This is a six for one deal... six short experiences in one email.
#1: Elder Jones from Idaho Fall
bore his testimony at Family Home Evening prior to his departure back to the states.
He told us about a middle-age Tongan, ‘Akapei Toka, with whom he and his companion taught the gospel lessons. ‘Akapei was employed to help the Weslayan missionaries in the village of Vaotu’u. He would clean the church yard, run errands, and ring the church bell when needed. He was told by the Weslayan leaders that if he joined our church, he would not only be ostracized by his Weslayan friends; he would lose his source of income-they would fire him. But that didn’t stop him. After Elder Jones read 1 Nephi 3:7 to him, ‘Akapei was convinced he had the courage to join the LDS Church. He did lose his job, and he lost most of his friends. However, a few months later, he found another job--a higher paying job. Since his conversion his testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel is growing.
#2: Elder and Sister Finau just arrived from Salt Lake City.
They left their seven children, all living in the same vicinity of each other (the youngest being 17 years old), and are in Tonga ready to serve. We were so impressed by their faithfulness and their willingness to go wherever and do whatever President McMurray wants them to do. They are heading out to a small, small, small island, (Ha’afeva),
and they will be helping the members in the branch there. It was interesting. As everyone came over and brought food and asked them to breakfast, the only thing they wanted to do (after a 13 hour flight) was to go to the Temple. So they put their bags in the apartment and went to the Temple. What a delightful couple!#3: Elder Moala was being released from the mission. There was one problem that needed to be solved before he returned home—where was their missing bike (One like this)?
The morning of the day he was to depart, he was instructed to take some time and find the bike. We’re not sure how much effort he put into looking for it, but he said there was no way to find it. So he took his release papers and flew off the island leaving his companion responsible for finding the missing bike. (When bikes are issued to elders, they sign an agreement stating that they will buy a new bike it they lose one.) Elder Thompson offered Elder Tonga, Moala’s companion, some words of advice…pray, ponder, and then seek! Elder Tonga was also told that he would have to buy a new bike ($250), if the bike was not found. Elder Tonga accepted the advice. Maybe it was inspiration. Maybe it was desperation, but the bike was found. You have to love the elder who accepted counsel, humbled himself, prayed, pondered, and looked for the bike.
#4: Elder Thompson and I had a few little health problems so we went to get advice from the mission nurse, Sister Garrett.
She carries around with her at all times a blue medicine bag with all her tricks of the trade in it. Everything we needed, she pulled out of that bag—pills, ointment, cream, and even padding for John’s sore foot. Whoa…it’s a miracle bag. That’s what she calls it. She has given out a lot of medicine, but the bag never empties. It just seems to have whatever is needed to heal whoever comes her way.
#5: Elder Johnson, originally from St. George, stopped us as we were walking out of Zone Conference. He wanted to thank Elder Thompson for strengthening his testimony. John was bewildered and asked, “What did I do?” Elder Johnson was assigned to translate English into Tongan for the missionaries. He said that while he was translating for Elder Thompson, the words just flew into his head—some words he had never used before, and he was surprised that they had come into his mind. “What you said, Elder Thompson, must have been an important message for the missionaries to hear because that has never happened to me before.” We think Elder Johnson should be thanking the Lord for this “gift of tongues,” not Elder Thompson.
#6: Elder Thompson and I have the privilege of being Ordinance Workers in the Tonga Nuku’alofa Temple.
Last Thursday I had a nice moment, nothing big or earth-shattering, but nice. I was working at the veil. All of the session-attendees had already passed through, and the room very quiet. It was just me, Sister Garrett, and a person on the other side of the veil. As I helped my friend, Sister Garrett at the veil, there was a special spirit present as the two of us were doing the veil ceremony. It took on a special meaning as I was helping my buddy.
During the session, John (who was also working the session) also had a special experience. Sitting next to Elder Thompson in the endowment room was our home teacher, Vuki Tangitau.
Vuki had a stroke a couple of years ago. His left arm is limp; he struggles to use his left leg, and his ability to speak has been hampered. During the endowment, John assisted Vuki with his clothing as Vuki was sitting in a wheel chair. When John knelt in front of Vuki to assist with his slippers, Elder Thompson was reminded of the Savior kneeling before his apostles as He washed their feet prior to “The Last Supper.” This remembrance created a special love within John for Brother Vuki. He thought "Vuki you are my home teacher and I have learned to love you, let me serve you now. I kneel as your servant." We have always enjoyed going to the temple, and we are happy to once again be serving in the Holy House of the Lord.
That’s our six pack of experiences this week! You have a great week yourselves!
‘Ofa ‘atu, Elder and Sister Thompson
No comments:
Post a Comment