May 1st, 2016

WOODY'S ROUNDUP!

Hello everyone! This week was very fun and very rewarding.

At the start of the week Elder Howard and I helped move lots of school furniture to schools down in our area. After the cyclone lots of school furniture was ruined. Someone donated hundreds of desks and chairs to the schools here in Taveuni. A lot of the schools aren't yet rebuilt so we but some of the furniture in some tents they had. They were very happy to receive this stuff.

Later on in the week, we went out teaching. Elder Howard has tons of blisters on his feet so it was hard but we still worked hard. We went out and got 3 new investigators in the village of Navakawau. I am very excited for these guys and to be teaching them. We gave one of them a baptismal date and he accepted. Things are moving here and it so wonderful to be a part of it. It definitely isn't easy, but it is very rewarding.

Every Fast Sunday our branch and unit get together for church. It was so wonderful to see our little bush chapel shack thing packed full. I love the gospel and know it is true. I can't wait to help these people come unto the truth. Also on Sunday, we took a shortcut through a field. We usually take this shortcut but this time there were heaps of cows inside. Probably about 150 or so. To get them to move we had to clap our hands and yell really load. I managed to round 'em up into a corner and we could pass.

I have learned a lot about myself this week. As I was out working, I truly felt happy. I know that when we serve we are happy. Love is the motive for what we do. I love these people more than anything and I want to help them so much. The church is true and I love what I do.

Rancher Jones

 Camera works.  Selfie from Fiji.

 The view from my flat.

 I am here.

Coconuts and cows for days.

April 24th, 2016

Bula Vina'a Everyone

This week has been fun. It was transfer calls and although it was sad to say goodbye to half of our district, we also got to meet some new people in our district. When we got the transfer calls, everyone was shocked to hear that Somosomo was getting white washed. Our new district is really fun though. I think it will be a really good transfer.

Monday: We were in our area for a regular proselyting day. Our district leader changed it. One of our members from Navakawau received his mission call. We watched him open it and he is going to Brisbane Australia. It reminds me of when I opened mine up almost a year ago and that was when I knew Fiji would have such a big place in my heart.

Tuesday: This was our P-day. We emailed, played games, and hung out with the district. When transfer calls came we were all so happy and sad. We had a dinner together provided by Sister Vermeeren. Our district leader Elder Vitiarai gave such a powerful testimony that I will always remember. He is a convert and he is fijian. He is such a good man.

Wednesday: I went out and said goodbye to all the members with Elder Amisone. We had to stay because we thought we would have to stay with Elder Vitiarai in Somosomo until the new Elders arrived.

Thursday: We said goodbye to all of the missionaries who were leaving. When they got on the boat we gave them a  "Hoorah for Istrael" shout from the Other Side of Heaven. We do it every time people leave the island. Elder Howard and I tried to get back to our area but the bus wasn't going down because the rain had washed away a lot of the road. All we could do was wait it out in the Somosomo flat listening to church music and watching church films haha. I think I have seen Meet the Mormons a thousand times.

Friday: We went up to the bus station again and they said no bus again. We were pretty frustrated. The Vermeerans found some spare time in their schedule and gave us a ride. We went out to teach and had dinner with the Alafi family.

Saturday: We caught a bus to Navakawau village luckily because Elder Howard has holes in his crocs. I am pretty close on mine too. We got there and there was a funeral. Lots of food and drinking kava. We were able to teach a man though who had read the pamphlet we gave him and he seemed very interested. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he promised he would read. He then gave us some water to drink. There was so many floaties in it that I could barely see the bottom of the bowl. But, we always have to be respectful so I just chugged the thing haha. We caught a ride back in the back of a truck of some guy who was at the funeral. Way happy.

Sunday: We woke up and walked to church. There wasn't very many people there but I was happy to talk in church just like always. I am trying so hard to help the people here but a lot of them are lazy and unmotivated so it can be hard. We taught a lady who has been coming back to church and helped here become a returning member. We also taught another investigator who committed to read the Book of Mormon. I love teaching about Joseph Smith because I  feel the spirit so strong. I love everyone here. They are awesome people and I love them to death. This is part of the reason why I was so happy to stay here in Taveuni.

I know that this gospel blesses lives. It strengthens families and brings hope. Don't get me wrong, missionary work is very hard, but it is so rewarding to know you helped people change.

Stay sweet. Moce Mada.

Elder Jones

Boat ride to Vanua Levu.

The kids from Navakawau Village.

My baby horse.

Walking to church.

Coconut groves for dayz!

The boat we rode from Taveuni to Labasa when there was a cyclone warning.  It was sketchy.

 Setting up tents for people who lost their house in the cyclone.

Kids with the glow stick my mom sent me.

April 10th, 2016

Bula Vinaka everyone

This week was crazy! We were planning to head over on boat to Vanua Levu and then take a bus up to Labasa, but our plans didn't go through because there was cyclone warnings and everyone was supposed to stay off the water. I was scared we were going to get hit again. We called the Zone Leaders and they got word from president that he wanted us there. We all went down to the beach and caught a private boat over across to Vanua Levu Island. The waters were rough and some points because of the cyclone and there were a few moments I thought we were gonna tip. I don't even know if we were supposed to be out there. The boat we caught was a 14ft fiber. It was pretty fun once I was back on land.

