There it went, my mission in Polynesie Francais!
100 things to say.... the work is rigorous and doesn't slow down, even when you're at the end!
Met the President of Polynesie Francais.
Participated in a unique Rurutu Heiva Tradition, -"The Torch March", the three cities march their dancers up and down the streets
with Bamboo torches and they all end up in by the beach. There they
present their dances. It was an exciting night. There's a woman
starting her own cult here, and while filming the dance, she kept
talking to us about how wicked Tahitian traditions are. Haha, I was a
little miffed
The Gift of Tongues still helps Sr. Kendall and I so much!! I have
seen a greater understanding in our amis (who speak Tahitian), as we
teach. What a wonderful promise, the gift of tongues.
Gave a last minute, 20 minute, talk in church :)
I don't know if anyone remembers the Papi Desire, from my first sector
Here's what I said at the beginning of my mission about him
"We dropped into this big ravine, where Papi Desire lives, in his tiny hut, with his pigs. I
knew that I would need to share a message with this man, but I only had
my Tahitian Book of Mormon in hand. So I prayed that I might be able
to share something, from God to this man.
I honestly chose two verses
that I saw had the word "Christ" in them, and then asked the papi, in
broken Tahitian, to read these two verses. I bore my simple testimony
of Christ. For the first time, That man lit up and asked for the
reference and asked we could come back the next day. I looked up the
verse later in English, Mosiah 15:6-9. It talks about how Christ broke
the bands of death for us."
Just
yesterday, a member told me that this Papi, Papi Desire, passed away.
I was taken aback, and remembered immediately this scripture that had
given him so much comfort. I know that this man will recognize The
Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Spirit World, and I pray that he will once
and for all accept the saving ordinances.
A talk really hit home to me, called "One More Day".
He says.
"If
we were told we had a short time to live, we too might plead for more
days of life in the name of things we should have done or done
differently. Regardless of the time, the Lord, in His wisdom, determines
to grant each of us, of one thing we can be sure: we all have a “today” to live, and the key to making our day successful is to be willing to sacrifice. The Lord said, “Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice” (D&C 64:23) "
I
understand firsthand what he means by "personal sacrifice strengthens
us and gives value to the things we sacrifice for." I am thankful for
the sacrifices, we as missionaries, get to make, for the Savior. It
has strengthened me and given me a glance of the real value of the
Gospel.
I love all the people we have taught, and how grateful I am for the many faithful members of the Church here in Tahiti!
I
know that the Savior really did work beside me, these last 18 months. I
cannot ignore or deny his presence. He often prepared the houses and
people that we went to visit. He softened so many hard hearts, and
directed us to those in need. He frequently softened my own heart and
taught me many important truths. I testify that God the Father lives.
And that he has a marvelous work to do. I invite us all to be engaged
in this work. Jacob 5:70-72. This is the actual Church of Jesus
Christ. Let us live as true disciples of Jesus Christ!
I love you all!
Sr Spencer
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