Pics from Vava’u

This week there was a wedding so me and my comp went and helped prep. We killed a horse, 2 cows, and 15 pigs! It took all day.

Hi Mom!

We are late posting this email. This came before Christmas…

Hi Momma,

First i just want to say why  does it start snowing when i leave? That makes me soooo mad right now! im so jealous! And second, me and my comp want to say thank you so much for the package, and yes i got it! it was tight! i shared some of the food with the elders, but we just want to give a big thanks for all of that. And i loved all the messages from everyone. It was nice, tell them thank you, and that i love and miss them. everything has been going solid and no we did not get the baptism. This whole month she’s been in tonga for christmas.

im still with the same comp and he’s tight! remember he’s from vegas so it will be cool to chill with him when i get back home. Transfers have come but im still in the same area. it’s such a small, slow area. Everyone in our area is baptized, so theres nothing much we can do except teach the younger kids who aren’t 8 yet. And just try to reactivate everyone, but all you can really do is just say read the scriptures, and come to church, but like it kinda sorta comes down to them. All we can really do is just be there friend, ya know?

It’s been rainy and stormy so we are not supposed to go out. i’ve just been hanging out in my mq just studying my guts out, but it sorta makes the day go by faster. I am not sure if I said or not, but the new rule is were not allowed to go tracting and stuff anymore. the prophet came out with this rule just for the islands, and that the members need to give us investigators. The point of this is because the islands are small and everyone knows who the missionaries. so this is a new rule and we kind of just do service now.

Remember how i told you about that guy who always harassed us in church? We go and mow his lawn every other thursday and he actually got up on the pulpit and apologized to us for being a pain. it was way interesting. but it was nice of him to apologize.

The internet here is always on and off so we never know when we’ll be able to use it. we got some new missionaries in vava’u and its weird cause i never would of thought i would get everyones name down here but i legit got everyones name down here. its tight! there’s like 60 of us, but its fun. We got two new zone leaders and they’re pretty strict so maybe thats what this mission needs cause a lot of them mess around over here.

I just want to say i love you and miss you like crazy! christmas seriosuly wont be the same. it makes me home sick, but i hope everything has been going good. you guys are always in my prayers. And Mom, Happy Birthday just in case i wont be able to get to a computer. i just want to say thank you for adopting me and having me a part of this family. i really don’t know where i would be, but i kind of have an idea now, haha! I’m just very grateful to have you as my mom. I love you and i hope you have a great birthday and christmas.

love always your missionary,

Elder Berry

Upcoming baptism

Hey Family,

Whats new in my life? I have a baptism next Saturday, so that’s pretty exciting. Her name is Saane. To be honest,  I didn’t really teach much. I would just touch up on small things like the importance of tithing and word of wisdom. And then I would just bear my testimony. I never realized how much stronger the spirit is during the lessons. Our zone leaders came and helped with our lessons, cause our Tongan is not very good….but I’m just excited that I finally have a baptism. She wants to serve a mission, and she’s wanted too forever. She’s been taught by past Elders, but I don’t know why she never got baptized before. But I’m so glad she accepted us. She’s a way cool girl, but kinda shy, but she’s definitely opened up too us now. It’s like I feel like being in this area doesn’t feel like a whole waste of time, ya know? I’m just happy. Me and my comp have another investigator this wednesday and he’s about to get married, so obviously temple marriage is going to be in the lesson! Everything has been going solid. I’m so happy things are getting better. The Tongan language is lacking a little, but it’s all good.

Yesterday was Sunday and I got called out from the Bishop to come share a spiritual thought and bear my testimony. I was kinda panicking, cause I wasn’t prepared for that, so I just found a scripture and went up there and did my thing. I was so nervous,  but it’s all good now.

I’ve been getting fed really well out here. Whenever I get a big protein meal (like a lot of meat) I get a big work out in. I work out every night on my stairs. It’s all about upper body out here? I don’t know why but all the Tongans are just solid up top! haha.

I’m so glad the funeral went well. The pictures looked amazing. I wish I could of been there. You guys were all on my mind a lot this week.