We got a ride with the Zone Leaders and the Tukavesi Elders up to Labasa which was a long trip. We got there and had a ZTM which Elder Howard and I had to give the insight "Be Prepared". It went well. The next day we had a Zone Conference with President Layton and the assistants. It was really good.

Everyone has been getting this disease here called the Ziki virus I think. About half the zone had it at zone conference and I thought it was pretty funny because I didn't get it. But, when I got back to Taveuni I got it. I was pretty sick and could hardly walk home from church. Everyone here believes that if you look at someone with it, you will get it. So when our Branch President asked me to speak in sacrament meeting, he made sure that I wore my sun glasses. I haven't done anything to treat yet. The Fijians say the a woman's breast milk will cure it but I will just take my chances without it haha.

All is good here. I love the Island I am serving on and I love to be a missionary. I know that the church is true. Reading the Book of Mormon gives me great hope in life. I know the God lives and loves us all.

Elder Jones

Moce mada

What my eyes looked like.

The branch president made me wear glasses to speak in sacrament.

I got Zika virus.

April 3rd, 2016

Bula Vinaka everyone

This week was crazy! We were planning to head over on boat to Vanua Levu and then take a bus up to Labasa, but our plans didn't go through because there was cyclone warnings and everyone was supposed to stay off the water. I was scared we were going to get hit again. We called the Zone Leaders and they got word from president that he wanted us there. We all went down to the beach and caught a private boat over across to Vanua Levu Island. The waters were rough and some points because of the cyclone and there were a few moments I thought we were gonna tip. I don't even know if we were supposed to be out there. The boat we caught was a 14ft fiber. It was pretty fun once I was back on land.

We got a ride with the Zone Leaders and the Tukavesi Elders up to Labasa which was a long trip. We got there and had a ZTM which Elder Howard and I had to give the insight "Be Prepared". It went well. The next day we had a Zone Conference with President Layton and the assistants. It was really good.

Everyone has been getting this disease here called the Ziki virus I think. About half the zone had it at zone conference and I thought it was pretty funny because I didn't get it. But, when I got back to Taveuni I got it. I was pretty sick and could hardly walk home from church. Everyone here believes that if you look at someone with it, you will get it. So when our Branch President asked me to speak in sacrament meeting, he made sure that I wore my sun glasses. I haven't done anything to treat yet. The Fijians say the a woman's breast milk will cure it but I will just take my chances without it haha.

All is good here. I love the Island I am serving on and I love to be a missionary. I know that the church is true. Reading the Book of Mormon gives me great hope in life. I know the God lives and loves us all.

Elder Jones

Moce mada

A picture I took of Tuvalu.

March 20th, 2016

My Birthday Week
This week was really good. Finally back in my area doing some work. The situation in our flat still isn't ideal. We don't have running water and the water we do drink is just from standing rain water that is pretty nasty. We manage though.

Monday- Had an awesome P day and I went 1v1 with the Aussie and I beat him. We went and had tea and crackers at Sister Maiwiriwiri's house. It was a good time.

Tuesday- We stayed in Somosomo because we had no way to get back to our area. We went on splits with the Elders here and they showed me around a little. They are pretty lucky because they can actually go to the store if they need something haha.

Wednesday- We went back to our area. The whole district went down and we did some service in Navakawau. People there were so grateful that we're there to help. They have lost everything and I feel so blessed to help them out..

Thursday- Elder Howard and I went proselyting. We went and saw a woman who is a pioneer for the church here in Vuna. She is missing both legs and she has such a strong testimony. We got her a wheelchair so hopefully she can get to church now. On the way back Elder Howard broke his bike.... Today was our first day using them...

Friday- I had one of the best lessons of all time today. We went and saw a less active member lady. Her house is destroyed from the cyclone. We shared a message about the restoration of the gospel. She then explained how her and her husband had be arguing about Joseph Smith's experience. I felt the spirit so strong as I testified to her that he was the chosen prophet to restore the gospel in these latter days. After that she also bore a moving testimony of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is true.

Saturday- Sat in the flat all day because Elder Howard was ill. The water that we drink isn't the best... Especially after the cyclone. Although he was sick, there were some guys who came a played guitar and sang near our flat. It was a good pick me up.

Sunday- My birthday. It was a wonderful day. Probably the best birthday of all time. I woke up and it didn't really feel like my birthday but that was okay. As we went to church, the chapel was filled. It was so full that I had to sit on the ground. This was the best gift of all. Later that day as we went to the Somosomo area, Elder Amisone had got cakes made and bought ingredients for Sister Lokotui to make me a traditional Tongan drink called Otai. It was delicious.

