Season 6 Episode 11: God Lives

Well, these week was full of Miracles and some pretty humbling experiences. To start off, I don't think any of you know but, the pacific islands got hit by Cyclone Gita this past week. It hit us Friday night and at that point it was a Category 1 but, honestly when we were trying to sleep I felt like our house was going to tip. It was so crazy because It was pitch black outside so we couldn't really see anything. All we could do was listen to trees snapping and the rain pounding. We woke up the next morning got ready and went to go see how the Sisters in our Zone were doing because they weren't answering our calls and we wanted to make sure they were okay. Man, I was so surprised as we were driving to see how much damage wind can actually cause. Trees were completely split, Telephone Poles were snapped, Some parts of the road were torn up, the flooding was unreal, we saw a few houses that were caved in, A tree fell on one of our investigators house and completely demolished and because of the flooding there cars were completely ruined, we saw trees that had fallen on cars as well. It was quite incredible to witness. But, I think what was truly inspiring was to see how the Samoan people handled it. I can honestly say over this past week I haven't heard one complaint from anybody about the Cyclone. They have just been so happy and so quick to help their neighbors in whatever it was that they needed help with. I know we didn't get hit as bad as tonga did but, I was just so humbled to see these people put strangers first when they themselves needed help. These people truly do have Christ-like Love. Really hoping over these next few days we will be able to find some service projects!

I am very grateful for this week. I have once again been able to see the Tender Mercies of the Lord multiple times this week. First off, I hope you all know that the family I skyped at. The Vui family. The day after the Cyclone I received a text from them asking us if we were safe and alright and to let them know if we needed anything. I wouldn't have asked for anything but, President had told us that we needed to stay indoors for Saturday so, I asked them if they could just bring over a few packets of ramen for the night. They texted back happily letting us know that they would shortly be on there way. Well, they did a lot more for us than ramen. They brought chips, drinks, ramen, milk, cereal, Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste, Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener and so much more. I was honestly so shocked to see all of this food piled up inside of our tiny little house. And with a loss for words I gave them the best thank you I could offer and watched them drive off on there way to help another family in need. I would really appreciate if you could reach out to this family and just give them a thank you for this act of kindness. 

We have also been able to see a lot of improvement with our investigators this week. We have Fonotaga preparing to be baptized this week! Fonotaga is in his late 20's and just like most of my investigators has been prepared by the Hand of Lord to talia this message. We took him to the Visitors Center twice and he loved it! He loves reading from the Book of Mormon and can't wait to receive his priesthood! He is such a great person. He has never smoked or drank in his life and is just very humble and so excited to be baptized this week! 

We also contacted a former investigator in our area that had a baptismal date but, for some reason it didn't happen. I have had this feeling for so long that we need to visit him but, he only has an avanoa to talk in the morning and for whatever reason we have always been busy. Thankfully we had the avanoa to talk with him yesterday. Foloi (Former investigator) told us that the only reason he didn't get baptized was because he wasn't married at former time but, he is married now and wants to be baptized and never understood why the previous missionaries came back! I was so grateful that our Father and Heaven kept reminding me that Foloi needed to be visited because now we have another person preparing to enter the waters of baptism. 

I know this is a long email so here is just a short little summary of some other miracles. We have a very old lady named Maria who cried the first time we gave her the Book of Mormon and ever since that day has not been seen with out her Book in hand! Even when she goes to her church she comes with the Book of Mormon haha! She has two beautiful kids and we are hoping that they will talia le invitation to be baptized! We also got the Bishop action list for one of our wards and went to contact a 10 year old boy that hadn't been baptized and through that we found 3-5 more investigators at his house! Just so many blessings this week and I am so grateful.

The last thing I want to share is about a husband and wife that I had the chance to baptize last year in July. Risati and Manumea. Man, I wish I could tell you in depth this story. I will one day but, to make it short when we first contacted this man, he didn't want anything to do with us or the Book of Mormon. Over a period of time we finally got him to read one chapter and ever since that day, he gave up everything wrong he was doing and was completely converted to Jesus Christ. It truly was incredible to see. Anyway, I was able to see his baptism but, got transferred out right before his wife got baptized. So when I finally got transferred back here I was so happy to see them back at church because there ward meets at the same chapel we do! After talking with him I was so (Can't think of the a good enough word) to hear that Him and his wife and kids are preparing to enter the temple this August. Not only this, through his conversion and his example his family that live in a different village and at the time of his baptism were no where close to supporting him were baptized in December! The only two left is his older sister and younger Brother! Words can't really describe how awed I was to how God prepares his people at different times so they can help others come unto Christ!

I know this a very long email but, this week was a very incredible week. So much happened but, I feel like I have grown so much because of what has happened. I know that God lives and so does His Son Jesus Christ. This is His work and he knows and is aware of all of His Children. I know that The Book of Mormon truly converts people unto Christ and I have seen it save peoples life. I am so grateful for this work and the chance I have to be a servant of Him that gave his life for me. I love you all and am so grateful for the support and the prayers. Time is getting shorter but, we will all keep on sprinting until it's all over. I love you Family! God Bless you all this week! Have a great week and know that He is watching over you! Alofa Atu!

Elder Barton