Mauri! - 5 Nov 2017

Yadra Vinaka, 

Hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful fall season back home.  While America is making the nice transition to some cool weather it seems like things are just starting to heat up out here.

This past week was transfers and I was scared that I might be leaving the Island of Rabi, but luckily I was able to stay and continue my learning of Kiribati.  However, I did have to say goodbye to my Companion Elder Tenoa, truly a great friend.  I was very fortunate to receive yet again a wonderful new Companion, Elder Tony.  Even though he's from Kiribati he has been speaking "Fijian-Hindi" his whole mission which is accompanied by nicer than usual accommodations.  The Rabi conditions were quite a shock for him but hes coming along.

A couple weeks ago we had our mission President, President Higgins, out in Rabi.  It was the last Island that he needed to visit in Fiji.  We had a great Sacrament meeting. President Higgins gave a nice talk about Missionary work and I think the people in the Branch will be helping us out a lot more now. After Church was over the Branch put together a huge feast for everyone.  It was amazing.  President loved Rabi!  All 5 hours of it.  

Was able to watch General Conference these past two weeks.  Really humbling having to watch it on our little DVD player that has the battery life of about 20-30 minutes.  I felt that this was one of the better Conferences I have ever heard.  I don't know if I was listening more than usual or what, but I really felt a change of heart after hearing some of the talks.  I think it was the first time ever that I was a little upset there weren't more talks.  

One of the talks that really stuck with me was from the Sunday Morning Session.  Donald L. Hallstrom gave a excellent talk on Miracles and our Faith regarding them.  The one part of that talk that I think is important for all of us to remember is God's plan.  Often times we pray with immense faith for a certain blessing to take place.  However, as we may have experienced before it may not go as we had hoped.  We feel that perhaps our prayer wasn't answered.  During these times we must keep in mind our Heavenly Father's plan.  It may not always be in line with what we have in mind of an ideal scenario of things.  Yet as we exercise our faith in His divine works we come to understand the reason certain things happen the way they do.  I recommend to all going back and re watching that talk.

I am loving the work out in Rabi.  We have some great investigators who are really progressing and should be entering the waters of baptism soon.  Always some unexpected things going on but its all part of the fun.  My Kiribati is finally coming along.  We went on exchanges the other day and my companion for the day didn't know any Kiribati, so I got to teach the whole day in Kiribati.  I really surprised myself with what words I was able to pull out in the moment.  It was a very gratifying moment.  Great experiences out here.

Hope everyone is enjoying life and making smart decisions.  

Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Richardson 

 Saying bye to Tinau (my mom) (follow-up trainer)  Elder Tenoa

President Higgins with Elder Toni and I just before his departure.

 Elder Toni and I enjoying the heat and humidity.

 I've seen some things...  Welcome to the Island Life.

Rabi storm chasers.

One of the many huge hills we had to walk because there were no carriers that day.

Rabi has its moments.  Taveuni Island in the far back left.

​Our Branch with President and Sister Higgins.