Week 59, October 30, 2016

Bula re wekaqu,

This week I won't write a lot, but this has been one of the coolest weeks of my mission. So like two or three weeks ago the principal of the school that we teach at got some complaints because parents didn't want their kids going to church with the missionaries and stuff along that nature. These kids though, they all really have liked what we shared, some were even brought to tears when they were told they couldn't go. It was a bit heartbreaking.  To combat this though, we had all the kids write down their names, their parents' names and their koro. We planned to go to every single house, speak with all the parents to get approval for their kids to go to church, take lessons, and ultimately, if they desire, to be baptized.

SO, we had been trying to find a good time to be able to do this, but our biggest fear was our Ks. So for those who don't know, missionaries who are given a church vehicle are given a certain amount of miles or kilometers that they can drive in one month. So we thought that our cap was 1500, so we were very hesitant to go out to far, for fear of not being able to go back until next month. We were praying for a way for us to find these parents, we prayed hard for more kilometers to be given to us. One night, we were talking to our Mission President about something that needed direct clarification, before we said our good byes, I felt prompted to ask President Layton if there was any way we could be given more mileage for our truck. 

Our conversation:

"Well, Elder Dawson, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Actually, President, there is. We have been blessed with this truck in the area to reach villages outside of just Nakawakawa, but we are finding it hard because of our very limited number of kilometers. We don't want a ton more extra. We think if we had about 1800, we would be good."

"How many kilometers have you been given?"
"1500, sir."

"Okay let me check"

*uncomfortable silence*

*Dunn asking me what's going on*

"Well Elder Dawson, I have you two down for having 1800 kilometers. So you can use up to that much."

"Um....OKAY! Thank you so much President."

SO we had the resources, we had the plan, but we felt like there was something missing. We were talking to our Branch President the Sunday before last, and we told him of our plan. He offered to help us and said he would come out with us all day. The day before we prayed and fasted, I don't think I've ever prayed so hard and so frequently in my life. Long story short...all of the parents we spoke to all loved what was happening. Our Branch President helped explain everything in ways Elda Dunn and I could never have. I knew that the whole day there was a fourth person with us, a silent teacher testifying to those we spoke to that our words, and message was true and it would only help their families. It was an amazing experience. Many families even invited us to come back to share with them what their kids had learned already. The Lord's work sa toso tiko mai Nakawakawa. I love this area. It's an amazing blessing to serve among these people. I love it here. I hope you have a great week. 

Elda Dawson

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Peace Be Still

Keep it Real