Great time in Fiji - 7 Jan 2018

Happy New Year Ngkami ni kabane,

I kimwareirei ibukin te ririki ae e bou aio.  I ataia e na eakiaua.  I am excited for 2018.  It will be the one year of my life that is 100% dedicated to serving the Lord.  Have learned so much about the Gospel and myself in the time I have been out. Looking forward to the new things I will learn and people I will serve.  It has now been about 6 months that I have served in Rabi and find myself extremely close to the people and some families in particular.  It will be very hard to leave but I am grateful to have made the friends that I did.

Christmas and New Years were both very fun in Fiji.  It felt odd enjoying the days in about 90 degree weather, but the Christmas spirit was still present.  For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all the Elders in our district went to the Ford's home.  Our new Senior couple.  They went above and beyond to make sure we all had a great time and felt their love for us.  On Christmas Eve we had a huge beef roast.  It was truly amazing.  The following morning we went back to their house for a brunch which encompassed Christmas music, games, and presents for everyone.  It was a great time.   

For New Years we were back in Rabi.  We went to our Branch Presidents for a big family lovo (cooking the pig in the gorund).  We gently killed a pig and cooked it a couple different ways.  While we waited my companion and I went around inviting our investigators in that area to dinner.  We also got to teach a couple families during that time and was able to meet a very nice man, Taie, who has been coming to Church every week since then.  Was a miracle how it all worked out.  However, we returned to the Presidents house and had a wonderful dinner, there was a ton of dancing and a lot of games.  I also had some of the best ribs I have ever had in my life.  It is a big claim and if you're a true reader of my emails you'd come to learn how serious I am about food.  The ribs themselves were enough to make my New Year spectacular.  

Time has been flying and we have been very busy in Rabi.  We have a lot of investigators who are really progressing towards baptism but each of them have their own dilemmas which makes it difficult for them.  We continue to show our love and help them however we can.   The work is truly amazing in Rabi. 

Transfer calls are this week and I am nervous about what will happen for me. I would love to stay in Rabi for another transfer but I am happy to be where ever I am needed.  

Sorry for such a brief email.  We have a lot going on this week due to transfers.  Hope everyone back home had a safe and fun New Years.   Make this year a good one

Much Love,

Elder Richardson  

Savusavu District Christmas Photo

Headed to our Presidents house