Week 45 - Yakwe from Kauai!

Saying bye to Raymond

Ace (in the black) and DJ

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

     Im back off the rock and it is good but a little sad especially before that holidays. I miss my old area, the people, my investigators, and the families that I had come to love so much. This new area there are so many good people but I know that it will take a bit of time before they know me and I build a strong relationship with them. 

    As far as the week goes. The beginning was saying farewells and teaching a few last lessons. We had lessons with Ace Sunday, and then Tuesday. We went over the baptismal questions to make sure that he understands all the pre stuff and he was so good. We had another young man, DJ, and they are super good friends, DJ is a convert of a year or 2 and is so good for Ace. When Ace gets off track DJ brings it back. So, we met again Tuesday with DJ and we find out bad news :(. Someone had really offended him and his family and he ended up drinking away his frustration. When he told us he was super shamed and it mad me so sad to see him beating himself up. We pushed the baptism back to December 21 instead of this weekend. It will give him time to grow and to realize that alcohol does not take away the pain/frustrations it only pushes them off for a bit. When I told him that I was going he was super sad and wished me luck in my new area. He said that he was thinking about going on a mission too! It would be so awesome for him! 

    Went and said bye to Raymond! Oh man it was so hard. When the dad found out that I was leaving he looked at me and said, "Wait, what will happen to Raymond with you leaving?" I didnt realize that even he realizzed how much I had done for his son. We had one last lesson with them, prayed with them and I just wanted to cry saying goodbye to them. He seriously became my little brother. I just hope that he will stay strong, receive the Priesthood in February, and go to the temple. It was so hard! 

    Kauai! I know a good amount of the people here in the zone already. There are a lot of white people but they are super good families! And I walked into a ward that is booming with missionary work among the Marshalese people. My first night there we had a baptism and there were 5 more the day before. Aka 6 people baptized in one week! What the heck! Im learning Marshalese from the people here and they are super humble people but there is a language barrier so we are teaching super simple and praying that the Spirit will make up the difference. I already love so many of the people here and it is amazing to me. When I can love people so instantly I truly see the Lord's hand not only in my life but in my heart. Yes at moments Im home sick for Lanai and Makakilo but I also look around and give a silent cry knowking that this place too will become home. Oh man, it hurts to love this much! 

    I have been able to meet a lot of the people that Sister Duke (my trainer) baptized and worked with because she served here in this ward right before she went to Lanai with me. I keep praying that they wont think Im crazy when I show up for the Turkey Bowl and want to play. 

   Im truly blessed to be here. Everyday is my time to grow, to be better, to keep learning. I dont know my future here, but Im excited for the adventure and know that it will be good because God is Good Always! A year out is coming way to quick, and it scares me! Well, I pray for you all, wish you the best, be strong and always help those who are in need! I love you all! Ofa atu! Alofa ia te oe! Aishiteru! Poake poake yuk! Mahal kita! Sarang heo! Yakwe yuk! (Marshalese) Aloha ia te oe! 

Love Always,

      Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Walk into a baptism