21 October 2013 Uturoa, Raiatea

I’ve decided on a new name for Raiatea

...land of the misfit Peugeots. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Peugeots in my life. Actually, the most I have ever seen is two, in our driveway at home. It seems like anything that has 2-4 wheels that Peugeot has ever made has ended up here.

I am going to be brutally honest, things are difficult! My ear for the language is coming along, but it is still going to take time before I can fully understand what everyone is saying. Which makes things difficult because you want to serve them and find out their needs, what makes them tick, but it’s hard to pick up on those things.

I try to keep the conversation to the gospel, then I know what is being talked about. I can pretty much understand the conversation when I know the subject, otherwise my comprehension lowers. However, the Lord sometimes requires a slow Learning period, and that’s just where I am right now. It’ll come, but it will take time.

The food is good, except for when it’s Chinese food (shao ming or something like that) its these noodles with all sorts of stuff grilled and served on top. That’s getting harder and harder to stomach each time I have it, but everything else is delicious!

Last week was great! On Wednesday all the District and zone leaders went to Papeete for a meeting with the president. So guess what that meant? The rest of us- basically the only other elders on the island- stayed with Elder Franco on his side of Raiatea. So my MTC companion Elder Twede came over from Taha’a, and we stayed with Elder Franco for 2 days. It was great! It was nice to be able to discuss our experiences and vent a little to people that could understand. Elder Franco is one of Elder Twede and my good friends from the other district of new missionaries.

So it was just us in the mission house on the other side of Raiatea. Things are much slower and spread out over there. Far more rural than my area. We were all just kind of distraught over the fact that we really want to be aggressive with our missionary work, but it’s very difficult at the moment when all you can do is kind of teach lessons and bear testimony. Later that day heavenly Father gave us a little confidence booster. With the help of some members, we got Elder Franco 2 new investigators and started an inactive father on the path back towards activity. It was a really nice time.

I was feeling a little frustrated on Saturday with the language and everything, and we were stuck home because it was pouring outside. And Just as I was getting up, a thought came into my head, "read 1 Corinthians 14." By now I know to just do whatever my thoughts tell me to do. So I did, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out what it was about. You can read the chapter for the whole thing, but its Paul talking about receiving the gift of tongues and prophecy. What a coincidence right? Nope. There are no coincidences on missions. I couldn’t have told you what 1 Corinthians 14 was about even if my life depended on it before Saturday. I like one verse in particular that said if you talk in tongues, makes sure you speak simply so everyone that hears can be edified. It was nice to hear that from Paul. So another small miracle with the scriptures!

Well know that the lord lives and loves all of us! My favorite scripture is Paul’s testimony of God’s love (Romans 8:38,39)! Read it and ponder its implications!

Love you all. Don’t worry about me!

Elder Molinari