Sunday, April 29, 2012

April 22, 2012


So Saipan.....Man I love filipino food. So my song I hear now is one I hear on all the car stereos and stores. Something about hearts and stereos. Man music is crazy, I've got a lot of catching up to do. This past week, The AP's Elder Johnson (go Chuuk) and Elder Carlson came to visit. We also had a zone conference with Elder Ringwood. Basically, it was a really good week. We have some really good investigators. Two of which are getting baptized this weekend. I got the box with the ab roller and the gyro ball. I hope I get the camera today. I really want to start taking some pictures. Things are going really good with Elder Roko! I really like him a lot.  I've enjoyed every companion a lot so far. I'm really blessed. The other night when the Ap's were here we went on a split. Elder Johnson with me and Elder carlson With Elder Roko. We went a taught our baptisimal dates while Roko and Carlson went to see a new guy. He fell through so Elder Roko went to a LA's house. While there they saw a girl sitting all on her own watching TV. They invited her over and taught the Restoration. she felt the spirit a lot and really got into it. Yesterday we saw her again and taught the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was so strong. She accepted the Baptisimal date without hesitation. At the beggining of the lesson the member was not really into it. he was stressed and wanted to get other things done. But after we finished he bore his testimony of the spirit. How it had calmed him and helped him relax. He talked about his life before when he was Catholic and didn't feel it. And how he felt when he prayed about the book of Mormon. Lets just say, I'm excited for the 26th of May. She's a 17 year old named Jasmine. Filipina. I'm looking forward to getting the box with the pictures. I can't wait to see what you all look like. I love you all, and I talk to you in a bit. -Elder Lapeyrouse

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Saipan!

Hey guys! hafa adai from Saipan!
I must say, I didn't quite expect this transfer. I am now in Saipan with Elder Rokodakunivosa. He's from Fiji. The best thing about him, he has a culinary degree. I was really sad to leave Chuuk but maybe I'll go back. I was able to get one baptism in before I left Chuuk though. While I was with the Zone leaders I Kept getting a call from the Uman Branch President. He said that one of our investigators was ready for baptism. So Elder Jones, Elder Valinotti and I went out to Uman over one weekend to see. It turned out that he was super prepared. I was a little shocked because this guy would avoid us while we were on Uman. Regardless, he got baptized and it was a sweet experience. However Saturday night we got a call from the zone leaders and they said that Elder Jones was going to Guam on Tuesday for the orientation meeting. He's training in Tonoas. So I went with Elder Valinotti on Tonoas till wed. On Wed Elder Butler called and said he was sending the boat out so I could go to Uman and get the rest of my stuff. I took that as I wasn't going back. Sure enough I got the call the next night that I was coming to Saipan. Its way cool so far. Not as built up as guam is but it has everything I could want. And it's quiet. Thats the best part. I got here and Had to do a Baptisimal interview the next day. The sisters' investigator. She was well prepared and The baptism went well. The ward here is really awesome. I've already got some good friends. I hope to make more. 
-love Elder Lapeyrouse

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Just another day in paradise..if you don't count the machete attack!

 February 27, 2012

Hey Guys!  How is everything going.  Things are pretty much the same here as far as the work is concerned.  Two really old people died and that pretty much kills missionary work because everyone is "busy" or gone.

