The canoe of flying

Mauri mauri ni kabane!!

Well, this is the final update from the MTC!! I am sad to leave but even more excited to start teaching in Kiribati! Seriously, the MTC is a blast. The first week or so is really intense and stressful, but you soon realize that this is the Lord's work and he gives you strength. When I first arrived, I was more nervous than I think I had ever been. But, to any prospective missionaries: just relax. Trust me. If you do your best, you will love it. The MTC has been way different than I expected, and I even expected it to be way different than I expected (good luck sleeping tonight...)!!

I've been kinda sick all week. It's going around here. A few mornings ago I woke up and couldn't talk at all!! That's a bit of a problem when you're a missionary...it makes teaching just a touch difficult.

This week we have been getting ready to head out. That means roto-tilling our dorm room and shoveling it into the suitcases. We also had a nine hour orientation meeting yesterday. It sounds long (and it was), but it was very insightful. I feel slightly more prepared to take off.

This week we were able to be new missionary "hosts." When a new missionary is dropped off at the MTC, they are greeted by a current missionary and registered, shown around, taken to dorm, and then taken to class. From the time they step out of the car they are in their first language class in about ten minutes. They jump right in. Anyways, I was able to host two new missionaries this week. It made me remember what it was like to come to them MTC. I really have come a long way and have become more humble. There is something very special about this place that is hard to describe.

Did anybody take me up on the challenge?!? I sincerely hope you did. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and i will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Or you can always ask someone else (Christian would be a fantastic choice).

In just a few days I will be boarding a 15-hour plane ride to Fiji, then to Tarawa in Kiribati. It may be useful to know this word:

uanikiba - "canoe of flying," which is their word for "airplane." Not to be confused with an actual flying canoe, of course.

Anyway, I am enjoying my last showers, hamburgers, and air conditioners. It will be sooo different, but sooo worth it. I know it seems strange to some people to give up modern comforts for so long, but let me tell you something: this is not about me. This is not my time anymore. I have chosen to give this time to the Lord, and the work that I will be doing is so much more significant than any hot shower or air conditioner. I am going because I truly believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and I want to share what I know with others.

Well, my next email will be from the other side of the world!! Until then, keikeiaki (hang in there)!

Bungarungaro,

Elder Barker