So, yes, I heard about the Fly boys. That’s a bummer. I just heard special teams didn’t do so hot. It’s all good, but I do feel bad for the seniors. I bet that was devastating. I hate dhills! I hope pv takes it now.

I love all your guys’ emails! I miss home so much. I hope all is going good. I don’t really know what I want from home – just pictures and letters – that’s really all I want. And that list I gave you from a couple weeks. I hope all is going well and I can’t wait to hear from you guys soon. I love you guys.

Love,

Elder Berry

Boils…

Dear Famili!

The language is hard! I pray and ask god why am I not learning the language fast enough–does he not want me to be able to speak to the people here to teach them?  I’ve murmured a few times and have just been thinking maybe God is just humbling me, ya know? I don’t know. It’s hard. I just wish there was something I could do. I try to study as much as I can, but reading out of a book is just not my bread and butter. Sorry I keep complaining, but like I said, maybe God is just humbling me first.

It stinks having to get on here and hear about Reed. I miss and love him. He really was so good to our family. Tell grandma my love and prayers go out to her and that I miss her. I’m sorry this week had to go down like that, but like Tika said, “I hope there’s a track and golf course with unlimited holes up in heaven, cause he deserves it!” I love and miss you guys and I wish I was there.

Jake and Amy! How’s Baby E! haha it’s so weird I have to wait to meet my nephew… it’s like a movie or something, ya know? I loved the pictures. Carson and Eli looked cute! Give them my love.

Oh and [football] tips. To be honest, tell hosnor to tell his defense to listen to their count, cause thats honestly how we stopped them. They were calling out there plays and me and t streh figured out the number calling, and I just shifted the defense left or right. They may have changed everything so tell him that as well. They’re not as good as everyone thinks–everyone just has that mind set. We should have blown them out of the water, they’re just a very disciplined team.

I got stung by a wasp and it’s been spreading all through my leg. Kinda hurts, but I’m a wuss. And I have like 12 boils on my left foot and 5 on my right…so I’m dying over here.

Mom:

We have 2 meals a day from families. There’s a calendar that has a list for everyone in the ward.

Every companionship has their own house. It’s way nice. We have a room, 2 beds, a shower, 2 sinks, a table, 2 mirrors, 2 fans, 1 dvd portable and 2 closets. They’re way nice.  I’m very grateful for that. The weathers been good,  no hurricane has hit us. I heard it hit the Philippines and 10000 people are dead and 20 missionaries are missing. Pray for Connor, Mitch, Wilky and Tadd Challis. I hope those guys are safe, and yes, there are huge spiders and centipedes and just weird bugs. I have not had to cook once. I eat big meals and they’re mostly meat. It’s my protein so I lift every night so I don’t get fat.

Tell my dixie boys i miss and love them!

I love and miss all of you. You’re always in my prayers for safety and protection. Hope all is well. Tell Brett I love and miss him and to get better! Miss my best friend!

Love always, your missionary,

Elder Berry

I’m back from the dead!!!

Dear Family,

Sorry it’s been so long. So the freakin’ internet in this whole half of the island has not been working for some odd reason?? So, that’s why I haven’t been able to get on and write you guys. My comp and me walked an hour and a half to get to this church on the other side of the island just to write you guys.

Okay. So I don’t even know where to start? I have so many pics I need to send you guys but I just wont have time cause we still have to walk back… So I’m not covering the whole island–I’m in Holonga. Ummm, our area is so small–it takes us 15 minutes to walk around our whole area. Most of the people in the village are members. It’s hard because a lot of the people that are not just say they’ve heard it all. And they’re not interested. We keep trying to get in contact with this girl who says she wants to be baptized cause she’s had all the lessons but her dad wont let her cause he’s the priest in the Pentecostal church. Here it’s like everyone either likes us or they hate us.

I really don’t know what to talk about–I just feel so rushed. I wish I could just tell you all in person. The language is coming around. I’m starting to understand it a little. There’s a family called the Atoas and they’re always taking care of my comp and me. Always trying to line us up with people to teach. It’s not their job, but they’ve been a huge blessing in our lives. I just talk to the kids all the time and just play rugby with them. I think the elders who were here last left a sour taste cause sometimes people are always asking what were doing and where we’re going like they’re hecka fie poto! it’s annoying. But a lot of the members love that we’ve respected and have obeyed the mission rules. They said elders would stay up late playing cards and they would never wear their proselyting attire and they were just lazy.

