April 8

MALIA GODO,

I must finally be acclimatising to the weather out here because it sure felt like a cold week. I doubt it even got below 80F but it rained and rained all week long. I believe that by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass and, just maybe, God sent us the rain to help us find people that need this gospel. As Sister Varea and I walked on the road, whenever the rain started, people would call us into their homes so we wouldn't get wet. We were able to use those opportunities to teach them and their families until the rain stopped and we could continue on our way. We found so many people this week including many many less-active members who were more than happy to talk to us. I feel like most of them just didn't have family and member support and so they eventually just fell away but they still know without a doubt that the church is true. 

I finally walked around the entire island of Sokehs on Friday. Sister Varea and I decided that if we walked around the island with no stops it would probably take about 11/2 hours. 

The Andons are a family we were teaching in Kolonia. Before we left the area Brother Andon promised he would be at church on Sunday and I was happy to see that he finally came yesterday. He also came and told us that his whole family will be at church next week he will be baptised before the end of this month. I know he's been working hard to give up smoking and I think he's almost there. 

We met a man this week who is 71 years old. I asked the 40 year old woman in his house if she was his daughter. She just smiled and told us she was his wife and then introduced us to their 6 young children. The oldest is 15 and the youngest is 4. We had a little lesson with them and the man had plenty to say about his views on religion, what the bible says, etc. I didn't think he was all that interested but extended a baptismal invitation after a nudge from Sister Varea. Well, lo and behold he replied by saying "Thank you for the invitation, I want to join your church".

There is a member family from Guam who just moved here about 6 months ago and the father is the only one who knows Pohnpein. One of their young girls in elementary is failing her classes because she doesn't understand her teacher so Sister Varea and I are going to start meeting with her once a week to teach her the language. We taught her on Friday and she is very bright and reads well for a second-grader. I think she'll pick up the language fast. The mom sat in the lesson and I think she is interested in learning too. 

Love y'all,

Sister Beutler