A couple years ago in seminary (ok..many years ago hehe) I remember watching a church video about an older lady who walked everyday to the mailbox waiting for a letter, and each time finding it empty (called the Mailbox). I have recalled this many times over the last 4 weeks waiting to hear something from Gilligan, I mean Braydon. hehe Anyway yesterday I was able to do the happy dance after checking the mailbox. Here it is.
August 15, 2011
I think there is a misconception prevalent within the Micronesia Guam Mission. One that is common among those that are "born" (start out) on one of the outer FSM, CMNI, or Palau Zones. This idea being that we would start out on these islands and learn the language, serving there for sometime before "doing time" in Guam and then finishing our mission in our own respective islands. President Dowdle realized quickly the dangerous effect this manner of isolated thinking had on the mission. Before he got here and early in his mission, Zones had rivalries. Guam was looked at as the punishment island. Languages were used as cliques, and mission unity was something everyone professed to have, but many would show otherwise.
I'm not sure how many of the stories that I've heard have been exaggerated or not, but I do know that it was enough for President to spend a lot of effort on unifying the mission. I think that one way of doing so was getting Elders to understand that they were never assigned to serve only within a specific Zone or language. There have been a few Elders who have demonstrated that we are not as "safe" as we had thought. Elder South for example from Chuuk, to Pohnpei, then back to Chuuk. Elder Pearl from Chuuk to Yap. As President Dowdle's Mission came to an end, transfers became more crazy and unpredictable then they had been. Closing some areas, and opening up new ones. Elder Allred on Chuuk doing a swap with Elder Henrie in Yap. Elder Agalzoff from Palau to Guam for one transfer and the replacing me as Elder Andrew's new companion in Utwe on Kosrae. When I was transferred to Guam needless to say, I had figured enough craziness had already happened, and the fact that it was President Mecham's first transfer led me to believe that upon taking Elder Agelzoff's place in Yigo North I would be in Guam for some time. Especially since we were losing six Elder's and only getting three new ones. However, transfer calls came. Elder Adams is writing down the names....gets done with writing down the Guam Zone, and my name isn't on the list. Just seconds after being excited upon hearing that Elder Madsen was the new Assistant to the President, I was overcome with a number of feelings as Elder Adams asked about me. My filipino brother Elder Iglasia on the other side of the wire laughs a bit, starts in with the info and pauses after "going to"... just for the sake of tormenting me...then finishes with "....Chuuk, he's going to Chuuk".
I was shocked, blown away, excited, and yet nervous. I sat there on the couch and...just sat there. The fact that Elder Valinotti, who was part of my MTC group, was going to by my new companion on one of the outer islands of Chuuk still didn't even register. I only knew two things:
1. I was once again boarding that island-hopper flight again a lot sooner that I thought I would. 2. I was in for a ride.
So Chuuk....A blast so far. That main island Weno (pronounced "Would-A) is well.....I can't put it into words. All roads are dirt and have Gigantic craters/lakes in the middle of them. The mission cars (Toyota Tacomas) are all beat up. Alignments shot, power steering doesn't work, the windows on the (couldn't read the word hehe) are smashed, the gas cover has been ripped off, dents, dents, and more dents. Damage from Locals, and from the local roads. Its like a giant Ghetto with a billion people (ok exaggeration) living on it. Power is on for 4 hours then off for 4 hours. The outer island...no power, no roads (walking only), no cars, not Ghetto, but very rural. Our house has three small solar panels to run our 1 florescent bulb, small fans, and our water pump. I guess you could say that we have a fridge, but it gets no colder that 70 degrees. No oven, No AC. We have a butane stove (scratch that) burner that we cook on. Roughly a 20 square foot house situated quite nicely on a green tropical island amid sparkling blue waters. I get to ride a boat to district meetings and any other time we need to get off this island (which is only every 4 weeks). We get to end our day at dark because its too dangerous to be out. (Chuukeese men like to get drunk, have bad tempers, and walk around when drunk looking for fights,) There are many islands that are unsafe. Decapitations..impalements...slingshots designed to kill....you know, the usual. Shooting each other with spear guns....Wait,What?..Who said that? I was talking about how neither Elder Valinotti or I know Chuukeese very well.
I seriously am loving it out here. The only things that keep on the outer islands are Spam, Corned Beef, Rice, and other canned goods. So thats all we have to eat. We have a stud of a Branch President. (who is the only worth Melchizedek priesthood holder in the branch) He helps us a lot. We have a definite baptism coming up, and her husband is doing well also and is making us slingshots. Its great being Elder Valinotti's companion and seeing him again, having Elder Butler in the same Zone, ( he is ZL) and learning a second language. Well I guess that is a third personal language. Its coming faster than I thought it would as well.
There are days that Elder V and I wake up on our sleeping pad/cot/ mattress thingy (we sleep on the floor) and both make the comment that we feel like we are camping. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be in this mission. For this experience, and for this trust. I've met too many people, missionaries, and locals alike, and seen and done many things that have changed my life forever! I can't believe there's only a year left. Time is so short. I love you all...Oh! I forgot to mention how strong the Brotherhood is between all the Chuuk Elders. It reminds me of the Squirrels. In Chuukeese custom there are "Promise Brothers", which is the Chuukeese equivalent of blood brothers. The Elders in the Chuuk Zone treat everybody as such. Our own Chuuk Island family. There are no individuals in this Zone, and our relationships emulate island custom. I look forward to whats ahead, and I hope that you all are doing well.
Much love...take it easy
Elder Braydon Lapeyrouse
