A day on Tonoas

This is our boat ride to the outer island > We sit on the wooden planks inside the boat.  Sometimes it can be a rough ride.  Our boat driver is Roger and his helpers. He always tries to take it easy with us and we really appreciate it.  

Doing GPS is without a doubt, a calling from God.  We are so fortunate to have the health and strength to do this calling.  It is a very important missionary tool.  Today we went out to an outer island called Tonoas (pronounced Toa-doe-was). It is a small but beautiful island.  Right now the church has a little over 100 members there and growing.  A month ago we had 2 baptisms from there that got a lot of things going among a larger group. These men were from the opposite side of the island from the church, so the Elders have been working strong in that area to grow the priesthood and now all that hard work is paying off.  They are building a unit group over there and each Tuesday they work on building a place for members and investigators to meet.

Elders Jones with Branch President Rambo Naka and Elder Allen "The spiritual influence begins with the Light of Christ, which "is given to every man, that he may know good from evil" 
Moroni 7:16

 This sweet little lady was sitting out on the rocks with the baby at the family we visited.  She is not yet a member.  

She is a lovely lady.  

This is Olivia and her beautiful little girls.  She is a strong member and lives very close to the church.  Her husband is not a member but the Elders got the opportunity to make an appointment to teach him.  He works a lot and it has been hard to catch up with him.  She was very happy we came to visit her.  

Another Beautiful member and her sweet boy.

This little darling would not smile, we tried everything but she would only stare at us. Usually Chuukese are always smiling.  I guess she hasn't learned that yet.  But I know she will... She was a darling.

Here she is with her mother Sister Naka and Elder Jones
The gift of the Holy Ghost comes after one repents and becomes worthy...The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth and impresses upon the soul the reality of God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ so deeply that no earthly power or authority can separate him from that knowledge." President James E. Faust

These two handsome boys came with us to locate people.  The small children really love missionaries.  They are always really well behaved and just smile and laugh as we walk.  They always want to shake our hand called "kapong". The one couldn't get his shirt on... Sister Tiffany showed him how to put it on and button it up.  He was very impressed and kept it on. 

I hope they call me on a mission, when I have grown a foot or two.  I hope by then I will be ready... to teach and preach and work as missionaries do.

I hope that I can share the gospel, with those who want to know the truth.  I want to be a missionary... And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth.

handsome little guy

 Visiting a member family...It is always a great thing when we find that they are doing well and the Branch President gets the opportunity to check on them as well.  

 The Priesthood and Authority at work

Breadfruit cooking... Outer island people make really good food.  

 
 This little chick was the runt of the family. I don't think she will make it.  I wanted to bring her home but could not.  She was really a cutie...

A rest for Elders Tiffany and Allen after a day of GPS.  The weather was wonderful, a little over cast and
a  few sprinkles to keep things cooled off.  
President Ezra Taft Benson said "I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he/she will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will be happy.  There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry.  Work, work, work---there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work."