So onto the real eventful part of the week. I still have to remind myself that it actually did happen.  Sooo it was friday, late in the day, almost dusk.  We were going to see the Branch President to ask if we could work out at his house the next morning.  (In Chuuk we finish proselyting at 6:00pm because it gets dark and dangerous)  It was pretty close to six.  We stop at an Ute near his house.  Ute's are kind of like picnic shelters at parks, but smaller.  We started talking to the Branch Presidents daughter, an investigator, and a bunch of children.  While I was talking to them, Elder Blauser was called over by another one of our investigators.  I could still hear and see him, so no worries right.  I asked the Branch Presidents daughter a question, and she was halfway through her answer when she switched and started speaking really fast as something hit the sand next to me.  They all got up and ran!  I turned around expecting to see two drunk guys shooting slingshots at one another.  What I saw instead was one man walking.  A member who was a bit less active that we had been working with.  No slingshot or anything.  I still figured it best to leave when I felt a tug on the back of my pants.  A little girl was sitting behind me trying to ask a question.  I immediately thought "Dang, it what about her?" I started to tell her "Let's go"  When I got pushed really hard from behind.  Keep in mind that this is all within 5 or so seconds.  I fell over her then got up real fast calling the name of the man hoping he'd realize what he just did.  Instead I see him running towards an object on the ground, a thick stick.  As he picked it up, I thought "DANG IT,  he's going to throw that big ol' stick at me,  thats gonna hurt."  I then noticed he started to move in my direction.  My thoughts changed to "He's gonna hit me with that stick, and that'll hurt worse!"  Sooo I made the decision to turn and run.  That decision didn't make it much further than my brain before I changed my mind.  As he stepped up into the Ute, the object in his hand hit one of the pillars, and I distinctly heard steel hit concrete.  This time my thought read "Mwasamwas!  Adrenaline kicked in as everything started happening in slow motion.  By this time it was pretty dark so everything was like in silhouettes.  As he got closer and raised his arm, I could clearly see the shape of the MACHETE in his hand.  I lunged forward raising my left hand towards his right wrist.  I figured if I moved first, I'd throw him off.  I crashed into him, left arm locked and grabbed his wrist with my hand forcing his swing straight down.  His head was low so I happened to elbow him in the face and I scrambled for his head with my right arm.  He raised his right arm to strike again.  I missed his wrist this time since I was so close, but his wrist hit my wrist which stopped most of the motion.  I got his head though, got his wrist, and was able to push and hold his head down and lock his arm.  He pushed against me and I got backed up into a pillar with my left shoulder.  I spun and fell out of the Ute and into the sand, I've still got that hold though.  Elder Blauser ripped the guy off me and I said "Get the knife, Get the knife"  He pulled the knife from the guy and I went to wrestle the man to the ground.  Shortly he was on his knees,  Blauser had handed off the machete and was moving to help when the Branch President grabbed the guys other arm.  I switched hands, grabbed his right wrist with my right hand, and pulled it out while putting my left hand on his shoulder blade, and with Elder Blauser's help pitched the man forward onto his face in the sand.  He then started to say some really bad things about our moms so I put more weight on his back so he had to speak his words through the sand,  Needless to say, I was ticked.  Fortunately though, I was more surprised and offset than anything as to supersede my temper which is why I didn't consider it worth while to "vindicate" myself by beating him, but oh how much I did want to sock him in the face.   Some more locals came over and seized him and took him away. (I don't know where they were during this whole time)  I stood up and the world came back to me.  A little kid came up and handed me my scripture case.  I tried not to think about the crowd and checked myself out.  Bruise on my left wrist, minor scrapes on both wrists, and a small scuff on my elbow.  Chuukeese smackdown number 2.  Lets just hope that the old adage isn't true that it's three strikes and your out!!

Well, I was completely serious when I said that nothing else happened this week.  When people die out here, funerals last over a week and everyone is always gone to them.  I love you guys, and I hope to hear from you soon.  All is well here in Chuuk.  Don't worry!! No one can fight the Lord and win!  Much love.  Take it easy!

Elder Lapeyrouse

P-day, the mission boat, and the work!

February 20, 2012

Hurro Famini!  How are you guys this week?  Sorry its been a while since you've heard from me but I goofed and forgot to get my last letter off.  I just found it a lil' bit ago in my binder.

So this past week was a big week.  Zone conference, Zone p-day, and big news.  First off, Zone p-day.  It was moved to wed. of this past week because zone conference was on thursday.  Working on monday after a Sunday in Uman is Blehhh.  But the week definitely made up for it.  Wed. morning we got picked up by the boat. (Rodger drove with Wonzo as boat boy.  Rodger is the 19 year old kid that drove Elder Valinotti and I back in that video of us on the boat at sunset.)  I knew it would be a good day, because I love when Rodger drives.  He's a good clean kid whose a tad bit crazy and would fit in well with my friends back home.  Like a mixture of Ryan Bills, Aaron, and the guys from the Salem Branch.  There was one day that the leads on the boats battery weren't connected correctly and Esmate asked Rodger to fix them.  So he decided to hold them and screamed like the Disney character Goofy does when they turned the ignition.

