Rabi! (pronounced "Rambi") - 20 Aug 2017

Kam na Bane ni Mauri,

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.  So last week we had transfer calls, and I wasn't expecting to leave my first area.  However, to my surprise I have been called to serve on the outer island of Rabi!  It is in the northern part of Fiji and the people there speak Kiribati. It has been a lot to take in.  I was very nervous but also very excited.  It has been a great experience so far.

Rabi is a 1 of the 4 outer islands in the mission.  Meaning there is only 2 Missionaries on it at a time.  So it is just Elder Tenoa, my new companion from Kiribati, and I.  We only have electricity for 3 hours a day which is supplied by the island generator (2 hours) and our car battery (1 hour).  It has been such a humbling time.  Learning Kiribati has been challenging but it is cool learning a 2nd language on the mission.  Its very helpful as well when my companion is from Kiribati so he's very helpful. 

Prior to arriving in Rabi I heard a lot of rumors.  It seemed the negative ones outnumbered the positive ones, but the positives definitely outweighed the negatives.  I was very nervous about the new diet of raw fish that was going to take place.  Don't think of sushi when you hear this.  Imagine catching a fish from the ocean, letting it sit for a couple hours, cutting it open and drenching it in salt, then eating it.  Not much to say about it, its all part of the Rabi experience.   

A lot of things to come and I am looking forward to all of it.  It has been a blessing to be able to learn and live among another culture besides Fijian.  Rabians are very different but a lot of the genuine Pacific Island qualities are still apparent.  I have only been there a week and I love the people.  They have taken me in and shown me a ton of love.  I look forward to being there for the next 6 months.  

Our Branch is great!  The members are very strong and they really like to work with the Elders which makes proselyting a lot easier.  We are always getting referrals from them and every night we have a meal.  Missionary work is different out here but the purpose is still the same. 

I only come off the Island 2 times a transfer so I will be emailing about once every 3 weeks.  Love the mission and love the people. 

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Richardson  (Elda Kau Bwai (Rich)) 

Walking back to our flat on Rabi.

My new companion, Elder Tenoa.  From Kiribati.  He's something else. 

Leaving Rabi to come to the mainland.  About a 30 minute boat ride. Rabi in the background. 

Hanging in the hot springs in Savusavu.  They're hot!