Family,
This week we finally had Sacrament Meeting in Ngaraard. We had a total of 7 people in attendance. We had it in a "Kwateleu" which means "open place". It's basically just a place with a roof and some benches. They have them in parks at home but I can't remember the name for it. Anyway, Toby was assigned as the group leader and he did a great job. As we were walking down to our car, to go and visit people to make sure they came, Toby rolled up with his motorcycle. His arm is still broken, even though he'll tell you it's already healed - it just needs exercise. But he was in a nice shirt and tie and looked awesome. Anyway we set up a small table in the sand, my companion gave the opening prayer, he and I blessed the Sacrament, I spoke, I chose the hymns, and Toby gave the closing prayer. Afterward, we talked to a couple of people in our village and one of them who saw us said, "why didn't you invite me?" We told him that everyone is invited and we'd love to see him next week.
There's this other girl that lives in the other elders' area who is mentally challenged. She's about 15 but functions at an 8 or 9 year old level. She's been coming to church for months and attends all the activities for the youth, and wanted to be baptized. After talking it over with the branch and the mission president, they determined that she'd have to be taught and interviewed, just as any other convert, but let's let her be baptized. So I drove down on Friday and did the interview. It was pretty interesting, but it was apparent that she did in fact have a testimony and so I passed her. She was baptized Saturday, and a lot of the branch members were able to attend.
I guess there was a typhoon somewhere between Palau and the Philippines, I don't know how true that is since we don't get any news and all I hear is word of mouth, but I believe it. We had trees get blown over and we just got dumped on over the last few days. It's always so unpredictable too. It can be hot and sunny one minute and then clouds come and it rains literally within 2 minutes (no longer sunny, but still hot). Sometimes I'll be in the house and I can look out one window, and it will be sunny and I'll walk over and look out the front door or another window, and it will be raining. It makes it hard to prepare - so usually I don't.
We spent most of this week teaching our investigators about the Sabbath day and the Sacrament to prepare them to come to our Sacrament Meeting. I'm hoping to see a steady growth in the attendance. If that happens, my responsibility to "establish the church" will be covered.
Kim made me worry about classes, so I'm going to go call the mission president and see if I can look at my options.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
19 Sept 2011
Family,
This week was our trip to Guam, and it was so good to see my old investigators and all the missionaries. President Stevenson, the Area President came, and he spoke to us about some fundamentals of missionary work: hard work, obedience, and testimony, or HOT. Anyway, it was really good. But as usual, it's good to be back. We found out what would be happening with the transfer on Wednesday night, just before we left, and the news was pretty expected. No changes in Palau this time around. So I'll stay with Elder Rokodakunivosa in Ngaraard.
I have good news! The Branch President finally gave us the go ahead to start having church this next Sunday. Now we don't really have any excuse to not have any investigators at sacrament meeting. I think the majority of the lesson that we'll teach this week will be about keeping the sabbath day holy, just to prepare.
We had a really good experience with one of our investigators this week. His name is Adriano, and he's preparing to be baptized in October. He's a pretty rough guy, but he's slowly making changes. He's been struggling to read from the Book of Mormon, and he doesn't understand that he's not going to be baptized if he's not reading. We showed up to our lesson and he basically told us, before we could even say anything, that we better not ask him to read again, because he doesn't need to, he's just going to prepare himself and be baptized - besides, he's too busy to read. So I was praying to know what we needed to share and as we began, we started with the requirements for baptism in D&C 20:37 and I asked the member that was with us to share thoughts about it. As he did I said a quick prayer to myself and as soon as I looked up, Adriano asked to make a comment. He talked about feelings of guilt for past sins and forgiveness and all these things, which gave us a perfect chance to talk about baptism and the Atonement, and the feelings of peace as we read from the Book of Mormon and how it is a testament of the Savior. He was able to see how important it was for him to read, and he committed to do so. We haven't been back yet, so I don't know if he actually did, but it was a very spiritual lesson for me nonetheless.
I love you guys, I'll let you know how things work with the basic unit.
Love,
Elder Barlow
This week was our trip to Guam, and it was so good to see my old investigators and all the missionaries. President Stevenson, the Area President came, and he spoke to us about some fundamentals of missionary work: hard work, obedience, and testimony, or HOT. Anyway, it was really good. But as usual, it's good to be back. We found out what would be happening with the transfer on Wednesday night, just before we left, and the news was pretty expected. No changes in Palau this time around. So I'll stay with Elder Rokodakunivosa in Ngaraard.
I have good news! The Branch President finally gave us the go ahead to start having church this next Sunday. Now we don't really have any excuse to not have any investigators at sacrament meeting. I think the majority of the lesson that we'll teach this week will be about keeping the sabbath day holy, just to prepare.
