This last week was pretty fun. I was in a triple with a couple of elders in my zone until Saturday when i received my new companion. His name is Elder Anderson from Salt Lake. He is a big guy. He played football, rugby and wrestled before he came out. He has a scholarship to go back to Weber and play O-line when he finishes his mission. He is a good missionary. It was pretty funny the other day- While we were tracking, we saw this guy doing trimming his yard and I yelled out in Samoan if he needed an extra hand. And then one of two things happened 1)He was shocked that I knew Samoan or 2) He just didn't understand my Samoan. But his response was this, "Haha Haha Haha, What?!" The look on his face was pretty hilarious. My companions and I had a good laugh about it that night.
So this upcoming Sunday we are playing for a Fireside in our area. I am excited. Me and my old companion organized it. We invited the Miss Samoa who is currently living close to our area to come and do it. She put together a choir and goes around doing Firesides. She is from Utah and she even served a mission. I am really hoping that this might get the work moving a little more in my area right now. It is kind of slow and the ward just isn't very involved or doesn't care to much about missionary work.
There was also a pretty big earthquake here on Saturday night. According to my companion it shook the whole house. However, it was at night, and yup, you guessed it, I was to dead asleep to notice anything! So I missed it.
So this upcoming week Samoa will be changing the side of the road we drive on. We will also be getting new cars as well that are right-sided drive. A lot of people aren't to excited about the change. All is well. Love you and appreciate all that you guys do for me! love cam
August 31, 2009
I find myself not taking as many pictures anymore. I guess I am starting to take Samoan life for granted and it has now become a familiar way of life. Most baptismal fonts are those gazebo type styles. Kind of cool huh. I'm not to sure what two pictures you are talking about but I'll assure you, there's nothing to worry about!
Tomorrow is our temple day. I am really excited. Transfers are tomorrow as well. I was happy when the President told me that one specific elder will be transferring into a different zone. He has been pretty difficult and it should make life a lot easier for myself and my comp! Ha kind of bad to say, but true nonetheless!
Yesterday at church, we had two new couples come to church. I was really excited to see them there. Both couples have expressed to my comp and I that they want to be baptized. Hopefully this week we will set a baptismal date. One couple isn't married yet and will probably take a little time. However the other will hopefully be baptized sometime next month.
October 5, 2009
So this week has been pretty crazy. But good as well. I hope you were able to watch conference. It was great. We watched the Saturday morning secession but missed the afternoon and the priesthood because we went to help people affected by the tsunami. We weren't allowed to go help people on Wednesday and Thursday because the Samoan government told us no to go that they had plenty of people out there for now. It then opened up for us to go on Friday, but we had a baptism that day and weren't able to go.
One village called Lalomanu got totally destroyed. It is really sad. We went there to take supplies but no one was there. Everyone had left and are living with relatives or friends in different villages. Our main concentration on Saturday was to get supplies to non-members. Other churches are so unorganized for things like this. All members were taken care of by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Wednesday this week is when big help from the Church is suppose to arrive. I am told that it will be enough to clothe and feed 35,000 people for a month. I’m not quite sure what the president has planned for us this week but we will find out later today when we meet with him and his assistants.
Conference was awesome. There were a lot of talks centered on love and a lot of talks brushed on it as well. Elder Holland gave an awesome talk on the Book of Mormon and was a strong testimony builder for me.
If you want to help, maybe just something simple but with genuine love. Samoans are simple people and a small thought of them being in your prayers would go a long way. This might sound kind of weird to us English speakers, but Samoans love to have blessings bestowed upon them. So maybe send blessings? I know kind of weird but whatever. Everything is good and all is safe. Have a great week and a good trip! love, cam
October 26, 2009
But these last weeks have been really busy. We baptized a lady in one of the areas we cover. Her name is Loge and she lives in Fagaloa. That area is absolutely beautiful. It was so fun to teach her. She has such a sweet personality and was so eager to learn. We married her and her husband on Tuesday and then baptized her that next Saturday.
We are currently teaching three families that are progressing towards baptism. The of the couples are set to be baptized on the second Saturday of November. We are still waiting for one of them to get married.
The clean up work we did was absolutely amazing. I was constantly reminded of the Savior while we were during service helping people clean up their property and giving out food. We usually stayed in big groups going from house to house to see what we could do, but one time myself and another elder were able to break off of the group and go out on our own. It was such a great experience to walk up to a family totally destroyed by the tsunami and ask with Christlike love what we can do to help. I was also remind of President Eyring's talk in conference when he talked about asking with sincerity how someone was doing. While we were doing service on one of the days we were totally shocked by another tsunami warning. We were all resting and taking a break underneath some shade and looking out at the ocean when we heard a bunch of other people screaming from the other end of the village. Some kids ran over to us and told us of the tsunami warning and it was quickly verified when we tuned into the government am radio station. It was quite ironic to be in the middle of tsunami devastation and cleaning up the rubble when another warning was issued. We all went inland and up a mountain but the warning was quickly lifted.
This last week, on Tuesday, we had our mission tour. Elder Hamula, the 1st Counselor in the area presidency of the Pacific came and addressed us. The spirit was so strong there. All missionaries from Upolu were there and Elder Hamula gave an amazing talk. He gave his thoughts concerning the tsunami and read us parts of DC 88 and 3 Nep 11. He told us natural disasters are meant to humble people and prepare them for baptism.
The first or second week of November, Pres Ucthdorf (spelling?) will be visiting Samoa. We are scheduled to have a meeting with him and all the missionaries as well. I am really excited.
That doo rag was a life savor and that was the first time I was able to use the sunglasses you sent me for Christmas. So it all worked out pretty good! All is well. God bless! love, cam
From the “Couple Missionary” He sent the photographs.
Dear Brother and Sister Summers,
We thought you would enjoy these photos of your son. We have had the opportunity to work with him this past couple of months and he is an excellent Elder. The Elders have worked hard in giving service to the tsunami victims. After 48 hours without sleep Elder Summers came to me and said, "It just doesn't get any better. We've enclosed the picture of him when he said this. He doesn't usually wear bandannas, but that day they were so hot, I tore up old sheets and they all put them on their heads. They actually reminded me of the 2000 stripling warriors. You have an awesome son and he is doing well. We have been so blessed to work with him.
Thanks for raising such a fine young man.
Elder and Sister Eves
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