We’ve gone out to the bush a few times and have helped the members with their chores. On our Pdays we just play volleyball or rugby. Nothing big. We’ve been washing our clothes out of a bucket. So its pretty refreshing putting that brownish whiteish shirt back on (; haha. My comp and me got an opportunity to go teach the kids at the school. The kids were hilarious! We just taught them the first lesson in the pmg. Most of the kids were members so they knew a lot of it. I was actually surprised cause they were 6-10 years old.

I can’t remember when, but maybe a week ago it was 3 in the morning and our door started banging and someone telling us to “Wake up, its a new day!” “Wake up, wake up, Utah and Las Vegas!” I was like what the heck is going on? Then he started pounding louder and louder and started yelling to open the door. So we opened the door and it was our neighbor down the road drunk as a duck and came in and literally preached to us for two hours! I’ll have to send you guys pics of him cause I recorded him. He thinks he’s the Messiah. He’s crazy! But he’s an X Tongan crip gangster who was deported 10 years ago from California, and he’s a big buff Tongan that I would not want to mess with. He’s got tats all over and even on his face– he’s just a crazy guy. So when he was over we tried to teach him about the word of wisdom and he kept arguing with us about how Jesus drank wine and all this jazz. One thing that a lot of Tongans (that aren’t members) think that whatever the bible says is what we should be following, but they don’t get that times have changed. I don’t know if I make any sense but this dudes crazy and I lost two hours of sleep cause of him.

So conference was a bust. Since the whole stake center was crowded that we were sitting outside and the speakers weren’t very loud. And I seriously couldn’t understand much. It was hard to understand when you could barely hear it. Even my comp didn’t know what was going on, so we just tried to feel the spirit.

I just want to say Congrats to Jake and Amy. I sure miss you guys and I wish I was there. Eli David Berry. I can’t believe I missed it. I can’t wait to come back home and see this kid! This whole month not being able to write has made me so homesick. I’ve been thinking about you guys all the time. But I know if I just do God’s work, and take care of what He wants done, He’ll take care of those I love. I miss you guys like crazy! Tell Brett I miss him and tell him I’m doing good. Tell Tika I’m proud of her as well, and I wish that I was home to hangout with her, and that I’m excited for her to get her license!! Haha that’s crazy!

Katie you should of punched the kid haha. They would here in Tonga (; I miss you and Nate. How is Nate doing? I was going through one of the memory cards that you gave me and you had it full of your mission pics and videos. I enjoyed going through them and your vids man were cracking up my comp and me.

Mom and Dad sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written you guys back. I don’t know when the last time you’ll here from me again… but I promise to give you a better letter next time guys. Sorry. Just so much has gone on I just like forgot and can’t remember it all right now.

My comp and me are trying to hurry so we can get back home. Its like a 11 and we’ll probably get home around 1ish. Just know I love you guys and I’m so grateful for everything you guys have taught me and have done for me. I don’t know where I would be in life if it weren’t for you guys. I love and miss you guys dearly. Oh and mom congrats on the marathon! That made me so happy you got a better time than all of yours before! That’s so crazy! Super proud of you! I hope you weren’t too sore after.

I’m Glad my Flyers are doing good! Gosh those guys will probably take state again! Haha I miss football so much.

Jake and Amy I love and miss you guys. I can’t wait to meet my nephew in person. Tell him I love him and I wish I were there meet and hold him. I hope you’re doing good Ames. And healthy and going good. I love all you guys and I miss you tons!! I pray for you guys constantly! My Tongan stinks but the food is great! I know I’ve been slacking on the pics, but I promise I’ll to get some to you guys. Ofa Lahi Atu! Give Cars a big hug and kiss for me! Miss my little shadow! Have a great week. Hope I can get online soon…

Love your Tongan Elder,

Elder Berry

Ps. Sorry mom for all my grammar mistakes. I’m in a hurry. Cut me some slack.

In Vava’u!

