Two Tickets To Paradise for Peela & Papa: Gecko’s In the Sink

We took a little break from the action this weekend to do some scouting for activities and places to visit when the first wave of kids come in on May 1. It turned out to be a pretty relaxing weekend. The most stressful part was being asked to speak in sacrament meeting in this small branch at the last minute. We have come to realize that we always need to have 2 or 3 messages ready just in case. This weekend was one of them. But we know this is what we signed up for so we always try to be ready to teach a lesson or speak in sacrament meeting.

Future Missionaries and One Senior Geezer Missionary

This past week, our supervisors from Auckland, New Zealand were in town to review all of the seminaries and institutes. We garnered TWO visits from them. The first seemed to be kind of an eye opener as the ageing and crowded condition of the institute. Our Institute building was not originally designed to facilitate our type of activities. Originally, it was a residence and has since, been modified to be utilized by the YSA Institute and the Suva North Stake Offices. The Stake offices have been determined to be unhealthy for use due to mold and all the stuff that goes along with being wet and humid all the time. We occupy the whole upstairs. It is great to have an institute center but - I believe when they saw how crowded it becomes, we are hoping they realize that it would be wise to either start over or expand.

Anyway, they come back for a second look and to take photos before returning to New Zealand. In my humble opinion, this area could use a second senior couple to start up another university and college institute and do some “lost sheep” work. I proposed that they consider this. We will see where it goes.

Crowed conditions for Mission Prep Class - Love it!!

It hard to believe that the first semester of classes are more than one half over. We are learning much as we prepare and teach these YSA’s.

Our first baptism is scheduled for this Tuesday. We are super excited to be a part of the growth of the Church in a very direct way. Teaching investigators brings back a flood of memories from 40 years ago. The means and methods used today are so much more effective than the memorized “Brother and Sister Brown” discussions. It just keeps getting better and better. I wonder what methods our grandchildren will use as they serve full time missions?

Janice (L) and Leya (R) Leya will be baptised this coming Tuesday. She is a basketball player and an all around good girl. Janice introduced her to our Institute. Love them all!

All is well here. We are happy in this work and find it life changing and testimony building. Time really fly’s on wings of lightening and we cannot call it back. Let us all stay anxiously engaged in doing the Lord’s will and serving one another.

Lo Lo Ma

Elder and Sister Pete