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Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026
O aʻu o Sister Faamaoni
Hey fam and fwens, hope everything is seki for you despite everything that's going on in the world. It's been quite the crazy emotionally-physically-
Three weeks ago, got a random call from AP Elder Ale after district meeting saying I'll be transfered to Savaii the next day. Before returning home to pack, said some goodbyes, one of them being our good friend Liz who we've been visiting and teaching with the APs over Whatsapp. Ended up sharing a short message of the restoration of Christ's gospel to her co-worker, Tino. Later that same night, I found out that I was training. Got on the boat to Savaii the next day. Had mixed feelings of joy to return to the island where I started and sad to leave the people I've come to love in the area of Navu.
Once arrived to my new home in Foailuga on Wednesday, I was shocked to find out that we had 10 people scheduled for baptism on Saturday. Seven of the 10 are siblings and their mom from the Tuiala family and the other 3 are sisters from the Tonu family. My companion was Sister Tautu from Vaitele. We had half a week together because she finished her mission the following Tuesday. But before she left, we had the baptism on Saturday. Sadly, the Tuiala family couldn't get baptized because their village (Salailua) has a rule that you can't convert to other churches outside the village (our church in Foailuga). If they did, they would get kicked out of Salailua. So only the Tonu sisters were on for baptism. Please pray for the Tuiala family.
Our mission president, President Adney Reid, felt prompted to attend the baptism. Good thing he did, because the cousin of the Tonu sisters who'd been joining in their lessons wanted to be baptized too. So President quickly did her baptismal interview while the other 3 were getting baptized so she could be baptized right after them. So four souls were able to start on the covenant path that day. Also, now I live with the bishop's family instead of in a missionary quarters (MQ) which is pretty noiiice.
Two weeks ago, in the time Sister Tautu finished and my pepe (trainee) hadn't come yet, I had the chance to work with Sister Samuelu in my area and her area in Sagone. I managed to get hand-foot-mouth disease from bishop's grandkid the same week, so... could only do so much. But don't worry, it went away in a week.
My pepe arrived last week and we've been enjoying the work. Her name is Sister Eves from Hawaii! Fun fact: I saw her bear her testimony in church in my last area. She was visiting Samoa with her family before she went to the MTC and they went to the closest church that fit with their schedule, and it happened to be Navu 2nd ward on fast and testimony Sunday. Coincidence? I think not. The Lord's hand is in everything.
Literally everything. From the members who've been helping us in the work to understanding and speaking the language. I can promise you that obedience to the Lord's standards brings great spiritual power and joy beyond measure. Although the world teaches otherwise, what the mission and living for Jesus Christ has taught me is that looking up and outside of yourself brings true and lasting happiness.
I love you all very much and desire the same kind of happiness in your lives. Try giving it a taste. (1 Nephi 8:10-12; 11:21-23) We have a living prophet and apostles who guide us according to our time's needs through the power of The One who knows us best, Jesus Christ. Hear from them this Easter season:
♡
Arohanui & Alofaaga,
Sister Wihongi
Samoa Apia Mission
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