a few days later he was doing much better.  We are grateful that the Lord watches over him.