It's all Worth it in the End

MAURI MAURI!!! I'm alive... don't worry. Email was not working last week. Things have been so crazy here. The longer I'm here, the more everything seems to get blended together. I have to sit back and think, "wait... what happened this week?".

For church this Sunday, we had 2 investigators come to church. There really aren't any words that describe what it is like to see someone's eyes finally be opened to how much their heavenly father loves them. We have one investigator named Timwaieta. He was one of the first people I ever taught when I got to Christmas Island. At that time, I was just learning how to teach in Kiribati and I was TERRIFIED going into every lesson. I spent hours and hours at home studying the scriptures to find out exactly what Timwaieta needed in his life. After that, I would spend hours and hours then trying to translate what I wanted to say into his language. It was frustrating and at times.... I honestly didn't think it was worth it, but I went into each lesson hoping for the best. This went on for weeks and I put hours of stress, nervousness, and fear into teaching him. I really had to push myself to my limit.

After one lesson, he finally asked us if he could come to church. We were thrilled. He said he needed a tie so before church, we headed over to his house to give him one of mine. Once we pulled up, I look up and see Timwaieta, dressed in dress pants and a white shirt and a huge smile across his face, walking over to us. As I tie my tie around his neck I couldn't hold back the tears from coming out. Every second that I spent struggling and stressing over the past 7 weeks was worth seeing my brother dressed up and coming to church.

Missionary work is so hard. You have to give it your all every single day, but I know without a doubt that it is all so worth it. There are no words that describe the feeling that comes when you get to see your brothers and sisters finally realize that they have a Father in Heaven that loves them.

I find it crazy that as I try to give everything I have to my Heavenly Father in these 2 years of service, he blesses my life 100 times more. I love you guys! Keep pushing on! Hope you enjoy the few pictures of my beautiful island home!

Love,
Devon

1) Walking on glass
2) "Keep up the Kiribati diet and you will get a body like me"
3) No, I didn't catch it... but it was my dinner!

4) Our luxurious airport





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