Week 5 in Tahiti

Ia orana tatou!

So another great week!!!

We had another baptism this last saturday. That's the end of the baptisms that were already fixed before I got here. haha. Okay so first I might get a new companion after this first transfer because he hurt his knee and he's not supposed to ride a bike. there are a few things that could happen with that.

1. I might get an adopted father (new trainer)

2. Our sector might get a car(that would be seriously so nice)

3. who knows I might finish my training 6 Weeks early and just receive a regular companion rather than a new trainer. (this mission is sometimes known for missionaries not finishing their training)

Whatever happens I'm excited and eager to face it. It's been a great 5 weeks so far. I do love it here:)

So for those who would like to know. I hardly ever speak tahitian because I'm on (the island)
​Tahiti which is a lot more French than Tahitian. They do speak frahitian a lot though. If it's easier to say the Tahitian word in the sentence they do it. 

for example:

maa-food

tamaa-eat

faatamaaraa-dinner appointment

ia orana-hello

there are a few others but you get the idea.

even though I don't speak Tahitian very much, my french is seriously so much better than I thought It would be. I can understand mostly everything. That's super cool. Also not having to translate into English in my head is nice. It's at a point where I just know what the word means. Its hard to explain. those who can speak another language will understand.  Also we live in one of the nicest houses in our sector and one of the nicest mission houses too. We live with the zone leaders. The house is pretty nice but definitely nothing like any house in America. People live pretty humble lives here. They have tin roof houses and the houses are made out of mostly concrete brick things. No one really has doors. just curtains really.  Sometimes I think I'm not in Tahiti because there aren't a lot of people with very nice stuff. I really have a lot of respect for these people. The way we eat is by the members every single night. We only really have to prepare lunch. Sometimes. Because sometimes after lessons people will want to feed us. It's awesome! The way we find people is usually by members honestly. Every single person in our sector has been contacted at least 10 times because this is an old mission and the sectors are small. I really can witness that the power of members is real and is so important to missionary work. I'll tell a story and they let you all go.

We were tracting in a cartier (dirt road with lots of houses in it) everyone in this cartier told us to leave. That was hard. The next day we had a member reference and they took us to the same cartier and lo and behold the reference was happy to see us and welcomed us in even though they sent us away the day before. I love this work so much. It is so hard sometimes but I feel real joy when I teach others the truths of the gospel.

Love you all!!

-Elder Christensen

 

Love, 

Renée

"I remember those who are on the isles of the sea....

 and I bring forth my work unto the children of men, yea, even upon all nations of the earth."  2 Nephi 29:7