We had a really good experience with one of our investigators this week. His name is Adriano, and he's preparing to be baptized in October. He's a pretty rough guy, but he's slowly making changes. He's been struggling to read from the Book of Mormon, and he doesn't understand that he's not going to be baptized if he's not reading. We showed up to our lesson and he basically told us, before we could even say anything, that we better not ask him to read again, because he doesn't need to, he's just going to prepare himself and be baptized - besides, he's too busy to read. So I was praying to know what we needed to share and as we began, we started with the requirements for baptism in D&C 20:37 and I asked the member that was with us to share thoughts about it. As he did I said a quick prayer to myself and as soon as I looked up, Adriano asked to make a comment. He talked about feelings of guilt for past sins and forgiveness and all these things, which gave us a perfect chance to talk about baptism and the Atonement, and the feelings of peace as we read from the Book of Mormon and how it is a testament of the Savior. He was able to see how important it was for him to read, and he committed to do so. We haven't been back yet, so I don't know if he actually did, but it was a very spiritual lesson for me nonetheless.
I love you guys, I'll let you know how things work with the basic unit.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
12 Sept. 2011
Family,
We just finished another transfer yesterday, so we'll be finding out where people are moving, or if they are moving on Wednesday. Right after that, the four of us are flying to Guam to have a combined zone conference (Palau, Yap, Guam, and Saipan) with the area president, President Stevenson. I just found out yesterday that he owns Reebok and Puma and Asics (thats what Elder Wright said, but it could be wrong). I've met him briefly before, but I never knew he was a rich guy. Anyway, I'm excited to see my investigators in Guam, all the missionaries, and of course President Stevenson. We'll be there just 2 days, so I'll be able to get back to my area Saturday morning and start working again. Assuming I don't get transferred of course.
As for the earthquake that happened near Guam, I haven't heard anything about it. Maybe they felt it in Guam, and if it reached us, I have no idea.
This week we helped Toby - our one active member in out area - to cut up a tree that had fallen down. It was the first time I'd used a chainsaw, so that was pretty fun. I thought it was like a coconut tree or something easy like that, but it turned out to be a full on tree with branches and everything. It turned out to be more work than I initially intended. His wife made us fried fish (bones, head and all of course) for lunch, complete with Miso soup (she's Japanese) and some kind of custardy dessert (not my favorite), oh and rice. It was a lot of work, but I felt it was a good favor in return for all the help he has given us this last month. He's come teaching with us every day, for like 5 hours each day. And he has a broken arm (it's been broken for over a month and he can't get it fixed because there's no bone doctor in Palau and he can't afford to go to the Philippines). He just wraps it in gauze and sometimes wears a sling. He's a champ.
We're still waiting on getting a basic unit started in our area. Without being able to attend Sacrament meeting, I feel like our investigators are struggling to progress. I never realized how important church attendance is to someone's spiritual progression. Investigators who were doing great are now starting to level off or regress (I was going to say degress, but Google said that's not really a word. So if regress isn't actually the word I'm looking for, blame Google, not me) because they can't come to a Sacrament meeting. I'm not really sure what the hold up is. I think being so far from Guam, there is a communication problem between the Branch President, the Mission President, and the counselors in the Mission presidency. It's pretty frustrating on my end though because I'm working my tail off trying to teach all these people and resolve their concerns and I feel like the only one that gets it is President Mecham - who's equally frustrated if not more.
Oh in other news, I don't know if this matters to you guys, but it does to me, the First Presidency just approved an increase in our missions number of missionaries. I guess every mission has a cap on the number of missionaries assigned to that place. Ours was 60 and President Mecham asked for 6 more missionaries, but instead they approved 12. It was pretty exciting.
Well, I love you guys, and I'm still praying for everyone (friends included), so I hope you've noticed some blessings. If you have, you're welcome (from me and of course the One from whom the blessings come). If you haven't, repent so you can be worthy of them.
Love,
Elder Barlow
P.S. Dad, I better get a sweet calling, like Ward Missionary, or like 30 families to home teach or something like that.
We just finished another transfer yesterday, so we'll be finding out where people are moving, or if they are moving on Wednesday. Right after that, the four of us are flying to Guam to have a combined zone conference (Palau, Yap, Guam, and Saipan) with the area president, President Stevenson. I just found out yesterday that he owns Reebok and Puma and Asics (thats what Elder Wright said, but it could be wrong). I've met him briefly before, but I never knew he was a rich guy. Anyway, I'm excited to see my investigators in Guam, all the missionaries, and of course President Stevenson. We'll be there just 2 days, so I'll be able to get back to my area Saturday morning and start working again. Assuming I don't get transferred of course.
As for the earthquake that happened near Guam, I haven't heard anything about it. Maybe they felt it in Guam, and if it reached us, I have no idea.