So we board the boat, curve south then south-west around Uman.  Proceed west along the side of the Lagoon then North West through and next to Tiis, Param, Udot, and Eot until we reached Romonnum  It was about one and a half hours by boat.  I was super excited to see Romonnum.  The missionary house on Romonnum is on the west back side of the island.  From their beach, you can see two really small islands.  The more southern one was our destination.  (I'm being real descriptive so you can look it all up on google.)  The islands name begins with an F, But I have for gotten it.  It's only about 140 yards long and 70 yards wide, it that.  It had about 10-15 yards of white sand beaches all around, and a reef around a bit of it.  We built a fire and cooked out with chicken and rice.  We played soccer, and rugby, and football up and down the beach, went fishing with Chuukeese reels (Elder Shakespear caught one fish and one shark)  and played volleyball on a court that the locals had made.  I've got some really cool pictures.  (Wonzo scaled and gutted the fish that Elder Shakespear caught within a few minutes after it was caught and then threw it on the fire.  It was eaten shortly thereafter.  Probably the freshest fish I've ever eaten.  I've actually like reef fish, especially with time...but I still hate all others, especially tuna!  It was a really fun Zone p-day.  When we left, all 14 of us boarded two boats.  Herman drove the other boat and we headed towards Weno.  The usual 45 min. trip took another hour and a half.  We had dropped some stuff in Romonnum and when we rounded the North-Western part of the island we realized that we couldn't see Weno.  We ended up riding through the biggest storm I've ever been on the boat for.  We gave Rodger a pair of sunglasses and he whooped as we drove in a REALLY TALL, REALLY BROAD, REALLY BLACK WALL.   It was really rough, real cold, and real...fun.  Lets just say that I am glad that the boat was weighted down with nine of us.  One of those being 290lb Elder Fisher. The boat didn't get tossed around as much, and with Fisher up front we rammed through the waves that we would probably have caught air on.  When we finally popped out we were right close to Weno and there was a really cool sunset.  About 800 yards out to half a mile, Rodger stopped so he could relieve himself off the back of the boat. (not an uncommon thing for this culture)  Unfortunately for him the waves rocked and spun us around parallel to the island just as another boat was heading out.  "whoa Dang!  says Rodger as we all laugh at him, including those on the other boat.

Zone Conference was amazin.  It was the spiritual experience that I've been praying and craving for.  It strengthened my testimony on personal revelation and was such a relief from the frustration of Uman.  The missionaries did a special musical number.  We did a pretty cool Chuukese song.  We also practiced finding with the senior couples.  I learned I'm doomed if I ever work on Guam again because my English  stinks.  I get super tongue tied and that found that many sentences didn't make sense spoken in the way that my mind works now.

After Zone Conference, the outer islanders had President interviews. (outside under a coconut tree!)  While I was waiting for my turn, Elder Butler gave me a letter stamped with the 14th of February.  I don't know how it got here because it didn't have a post mark from America.  The stamp is still good.  I opened it and learned that Grandpa Allen had passed away 2 weeks prior.  I was sitting on the ground leaning against the wall.  After the first couple of line I stopped and looked down at the binder on my lap.  I opened it and slide a letter addressed to him from the inside pocket.  I sort of twirled it around at the corners for a few rounds then put it back and read the rest of Dad's letter.  I think I'll hold onto it for now.  Dad's letter ended with probably the most appropriate words. "He defined Wonderful!"  I scratched my head and smiled.  He's with grandma now, and he's probably happier than he's ever been.  Resting from the torrents and worries of the world until that glorious day that our Savior shall come again.  More humbling to me, about two weeks ago during morning studies, I began to contemplate marriage.  Yeah, Yeah  I know call me trunky, no getting away from it.  I kinda sorta miss girls, and music, a lot, but thats not the point.  I was thinking about how depending on who and when I marry, the wedding could very well take place in one of the temples in Utah.  I was thinking about how much I really wanted to have my 97,98 or so year old Great Grandfather at my wedding.  The thought then occurred to me that at 95 1/2 now, he would be 100 in 5 years.  I got a bit sad as I realized my desire might now be probable.  The pamphlet "Preparing to enter the Holy Temple" was sitting on my desk because there's been talk that the missionaries will get to start a temple prep class here in a bit.  I picked up the pamphlet, and turned right to the page I had thought of "(The Sealing Room) is beautiful in its appointment, quiet and serene in spirit, and hallowed by the sacred work that is performed there....temples were built as a sanctuary for such ordinances as this.  We are not in the world.  The things of the world do not apply here and should have no influence upon what we do here.  We have come out of the world into the Temple of the Lord."  I was et with a warm feeling as I realized that he(grandpa) would be present no matter what.

