Cultural day was a successful day... "the best part was seeing all the families..."

Hey everyone,

Week 3 done and dusted, not like I'm counting or anything lol but this week has been some what busy - it kinda went by fast. We visited all the members our Bishop asked us to visit as well as did about 30 hrs of door knocking (to no avail again) lol. The Ward Auxiliary leaders have been supportive in the mission work as well as members wanting to come out with us to do our visits. Spent 6 hrs on Wednesday visiting members with the Elders Quorum leader Brother Vimahi. I met so many families and we invited them to the ward conference. We did so much walking and bike riding this week, giving our car a rest I guess lol and the weather here is so random and the sun just burns like crazy, getting darker by the day. It was a good work out though leading up to the big feed on Saturday lol. So many little funny experiences when door knocking. When you hear the parents tell their kids to tell us they're not home or when they see us coming and we see them see us coming lol and they run and hide pretending no ones home and the best one would probably be us knocking and they come walk to the door and see its missionaries and straight walk back to the room without saying anything lol. It's been crackup all the tracting we've done.

Took the MTC exchange out in our area I had Elder Turnier who will be serving in Brisbane, pretty much just went door knocking with him which he liked I guess and then we went to visit one of our referrals we got and he was killing it. We both shared a message about The Restoration of the Gospel and mate Elder Turnier got it on lock, I learned a bit about him, he's from Tahiti and is a convert and loves the church dearly. he's going to serve in my home town like a beast. Best thing is we got a free feed from the MTC lol.

We had ward conference this weekend that past and it turned out a lot better then we hoped it would, as well seeing something pretty new. On Saturday we had our cultural day. Started off with games and activities for everyone and then moved on to the main even. Everyone setting up their stalls full of food representing their country, all dressed in clothing and outfits as well. It was great to see all the members participating and going all out. The groups then performed their items starting off with Polynesia, Asia then Italy. Then time to eat, I wanted to try a bit from each country but I straight gunned it for the Island table cause it's been a long time since I had some good Island food plus some legend of a guy rocks up with 2 eski's full of Kina and Abalone fresh from the morning dive like damn mah man. My companion and I made some nice as burritos for our group and they got demolished which was good to see and then I got full from the Island food and wanted to go sleep lol. The last 2 groups India and Mexico went next with there performances and then ended the day. It was a successful day with great food, entertainment and company, there were quite a few non members who were visiting that we got to talk to and get to know, but the best part was seeing all the families that we visited during the week and invited coming to the ward conference and enjoying themselves. A lot of the members were happy to see faces they haven't seen in a long time.

 

 

 

We got home and realised of fridge finally had some food as well as our pantry lol cause it's been empty for a long time. Struggle is real as a missionary lol going from making bank every week to making peanuts every fortnight is a laugh lol, but this life is a minimalist life and you come to realise the importance to life and living. I already knew but it's great to have the experience and knowledge of such things, forever grateful for being where I am right now.

Then it was Sunday - it was something else. Our bishop, Bishop Samuel got released after a faithful 5 year service and we got a new Bishop with a new 1st counselor. So a lot of changes has happened with the Bishopric but same as usual, we talk with the new Bishop and we can see he has committed and dedicated his time already and is ready to guide this ward and do the work. He invited us over for dinner and had a mean BBQ and good talks. We're teaching 4 people right now and the lessons are going swell I hope lol they're really receptive with the lessons and enjoy it along with our company and the fellowship from the members. I'm loving my time here in Alfriston Ward and hoping I stay for at least another 2 transfers.

Well that's it for me - short, sharp and sweet. Miss home but love being here!

Love you all and look after yourselves ok yea.

Love to here from you guys later!

 

Elder Purcell