Well, so the boat ride was terrible! Everyone was getting sick. it was suppose to be a 16 hour boat ride but it took us 28. all the elders threw up except me and two other elders. there was 14 of us. I don’t know how I didn’t Lua everywhere cause everyone on the boat was throwing up. there was a kid from orem he was fine then all of a sudden he woke up, ran up the stairs (cause we were on the bottom bottom of the boat), and he threw up on the stairs. then got to the bathroom, threw up and the toilet was clogged, so he ran out to the deck throwing up, and then finally got to the side of the boat and threw up. he said right when he did he felt so much better. then someone above him threw up on him and then he said he just lua’d everywhere! bahahahah it was the funniest story ever!

We stopped to two islands. I cant remember the first one, but the second one was Hap’pai? We were there for about 3 hours. Elders from that area met us there and fed us. most of the guys didn’t want to eat. When we were done we got back on the boat. We arrived in Vava’u around 12 at night. everyone was so tired and hungry. so some went to sleep, and the other half of us went to the local bishops house and he had a feast waiting for us. it was fish and dog. with like noodles. it was soooo good! like the dog here is amazing. it looks gross when you look at it but when you eat it it just tastes like soft chicken. So marley better watch out.

I have a new Comp. His name is Elder Montineko. he’s from Las Vegas. small world right? we have so much in common and he’s so tight! we just talk crap on all the vegas football teams and how we hate them. He’s such a good trainer. he thinks he sucks with the language but I think he knows more than he really thinks. He’s a white boy from a family of 11. we always talk about high school. its nice to like to talk to someone that knows the places you’re talking about, then a comp that’s never even been to America.

The area im in is called Holonga. its a small area and like everyone hates us. theres a few stakes here in Vava’u. but theres only one ward in the church we go to. We’ve come close with our bishop – he’s such a cool guy. we asked, “Fefe Holonga?” as in “how’s Holonga?” And he immediately said Kovi!, which means bad! hahaha I laughed so hard, he’s a hard working guy. he just says the members in that area can be idiots.

All the elders here are way chill! we all bond well! most of them are from Utah. so we talk about high school and football and rugby. They’re a cool group of guys. it will be weird coming back home and seeing them again.

Today was P-day and I finally went to the beach! it was fun! its so beautiful! I wish you guys could all see it! we bought chicken and bread at the store and built a fire in this huge cave and cooked lunch there. and we pretty much chilled. got our feel a little wet and just took pictures. its like a flippin adventure anywhere you go here. It’s amazing and I love this area! I hope I don’t leave for a long time. the difference here is that theres mountains and way way green! in the main island of Tonga its just flat…. So that’s why Vava’u is the most beautiful island and they call it second America, cause everyone wants to live there.

Besides that everything is going solid. I miss all of you guys! Im glad I finally was able to add Naters and Gergs to the group. I sure miss and love you guys! Im glad everything is going solid! to be honest I really don’t like spending that much time on the computer. I just get homesick. I try to prevent myself from getting on it but I have to. I was honestly going to go for like a month without getting on but then my mission president said we should repent every time we don’t write to your family especially “mom” haha. There has been one elder that didn’t speak to his family for 11 months! isn’t that crazy?! he was in Niua. that’s where kolipoki went. they said out there you wont be able to hear from your family, unless something urgent happens, then someone will fly out there to tell you. I asked how do you call home? an elder said you just ask the pres if you can get your phone call since you didn’t when you were out there. I hope I don’t have to go to Niua. they said its a different ball game, everyone loses weight cause you’re like starving out there – you eat bugs the members don’t feed you much and you just eat fruit as well. everyone said they like fasted to just get food and water. some people broke down crying and asking if god was really there. everyone says its nuts out there and it definitely changes people. they’re just not the same how they used to be. kinda trippy….

Well I miss you guys! so excited for the baby! Im glad everything is going solid! im glad to hear from Tika! tell her im proud of her. Tell Bretty boy I miss him so much! Im glad I was able to hear from all of yall! hope you’re doing good. I pray for you guys every time I pray. I love and miss you all! thanks for the blog Jake. Love you guys. BYU needs to step it up. Glad Dixie is doing solid! I can see them taking state again. alright OFA LAHI ATU!

Love,

Elder Berry