So, back to Zone Conference.  When it came time for my interview, I walked outside and started across the deck.  Elder Valinotti was just getting through with his and he was walking back.  It was ark and he was about 10 feet from me when he asked "is everything alright?"  Elder Valinotti is someone I could tell anything to.  I thought that it was cool that he picked up on it.  Especially since I don't generally show that sort of stuff on my face.  I related it all to him quickly and he was like "well, I would say that's exactly it.  "Until that day."  He left and I turned down the stairs.  "Until that day"  I whispered looking out over the ocean,  Sorry I'm getting a little poetic on you guys, but its pretty vivid in my mind.

One final story!  We gave a blessing yesterday.  I've given many on my mission and they've all been really cool, but this one yesterday was a big testimony builder.  I've gained and unshakeable testimony on the power of the Priesthood out here so far.  So when the woman approached us holding her child and told us that he has been sick for 2 weeks.  Able to do nothing more than lay there, and asked us to bless him, I had no doubt that he would quickly get better.  Not even two minutes after the blessing, the kids stood up on his own.  The next day, both he and his mother came to church and he was fine.

It's not looking like were going to get a baptism out of this transfer.  This past one has been a frustrating one.  We've got Jon, whose real close, and only has to quiet chewing snuff first.  A couple named AJ and Annis.  AJ's given up alcohol and Annis has given up Betelnut(stimulant).  AJ only has to get over smoking and They've got to get married.  AJ is really trying but Annis's dad is a pain.  One of these "as long as I live,  my family will always be in our church" kind of guys.  He's been the headache for quite a few of our investigators.  Once he goes though....But, just the dramatic change that AJ and Annis have made since being first contacted is amazing though.  They didn't take to us well at first at all.  Now each lesson is like a Family Home Evening and they both want to join our church.  The spirit has definitely born witness to them of the doctrine.  AJ was quick to accept but Annis was always. "no, no, no"  In every lesson, she was determined to fight it and would always bring up baptism on her own.  Annis "you guys don't believe the baptism our church does on babies is correct, right?"  Us: "No"  Annis "wellhow do you guys think it should be done?  Like Jesus Christ by immersion?  Us "Yes!"  Annis "........."  After a few more of those she stopped, accepted commitments to read and pray, and now enjoys it.  AJ makes comments like "I've always wondered why there are no other churches on the island that bear the Saviors name.  That if Christ were to walk down the road he would read the names of the churches Happy Family Church,  "Nope not mine", Peace Church,  "not mine either"  The Church of Jesus Christ, "ah, there it is"  He's also told us that He has heard Pastors from both the Catholic and Protestant churches say that the true church is the one that gets persecuted.  "They pick on you guys all the time, and I don't think that there is a more hated group than you guys, This must be it!"  I'm excited for them.  Especially once I convert that old stick in the mud on the hill.  hehe

This letter has gotten pretty long, and I'm kinda chipwan of writing it.  I had a lot to tell you guys about so I hope that you don't mind the length.  I love you guys (even those who read this on the blog)  Keep me posted on what's happening and the poraus in your lives.  Take it easy.

P.s  For those of you out there drop me a line.  It will be great to hear from ya!  Plus this is a shoutout to Elder and Sister Tiffany since they just told me this past week that they read this.

Ai tong ngenikemi, tori frinfeno chok

Elder Lapeyrouse

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Droughts!