This week we helped Toby - our one active member in out area - to cut up a tree that had fallen down. It was the first time I'd used a chainsaw, so that was pretty fun. I thought it was like a coconut tree or something easy like that, but it turned out to be a full on tree with branches and everything. It turned out to be more work than I initially intended. His wife made us fried fish (bones, head and all of course) for lunch, complete with Miso soup (she's Japanese) and some kind of custardy dessert (not my favorite), oh and rice. It was a lot of work, but I felt it was a good favor in return for all the help he has given us this last month. He's come teaching with us every day, for like 5 hours each day. And he has a broken arm (it's been broken for over a month and he can't get it fixed because there's no bone doctor in Palau and he can't afford to go to the Philippines). He just wraps it in gauze and sometimes wears a sling. He's a champ.
We're still waiting on getting a basic unit started in our area. Without being able to attend Sacrament meeting, I feel like our investigators are struggling to progress. I never realized how important church attendance is to someone's spiritual progression. Investigators who were doing great are now starting to level off or regress (I was going to say degress, but Google said that's not really a word. So if regress isn't actually the word I'm looking for, blame Google, not me) because they can't come to a Sacrament meeting. I'm not really sure what the hold up is. I think being so far from Guam, there is a communication problem between the Branch President, the Mission President, and the counselors in the Mission presidency. It's pretty frustrating on my end though because I'm working my tail off trying to teach all these people and resolve their concerns and I feel like the only one that gets it is President Mecham - who's equally frustrated if not more.
Oh in other news, I don't know if this matters to you guys, but it does to me, the First Presidency just approved an increase in our missions number of missionaries. I guess every mission has a cap on the number of missionaries assigned to that place. Ours was 60 and President Mecham asked for 6 more missionaries, but instead they approved 12. It was pretty exciting.
Well, I love you guys, and I'm still praying for everyone (friends included), so I hope you've noticed some blessings. If you have, you're welcome (from me and of course the One from whom the blessings come). If you haven't, repent so you can be worthy of them.
Love,
Elder Barlow
P.S. Dad, I better get a sweet calling, like Ward Missionary, or like 30 families to home teach or something like that.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day
Family,
It's pretty annoying when national holidays fall on our preparation day. All the banks are closed, and the post office is closed. Besides, who does The Republic of Palau think they are? Stealing our national holidays. I always thought the idea of Labor Day was ironic: "Let's celebrate all the work we're doing by taking a day off of work and not working!"
Anyway, I already told Hannah this, but I just talked to the mission office and my flight lands at LAX at 10:00 am on the 28th of October (I'm leaving Guam at 10:25 am that same day. That's what I call time travel - I'll live the day once on the plane and again at home). So that will leave plenty of time for the luncheon.
This week was pretty busy for us (as is every week though). We had to get Elder Roko's immigration stuff taken care of, but in order to do that, he had to get a blood typing test. So we went to the hospital and did that, then went back to the immigration place. Now we're just waiting to go back to pick up the permit. We were supposed to get back to our area that evening after District Meeting at like 4:00, but it ended up being like 7 after we got everything done. Plus, we had to come into town early because Elder Wright had to go to the airport late Friday night/early Saturday morning. His flight was cancelled though because there was a fire in a warehouse or on the runway or something, so he didn't end up leaving until Saturday night.
I've been waiting patiently for the basic unit to be started in Ngaraard, but I think I'm just going to have to take care of all the logistics myself and just call the branch president and ask for permission to go ahead. So my task this week is to find a definite place to start holding the meetings. Brother Hibbard (the military doctor) said he's met most of the Governors of Palau's 16 states, so he'd be happy to help. We'll see what we can do with that this week.
Love,
Elder Barlow
It's pretty annoying when national holidays fall on our preparation day. All the banks are closed, and the post office is closed. Besides, who does The Republic of Palau think they are? Stealing our national holidays. I always thought the idea of Labor Day was ironic: "Let's celebrate all the work we're doing by taking a day off of work and not working!"
Anyway, I already told Hannah this, but I just talked to the mission office and my flight lands at LAX at 10:00 am on the 28th of October (I'm leaving Guam at 10:25 am that same day. That's what I call time travel - I'll live the day once on the plane and again at home). So that will leave plenty of time for the luncheon.
This week was pretty busy for us (as is every week though). We had to get Elder Roko's immigration stuff taken care of, but in order to do that, he had to get a blood typing test. So we went to the hospital and did that, then went back to the immigration place. Now we're just waiting to go back to pick up the permit. We were supposed to get back to our area that evening after District Meeting at like 4:00, but it ended up being like 7 after we got everything done. Plus, we had to come into town early because Elder Wright had to go to the airport late Friday night/early Saturday morning. His flight was cancelled though because there was a fire in a warehouse or on the runway or something, so he didn't end up leaving until Saturday night.
I've been waiting patiently for the basic unit to be started in Ngaraard, but I think I'm just going to have to take care of all the logistics myself and just call the branch president and ask for permission to go ahead. So my task this week is to find a definite place to start holding the meetings. Brother Hibbard (the military doctor) said he's met most of the Governors of Palau's 16 states, so he'd be happy to help. We'll see what we can do with that this week.
Love,
Elder Barlow
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