Hello,
Well I guess it sounds like Christmas is all
around home. In London they don’t
have many Christmas traditions that I know of.
Everybody has like parties and stuff in their religions but the problems
with most is that they just take a lot of time out of work and they end late
and such. No lights on trees or anything like that. JMB (the only store in
London) has some lights up and at a rich guys house in London they have a tiny
little Christmas tree with some lights and such so that is pretty chill I would
say. It doesn't feel like Christmas when it is hot and humid with coconut trees
everywhere and the ocean all around you. But I suppose it is still Christmas. Elder Johnson and I bought a little string of
Christmas lights and set them up in our house so just thought I would let you
know that.
Here is a
little more information about my home here.
We currently have a rat in our house or something living here with us.
We are trying to get it, but no luck yet. A lot more rats in Tabueron (London)
then when I was in Banana one kept trying to eat our pancake mix. Let’s say it
was very successful. We don't have a fridge right now. Well, we do. But our
freezer is a fridge and our fridge doesn't have any temperature difference. So
the freezer is our fridge and the fridge is a storage place at the moment. I do
not sleep with a mosquito net but we light little mosquito things on fire that
keep them away pretty good.
I am really
enjoying London it is going good. We
have been getting new investigators and we had 3 new people come to church. So
that is more than London has had in a very long time I am pretty sure. A lot of
people (investigators and less actives) have problems with the Word of Wisdom,
but we are working on it.
The Branch
is pretty good here. It is the smallest branch out of the 4 on Kiritimas Island
even though I think it has the biggest population. In Kiribati it is more like
the Branch Presidencies go home teaching once a month to a couple less actives.
I am hoping they will figure it out though and assign people to home teach and I
think that will really help. It is just hard with the few numbers of people in
church. But they are working on it.
Honestly the
work is getting better here and the more we work and the harder we work things
are paying off. I can see change happening in people life’s so things are going
good. Just little by little.
I will tell
you about one guy who just came from Tarawa.
He has some Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity issues. He was taught
just a little bit by Elders in Tarawa and then he came here. We have been
teaching him and we felt like he was ready.
So we challenged him to prepare himself for baptism and I think he is
really going to change and prepare himself. He seems like a legit guy. I will keep you updated on him.
People here
are very good to us missionaries and this week we had some stew that was good
with some rice. I have not eaten really
anything weird since I have been in London.
It is wealthier than the rest of Kiribati. (Not wealthy though at all,
but for Kiribati they are).
You said
that there have been articles on the climate changes on Kiribati. Haha we heard
a little program on a radio in some person’s house about how it isn't fair for
the children that live in Kiribati to experience climate change. I don't
honestly think anybody in Kiribati could care less about climate change. A lot
of families have laptops but they pretty much only use them to watch movies at
night. Kiribati people generally watch movies, play volleyball or soccer, and drink.
Those are pretty much peoples hobbies here. Also sleep. People sleep a ton here. Not many people
listen to the radio though I don't think. People do listen to a lot of music on
these little music player things they have though.
One more
experience I forgot to share that was pretty cool was a funeral a few days ago.
Elder Johnson and I went to this house to teach a lesson and the house next
door called us over and thought we were going to visit them. It turned out
somebody had died. We went back to the house later and we covered up the man
with a cloth and placed him in the back of the truck. We then went with them to the grave
yard. It was interesting. I found out that the man that died I actually
knew a little. I sat next to him on the boat
ride home from Tabueron. It was sad that he died but I suppose it is ok, he was
very sick and couldn't move much at all.
I think he was ready to die.
After we got to the grave yard I helped carry him to the grave and we
placed him in it. We then all just sang a bunch of church songs while they
covered the grave. It might sound different but it was a great experience.
My mom said
that many of you have given me money for Christmas. I want to thank you my new 7th
ward members and grandma and grandpa. By
the way grandma, thank you for the notes you put in my socks. I do still wear socks when I can! And good
job Sarah on your Christmas concert, and for making the play!!
I have not
gotten any packages yet. Don't know if I ever will, but we will see. The Tarawa
packages that Holly and Karla sent I should get when I move to another area or when
someone comes here which will be good.
As far as letters, they should be brought to me probably early January.
I have still only just gotten 1 letter since I got to the field. We will see
though I hope more will come in January.
Well, things
are going really good here. Been healthy and I have been having a good time
with the language and the work. I hope
everything is going good at home!
Elder
Dinsdale
Note from
Jen: Please pray that Scott will get his
packages which include a small Christmas tree with lights and of course salsa, instant
potatoes and gravy!!
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| Not sure if this would be considered a ice bucket challenge or not!! |
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