Tough Times in the Marquises

Kaoha nui !!! It's been about a month since I last sent out an email. It's been quite a couple weeks, many things I won't be able to include in an email but I hope to share lots of photos:)

To be honest, we've been struggling quite a bit here. The members need lots of help, we have things that haven't been sent to us, and isn't progressing as we hoped it would. But we know it's a part of His plan, we keep trying everyday to do what we can to advance His kingdom here in the Marquises.

We do a lot of service! We cut lots of trees down, clear out peoples faapu's (citrus/banana orchards), and lots of other things. One particular time I'll always remember, we carried massive banana stocks down our backs through some ancient ruins deep in the jungle of the mountains. It's a lot cooler up there compared to the desert landscape we pretty much live in...

We do lots of family nights with the families in our neighborhood! We have access to a projector, and films/videos really get their attention. Polynesians love to talk a lot and often get off topic haha, videos really help.

I've been intrigued by the handmade crafts and tools by the ancient people of these islands. They are detailed, extremely useful, and took much time to create. Everything these people had was on the island and it was all they needed. I wish I could experience that... We had the opportunity to create and carve a manta ray ourselves with some friends!

Our two worst enemies here are the mosquitos (mainly my enemy), and the centipedes. The centipedes venom from it's pincers make you swell pretty bad. The Marquisians see them as a bad sign, that the evil forces are out for you. Would make sense that we have a lot at the house, we are on the Lords errand

We slowly been growing in how many of our members are coming back to church, it's exciting to see:) We hope more people will be interested in seriously taking the lessons with us. We are nearing three months here! We continue to hope for a branch to be created here.

As I approach 4 months left of my mission, I hope I can stay here till the end!!

Unfortunately due to the internet we weren't able to watch general conference this last week, but I hope to read the talks soon. Hopefully you were able to receive the answers and the feeling of hope and peace from the messages of Christ's prophets and apostles!

Well, that's all for this one! Thank you for reading along about my adventures of sharing the gospel to the children of God in the îles of the sea. It really has been the best and the hardest thing I've done so far in my life. These experiences will help me in my future life challenges. I'm thankful to be a missionary of Christ's restored church.

Apai mes frères et sœurs! Till next time.

Elder Hansen