Fiji! - 7 May 2017

Bula Vinaka,

So Monday's are my new P-Days.  It has been a very interesting first couple days here in Fiji.  The 12 hour flight here wasn't nearly as bad I was anticipating.  A lot of people recognized us "The Missionaries" in the airport and had plenty say to us.  Landed in Fiji at about 6 AM island time.  As soon as we got out of the airport we hopped straight on a bus for about 4 hours.  It took us from the Nadi airport over to Suva where the mission home is.  President and Sister Layton are super nice!  Our first two days we were hanging around Suva getting our Sulus and getting briefed on what to do and expect.  President Layton announced on the first day that one of the Elders was no longer going to speak Fijian and would enter the Hindi program.  It was quite the surprise.  I was pretty nervous the rest of that night.  Willing to serve, but wasn't excited about potentially starting back at square one.

Day 2 we received our area call.  Almost as exciting as opening my original Mission call.  My first area is Rakiraki.  Fijian Speaking!  My MTC companion Elder Kioa was the lucky Hindi Elder.  Elder Gaba is in the English program in Suva and Elder Aiono is in the Bush!  Both got what they needed.  So day 3 my new trainer Elder Dunn from Las Vegas, Nevada and I drove up in a new Hilux truck to Rakiraki (Rak city).  In total, was about a 6 hour day of driving.  We're at the most northern part of Viti Levu (Big Fiji).  We have about 6 different villages that we go and proselyte at.  Each village has about 2-3 members in it which adds up to our total of about 15 members in our ward.  Since about 99% of Fijians have some knowledge of the Bible and own one, we do a OYM (open your mouth) Bible approach.  It has a lot of success and is nice because we relate the ordinances and practices in our Church with what is read in the Bible.  The very first time we teach them we ask them if they "come to know these things are true from the Holy Spirit" will they be baptized.  Odd to ask this our first time meeting, but it weeds out the people who aren't are serious and get things moving for those who are. On Sunday I was able to introduce myself and share my testimony in Fijian.  Members of the audience would repeat the things they like in my testimony almost in a chant like manner. Its funny. .   

Fiji is not what you think!  It is beautiful and the people are so nice.  However its not the "almost like a 2 year vacation" people were saying it would be.  This biweekly budget I am on will definitely call for some days with little food, unless I choose to eat Chow (Ramen) everyday.  It is HUMID.  Some of the shirts I have yet to wear are already getting some slight mold on them.  It had me laughing.  The fruit is amazing and so are the breads/pastries.  I am lucky to have a nice flat (residence) in the town of Rakiraki, with a great view of the mountains.  I have heard so many ghost stories already that have definitely made me more than just a bit uncomfortable.  I had to dedicate our flat the first night to protect me from "the little blonde girl" that has been seen by a couple Elders...  Wish I could've remained in ignorance, but the power of the Priesthood will prevail!     

Not too many nice picture yet, but they will come.

Have a great week,

Love,
Elder Richardson