All in all, it was a good week. Things here are hard, but I know that I am growing and becoming the person our father in heaven needs me to become. I know the gospel is true and I hope I can be a strong enough person to help the Fijians who are in need.

Au sa vakavinavinakataka na noqu Kalou. Au taleitaka vakalevu sara na noqu kalotu. Au lomani na noqu matuvuvale. Rerevaka na Kalou ka doka na tui

My birthday cake, check out my name tag.

Getting ready to send Elder Dunn to a new area:(

Elder Dunn and me.

My birthday treat, I will try and get the recipe, delicious.

March 8th, 2016

Cyclone Winston

biggest storm to ever hit the southern hemisphere

Hello everyone, it is nice to be back. These past few weeks have been quite and experience for me. The missionaries from all the islands in the Fiji mission traveled to Suva for the cultural celebration and re dedication for the temple. On Feb. 18, I traveled from Taveuni island to the island of Vanua Levu. After that we bused to the dock at the southern part of the island and took another boat to Viti Levu and stayed with missionaries throughout Suva. 

On Feb. 20, we woke all woke up and were about to head to the Samabula chapel to hear from President Eyring, Elder Cook, and some members from the 70. Right as we were about to leave, a mass text was sent out to all missionaries warning us to stay indoors and get to a secure location because there was a class 5 cyclone warning. I had heard nothing of this storm before this so I was quite shocked. After about an hour and a half, President Eyring and our mission president decided that we would be okay to all come in to Samabula. After that we were able to hear from these men. This was the highlight of the trip to Suva. What an experience. I know for certain that these men are called of God and that they only speak truth. After this we all went down to Vodafone Arena to watch the cultural celebration. It was supposed to be in ANZ stadium but because of the weather, we had to do it indoors. It was a great cultural event and they performed traditional dances "meke". They had to end it short because of the weather but it was still a good event. When we went outside, there was more wind and rain than I had ever before seen. It was insane. Fiji shut down for the rest of the day. We all went back to flats and chapels and hunkered down for the rest of the storm. The next day we saw the damages that cyclone Winston had provided. It wasn't very bad in Suva, but I heard that my area in the southern part of the Taveuni island got the worst of the storm. 

We were stuck in Suva for the next while because all of the docks and boats had received some damage. We waited with the kids from Taveuni until we could get back to the island. They heard what had happened to Taveuni and were all really scared because they didn't know how their family/lives would be when they returned. We were eventually able to return to Taveuni and when we got there, it was something I will never forget.

We got to Taveuni and we got all of the kids back to their villages and to their families. They were so excited to see their families and they cried for a long time. This made me realize how important my family is. There houses were all destroyed. The whole island looked different. We immediately began working with LDS charities and LDS helping hands and provided food, water, and clothes for all those in my area. Although these people didn't have much to begin with, and now all they had is ruined, they are still happy. How can these people be happy in a situation like this? I am amazed at their faith and their strength in such trying times.

These past few weeks I have only been doing service. Helping to rebuild houses, provide water, food, and other necessities of life. Elder Dunn and I got back to our flat and surprisingly it was still standing. All of my stuff inside was on the ground and was ruined. Apparently the tide was in our house because our flat is right on the beach. People say that this was the worst cyclone ever recorded in the southern hemisphere. The stories from people that were there are unbelievable. They saw 70 foot tsunamis and were hunkered down in there houses, but they had faith and were helped from God. 

It is a miracle that all the missionaries were in Suva and were safe at the time of the cyclone. I am so very grateful to be here and I know that I have a work to do. I know that as long as I am am faithful, God will not let me fall. Times could not be harder, but I could not be happier, because I am serving. I hope all is well at home. I love you all and hope for the best. Trust in God and hope for a better world.

E dina na ituvatuva ni Kalou. Au lomani kemuni kece. Au vakavinavinakataka na noqu matuvuvale kei na loloma kina. Kua ni rere, vakabauta ga. 

Loloma levu,

          Elder Jones

No signs of a storm here.

This is almost every house in my area.

The Australian government helps us out with much needed supplies.

March 2nd, 2016

March 2nd and still no word from Ri

Here is what I can gather from the senior couples blog. I will try and interpret the best I can. It looks like they repaired the dock so that the jetty can get the much needed supplies to the island which was one of the worst hit. He has spent day in and day out, sun up to sun down doing service which has been anything from delivering supplies, repairing water sources, delivering water which is in much need. They have been in a water drought for over a year. This did not help. Through all of this one thing is evident, the people of Fiji are still smiling. They didn't wast anytime cleaning up or helping each other. They share what little they have with everyone and still mange to be happy. They are so very grateful for the church and how quickly they have come to their aide. I am so very thankful for my son and his efforts to help on every level.  I love him and the day I finally get to talk to him will be one that will go down in the books. 

Look at my son, and Elder Dunn I am so proud.

They have worked so hard to help the loving people of Fiji.

Bags being put together to be delivered.

104 people living in this house right now. There weren't very many houses left standing.

The clean-up crew

The damage is unbelievable.

Day in and day out trying to get food, water to the people.