A Service of Love: No Water, Sacrifice, and Miracles

Bonjour mes amis et ma famille,

Je vous aime! E here au ia outou!

This week was full of many experiences. I will start out saying that Sr. Sommers and I planned during weekly planning last week to make a sacrifice to see some miracles with the amis we have. We decided that we would fast 3 times during the week for our amis. Well, you all will read throughout this email, there were many miracles to follow that sacrifice.

First off, Tuesday I was reminded to be grateful for the running water and electricity we have as the power was out almost all day, meaning we didn't have running water, but it was only one day and a good experience. It happened because the whole islands runs off of like 2 generators and they have been using a lot of electricity to power the lights for the HEIVA games every night. All in all the generators were exhausted. Since we didn't have any light in the house, we did our language study at night under the stars. The stars here are incredible. That experience without water and electricity throughout the day, brought my companion and I to our knees at night really just thanking God for the light and water we had in the past, that we never were grateful enough for.

Wednesday we had many miracles with the amis that we fasted for.

One of our amis, Jean Paul, who at first didn't want anything to do with us, told us that since he has started learning about the gospel with us, he has stopped drinking.

We haven't even talked about the word of wisdom with him yet, but he has already started to make changes in his life to keep that commandment.

We also had a lesson with Vaitea, who is loving studying the Book of Mormon with us. He usually studies the Book of Mormon for 2 hours daily and Wed. we found out that before he reads he refrains from smoking for 3 hours.

Again huge miracle, because we have focused on the Book of Mormon with him haven't committed him to stop smoking yet.

OHHH yeah, we also found out this week my companion, Sr. Sommers is getting transferred this Thursday. It was a surprise for us because normally the transfers are in like 2 weeks. We put all her stuff on the boat that came Saturday, to go to Tahiti. We got the transfer call Friday night. The miracle was though, that she was already ready. So packing Friday night wasn't that stressful.

Sunday we had a district conference. Pretty much it is a branch conference. There were 6 priesthood leaders that came on a boat Saturday from other islands.

Wednesday during our coordination meeting we found out we needed to have a choir for the conference Sunday. Sr. Sommers and I headed that one up. We held practices two nights in a row and the members were supportive.

The Sunday conference came and the choir sang "Seigneur Je Te Suivrai" (Lord, I would Follow Thee) and "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." They did well for only two practices.

Also Sunday we put on a fireside. We decided to delegate. Throughout the week we asked families to prepare a song to sing as a family about Christ. Then we asked a couple of members to share their testimonies about the Savior's role in their life.

The program went really well and the Spirit was super strong. It was really simple. There were 6 families who each sang a different hymn about Christ, but there were many in tears at the end. It was an evening where the Savior's love was felt by families.

I was so happy that the night was a spiritually edifying experience for the members. Music is so so so powerful.

As I accompanied on the piano, my heart was full. It was like I was at home accompanying my sisters on Sunday night as they played hymns on the violin.

Today Sr. Sommers and I went fishing again. It was a good day to fish. The sun was bright and everything. We saw sharks and the water was so relaxing. I love the beach. I love serving a mission in paradise. During the week it is easy to work hard with the work, but preparation day..... ahhhhhhh, yeah the best water in the world is here. I have never been in it, but the way it looks is breathtaking. AND now my hands smell like fish!! hehe.

Well, hope you all have a good week!

Love,

Soeur Campbell