February 6, 2012

The Missionary Handbook on page 31 states:  "If you live in an apartment with more than one room, always sleep in the same room as your companion, but not in the same bed."  But what about showering at the same time as your companion?  Is that against missionary rules?  (explained further on in letter)
   
Alright, so here's the low down.  Up until yesterday and Saturday, it hadn't rained for about two and a half to three weeks in Chuuk.  We ran out of water.  Well actually all the missionaries did except for Tonoas because they've been in Mwan with the zone leaders because Elder Jones had an ingrown toenail that got infected. (Sorry going on a tangent here)  It seems like you can't get a mosquito bite in Tonoas without it getting infected.  No seriously, I had four bites that developed into these ugly sores that took over two weeks to go away.  But the reason I went on this tangent was to tell you guys that we now know why its a cesspool.  I used to the it was just because the house is built over a giant cesspool.  When it rains, a pool of water bigger that the house forms that never goes away.  It starts growing nasty stuff and I'm sure its the perfect breeding ground for mosquito's.  The house had screens but nosy children and drunks took care of those.  Plus, there's more.  We've discovered that there is quite a big hole in the septic tank and when it rains it leaks into that pool of water.

So back to the no rain and Am Futo Fengen (I have no idea)  One companionship pulls water from a stream and boils the stuff they drank.  Well, actually, I'm assuming they did.  They could have just had the zone leaders buy a couple of those 5 gallon jugs since they are on Weno.  When we started getting low we determined we couldn't take showers in the house, and the toilet wouldn't be flushed until after multiple uses, (within reason of course).  For our showers, we went to a members house.  What they have are long small pvc pipes that run from somewhere on the mountains.  The water generally runs into a plastic basin in which they dunk buckets in and pour over themselves.  Throw on some basketball shorts and your good to go.  The first time we used their Nenien Tutu, we went at night after exercising. They moon was super bright and somebody was playing a ukelele.  It was way cool to look up and see all the coconut trees and hear the ocean,  They only down side is that we stand about a foot over most chuukese  people so therefore we towered over the tin roof fence that was built right under their head level.

We were probably one day from running completely out of drinking water when one night, that ocean and the sky decided to switch places, but gravity stepped in and pulled the ocean back down again......for the next two days.  Pretty much killed proselyting efforts and church attendance, but I was happy because we got water.  Rain water is so cold.  We weren't the only ones hurting for water.  Lots were happy!

I got your guys' box Kinisou!!  We were really low on food when we got it.  A mistake of thinking we had bought some ramen and accidentally leaving our pancake mis in Weno, left us at only being able to eat one meal a day if we were to last.  Good thing that food is such a big part of the culture here.  Definitely  got by that week by eating with the locals.  The senior couple came out with the mission nurse to check our house and they brought your box and the pancake mix.

This week went a little bit better.  Our investigators are still pulling the "were busy" card, but we got two new investigators this past week that have baptismal dates, and really want to really want to reach those dates.  Another wants to get baptized and is thinking of his date.  Our other baptismal date, the soon to be wife of the Branch Presidents son, is still terrified of us.  We worry that she is only saying she wants to get baptized because by custom she does her husbands wishes.  Plus he is the Mwanichi and the Branch President is still the head of the house.  He says if she doesn't get baptized they will have to divorce.  The Mwanichi is the firstborn son.  It has even greater meaning is he's the oldest child.  By birthright he gets his fathers house when he passes and can stay once he is married.  Other siblings, move out when they marry.  Mwanichi's get more respect, both within and outside the family.  They have the final and ruling word over their siblings and others aside from their parents can't chastise or discipline(beat) them.  They have to ask permission from the head of the house first.  (Hence why that one drunk guy on Tonoas was mad at me.  One of the kids that I told to go away was a Mwanichi, but I now have permission from the kids father to throw him off the porch or whatever.)  The interesting part of it all, is once people ask me about my family and find out that I am technically the Mwanichi of my family and that my dad was of his their demeanor towards me changes.  No one will ignore my words like they do to some of Elder Blausers.  They won't always accept them, but they won't show me any disrespect.  We also get the respect of the "chon Sounang"  or in other words they recognize  us as ministers of the Gospel.  Those strong in culture would treat us like they would a protestant pastor or catholic priest.  For many though, culture doesn't seem to apply when it comes to our church.

Well, thats just a bit of an update.  I hope that you guys are all doing well.  I love you guys.  Take it easy!!

Elder Lapeyrouse