November 3, 2013

Dear Family,

Happy Birthday, Owen:) I got a little teary-eyed when I read about
your becoming a priest. I'm happy.

Halloween is about the same here. There are groups of kids that run
around and really just try and go to where there are white people. We
had some fun with them while we were out and about, but felt kind of
bad for all the kids who wanted to actually knock our door for candy:
our landlord has the two biggest and scariest dogs on Kosrae, and all
the kids are terrified of them.

So, things have been going well. We are teaching some really great
people, and there is a lot of potential. Barry should be able to get
baptized this coming Saturday, with his kids pretty close behind him.
Also, we are working with Edson who can get baptized as soon as he
overcomes a few challenges. I am very excited for the both of them.

Something that we run into quite a bit in this spot of the world is
that we get people who agree with us on everything, but who have been
taught that re-baptism is a sin. It is a little frustrating, but we
have been countering it with a lot of focus on priesthood and the
apostasy. Anyway, we just found out that the same church who teaches
this 're-baptism' nonsense is, in fact, practicing re-baptism. I am a
little miffed at false doctrine.

Actually, whenever we penetrate excuses, it usually boils down to
something like, "My parents are still alive and they'll hate it." or
something similar. There is a slight mob mentality on the island, and
as soon as we are able to swing it over into our favor, the entire
face of Kosrae will change. People like Barry and Edson are the ones
who are going to do it. It is an exciting time to be here.

Reading back a few emails, I would like to make something clear
because it seems that there is a little apprehension on this matter:
whenever I eat a dog, I screen it first. And it has to have been
cooked by someone that I trust. For example, we just ate some of the
best dog I have ever had from a guy who lived in the States for a
while and knows about hygiene and such. I will not eat a dog that I
didn't know before it got cooked.

As for the group, I am ridiculously determined to get it started. It
will happen, and my goal is to get it officially up and running by the
end of the month. We have a meeting tomorrow with the Branch Pres. and
it should be a main topic. We are looking for a spot to meet, and the
District Pres. is leaning pretty heavily toward a public youth
building that is actually a castle. And when I say castle, I mean a
150-200 sq. ft. castle complete with turrets. It is one of the oddest
sights in Malem. We will see...

We got to watch the General Priesthood session yesterday in church. I
don't think that I've ever walked away from a conference feeling
disappointed, but that session was definitely one of my more favorite
ones.

There was a tennis court donated to Kosrae a little while ago, and we
finally went and played there. Thanks, Dad for teaching me to play
tennis.

I am happy and healthy. I love you all very much.

Love,

Elder Gerber

October 28, 2013

Dear Family,

I hope you all know just how special you are, and not just to me. The
longer I'm away from you, the more I realize it (spell-checker is
telling me that realize is spelled with an 's'. Too bad, Mr. Spell!).
I am so proud of all of you, and love hearing about what you are all
doing.

Yesterday was a wonderful day. It wasn't even close to being perfect,
but there were a few things that happened that made up for it. First,
Salik came to church. He's a less-active member that we have been
working with for a little bit. He lives about a two hour's walk from
the chapel. We met with him on Saturday night and committed him to
walk to church. And he did. It was one of those times where I think I
start to feel like Ammon et al, being a little overcome with joy.
Also, there is a family investigating the church that I have taught a
few times in the Utwe area who are now attending church regularly.
Those two things alone made that day a wonderful day in paradise.

As for the group, we have everything sorted out, except for a group
leader. There are two active priesthood holders in our area--one of
them is the District President, and the other is the Branch
clerk/Elder's Quorum Pres./Sunday School Teacher/Ward Missionary. They
bookend the area, and the District President goes to the Lelu Branch.
So, we have a few less-active members that we are working with to get
ready to take the position (see "Salik" in the above paragraph). It is
going to happen soon.

We have been teaching some incredibly kind people. I would go so far
as to say that the nicest people on Kosrae are here in Malem.

I had a cold reality check this week: my trainer finished his mission
last Wednesday. He is now in Manilla, and was able to send me a nice
letter.

I am running out of time due to internet problems. In answer to
questions and comments: those cd's sound great, Dad; I definitely get
your messages, Mom; I could use a few pairs of exercise socks--the
ones I brought are now all worn out; Owen and Andy, you two are my
favorite people and I wish you could be here with me; I am so proud of
each of you for sharing your beliefs; I love you all more than I can
say in an email.

Love,

Elder Gerber