July 12, 2012

F.B.I. Report (From.Big.Island)

We have now been on island for five weeks.  Hard to believe!  The first two weeks were a blur.  We were "white-washed in" - that is the term when you arrive in an area without a transition.  We had lunch in Utah for a couple of hours with the mission couple who were here before us.  They left May 4 and we arrived June 4.  They gave us an overview of their mission and wished us luck!  This is a very complex mission area.  We know it's Hawaii, and we know it's part of the United States, but this is certainly not the Hawaii of our vacations.  I often ask myself how I could have come here on vacations and be so clueless!  The answer is:  I was on vacation, staying at hotels or condos and swimming at nice beaches and eating at nice restaurants.  When I went for drives, I saw the blue skies and foliage.  I didn't see the homes and the people.  I didn't really "see them". 

Now we see them and know them.  We are finding our way around by ourselves now.  Our ward list has very few addresses on it.  Our dear friends, Matt and Roz have been invaluable.  They were both born and raised on the Kohala Coast and they know everyone.  They are loved and well respected entertainers, who play guitar, ukelele and sing beautiful Hawaiian music.  Matt is our ward mission leader and Roz is our Relief Society President.  

The people of Kohala are so related, it has become almost funny to us - not that they are related, but that whenever we mention a name of someone we have met, they are either a relative or classmate of theirs.  Why, of course you are!!   There is a lot of local pride and spirit.  Kohala is a very special place, in fact it is the birthplace of King Kamehehe and his statue has a place of honor in our town.  Note:  I said "our town".  We feel very protective and proud of our adopted home.  

 King Kamehehe day celebration.  June 11, 2012.  The people of Kohala make leis of all kinds and they are draped individually on the statue.

There is also a lot of need here.  It is hard to explain the layers of the culture.  Family first, foremost and always.  Most families live together generationally.  First, because it is cultural for these families, and it is the best way of making it financially.   The homes where generations live together often have a bed in the living room and they often do their family eating and entertainment in the garage or under shade canopies extending onto the driveway.  It makes sense and is good use of space.  There is often not a lot of room in the kitchen for a dining area with a large family, so we often are entertained in the garage.  The weather is favorable and for this reason, most do not have garage doors.  It is so sensible and we make ourselves "right at home".  Also, a lot of couples on the islands do not marry.  They live together and have children and go to work and the grandparents take care of the children.  Everyone older than you is an auntie or uncle.  A mark of respect.  Also, they probably are your auntie or uncle if you really look into it.  When we are teaching the gospel to families who are not married, the parents can not be baptized until they marry.  This is a big decision, as they are likely to lose some benefits.

The food is wonderful.  Every meal is accompanied by rice.  We love it.  There are so many ethnicities here - Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Tongan, Samoan - so we are treated to some outstanding meals.  Many times, the meat is cooked in an "emu" pronounced "eemoo".  This is cooking in the ground.  On Sunday, we had Thanksgiving dinner in July.  The family had raised and prepared two pigs and a turkey in an emu and they served it kahlua style.  (pulled - pork or turkey).  It was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  We stopped by to see a family - (we like to pull in between 5 and 6 because they might be cooking something delicious )- and they were steaming lau lau.  This is a little packet of pork and fish, wrapped in luau leaves, then in foil and steamed for about four to five hours.  They season it with black pepper and Hawaiian salt.  Yum.  Most people hunt and/or fish and they eat what they catch.  Wild pigs are plentiful and very destructive.  They run amuk and ruin gardens.  The men catch the young ones and raise them until they are fat.  Then they are used for big celebrations and luaus.  We have had a lot of pork lately at high school graduation luaus.  Every occasion is a cause for celebration.  Birthdays, anniversaries and graduations are the main reasons for parties.  

As for our missionary work, we are always looking for a way to serve and bless lives.  It is best to have been introduced by a local member and then people are happy to invite us into their homes and lives.  We try to leave a short message and a prayer/blessing on the home.  People have been very receptive.  We are teaching a fellow who is Marshallese (from the Marshall Islands).  He is very shy and we have been told that when he sees the Mormon missionaries, he usually heads out the back door.  However, he has been very friendly to us and told us to come by any time and we are always welcome in his home.  His girlfriend is a less active member and they have the most darling baby called Brett.  Again, they would have to get married in order for him to be baptized.  They are now engaged, so we call that progress. 

Aysha, Danica, Anella and Harley.

We are also teaching four darling girls - cousins - ages 8, two nine year olds, and a 14 year old.  They are so cute and shy.  Their grandmother is a recent convert and they have no religious training in their home.  They love to answer our questions and light up when we say they are right!!  We gave each child a Bible and Book of Mormon, a picture of the Savior and a couple of bookmarks.  You would think we had given them gold!  They have been coming to church in jeans, so it was fun to pick out dresses for them at Wal-Mart and Target in Kona.  You should have seen the delight in their eyes when they were presented with dresses to wear to church.  They have learned how to pray now, and they stand by me and I whisper to them to help them.  Their parents have consented to their being baptized and they are really looking forward to that.  It will probably be the first part of August, after school starts. 

Yes, Elder Rapier was the ring leader of this expedition!

After one of our lessons, the girls got up on the roof of the shed and harvested lychee.

 

 

 Oh Hi!  I told you "I don't go Tracting".

You never know what you'll see on a Mission.

We came around the corner on our way home from Hilo and there were these animals.

Well, it's late here.  Before this turns into "War and Peace", I will close for now.  Our mission has been such a blessing in our lives.  We miss our friends and family so much, yet there is no where else we would rather be than right here, right now.  This Gospel is true and we love our Savior.  This is a small way we can show our appreciation for all that He has done for us.  Sharing His message of peace and happiness is a privilege.  God bless.  More later.  Love always,  Sister Rapier.