Another day, another...eight lessons!

This week has been just as crazy as the last. Seriously, you never know what's going to happen each day. Like one night we got locked out of the house and slept on the ground outside. One morning we climbed the coconut trees next to our house and got a bunch of ripe coconuts for breakfast. We took showers using a cooler full of well water and a drinking cup to dump it on our heads. Things are just...different here.

The culture is way different too. Like, they don't shake or nod their heads for yes and no. For yes, they raise their eyebrows. I didn't pick up on that for a while and I just thought they were being creepy. For no, they don't do anything. That makes for some really awkward silences when you ask them a question.

Also, it is custom here to give each visitor a drink when they come to your house. So every single time we visit someone, they give us a cup of sugared water. The well water here is....yeah. It looks like chocolate milk sometimes. They put the sugar in it to make it taste better. I'm still getting used to it. I probably have about 9 cups a day.

Also, the kids here are awesome! Most of them don't go to school, they just run around without clothes and play all day (don't get any ideas Colin). Whenever they see us, they all shout "Eldas!" because they can't pronounce the "r." They just mob you and take whatever you happen to be holding at the time. And they ALL shake your hand. In fact, everybody here on Kiribati shakes your hand. Even when you are just walking down the street, they shake your hand.

It is also polite here to ask everybody what they are doing. So if you pass someone on the other side of the street and don't say " Ko na aera (what are you up to?)," they think you are being rude. Wouldn't that be nice in America? Just to say hi to everyone? Try to work on that, guys.

Every meal, we sit in a circle around the food on the ground. We go around and everyone introduces themselves. It's custom to say your name, age, where you live, how many kids are in your family, and your parents' names/ages. So mom, dad, everyone I've had dinner with knows your ages and names. When I say my name, I pronounce it without the "r"s because they can't say them. "Elda Bwaka." Guess what it means it Kiribati?

"to trip or fall down"

.

Yep. Thanks dad.

Just kidding, it's fine. I also tell them I'm the oldest, that I'm "The Boss." They think it's hilarious. When I get home, I'm going to think I'm way funnier than I actually am.

We've been super busy this week. We had another baptism this Saturday with four people!! We also have 29 investigators that we are teaching. It's crazy, but going well.

Also this week, I was trying to give someone a Book of Mormon (which is really awesome, you should all get one. Talk to my family). I was trying to say "If you want to keep the book you can have this one." I accidentally said, "If you want to eat the book, you can have this one." My companion quickly corrected me...

So yep, things are going here in the Betio 3rd ward. The church is strong. I love studying the scriptures each morning. They truly are the words of God. I love sharing this with others. It makes their lives so much happier and brings them purpose and hope. It's something that I have been able to see in just the short time I've been here. Always remember what you believe!! If you have any questions, please email!!!

Karokoa te wiiki ae na roko (until next week),

Elda Bwaka